September 23, 2026
Ever since my dad gave me a used point-and-shoot digital camera for my birthday when I was a young child, I have fancied myself something of an on-and-off photographer. In preparation for trip to China years and years ago as part of a college study abroad program, I sought to acquire a camera that would perform well yet remain small enough to be easily pocketable.
My research pointed me towards the Fujifilm X70, primarily for both its accessible manual controls and image files that looked good straight out of the camera without the need for any editing. As I enthusiastically shared my findings with my dad, the experienced family photographer, he cautioned against a camera with a fixed-lens. "If you're as serious about photography as I am you'll find yourself frustrated by the limitations of a fixed-lens." Undeterred, I insisted that the fixed lens was necessary for my "pocketability" requirement.
Essential destination.
Dense streets seen from a rooftop.
Some boats I liked.
I found one used on eBay for around $300, and it turned out to be a great fit for that trip. It wasn't comfortably pocketable, but it fit into a pocket in a pinch during the many moments the group zipped from one activity to another and I didn't have time to return it to my bag. It was something fast I could whip out and snag pictures with, and I'm still quite happy with many of the photos I took during that trip.
Closeup of a sculpture in Atlanta, GA.
However, in the years following, it spent more time in a drawer than in my pockets—barring the occasional excursion. I found that I was more apt to keep it in a pouch or small bag during the times I did use it, but it was there when I needed it, and I didn't think too much of the dwindling level of photos I was taking with it. The best camera is the one you have with you, I thought. Sure enough, in the years following, I eventually wound up taking more photos with my phone than with the X70.
That was until earlier this year, when I discovered a new camera that took photos with a quality far exceeding its price.
The Frog Camera Adventure Part 2