Considering X-S10

bobnn wrote:

Currently have a Sony rx100m5. That's not bad, but if I'm in a hurry, the fiddliy button/dial menu navigation is difficult, especially in the custom Fn menu. I also would like a larger sensor.

So I'm looking at the X-S10.I like the features, especially IBIS and the touchscreen Q menu.

I have some questions:

How is the navigation of menus with the joystick? Is it easy to push when you meant to tilt?

That can happen, more in playback in my experience, but it's not a problem in general.

The 18-55 f 2.8-4 lens that often comes as a kit lens seems like a very good set of specs, at least compared to typical kit lenses from other brands (which are dark as heck). How is that lens, optically speaking?

I didn't get a good copy so wasn't impressed, others love it, obviously copy variation is a thing with most lenses. I wouldn't worry too much about the fact it's a bit faster than most kit lenses. The XC15-45mm maybe slower, but it's wider, very sharp wide open and I can handhold it down to 1/3 second at the wide end, and 1/6 at the long end. You're not going to get much in the way of bokeh with either of these lenses (except for close up shooting at the long end), when you do get it the 15-45mm isn't bad either, so for the price and size it's definitely worth consideration.

Also, how high can the ISO go before things get contrasty and colors get blotchy? I know noise is easily fixed in post these days.

Because of IBIS/OIS I don't worry about high ISO with this camera, ISO 6400 is perfectly fine, much higher in black and white, it always depends on display size, but 26mp gives you plenty of wiggle room for prints.

Any other comments are welcome.

I always say it but the X-S10 is just an intuitive and fun camera to shoot with, once you set it up to your own preferences it's a joy to use. There is a certain amount of camera snobbery around aperture rings and dials and stuff in the Fuji community IMHO, however, no camera is faster and easier to shoot with than the X-S10 in my experience, it has everything I need without being too fussy and overloaded with bells and whistles I don't need. About the only thing I'd change is the fully articulating screen, but even that has a bonus in that it protects itself, I just prefer a tilt out screen, but it's no biggie. It's basically an X-T4 without the window dressing, but with a better grip and in a smaller lighter package, what's not to like?