Another X-S1 thread ... shall I or shall I not ... ?

babha · Jul 17, 2022

Well, as there isn´t any new gear to talk about in this forum - all of us use their "old" and trusty beloved Fuji cams.

X-S1 is Fuji`s last made bridge cam. Considering it came out in autumn 2012 - that`s a looong time in digital world.

My first digital camera was a Fuji S9600 which I bought brand new 2007. I still use it and love it´s images.

X-S1 i bought late 2012, and I was sure or at least hoping, it would be an upgrade to my ageing S9600.

But honestly: I was disappointed. At least in the beginning.

Even if I had prepared myself and read as much as I could find about EXR-sensors, to me the pictures didn´t look better than what I knew from my old cam. Rather the opposite.

At least in some cases.

So during the next years I developed a kind of love and hate relation to the X-S1.

Frustrated I sold it. After I while I went through the pictures and found myself really liking some of them. Ended up buying another one.

I didn´t count how many different X-S1 I had during all these years. Some were good, some worse - but I couldn´t keep one of them.

After not even thinking about X-S1 anymore during the last three years, I finally found a very good offer without actually looking for it. And I really don´t know why: I bought it again. It came in a almost new condition, with some filters, five spare batteries and a bag.

It even took me a while before I used it again.

And well ... certainly this is a kind of personal insanity ... since that I am thinking about selling it again.

Same as always: There are these pictures showing terrible little detail even at ISO 100. And I have no real explanation. I can see the disaster already by looking into the EVF ... and try my best to redo the scenery ... taking care of every single setting and specially focus. No improvement.

And there are these other images looking totally artificial ... plastic ... like a pop art painting.

BUT then ... there are these many other photos I really like !

I will show you some from the last few months and today.

All of them are jpeg SOOC - no pp at all. I usually record RAF and jpeg ... and if I am not happy with my settings I redo it inside the cam.

As to my taste Fuji`s colors are brilliant but just a bit to cold, my AWB shift starts with red+2 blue -2, sometimes even red+4, blue-3

Please be patient, it will be quite a few pictures to look at - hopefully you won`t find it boring ...

Starting with some delicious cherries from our garden

rose in our garden after one rare rain

rapeseed this spring

I am lucky to live in an area with many many lakes. The state in Germany is called Brandenburg. It`s close to Berlin, the next town is Potsdam.

This is not my country, as I am Austrian. But faith brought me here - and I am very happy.

Amazing sunsets ....

But light is great before the end of the day too

Last but not least: The palaces and temples inside the gorgeous garden of Sanssouci in Potsdam, open and free for the public.

The new palace

And finally a look through the "Brandenburger Tor" in Potsdam ...

So: What to do ???

Of course, I could just keep the camera.

But I have so many ... and often I find myself loosing time by deciding which one to bring.

Just recently I got a very low priced Olympus EM10ii. It`s so small and light and gives wonderful pictures.

Besides Fuji I always liked Olympus and have quite a few old E-bodies, starting with the legend E-1 ... E-330 and E-400 plus a few lenses.

So EM10 plus two kit-lenses is almost the weight of X-S1, of course taking a bit more space, plus I have to change lenses, plus it stops at 300 not 624 mm. On the other hand the images are much cleaner, colors very pleasing and I can rise ISO without headache.

Do you have a suggestion ?

--
my pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/batuk_bhagwan/

Howard V · Jul 17, 2022

My name is Howard. I'm an X-S1-aholic.

Seriously, there's no other camera on the planet that I've ever found so pleasurable and satisfying to use. It will never be tack sharp under any circumstances, with any subject, settings or post processing. It generates noise easily. But with the right subjects under the right atmospheric conditions, Wow!

So here's where I've landed after ten years and FIVE different copies of this camera. Like it for what it is, and avoid disliking it for what it isn't. Realize it's a classic bridge camera with a few faults, and be willing to overlook them. It's worth it.

This is the only way I'm going to avoid there being a sixth.

I like your images. The architectural collection near the end is especially good. And the lighting of the last sample is wonderful - what the X-S1 excels in, by my experience.

Good luck!

