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Why Keep the X10?

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mpix345

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I've had the X10 for a couple of weeks now, and I'm hard pressed to logically state why I should keep it.

I already have a DSLR and bag full of lenses as my primary kit, which is staying. And a Canon SX230 that I really like for pocketability, 14X zoom, and slo-mo video (my 6 year old loves it). It's staying.

Given that, how can I justify a $600 point and shoot? It is very capable in the IQ department (arguably the best P&S out there, and certainly the best I've used - vs S90, G11, TL500). I'm a big fan of the manual zoom, the direct control options, and the styling.

If it were to be my only camera it would be a no brainer, but given that I will keep my DSLR and always default to it when IQ is really important I'm not sure what role the X10 fills? A less pocketable camera than the SX230 that will give me somewhat better snapshots for times that are not DSLR-worthy? Doesn't seem like nearly enough for $600.

I've had a couple of micro4/3s kits, which I really liked. But I've moved away from them for the same reason, that they don't really fill a huge need and can't replace my DSLR.

But here's the thing with the X10. It has put a spell on me. It makes me pick it up and shoot with it. Not only am I going to keep it, but I am going to spend more money on it for accessories (because I want to give it gifts).

Obviously I am exaggerating a bit here. But not much. The X10 is really a joy for me to shoot. It's what a camera should be. There is no struggle when using it. I can't get rid of it, even if it doesn't seem to fill a large need. Why is it worth $600? Because with it I will shoot more. That's sort of priceless, I think, or at least that's my rationalization.
 
Good points, but most important is that you'll shoot with it and that makes it priceless, I too have tried many cams from SLR, DSLR, M4/3, superzoom bridge etc..., but like you the X10 just beckons to be picked up and held and caress like a lover ;), that makes it precious, enjoy it and happy shooting

QVee
 
there is a therapy treatment for "and this camera is special because..." but the money is better spent on cameras rather than therapists
 
Wow, you two are in love with a camera, I can't imagine how that feels. I have to say though, if it makes you want to go out and take pictures then it's the right camera for you. But, would you still want to go out and take pictures with your old gear if you didn't have the X10?

Is it love or just infatuation you are feeling for your new toy simply because its new?

Paul
 
photo perzon said:
there is a therapy treatment for "and this camera is special because..." but the money is better spent on cameras rather than therapists
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LOl :D

--
Alan.
 
Mpix, your post made me smile while I was reading it.

Personally speaking, I think the camera is seriously over-priced in Today's market for me - but for others, the price is significantly justified. The range isn't suitable for my shooting needs as most of my images need reach. I currently own 4 superzoom cams and each does something better than the other. But none can match the instant focusing ability of the Carl Zeiss lens (of the cameras that I own). So I'm as 'bad' as you are is this department about 'holding on and not letting go' with my prolific line-up.

With this said - rock on and happy shooting.
--
Silent Oracle

Flickr Photo Gallery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_silent_oracle/
Favorite Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21ZsxvtH6Zc
Favorite Band: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fqPcnuVPR8&ob=av2n
 
Nothing unusual about your situation.

There is often a symbiotic relationship between photographers and their equipment. And the greater the symbiosis, the more productive and creative the photographer can become. The more you can focus on the photography at hand without the camera "getting between you" and your subject. It is not love, but it is a mutually beneficial relationship.

The last thing I tell anyone looking for a camera (I am rather old school) is decide on what are the important qualities/features you need, list the cameras that have them and then go out and handle them. The one that best fits your hands and that works most intuitively with you is the one to get.

While the X10 is not currently on my short list, I follow it closely because of its announced sibling, the X-S1 which is supposed to use the same sensor. If Fuji succeeds with the X-S1 they way they have succeeded in design with the X10, then it may be my next camera. I have an HS10 that is close to being symbiotic, but somehow just comes up short due to constant little quirks. Am hopeful that Fuji can do it right with the X-S1. At least it looks like the potential image quality will be there in an all in one superzoom.

