Fujifilm X10

Fujifilm X10

Product Summary

Key features

  • 12 megapixels 1/2.3” EXR CMOS sensor
  • Focal length range of 28-112mm (on a 35mm format equivalent)
  • 2.8” LCD monitor with 460,000 dots resolution
  • Continuous burst rate of 7 fps in full resolution
  • Ability to shoot RAW and process them in camera

Features explained

The Fujifilm X10 is a Compact Point & Shoot digital camera from Fujifilm. It has a smaller 1/2.3” sensor and a fixed 28-112 (in 35mm format equivalent) lens.

The sensor and the image processing system

The X10 is powered by a 12 megapixels 1/2.3” EXR CMOS sensor. For a small sensor of this size, there are always going to be issues about its low light performance.

The viewfinder and the LCD screen

The X10 has a small tunnel-type optical viewfinder with no graticule superimposed LCD. Those who have tested the X100 will immediately put the X10 down if the comparison is only on the basis of the viewfinder. In fact so disappointing the 85% coverage of this small tunnel is that it can be a big negative point if you were genuinely interested in buying it. Additionally the X10 also has a fixed 2.8” LCD screen which boasts a 460,000 dots resolution display. Nothing out of the ordinary if you compare the more standard 3” LCD monitors with 920,000 dots resolution that are abound these days.

The lens

The X10 has a built-in Fujinon Aspherical lens with 7.1-28.4mm (28-112mm on a 35mm format equivalent) focal length range (optical zoom of 4x). The lens has a wide f/2 maximum aperture and stops down to f/2.8 when fully zoomed in. The X10 lens comes with Fuji’s optical image stabilization technology for steadier shots when hand-held.

Continuous shooting speed

The X10 has a continuous shooting speed of 10 fps.

Videos & stills

The X10 shoots large JPEGs at 4000 x 3000 pixels. It can also shoot RAW (RAF formats). It also shoots full HD videos in 30 fps. Movie format is encoded in H.264 while stereo sound is recorded using the built-in mic.

Film simulation modes

The X10 is certainly a fun camera to shoot with. As we will see time and again, it is not what one would normally associate with a serious photographer, but one with a snap-happy enthusiast. It comes with 8 film simulation modes including Velvia, Monochrome +R, Monochrome +G, Astia, Monochrome +Y, Sepia, B & W and Standard. One can really show a lot of creativity while shooting and also during post production (as these filters are available in in-camera post-production as well).

Storage

The X10 is compliant with SD/SDHC/ SDXC memory cards.

ISO

The normal ISO range of the camera is 100-3200. It can also shoot at up to 12800 when expanded.

Pop-up flash

The X10 comes with a built-in flash which has a range of 9 meters. For those needing a bit more light than the pop-up flash a hot-shoe is available on the X10 for using an external flashgun.

What are missing / wish list

The very small and dark optical viewfinder is not exactly going to light too many fires when it comes to passionate admirers. Photographers looking for a genuine optical viewfinder will find the 85% coverage of this tunnel-type VF to be more than just disappointing. The X100 to which the X10 has been sometimes compared to is miles ahead with its bright hybrid viewfinder. This is a major USP of the X100 and something that the X10 could have really done with.

Additionally if you want to turn on the camera you will be surprised to notice that there is no power button! You will have to either rotate the zoom ring or press the play button in order to wake up the X10 from its slumber.

Similar products

The Canon PowerShot S110 is a good camera that one can look into. It has a similar 12.1 megapixels CMOS sensor, albeit a slightly bigger one at 1/1.7”, a slightly better zoom range at 24-120mm (5x) and the latest DIGIC 5 image processing system which is better in terms of noise reduction. Apart from the slightly bigger sensor there is an on-chip noise cancellation system as well plus the presence of microlenses over the sensor area that assists in the overall amount of light gathered by the camera. Needless to say more light means better picture.

Should I buy it?

Retailing at $600 this is certainly a pricy compact. It does not have many of the benefits that the more illustrious X100 has and as such comparisons between the two may sometime appear futile. If you have the budget of $600 then certainly you can look into a few entry level DSLRs with bigger APS-C sensors with much better manual controls and definitely better image quality. If not and you’re looking for a more compact model then definitely look at the X100 as a far better option. If one can spare a bit more than the Fujifilm XE-1 is one camera that should look into.

Sample Images by Fujifilm X10 on Flickr

Product Images

Fujifilm X10 Specifications

Model FUJIFILM X10
Effective pixels
12.0 million pixels
Image sensor Type 2/3-inch EXR CMOS with primary color filter
Storage media
  • Internal memory (approx. 26 MB)
  • SD / SDHC / SDXC(UHS-I) memory card*2
File format
still image
JPEG (Exif Ver 2.3)*3, RAW (RAF format), RAW + JPEG
(Design rule for Camera File system compliant / DPOF-compatible)
movie
H.264 (MOV) with Stereo sound
Recorded pixels L : (4:3) 4000 x 3000 / (3:2) 4000 x 2664 / (16:9) 4000 x 2248 / (1:1) 2992 x 2992
M : (4:3) 2816 x 2112 / (3:2) 2816 x 1864 / (16:9) 2816 x 1584 / (1:1) 2112 x 2112
S : (4:3) 2048 x 1536 / (3:2) 2048 x 1360 / (16:9) 1920 x 1080 / (1:1) 1536 x 1536<Motion Panorama>
360° Vertical 11520 x 1624 Horizontal 11520 x 1080
180° Vertical 5760 x 1624 Horizontal 5760 x 1080
120° Vertical 3840 x 1624 Horizontal 3840 x 1080
Lens
name
Fujinon 4 x optical zoom lens
focal length
f=7.1 – 28.4 mm, equivalent to 28 – 112 mm on a 35 mm camera
full-aperture
F2.0 (Wide) – F2.8 (Telephoto)
constitution
9 groups 11 lenses (3 aspherical glass molded lenses included)
Digital zoom Intelligent digital zoom approx. 2x (up to 8 x when combined with optical zoom)
Aperture F2.0-F11(Wide)
F2.8-F11(Telephoto) 1/3EV step (controlled 7-blade aperture diaphragm)
Focus distance
(from lens surface)
Normal
Wide : Approx. 50 cm / 1.6 ft. to infinity
Telephoto : Approx. 80 cm / 2.6 ft. to infinity
Macro
Wide : Approx. 10 cm – 3.0 m / 0.3 ft. – 9.8 ft.
Telephoto : Approx. 50 cm – 3.0 m / 1.6 ft. – 9.8 ft.
Super Macro
Approx. 1.0 cm – 1.0 m / 0.4 in. – 3.3 ft
Sensitivity Auto / Equivalent to ISO 100 / 200 / 250 / 320 / 400 / 500 / 640 / 800 / 1000 / 1250 / 1600 / 2000 / 2500 / 3200 / 4000* / 5000* / 6400* / 12800* (Standard Output Sensitivity)