Scene Program - Sunsets

Fujiuseruk · Jul 17, 2022

Keep , you’ll regret getting rid, just remove any filters from the from the front element and keep the lens hood on

the only complaint I have about the xs1 is slow AF,poor high iso and I’d like a better evf

I’ve replaced mine with the RX10mkiv as my everyday camera after trying many fz models but the Fuji still has a place in my heart .

Fuji

Sony

--
Now just a bridge camera user , keeping things simple

missedshot · Jul 17, 2022

Possibly the most enjoyable post I've ever read on the subject of photography, and it's gear.

WiltshireMoonraker59 · Jul 18, 2022

I was in a very similar position to you, I had a Fuji XS-1 when they first came out and loved it but later yearned for something "better", so I sold it. I also had a Fuji S9600 which I gave to my stepson but prior to the XS-1 I had an Olympus E-420 with a couple of lenses and even then I was fed up with changing lenses and saw the XS-1 as a solution. I then went through lots of different cameras, Sony NEX 6 (dropped it in Greece), Nikon D5100, D5300, Pentax K3, Pentax KP, Olympus EM10ii, Fuji X30 and I also regretted selling the XS-1 and so bought another one in mint condition. I also bought a Olympus EM1ii with several lenses and yes the image quality was very good compared to my XS-1 but like you say, some photos with the XS-1 just have that special look to them and it would be my perfect camera if the AF was better and my final solution was a Sony RX10iv which I have just bought after selling all my Olympus gear but I still have my Fuji XS-1 and will never sell this one.

Brian Chichester · Jul 18, 2022

What a great thread. It's for in-depth stuff like this that I keep on coming back to dpreview.

I've never owned an X-S1, though I've been close a couple of times (I think the weight always put me off). I did however have an X10 for a while, which is similar in character but without the long zoom. And though I think I made some great images with it, I eventually got tired of tinkering with the EXR modes and squinting down the little viewfinder, and traded it for an X30, which I find a much more satisfactory camera.

Anyway, always interested to read your X-S1 experiences, but with age creeping up on me, there is not much to attract me to a camera weighing almost a kilogram.

The Point and Shoot Pro · Jul 26, 2022

WiltshireMoonraker59 said:
I was in a very similar position to you, I had a Fuji XS-1 when they first came out and loved it but later yearned for something "better", so I sold it. I also had a Fuji S9600 which I gave to my stepson but prior to the XS-1 I had an Olympus E-420 with a couple of lenses and even then I was fed up with changing lenses and saw the XS-1 as a solution. I then went through lots of different cameras, Sony NEX 6 (dropped it in Greece), Nikon D5100, D5300, Pentax K3, Pentax KP, Olympus EM10ii, Fuji X30 and I also regretted selling the XS-1 and so bought another one in mint condition. I also bought a Olympus EM1ii with several lenses and yes the image quality was very good compared to my XS-1 but like you say, some photos with the XS-1 just have that special look to them and it would be my perfect camera if the AF was better and my final solution was a Sony RX10iv which I have just bought after selling all my Olympus gear but I still have my Fuji XS-1 and will never sell this one.

You, my friend, are like myself. I hate lugging bag of lenses etc around. The new breed of bridge and point and shoots are so good, that unless you are a professional sports photographer the point and shoot / bridge cameras will work just fine. Spec sheet bingo is for arguing on the internet, I prefer to take my point and shoots, go out get great images, sell said images and enjoy the lightweight capable kit.

Miss tilly · Jul 28, 2022

Keep it! Your pictures are excellent, the X-S1 coped well in the various situations shown. I really missed out not buying this camera, I came so close over the years.

Dreamscape Photo · Aug 3, 2022

I went down a different path, i went with a S100fs (Super CCD) I had the S200 EXR but was not the same. The S100fs colours and feel are the best ive ever seen from a smaller sensor.

you can even get 22mp on some raw programmes, with its old double pixels. but obs its not real pixels.

Yes the viewfinder is bad and its a bit slower. but still great, for a walk around camera

Howard V · Aug 3, 2022

Dreamscape Photo said:
I went down a different path, i went with a S100fs (Super CCD) I had the S200 EXR but was not the same. The S100fs colours and feel are the best ive ever seen from a smaller sensor.

you can even get 22mp on some raw programmes, with its old double pixels. but obs its not real pixels.

Yes the viewfinder is bad and its a bit slower. but still great, for a walk around camera

babha · Aug 7, 2022

Thanx for all the interesting replies.