Excellence is not just technical abilities of a camera it is also how the camera works with the photographer, without constant repetition of annoyances that can destroy any relationship. The X10 seems to achieve this very well. Quality of construction, quality of image and that rare quality where it forms a true symbiosis with the photographer.

Of course, if I could afford two cameras, then the X10 still wouldn't be on my short list, it would be in my hands. $600 is not too much for a quality relationship. In fact, it is a bargain.

--
David
Galleries: http://dwrobinson.zenfolio.com
 
mpix345 said:
I've had the X10 for a couple of weeks now, and I'm hard pressed to logically state why I should keep it.

I already have a DSLR and bag full of lenses as my primary kit, which is staying. And a Canon SX230 that I really like for pocketability, 14X zoom, and slo-mo video (my 6 year old loves it). It's staying.
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Lens quality. From what I've seen from mine the lens would cost more than $600 if it fit an mft cam or dslr. 4X F2.0 - 2.8 28 - 112 for $600? Line up on the left. And for the price they threw in a cool camera. Nice 'kit' lens.

Silence. You can turn of all the beeps and there's no whirs and clicks other then the shutter which is quieter than a mousefart.

Turn off the lcd and you have no glow and about as little electrical drain as possible without going back to film. Like having an old Olympus 35RC with motor drive, zoom, and a thousand shot roll of 100 - 3200 multigrade film.

I don't know what You plan to do with this camera but I've got an extensive agenda in mind, which is more the I can say for my dslr which will probably just do the 'money' work. This one's for art and fun.
 
rolleiman said:
Lens quality. From what I've seen from mine the lens would cost more than $600 if it fit an mft cam or dslr. 4X F2.0 - 2.8 28 - 112 for $600? Line up on the left. And for the price they threw in a cool camera. Nice 'kit' lens.
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I could point out the availability of s/h lenses on many DSLR systems.

You could buy a good DSLR for less than the X10 and slap a half decent lens on it.

I'm all for choice now and I see a market for compacts like this, but have to say £500 odd is a tad steep for this camera. An f2.8 lens with a DSLR and the much bigger sensor would easily win in a low light/DOF perspective.
 
PAUL TILL said:
Wow, you two are in love with a camera, I can't imagine how that feels. I have to say though, if it makes you want to go out and take pictures then it's the right camera for you. But, would you still want to go out and take pictures with your old gear if you didn't have the X10?

Is it love or just infatuation you are feeling for your new toy simply because its new?

Paul
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The infatuation question is a good one. Time will tell. I did let it sit for a few days, and when I picked it back up I felt badly for having ignored it. ;)

I think I will be more apt to go out just to take pictures with the X10. Otherwise my thinking is more along the lines of what camera I'll need for a specific event or activity. Boiling it down, I view my camera/lenses as tools. The X10 can certainly be one as well, but it seems like more.
 
David247 said:
Of course, if I could afford two cameras, then the X10 still wouldn't be on my short list, it would be in my hands. $600 is not too much for a quality relationship. In fact, it is a bargain.

--
David
Galleries: http://dwrobinson.zenfolio.com
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Thanks David. Your viewpoint about the cost of a quality relationship works for me as well. I will be repeating that quote!
 
The boxes it ticks for me are:

Small enough for a jacket pocket
Great IQ and color for a small sensor camera
Silent Operation
Good lens and decent zoom for what it is

When using the X10 most people will tend to ignore you or simply see you as a tourist. It is non-threatening and easily overlooked.
Last but not least... it's fun to use!
--
Jim Radcliffe
http://www.boxedlight.com
Blog: http://boxedlight.com/blog

The ability to 'see' the shot is more important than the gear used to capture it.
 
Barry Fitzgerald said:
rolleiman said:
Lens quality. From what I've seen from mine the lens would cost more than $600 if it fit an mft cam or dslr. 4X F2.0 - 2.8 28 - 112 for $600? Line up on the left. And for the price they threw in a cool camera. Nice 'kit' lens.
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I could point out the availability of s/h lenses on many DSLR systems.

