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Just posted: Fujifilm X10 hands-on preview and video

Oct 29, 2011 at 00:40:38 GMT

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Just Posted: Our Fujiflm X10 Hands on preview and video. We've been using Fujifilm's enthusiast level compact camera for a couple of days and have prepared a hands-on preview article and video. The X10 combines a bright 4x stabilized zoom lens with extensive direct control and the attractive rangefinder-esque styling of its big brother, the X100. We take a closer look at the camera and what it offers and we'll supplement the article with a samples gallery next week.

Click here to read our hands-on Fujifilm X10 preview

Fujifilm X10

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Comments

Total comments: 69

iam going to get this fujifilm x10 after a long consideration of
Nikon V1, Nikon P7100, G12, Samsung Ex11 (Yes, 11)

i found out this camera is much more what i needed as for i like to travel alot!

Maybe this "big guy" will let u see what you really need
http://www.boxedlight.com/x10/index.htm

0 upvotes

Just got the X10. Looking through the viewfinder I can see the lens barrel in the bottom right hand corner. This doesn't seem right and it's very distracting. Anybody have this issue?

0 upvotes

With the 2/3" sensor and the bright 2.0 to 2.8 zoom lens this looks like the successor to the late and very much lamented Sony F717. I sometimes dream about my old F717 but with a 2011 version 2/3 sensor. I still remember back in 2003 the great shots this sensor/lens combo produced.

0 upvotes

This seems a great little package, lets hope the results match the spec. If the longest shutter speed is 1/4 second is there a B setting in manual mode to achieve longer exposures?.
Will there be a remote release to activate on a tripod or a cable release attachment?

0 upvotes

I try to find good excuse to buy this although not really need new camera.
Not found any so I dicide just but and reason is: "I just want it".
No other reason needed.

0 upvotes

This looks like the best compact released this year. I love that the zoom is on a manual ring. The only issue is that it looks very easy to turn off accidentally.

0 upvotes

Dpreview wrong.

Quite a twist to get from 28mm to off position (its like going from 28mm to 85mm).
Firm twist to turn it off.

Turning on
firm twist
then just before it gets to 28mm there is a slight "ridge" to tell user it is at 28mm.

0 upvotes

I wonder why they did not add something like the unbeatable zoom slider of the (analog) Contax TVS 28-56.
With the knob of such a slider, zooming can be controlled by fingertip, it is not necessary to loosen the grip for turning the lens ring with 2 fingers.

0 upvotes

maybe because, at 270 shots per charge, there was no spare electricity. And where to put the motor? But (for me at least) the biggest reason is that direct manual control is just sooo much better! Each to his own.

0 upvotes

wetsleet,
I am speaking of a pure mechanical slider, without motror/electricity.
I found a photo in http://www.flickr.com/photos/summilux-m/3419039862/

0 upvotes

oh, I didn't realise that. Looks good. Is it any better than a regular manual zoom? I would think your left hand would naturally be cupping the lens barrel anyway, so zooming would not require any loss or change of grip? Plus on the Fuji it liks seamlessly into the power on/off control and cocks the lens ready for use. Anyway, both methods seem far batter than the typical shutter finger rocker control.

0 upvotes

Re UI on Fujifilm X10 and X100. I know it can be improved.

Today's camera operate their software by pressing buttons and turning wheels on the back of camera, yet perhaps none of them offers the sheer simplicity of the user interface experience of the original iPod.

That's one of the reasons iPod was so wildly popular. Apple ventured to Nokia for the user interface software of the first iPods, and polished it in their own, unique way. I wonder why camera manufacturers stick to clumsy in-house solutions?
All camera manufacturers have yet to learn how to build a good UI and improve on it. Some are on the good track. But major problem are increasing complexities of the cameras today; they do too many things and, apparently, market wants all of them crammed inside. It's a double edged sword. The reason iPod was so popular was because it had a sole purpose — pure experience of music. Today's cameras tend to be everything but pure photography experience.

Comment edited 11 minutes after posting

5 upvotes

I don't think you can compare iPod, a piece of clearly consumer oriented equipment and cameras so often indented for creative purposes. No doubt there is a room for improvement, but basically that are two different things.

1 upvote

The EXR sensor hasn't impressed me in the past and I doubt that it will be as good as a back-lit sensor. The rest of the camera looks good though.

0 upvotes

Will I be able to actually buy one?!?!?!?!?!