Until a view days ago I was close to keep X-S1. My decision was made easier as there are quite a few X-S1 cameras on different pages for sale - going low to € 120, quite some amount less than what I have been thinking of asking, IF ...

But then: I was looking at a couple of pictures I took with my Lumix FZ300 more than a year ago on the island of Crete.

The Lumix I had bought for very little money about two years ago had a couple of issues. The seller told frankly, that it had fallen down from a stroller. So the screen - I hardly use it anyway (so my idea was: Doesn't matter that much ...) - was slightly damaged ... but that should be it.

It wasn't.

I am sure, AF had problems (totally unreliable sometimes), perhaps O.I.S didn't work (at all) ... I got "camera switches off because of overheating" even it was cool weather and I just had taken a view pix.

In lower light situations (evening: city views with street lamps on and bright windows) it was totally impossible to get even one sharp image, neither AF nor MF.

A few months ago I almost gave it for free, honestly mentioning the camera's problems.

But in between I have been able to capture really nice photos.

After I looked at them I noticed, that I really liked them. Even the colors! ... I was sure, they are no match against Fuji.

They are perhaps less pleasing out of the box, but specially in "natural mode" they come out pretty "realistic".

A week ago I found a very good offer for one in mint condition, as the seller insisted, hardly ever used (smartphone had become, as for so many, the only photographic tool)

Well: She was true - it looks like out of the box. No issues so far this time.

And for me it's clear already, that the Lumix is taking sharper images than my X-S1. Much more reliable AF. Much better IS.

Of course, it feels much more plastic than X-S1 ... simply because it is.

The manual focus ability of the Fuji is more direct, quick and pleasing than the FZ300 motor zoom.

Although I have to admit that one gets used to it pretty quick, so no big problem there.

As I don't need three bridge cams I will stick to my trusty S9600 - I prefer it's images to the ones of the newer X-S1.

FZ300 will give me more reach, much faster AF and IS ... so it will be my most used bridge cam I guess.

For low light and more "difficult" situations my EM10ii will be happily ready ;-)

So, yes, once again, earlier or later, it will be a goodbye to X-S1 .........

my pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/batuk_bhagwan/

Howard V · Aug 7, 2022

babha said:
Thanx for all the interesting replies.

Until a view days ago I was close to keep X-S1. My decision was made easier as there are quite a few X-S1 cameras on different pages for sale - going low to € 120, quite some amount less than what I have been thinking of asking, IF ...

But then: I was looking at a couple of pictures I took with my Lumix FZ300 more than a year ago on the island of Crete.

The Lumix I had bought for very little money about two years ago had a couple of issues. The seller told frankly, that it had fallen down from a stroller. So the screen - I hardly use it anyway (so my idea was: Doesn't matter that much ...) - was slightly damaged ... but that should be it.

It wasn't.

I am sure, AF had problems (totally unreliable sometimes), perhaps O.I.S didn't work (at all) ... I got "camera switches off because of overheating" even it was cool weather and I just had taken a view pix.

In lower light situations (evening: city views with street lamps on and bright windows) it was totally impossible to get even one sharp image, neither AF nor MF.

A few months ago I almost gave it for free, honestly mentioning the camera's problems.

But in between I have been able to capture really nice photos.

After I looked at them I noticed, that I really liked them. Even the colors! ... I was sure, they are no match against Fuji.

They are perhaps less pleasing out of the box, but specially in "natural mode" they come out pretty "realistic".

A week ago I found a very good offer for one in mint condition, as the seller insisted, hardly ever used (smartphone had become, as for so many, the only photographic tool)

Well: She was true - it looks like out of the box. No issues so far this time.

And for me it's clear already, that the Lumix is taking sharper images than my X-S1. Much more reliable AF. Much better IS.

Of course, it feels much more plastic than X-S1 ... simply because it is.

The manual focus ability of the Fuji is more direct, quick and pleasing than the FZ300 motor zoom.

Although I have to admit that one gets used to it pretty quick, so no big problem there.

As I don't need three bridge cams I will stick to my trusty S9600 - I prefer it's images to the ones of the newer X-S1.

FZ300 will give me more reach, much faster AF and IS ... so it will be my most used bridge cam I guess.

