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.

The X-S10's IBIS is truly incredible, and it's not even the best Fuji has on offer. I've managed half-second shots handheld at wider angles (<30mm equiv.) and longer focal lengths (like 30-50mm equiv.) in the 1/5-1/3 range with a bit of luck and a couple tries. I personally never use the touch screen, but I also rarely use the LCD in general.

I have some questions:

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

Not really, no. I'm not sure if I've ever accidentally "clicked" when I've meant to tilt.

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?

For this, I can't speak - I purchased a kit that came with the 15-45 and 50-230. The 50-230 is incredible for the money, and the 15-45 is a good lens but I bounced off the power zoom pretty hard and replaced it with the 16-80. The 18-55 generally seems to be regarded as a lens with pretty extreme copy variance, where if you have a good one it's shockingly good for a kit lens but just as many, if not more, soft lenses are out there.

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.

Any other comments are welcome.

Personally, the X-S10 is my first "real" camera - before this I had a reasonably nice Panasonic point-and-shoot, but it never really felt like it was doing much more than I'd use my smartphone for besides slightly higher resolution and much better optical zoom. You already have a real camera, so you might not see as much of a difference, but the X-S10 made me like photography for more than just the "I was here" style vacation photos. I also find it extremely comfortable to hold - much moreso than the X-T5 or X-H2 even, and I'd say I have medium-large hands for someone born male. Those two make my hands sore even after just handling them in the store for a few minutes, while I'll happily shoot all day on my X-S10 without feeling any cramps. Do try it in a store if you can, though! The camera's physical handling is just as important as the actual imaging quality if you plan to actually hold it much.

The only things I wish is that it had a slightly better EVF and weather resistance. Maybe the rumored X-S20 will improve on it... either way, the X-S10 is incredible value for money in terms of how much camera you get for how little you're paying. Heck, it even has a built-in flash! No idea if it's any good, I've literally never used it, but hey, the "higher tier" models don't have one!