0 upvotes

No idea, maybe ask your wife

11 upvotes

Found this nice non-technical review of the camera in actual use, on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjUuDcn0DSQ

0 upvotes

http://s1038.photobucket.com/albums/a465/having_anicetime/Fujifilm%20X10/Fujifilm%20X10%20FOCUS%20TRACKING/?albumview=slideshow

Really nice framing tracking through OVF.
I would've done better with more time & a few days with X10 (i was trying it out in CameraWorld).

F2.2 face detect continuous af, 7fps 10fps, finger held down on shutter.
Lowest sharpness jpeg.
Exposure turned out just as the OVF saw them.
Indoor shopping mall difficult lighting, moving subjects. Exposure super accurate : colours, wb, peoples clothing, skin tones, shop signs.

Comment edited 4 minutes after posting

3 upvotes

The new X10 is an interesting arrival into the earlier times so popular prosumer level cameras (Canon PowerShot Pro1, Sony DSC-F828, Olympus C-8080 Wide Zoom, Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 & A200, Nikon 8400, Nikon 8400, Nikon 8700, Nikon 8800). Samsung also made a late entry into this ambitious field with the Pro815. Before Olympus created the E-System, they tested the water here with the E-10 & E-20, using the 2/3" sensor.

Not surprising it's Fujifilm who has the latest experiences with the somewhat larger sensor sizes with their FinePix S100fs (1/1.5") and S200EXR (1/1.6").

Comparing the size of the sensor areas and their direct influence of EV stops handicap, we see that Four Thirds resides exactly between Two Thirds and the 135 film format.

1 upvote

While the 2/3" sensor is handicapped 2 EV stops relative to Four Thirds, it has a ½ Ev stop advantage over the enthusiast compacts (Canon S95/S100, Nikon P7000/P7100, Samsung TL500(EX1), Panasonic LX3/LX5, Olympus XZ-1) having the somewhat smaller sensors (1/1.63" & 1/1.7").

2 upvotes

The beauty of the X10 covers not only the exterior, but also the interior.
The zoom lens has the same 4x range and brightness like the Olympus XZ-1.
It's the first time seeing an optically stabilized lens (their own or licensed O.I.S. techniques from Panasonic or Sigma?) The sensor is now CMOS, while all prosumer and bridge cameras earlier have got CCD.

CMOS always has advantages over CCD with respect to video, but unless CMOS can be of backlit type (BSI-CMOS), the still images might not be as good yet. Remember 1/1.7" sensors are still too large for BSI-CMOS fabrication techniques. Canon though is brave enough to push CMOS to their new S100 although with classical FSI-CMOS, but might be suffering noise problems at low ISO compared to CCD.

Since BSI-CMOS currently doesn't commercially exist for larger sensors, Fujifilm's EXR filter array might be the only chance for the 2/3" sensor to beat the 1/1.7" CCD. Looking forward to read the full review in near future.

1 upvote

And even finds room

(pause)

for an optical viewfinder.

Love it!

1 upvote

Just back from biccamera, where I could do a hands on of the X10 and J1/V1.

The viewfinder on the X10 is awesome, leagues ahead of e.g. the G12. Despite what dpreview says, the detent on the ring is very heavy, no chance of accidentally switching off coming to the end of the zoom. Build quality, aesthetics, size and heft are all just sooo right.

However, the control interface is AAAAARgth! The most counterintuitive, headscratching mess I have yet encountered on a camera. Fuji has got to deal with this issue.

Meanwhile, the J1/V1 are badly styled and clunky, pretty much a toss up in bulk to the GF2, the GF3 and NEX feel considerably smaller. Nice interface, nicely designed lenses, but the cameras are just way too thick and bulky for what they are supposed to be.

Comment edited 2 minutes after posting

5 upvotes

Hi Richard, I'm a bit concerned with the viewfinder. Is it just a plain viewfinder? Does it show you any info like the shutter speed, aperture etc.? Cause if it doesn't, then it's mainly for framing.

0 upvotes

magpie360, it is just plain viewfinder. To each of their own, but after playing a bit at yodobashi camera i think i much prefer EVF in this case...

0 upvotes

"The most counterintuitive, headscratching mess I have yet encountered on a camera." I see you haven't tried the X100 :p

0 upvotes

Most companies license physical parts of their cameras. Fuji needs to license some one else's UI. If they would have done that and put a prosumer processor in the fuji x100 the used market wouldn't be flooded with them right now

0 upvotes

http://g1.img-dpreview.com/C97E463268AA499C8C01F9F993215784.jpg

EXR DR & SN in RAW (last row of manual). Change the RAW=Off setting in menu to enable.

This has been pointed out in http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1012&thread=39717384 by two forumees.

1 upvote

Looks very promising, this may just be the camera I have been waiting for. One question: Does it have flash exposure compensation? Nothing mentioned under specifications. I often use balanced fill flash to brighten up the foreground. Thanks!