For low light and more "difficult" situations my EM10ii will be happily ready ;-)

So, yes, once again, earlier or later, it will be a goodbye to X-S1 .........

my pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/batuk_bhagwan/

I totally understand. For similar reasons I still shoot with a Panasonic FZ1000 when looking for more resolution, better sharpness, accurate/faster AF and less noise. Still, the quality construction, wonderful handling characteristics and painterly color renditions of the X-S1 will always hold special charm for me. At 73 I don't anticipate being at this a lot longer, so the current threesome of my cameras plus a very capable iPhone will see me through to the end.

I wish you enjoyable shooting and wonder-filled images.

Brian Chichester · Aug 7, 2022

Papa48 said:
Howard V said:

I totally understand. For similar reasons I still shoot with a Panasonic FZ1000 when looking for more resolution, better sharpness, accurate/faster AF and less noise. Still, the quality construction, wonderful handling characteristics and painterly color renditions of the X-S1 will always hold special charm for me. At 73 I don't anticipate being at this a lot longer, so the current threesome of my cameras plus a very capable iPhone will see me through to the end.

Click to expand...

I wish you enjoyable shooting and wonder-filled images.

Hey Papa, I'm 73 in a couple of weeks and I don't feel that the end is in sight.

(I'm too old to carry an X-S1 for miles though...)

Howard V · Aug 7, 2022

Brian Chichester said:
Brian Chichester wrote:

Papa48 said:

Brian Chichester said:

I totally understand. For similar reasons I still shoot with a Panasonic FZ1000 when looking for more resolution, better sharpness, accurate/faster AF and less noise. Still, the quality construction, wonderful handling characteristics and painterly color renditions of the X-S1 will always hold special charm for me. At 73 I don't anticipate being at this a lot longer, so the current threesome of my cameras plus a very capable iPhone will see me through to the end.

Click to expand...

I wish you enjoyable shooting and wonder-filled images.

Click to expand...

Hey Papa, I'm 73 in a couple of weeks and I don't feel that the end is in sight.

(I'm too old to carry an X-S1 for miles though...)

Brian:
I’m glad for your health and vitality! My doctor thinks I’m in good shape for my age. But my two bridge cameras have had only light use, and I’m taking fewer than a hundred images a month with them. Not so sure I’ll need them for more than that. We’ll see. I wish you lots of good X-S1 adventures!

Dreamscape Photo · Aug 24, 2022

My advice is S100fs, yes its older but i still think it beats any fuji bridge for image quality in standard light.

The viewfinder is shocking, but this camera still a great.

Ive not used the XS1 but i had the S200 which felt like a step back. EXR does my head in too many options and variables. give me Super CCD any day i have an s3 pro too

Some programmes do the old double pixels too so they end up at 22mp lol

This camera is so good im happy using it in place of a lower end DSLR

--
Just go out and shoot photos!!!!

Fujiuseruk · Aug 24, 2022

Dreamscape Photo said:
My advice is S100fs, yes its older but i still think it beats any fuji bridge for image quality in standard light.

The viewfinder is shocking, but this camera still a great.

Ive not used the XS1 but i had the S200 which felt like a step back. EXR does my head in too many options and variables. give me Super CCD any day i have an s3 pro too

Some programmes do the old double pixels too so they end up at 22mp lol

This camera is so good im happy using it in place of a lower end DSLR

And hope you don’t get a purple fringe monster .
Don’t knock the xs1 without actually using one.
Nothing complicated about them at all . I get lovely jpegs from mine.

--
Now just a bridge camera user , keeping things simple

The Point and Shoot Pro · Aug 25, 2022

Fujix100vuseruk said:
Dreamscape Photo said:

My advice is S100fs, yes its older but i still think it beats any fuji bridge for image quality in standard light.

The viewfinder is shocking, but this camera still a great.

Ive not used the XS1 but i had the S200 which felt like a step back. EXR does my head in too many options and variables. give me Super CCD any day i have an s3 pro too

Some programmes do the old double pixels too so they end up at 22mp lol

This camera is so good im happy using it in place of a lower end DSLR

Click to expand...

And hope you don’t get a purple fringe monster .
Don’t knock the xs1 without actually using one.
Nothing complicated about them at all . I get lovely jpegs from mine.