You could buy a good DSLR for less than the X10 and slap a half decent lens on it.
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You're totally missing the point. The lens technology and cost required to make an F2.0 zoom is pretty daunting. On a small sensor the advantages are salient; on a dslr it is, as you point out, kinda redundant. You're comparing a wall clock and a pocket watch.
Member said:
I'm all for choice now and I see a market for compacts like this, but have to say £500 odd is a tad steep for this camera. An f2.8 lens with a DSLR and the much bigger sensor would easily win in a low light/DOF perspective.
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So be happy lugging that around. And I don't see how a high end compact shouldn't cost at least as much to make as a plastic budget dslr.
 
I actually ended up returning my X10 and keeping my GF1+20mm combo. Even though the X10 is a gorgeous camera with some nifty features, I thought it was just too confusing to use and never knew what setting to go for (EXR, EXR Auto, etc., etc.). At the end of the day the files I was shooting didn't really look anywhere near as sharp as the GF1 I was shooting with and inspired a little less confidence while shooting. The X10 really feels like a glorified P&S unlike the GF1 which feels like a proper miniature DSLR.

Sensor on the X10 is great and all but you can't get around the fact that the sensor is tiny compared to M4/3 and its impossible to isolate the subject with DOF. Camera is a smidge smaller than my GF1, so at the end of the day I decided to get rid of the X10. Fuji is onto some great products lately, but I think i'll hold off on any purchases until I can play with the new Fuji interchangeable camera.
 
rolleiman said:
You're totally missing the point. The lens technology and cost required to make an F2.0 zoom is pretty daunting. On a small sensor the advantages are salient; on a dslr it is, as you point out, kinda redundant. You're comparing a wall clock and a pocket watch.
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That's why f2.8 zooms are around and f2 ones are not!

If you want more speed you buy a prime lens simple as that. Point being though if you're doing low light work, I'd rather have an f2.8 zoom on a DSLR than an f2 one on a compact.

I'm sure you'd get nice enough results with the X10 in low light but obviously the newer APS-C CMOS sensors are pretty damn good even up to ISO 6400 sometimes with care a bit higher.
rolleiman said:
So be happy lugging that around. And I don't see how a high end compact shouldn't cost at least as much to make as a plastic budget dslr.
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Well I think a DSLR is more expensive to make many more parts, larger sensor. I'd be pretty sure profit margins are higher for compacts at this price range than a DSLR

As for lugging around well depends on what you are doing doesn't it

I still have my F70 getting on a bit but still not bad, I use that when I need something smaller.
 
 
Wayne N. said:
dotbalm said:
U.S. home page showing it's today's Goldbox Deal of the Day:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/goldbox/ref=cs_top_nav_gb27

Direct link:

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Coolpix-P7000-Digital-Zoom-Nikkor/dp/B00427ZLRO/ref=xs_gb_A2EQKVRBK4OXJH?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=441937901&pf_rd_s=right-1&pf_rd_t=701&pf_rd_i=20&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0SN1JP4KM5667BPVJNB2
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Wow - that is a good deal! Of course, you can't get that deal if you live outside of the U.S.... grrrrr

Cheers,

Wayne
http://www.pbase.com/wayne_n

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Hey man!

You'd know better than I would, but FYI, I've ordered from Amazon UK when their price for the Aliens blu-ray quadrilogy was significantly cheaper than the one on the U.S. site. Packaging was different (UK version).

Warranty and shipping weren't issues for me in that case.

But yeah...$249 is a heck of a price. I got my G12 from Fry's not long after it was released for $100 off. It was a brief sale and I drove fast to get it. :)
 
Silent Oracle said:
I currently own 4 superzoom cams and each does something better than the other. But none can match the instant focusing ability of the Carl Zeiss lens (of the cameras that I own).
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The Zeiss lens must be on your Sony HX100v.

Presumably you keep the HS10 for good color and dynamic range.

What's does the Canon do that the others don't?
 
The X10 truly has a good size learning curve. However I found that it also has a "pick me up on the way out the door" effect on me. Like many complicated devices it has it's flaws. Many of us will compensate and learn to overcome them.

Regards
--
H tyree
[email protected]
 
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