1 upvote

The Manual (p. 87) states that flash compensation can be set. "Choose from values between +2/3 EV ad -2/3 EV."

0 upvotes

Thanks very much. I have only just now discovered that theFuji x10 pdf manual is already available on the Internet. Here the link for all those of you interested in more details:
http://www.fotoez.net/fujifilm-finepix-x10-digital-compact-camera-users-manual-6975

2 upvotes

I don't advise to download this as the download modifies your internet start up with icredimail

0 upvotes

i buy this - nikon 1 is asking too much for what it can do

6 upvotes

Fuji has hit the right balance of physical design and image making features on a camera where the buyer would swoon: "Hmm, I wish I had that gadget" and be surprised after the fact that they can afford it!

7 upvotes

My guess is that Fujifilm is trying to establish itself as a poor man's Leica brand. Some of the beautiful retro styling without the insane price point of Leicas. And if the reviews are to be trusted, it actually sounds like the X100 has better image quality than the fixed-lens Leica out there which costs around $2000.

So maybe it's not a bad thing to have a new premium brand in town? I'd like to see some more design disruption in the camera world. The camera industry is dominated by a conservative Japanese business attitude. Even micro 4/3 was wayyy too long in coming, and the initial releases have been conservative design modifications (with the exception of the NEX-5).

7 upvotes

Love the reference...exactly what I refer to these cameras as! I pre-ordered the X10, foregoing the X100 since that is clearly a test-bed design. I will wait until they come out with an interchangeable lens design on the X100 - and THAT will truly be MY poor man's Leica!

from somewhere on Colorado's Continental Divide...
NikonFotoMatt
http://blog.LITfoto.com

0 upvotes

the only compact camera you can do zoom-in effect like this: http://lnk.bz/IPd :))

Comment edited 57 seconds after posting

4 upvotes

Have it, and yes its every bit as good as expected. Easier to control than the big brother x100, but great build quality. If the sensor is half as good as the x100 it is a hit. First impressions are v good.

3 upvotes

Fuji have quite a few sample images on their website. It's definitely not DSLR-level, but still very impressive.
The problem I perceive locally (South Africa), is that there are always good deals on end-of-range DSLR starter kits, for eg. Canon 550D (T2i) with kit lens, bag & SD-card ($625). We pay about 25% more locally over the B&H price for a camera like this, so at $750 it's going to take a while yet.

0 upvotes

I have one of this on pre-order with all the trimmings. Hope it will arrive around Nov. 11, 2011 as promised by Vistek, I am so looking forward to for small travel camera to take with me on the road.

0 upvotes

It's very attempting to me, only if the sensor is bigger ... I have a GF2 and a G11. Although I really think GF2 can improve a lot in operation and aesthetic design, the image from a larger sensor is no-doubt better.

If X10 features a four-thirds sensor, I will be lining in the queue for one.

0 upvotes

so what would you sacrifice in order to have the larger sensor, and what benefit would you hope to obtain from the larger sensor?

2 upvotes

This is a compact camera. If the X10 had a bigger sensor the lens would have to be bigger and it would not be compact anymore. The X10 is a wonderful contribution from Fuji. The only reason I dont like it is that I want to be able to see shooting info in the viewfinder.

2 upvotes

We already know what sensor the X10 has - it's a 2/3" type. If you want an X10 with a large sensor then look at the X100 :)

2 upvotes

You are right and X100 was on the top of my buying list this time one year ago. But, after trying one from a friend, I dropped the idea.

The AF speed and sluggish operation were the major barriers. I can accept MF but X100 does not provide easy way to MF either.

Honestly, what I want is a system with a decent sensor + a fast enough eye-level VF + a reasonably good lens in the volume of a Panny GF+pancake. the operation need to be responsive and logic, at least reach the level of something like Canon S95.

Currently I use GF2 + Panny 20 1.7 for casual shooting. Only two complaint: 1) lack of a decent EVF; 2) the age-old 12MP sensor on GF2 is limited in dynamic range and I have to be very careful in protecting highlight.

1 upvote

Yet another dissapointment coming from fuji. I remember my first excitement and sudden huge dissapointment when I was reading som time ago about promising nx100 and finding out the lens was fitted. Is it so hard for fuji to make it lens interchangeable camera rather than slaping on their lens? I won't be buying fitted lens camera ever again. I want to make a lens choice myself.

0 upvotes

Calm down, they've said that they are developing a compact interchangeable lens system coming with image quality "better than full frame".

7 upvotes

Are you going to post this every time a compact camera is introduced?