Me too. Just a bridge and point and shoot user. I can squeeze great images from them. Much better than what I get from my iPhone 13.

--
Fronterra Photography Tours
One Lens, No Problem
The Point and Shoot Pro
The People of the Red and White stand with the people of the yellow and blue!

WiltshireMoonraker59 · Aug 25, 2022

The Point and Shoot Pro said:
Fujix100vuseruk said:

Dreamscape Photo said:

My advice is S100fs, yes its older but i still think it beats any fuji bridge for image quality in standard light.

The viewfinder is shocking, but this camera still a great.

Ive not used the XS1 but i had the S200 which felt like a step back. EXR does my head in too many options and variables. give me Super CCD any day i have an s3 pro too

Some programmes do the old double pixels too so they end up at 22mp lol

This camera is so good im happy using it in place of a lower end DSLR

Click to expand...

And hope you don’t get a purple fringe monster .
Don’t knock the xs1 without actually using one.
Nothing complicated about them at all . I get lovely jpegs from mine.

Click to expand...

Me too. Just a bridge and point and shoot user. I can squeeze great images from them. Much better than what I get from my iPhone 13.

Me too, another bridge camera fan and user, Fuji XS-1 and Sony RX10iv, the versatility of these cameras is a no brainer

Dreamscape Photo · Aug 25, 2022

Fujix100vuseruk said:
Dreamscape Photo said:

My advice is S100fs, yes its older but i still think it beats any fuji bridge for image quality in standard light.

The viewfinder is shocking, but this camera still a great.

Ive not used the XS1 but i had the S200 which felt like a step back. EXR does my head in too many options and variables. give me Super CCD any day i have an s3 pro too

Some programmes do the old double pixels too so they end up at 22mp lol

This camera is so good im happy using it in place of a lower end DSLR

Click to expand...

And hope you don’t get a purple fringe monster .
Don’t knock the xs1 without actually using one.
Nothing complicated about them at all . I get lovely jpegs from mine.

Nothing wrong with the X-S1, im sure its a great camera. i mostly shoot JPEGS with bridge cameras, and i like the S100fs more, never really liked EXR where you have to half the pixels, or you get strange details. and i was always do i shoot it this or that mode and it took the joy away for me on the s200

The S100fs is a purple fringe monster lol but easy to correct if it shows. Id love the s100fs sensor in a X-S1 body and no lens droop though

--
Just go out and shoot photos!!!!

Fujiuseruk · Aug 25, 2022

Dreamscape Photo said:
Fujix100vuseruk said:

Dreamscape Photo said:

My advice is S100fs, yes its older but i still think it beats any fuji bridge for image quality in standard light.

The viewfinder is shocking, but this camera still a great.

Ive not used the XS1 but i had the S200 which felt like a step back. EXR does my head in too many options and variables. give me Super CCD any day i have an s3 pro too

Some programmes do the old double pixels too so they end up at 22mp lol

This camera is so good im happy using it in place of a lower end DSLR

Click to expand...

And hope you don’t get a purple fringe monster .
Don’t knock the xs1 without actually using one.
Nothing complicated about them at all . I get lovely jpegs from mine.

Click to expand...

Nothing wrong with the X-S1, im sure its a great camera. i mostly shoot JPEGS with bridge cameras, and i like the S100fs more, never really liked EXR where you have to half the pixels, or you get strange details. and i was always do i shoot it this or that mode and it took the joy away for me on the s200

The S100fs is a purple fringe monster lol but easy to correct if it shows. Id love the s100fs sensor in a X-S1 body and no lens droop though

Fuji finally sorted the lens droop in the late models . The xs1 is actually more straight forward than the s200 to set up .
Only decision needed really is 6mp for low iso settings and full dynamic range availability or 12 mp for maximum detail but high iso if extended dynamic range was needed .
I actually liked my s200 which was basically a bit bin camera as it used the body and lens from the s100 but with exr sensor and it lost the tilt screen.

--
Now just a bridge camera user , keeping things simple

Another X-S1 thread ... shall I or shall I not ... ?

Forum Enthusiast

Attachments

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Attachments

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Leading Member

Veteran Member

Forum Enthusiast

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Leading Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Leading Member

Veteran Member

Keyboard shortcuts