Fujifilm FinePix F470

Front (7.0)
The Fujifilm FinePix F470 has a matte silver front with a slight polished silver border which becomes slightly more pronounced along the left edge. The camera tapers from left to right, creating a transition plane that will marginally aid in handling. Vertically positioned on the left side, the slightly raised FinePix logo also helps add a minimal amount of grip.

At the top of the transition zone between the slightly thicker left side and the right two-thirds of the camera is the self-timer’s indicator lamp. The horizontal in-camera flash is to the right, approximately an inch off the center axis of the extending lens barrel.

The charcoal gray Fujifilm logo is positioned in the upper right corner. Beneath it is the extending 3x Fujinon optical zoom lens, with an automatic lens cover that snaps closed efficiently when the camera powers off. A raised polished silver ring, cut at a forty-five degree angle for heightened visual emphasis, surrounds the lens and separates it from the camera body. The in-camera mono microphone for audio recording is located beneath and to the left of this lens, and is visually identifiable due to three small holes cut into the body of the camera.

Back (7.0)
A 2.5-inch, 115,000 pixel LCD screen is the predominant feature on the back of the Fujifilm FinePix F470. The Fujifilm logo appears in white along the bottom edge of the screen, and a black frame surrounds the LCD. Since the 470 lacks an electronic or optical viewfinder, the LCD is its only viewing device.

To the right of the LCD, on the remaining third of the camera body, are most of the external controls needed to negotiate menus, manual controls, and other camera settings. Along the top edge is the zoom control, which allows for manipulation of wide-angle and telephoto perspectives. Beneath the zoom toggle is a circular scalloped indentation with its right edge built up and out from the camera body. This ridge, while subtle, did help alleviate some of the handling concerns encountered when shooting with a small, smooth-bodied camera. An indicator light, beneath and to the left of this circle, shows the current camera state.

The Playback button is located under the indicator light and to the left of the FinePix Photo Mode button. Below these two controls is a four-way control which enables menu navigation when either the Main or FinePix Photo Mode menus are open. When menu structures are not open, the four-way control allows immediate access to four camera settings via the cardinal directions. The up arrow increases the brightness of the LCD for low light viewing, the right arrow cycles through flash options, the down arrow doubles as the self-timer button, and the left arrow engages the Macro setting. When viewing images in playback mode, the up arrow also functions as the delete button. The Menu/OK button is located in the center of the four-way control. Near the bottom edge of the camera, beneath and to the left of the four-way control, is the display/back button.

Left Side (7.0)
A polished silver front edge wraps around from the front of the camera to complement the matte silver finish. The left side of the Fujifilm FinePix 470 is otherwise devoid of features.