16 upvotes

The Fuji X10 is similar to a Canon G12, except the Fuji's lens is faster and the Fuji sensor is a bit bigger. Why are you going on about interchangeable lenses?

2 upvotes

No, not at all. An excellent high-end compact.
If you don't like compacts, get one of the many interchangeable lens models.

0 upvotes

No point in getting your nose tweaked every time a manufacturer introduces a camera that does not meet your dream spec list. It's close enough to mine that I've ordered one. If it does not meet my needs, I'll dump it like the G10 I had several years ago. But for me, a small, fixed lens is what makes the form factor work.

1 upvote

Jeez, calm down you crazy fool. Fitted lenses are pretty normal in compact cameras, and there's a huge market for them. Just because you "won't be buying [a] fitted lens camera ever again" doesn't mean that plenty of other people will. The world does not revolve around you.

0 upvotes

You can't have interchangeable lenses AND an OVF. (x10=fixed lens)
Just like you can't have big sensor + fast zooms AND compactness. (x100=prime lens)

The OVF is the big plus of the X10.

The only downside I see with the X10 is that the OVF doesn't show anything, not even the focus... which probably makes it useless?
Need to check this...

Everyone wants big sensors, fast zooms, with OVF that can fit in the pocket.
Just not (yet?) possible.

Comment edited 19 seconds after posting

1 upvote

Go buy Pentax Q and stop crying.

1 upvote

Fuji's EBC coated Fujinon lenses are some of the best lenses in all of photography. What's not to like about a 28-112 f2-2.8 zoom?

0 upvotes

The NX100 its a Samsung digicam.
You are wrong again!
Or its a simple COPY&PASTE??
And Fuji expect to introduce a new mirroless interchageable lens digicam the next year.

0 upvotes

Disagree with this assessment of Fuji...on some counts. I bought the Fuji S2 as my first D-SLR body in '03. I'm dyed-in-the-wool Nikon, but not a single Nikon D could produce decent files. S2 high-ISO files ROCKED, looking much like my old TriX @ 1600 negs.

However, Fuji won't listen to their shooting pros and followed with the S5 - same great image quality, but a DOG for cache and image processing. And they still would not listen.

As for the X100? It's a test-bed camera...a chance to see if the concept will fly. You will see a higher-end interchangeable lens version in the future.

I've pre-ordered the X10 and believe (i hope i hope i hope) that the image files will be up to Fuji's past quality. Glitches? Sure, likely...they've already posted a firmware update for a camera that's hardly even available yet!

My test images are sure to include high-ISO, low, natural light shooting.

from somewhere on Colorado's Continental Divide...

NikonFotoMatt
http://blog.LITfoto.com

0 upvotes

One half of my brain (that tiny thing that rattles around in my head) says BUY IT NOWWWW.... the other half says wait and see how Canon (my brand for SLRs) reacts, if at all... and make sure there are no issues like the X100...

Nice to be so excited about a camera intro though...

0 upvotes

Canon already have cameras (G12 etc.) in this class.

0 upvotes

Will the x10 also have the common Sticky Blades issue like the x100?

Fujifilm has still refused to publicly acknowledge this issue that has affected many x100 owners.

0 upvotes

I have one of this on pre-order. I'm hoping the quality will be good.

0 upvotes

Enjoy

0 upvotes

beautiful camera, so is the X100. Made in Japan quality, as it should be from a Japanese camera maker. Like Ray-Ban and Levi's should be American made. Fuji is on the right track to reclaim its long lost market share on the top. I'll buy the X10 for sure.

4 upvotes

LOL....I have two pairs of Ray-Ban glasses....both made in China!

3 upvotes

Hope to have review soon....

1 upvote

You can still get Levis made in the USA, for $150 at Brooks Brothers.

Pay no attention to Ibida Bad, who doesn't know what "should" means.

1 upvote

Congratulations Ratty! This explain for yourself about your ALL ANTI FUJI´s COMMENTS! :S
In first place please, get off your dark glasses!!!
You are still blind!
You live in China uh? But in USA, day by day, thousands people lost his employs.
Think about this, ;)

2 upvotes

What? If you are gonna (try to) trash somebody please learn english first.

1 upvote

All I have ever wanted in digital camera is a replacement for my lovely old Leica CL (which I think was a whopping $250 twenty years ago) - a taller order than I ever imagined. My old DMC-LC1 tried (unsuccessfully), and my GX-100 with it's EVF is a wonderful camera to operate but gives mediocre images that take endless fussing. Perhaps this is a big step in the right direction.

0 upvotes

Total comments: 69


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