Review: Retro styled Fujifilm X10 packed with cutting edge features

After showcasing the excellent functioning of X100, Fujifilm has now come up with a new product expected to hit the market with its added new features. The new Fujifilm X10 has a camera sensor 2/3 in size. This size makes it a remarkable feature as it leaves behind all the standard compact camera sensors which are generally sized 1/7. The size is larger than the sensors found in the leading cameras like Nikon P7100 or Canon PowerShot G12. Fujifilm calls it a “zooming optical viewfinder”, 85% of any frame, irrespective of the focal distance, can be easily captured by this phenomenal camera, something which is never seen or heard of before.

Fujifilm X 10

Insight

Not breaking the legacy, this retro styled Fujifilm X10 camera, cool by nature, offers a variety of controls, providing ease for selecting and setting different options. It has a thumbwheel at the back and a d-pad’s outer ring, which enables easy handling. Its screen is not too large, sized at 2.8” but the 4:3 ratio ensures that the edge to edge shots are captured. Talking about its optical excellence, its zoom lenses provide a zoom range of 28mm to 112mm, and an easier low light shooting, which keeps it at par with the numerous high end products. This is a perfect companion for all the photography lovers.

Key features

The following features are specifically found in the Fujifilm X10

a) Sensor: It provides a 12 megapixel sensor and its EXR CMOS sensor is sized at ¾ inches.

b) Lens: It has a powerful fujinon lens which provides a 4x zoom.

c) Aperture: Its aperture ranges between F2.8-F11

d) ISO: The ISO can be found up to 12,800

e) Video Recording: It can be done at up to 1080p.

f) Optical viewfinder: That helps in capturing up to 85% of frame.

g) Pop-up flash: This feature has taken photography to a new level by enabling easy picture capturing even at low light levels.

h) Image Stabilizer: it has a lens shift type image stabilizer.

What’s innovative

There are unnumbered additions done to this very model. To make it individualistic, a blend of retro style, optical excellence, performance perfection and image quality is infused in this model. Its way more cool than the earlier models yet providing a striking low light picture capturing feature adding to its optical excellence. It’s built in pop-up flash and an autofocus system enhances its working. Apart from these, the 12 megapixel sensor, 4x zoom fujinon lens, 12800 ISO, video recording at 1080 p, optical viewfinder, provides it an edge over all other similar models.

Picture Gallery

Fujifilm X 10

Retro-styled Fujifilm X10

Price and availability

This Fujifilm X10 will retail at $599.95.

The up side

a) It has a DSLR-worthy sensor and a compact body.

b) Its 12 megapixel EXR CMOS sensor which is 2/3 inches in size goes hand in hand with any advanced model and its lens is upgraded which gives an additional advantage.

c) The die-cast magnesium alloy make, makes it durable.

d) The optical viewfinder has a 20-degree viewing angle and 3 aspherical lenses.

e) Its barrel has a dual functionality as it handles the zoom and along with this, becomes a power switch to make the shooting simpler.

f) The optical image stabilization lies inside the barrel which brings down the focus to a small distance of 1cm.

g) By putting the image quality setting to use, X10 can get up to 10 FPS or 7 FPS at full resolution.

h) The pop-up flash is a striking feature which automatically comes out at the time of use and smoothly collapses when not used. It provides a magnificent range of 23-feet.

The down side

a) This is not a compact camera.

b) It has a smaller screen sized at 2.8” as compared to other similar leading cameras having a standard size of 3”.

c) It does not have a separate on switch, as it is replaced by twist of lens, which will turn on the camera.

d) The wide angle range of 28mm to 112mm of 4x optical zoom lens is not much.

e) It has a processing issue because of which, specular highlights are caused to morph into white orbs. It is not expected to happen at this level and, consequently, high contrast shots and night photographs which are captured in bright light seem to be at risk. Shots may not get ruined, but this limitation has cost this camera, X10 Pocket-Lint’s esteemed Hot Product award and there is a fear lurking that this product might not live up to customers’ expectations.

The bottomline

Fujifilm X10 is a very easy to use camera, providing a pop-up flash, and not getting bothered to switch the camera on each time. Apart from this, its feature of providing good capture even in the low light is equally amazing. Its screen is a little small as compared to other models, but its general upgraded features have been widely accepted and longed for among the masses. Talking about the price, providing a large number of features, this product is very fairly priced and shuns off the burden of heavy cost of the buyers. It has finally become official. Not being a show off, it has a sleek retro build along with a 12 megapixel sensor. It has a much demanded feature of pop up flash and provides a versatile 28-112 mm lens. All in all, it is a terrific combo of features which one can expect in ones hand today.