Fujifilm FinePix Z800EXR: Video and Image Quality

Video Quality
The Z800EXR takes average quality HD videos at 1280x720 resolution at 24 frames per second. Zoom must be set before recording begins - neither optical nor digital zoom can be used while the recording process is ongoing. Audio is monaural only.

Image Quality
Images produced by the Z800EXR are of good quality with realistic color, though the colors could use a bit more punch. Almost all of my sample pictures were taken in standard Provia, rather than in Velvia mode, which produces more vivid colors. However, after examining my photos, I cam to the conclusion that shooting in Velvia would have probably produced more pleasing results. Overexposure from bright sunshine was a problem that affected many of my outdoor pictures. This occurred even though I usually shot in EXR Auto mode, in which the camera is supposed to apply D Range priority when appropriate.

I enjoyed using the camera's Motion Panorama mode. I think few users will opt to use the full 360 degree mode, as the image comes out too thin. However, shooting at 120 degrees and 240 degrees produced good results.

The Z800EXR has white balance settings for auto, direct sunlight, shade, three types of fluorescent lighting and incandescent lighting. I used auto white balance with almost all of my pictures and found it to be very accurate, as demonstrated by the image below using the fluorescent setting.

Auto White Balance, 5500k fluorescent light

The Z800EXR has what Fuji calls a "Super Intelligent Flash" which analyzes the scene and adjusts the flash output accordingly. Fuji states that flash range is 1 to 12.8 feet at wide angle, 1.3 feet to 10.5 feet at telephoto and 1 to 1.26 feet at macro, an average range for a small camera's flash. I found that the flash worked well, producing output that was appropriate for the lighting conditions.

Fuji claims its EXR technology is able to produce high ISO shots with reduced noise and this is borne out, to some extent, by the ISO results in the table below. Image quality is good through 200 ISO, with little noise and strong color.

ISO 100	ISO 100, 100% crop
ISO 200	ISO 200, 100% crop
ISO 400	ISO 400, 100% crop
ISO 800	ISO 800, 100% crop
ISO 1600	ISO 1600, 100% crop

Noise starts to intrude at 400 ISO, stays at about the same level at 800 ISO and becomes worse at 1600 ISO. Good color is maintained throughout. These results are better than most cameras in the Z800EXR's class, but are not outstanding.

Additional Sample Images