Fuji X-S10 "Fan Noise" normal?

Matthias Harder wrote:

Hey everyone,

I recently bought a new X-S10 and I'm really happy with it so far! Thanks to everyone who's shared some of their experience and helping me in making this decision over at the buyers advive forum.

After shooting for a few days I've noticed that the camera makes this distinct "fan noise" which is quiet audible in quieter environments in addition to a more coin while type quieter chirping noise which I don't find as distracting as it isn't as pronounced. But the fan noise I pretty much hear all the time when shoting with the camera close to my face and I can even still hear it when the camera is at arms lenghts. It's not super loud but it's loud enough that I don't have to hold the camera against my egainst my ear to hear it. When I do it litterally sounds like there's a little fan inside the camera.

I've found some posts in other forums (here I wasn't as luck with the search function) stating that it's just the IBIS doing it's job. And at least for me it's loud enough that my microphones would pic it up in quiet environments when shooting video, which isn't perfect for me.

I just want to check in with other owners to see wether it's present in all models or wether it's louder or quieter in some.

So do you hear that "fan noise" when your camera is on and you put it against your ear? Do you also hear it further away?

I'm using a non stabilized lens and the sound is 100% coming from the body.

Besides this I'm happy so far and just want to make sure all is good with my particular model and if it's the norm, I hope I'll get used to it.

Thanks already!

Kind regards

Matthias

That's ibis in action!! Try turning on/off?

Stays the same. But from what I gathered the IBIS is always on even when off. It won't stabilize the sensor but the same mechanism that does when on keeps the sensor in place when turned off so that would explain why it's always audible.

I think in playback mode it turns of after a while, after a loudn "plonk" noise That's how I remember it but I haven't investigated that futher.

And if it is normal for the IBIS to make this noise I'd still be interested wether it really is normal to be this audible. I've used other stabilised cameras before where I certainly didn't hear the noise at arms lenght...

I'd be happy for other ownsers of the same model to share their experience!

Never heard it on the X-S10 I once owned. 

So it definitely is the IBIS as it consistently goes quiet when in picure viewing mode.

And another comparrison that came to mind is that of the sound old hard disks make, the ones with spinning disks inside. Just like the ones in my old Lenovo Thinkpads used to make...

How is this for you?

Take the camera inside a quiet place and you'll hear it.

It's normal - IBIS.

...my Olympus Pen-F is also somewhat audible when IBIS is engaged, the noise is similar to that of a quiet fan spinning inside the body. On the Pen, IBIS is by default only activated as long as the shutter button is half-pressed, the camera is indeed silent until I half-press the button down, when the faint, subtle electric whirring sound can be heard and disappears as soon as I release the button.

Thanks everyone. I guess I just have sensitive ears as it doesn't seem to bother others as much And it's clear now that it's the IBIS doing it's job. I will have to see wether I'll hear it in video recordings as I think with sensitive mics it could be a problem. I'm going to go to the store and check out the model there. If it's similar I just make my peace with modern technology!

Matthias Harder wrote:

Thanks everyone. I guess I just have sensitive ears as it doesn't seem to bother others as much And it's clear now that it's the IBIS doing it's job. I will have to see wether I'll hear it in video recordings as I think with sensitive mics it could be a problem. I'm going to go to the store and check out the model there. If it's similar I just make my peace with modern technology!

Consider the good news. If you can hear this noise a few feet away, your hearing is excellent.

Austin CB wrote:

Matthias Harder wrote:

Thanks everyone. I guess I just have sensitive ears as it doesn't seem to bother others as much And it's clear now that it's the IBIS doing it's job. I will have to see wether I'll hear it in video recordings as I think with sensitive mics it could be a problem. I'm going to go to the store and check out the model there. If it's similar I just make my peace with modern technology!

Consider the good news. If you can hear this noise a few feet away, your hearing is excellent.

that's how Fuji should address the compaints

btw: Canan had the same issue on one of their

lenses and corrected it via a firmware update

((((((Hellooooo Fuji)))))

Thanks for the feedback! It's a bit of a surprise that it wasn't mentioned in any of the reviews I read beforehand. That made me wonder wether it's my camera that's not working propperly or my hearing just being more sensitive than most peoples or most people just not being botherd by noises like this.

And I got used to it in most situations except for really quiet shootings at night, where I sometimes still find it annoying.

What's actually bothering me more now is the battery. Contrary to what I've read of it being a bit short lived but generally fine, it isn't. It sucks! No getting around that. It probably has the worst battery life of any electronic device I've ever had and it makes me wonder how they build such crappy batteries and then sell them for 50$. Camera makers really have to up their game if they don't want to be eaten alive by phone makers. But that's a different topic, I'm digressing

Matthias Harder wrote:

Thanks for the feedback! It's a bit of a surprise that it wasn't mentioned in any of the reviews I read beforehand. That made me wonder wether it's my camera that's not working propperly or my hearing just being more sensitive than most peoples or most people just not being botherd by noises like this.

And I got used to it in most situations except for really quiet shootings at night, where I sometimes still find it annoying.

What's actually bothering me more now is the battery. Contrary to what I've read of it being a bit short lived but generally fine, it isn't. It sucks! No getting around that. It probably has the worst battery life of any electronic device I've ever had and it makes me wonder how they build such crappy batteries and then sell them for 50$. Camera makers really have to up their game if they don't want to be eaten alive by phone makers. But that's a different topic, I'm digressing

I haven't heard any ibis noise from my x-s10, none, not even with my ear to it!. I have decent hearing, I thought!

With respect to the battery I have found that afrer one or two charges the battery length increases. Note, the x-s10 can be charged from a usb power pack, you can also purchase one of these if you might need extensive power

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ex-Pro%C2%AE-CP-W126-16000mAh-Rechargeable-replacing/dp/B01MTJZT2Q

That should last you a while

Or just buy some saper ex-pro batteries which I found very good too and a usb on the go charger, today, you should really not be without options to keep you powered!

And-roid wrote:

I haven't heard any ibis noise from my x-s10, none, not even with my ear to it!. I have decent hearing, I thought!

That's weired! I'll still check it out in the store and see what's going on there Most people so far seem to have noticed the noise at least somewhat.

Regarding the battery life, first thing I did was buy a charger with two batteries but it's just more stuff to carry around...

Matthias Harder wrote:

And-roid wrote:

I haven't heard any ibis noise from my x-s10, none, not even with my ear to it!. I have decent hearing, I thought!

That's weired! I'll still check it out in the store and see what's going on there Most people so far seem to have noticed the noise at least somewhat.

Regarding the battery life, first thing I did was buy a charger with two batteries but it's just more stuff to carry around...

To be honest I just checked and thete is a faint noise with my ear to the body/lens mount but with my eye to the evf I cannot hear it, so I'd say inaudible!

Regards batteries, I would find it hard to drain 2 batteries are you doing video? With 2 spare that should yield 1000 shots imo, or couple of hours video, maybe more!

I ordered them online and they haven't arrived yet, hence my wish for greater battery stamina with the original setup