  • * ISO4000 / 5000 / 6400 : M mode or lower, ISO12800 : S mode
Exposure control TTL 256-zones metering, Multi / Spot / Average
Exposure mode Programmed AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual
Shooting modes
SP
Natural Light, Natural Light & Flash, Portrait, Portrait Enhancer, Landscape, Sport, Night, Night (Tripod), Fireworks, Sunset, Snow, Beach, Party, Flower, Text, Underwater
MODE DIAL
EXR, AUTO, P, S, A, M, C1, C2, Movie, SP, Adv.
Image stabilizer Lens shift type
Face detection Yes
Exposure compensation -2.0EV – +2.0EV 1/3EV step
Shutter speed (Auto mode) 1/4 sec. to 1/4000* sec., (All other modes) 30 sec. to 1/4000* sec.
* 1/4000 sec. at small aperture, 1/1000 sec. at full aperture
Continuous shooting
TOP
Super High : approx. 10 fps (Size M, S)
High : approx. 7 fps (Size L, M, S)
Middle : approx. 5 fps (Size L, M, S)
Low : approx. 3 fps (Size L, M, S)
*SD memory card with a class 4 write speed (4 MB/sec.) or better is recommended.
*The frame rate varies depending on the shooting conditions or numbers of frames in continuous shooting.
others
Best Frame capture :
Super High : approx. 10 fps 8 / 16 frames (Size M, S)
High : approx. 7 fps 8 frames (Size L, M, S) / 16 frames (Size M, S)
Middle : approx. 5 fps 8 frames (Size L, M, S) / 16 frames (Size M, S)
Low : approx. 3 fps 8 frames (Size L, M, S) / 16 frames (Size M, S)
Auto bracketing AE Bracketing : ±1/3EV, ±2/3EV, ±1EV
Film Simulation Bracketing : PROVIA / STANDARD, Velvia / VIVID, ASTIA / SOFT
Dynamic Range Bracketing : 100%, 200%, 400%
ISO Sensitivity Bracketing : ±1/3EV, ±2/3EV, ±1EV
Focus
mode
Single AF / Continuous AF (EXR AUTO, Movie),
Manual AF (One-push AF mode included)
type
TTL contrast AF, AF assist illuminator available
AF frame selection
Multi, Area, Tracking
White balance Automatic scene recognition
Preset : Fine, Shade, Fluorescent light (Daylight), Fluorescent light (Warm White), Fluorescent light (Cool White), Incandescent light, Underwater, Custom, Color temperature selection
Self-timer 10 sec. / 2 sec. delay
Flash Auto flash (super intelligent flash)
Effective range : (ISO AUTO (800))
Wide : Approx. 30 cm – 7.0 m / 0.9 ft. – 22.9 ft.
Telephoto : Approx. 50 cm – 5.0 m / 1.6 ft. – 16.4 ft.
Flash modes Red-eye removal OFF : Auto, Forced Flash, Suppressed Flash, Slow Synchro.
Red-eye removal ON : Red-eye Reduction Auto, Red-eye Reduction & Forced Flash, Suppressed Flash, Red-eye Reduction & Slow Synchro.
Hot shoe Yes
Viewfinder Optical zoom viewfinder
Approx. 85% coverage
Diopter adjustment : -3.5 – +1.5 m-1(dpt)
LCD monitor 2.8-inch, approx. 460,000 dots, TFT color LCD monitor, approx. 100% coverage
Movie recording 1920 x 1080 pixels / 1280 x 720 pixels / 640 x 480 pixels (30 frames / sec.) with stereo sound
Optical zoom (manual) can be used.
Photography functions EXR mode (EXR Auto / Resolution priority / High ISO & Low noise priority / Dynamic range priority), Face recognition, Face Detection, Auto red-eye removal, Film simulation, Framing guideline, Frame No. memory, Histogram display, Best frame capture, Advanced mode (Advanced filter*, Motion panorama360, Pro focus, Pro low light), High Speed Movie (70 / 120 / 200 frames/sec.), Electronic level, Advanced Anti Blur, Color Space

  • * After updating into the firmmware ver 2.00, menu of “Advanced filter” is added.
Playback functions Face Detection, Auto red-eye removal, Multi-frame playback (with micro thumbnail), Protect, Crop, Resize, Slide show, Image rotate, Voice memo, Histogram display, Exposure warning, Photobook assist, Image search, Favorites, Mark for upload, Panorama, Erase selected frames, RAW conversing
Other functions PictBridge, Exif Print, 35 Languages, Time difference, Silent mode
Terminal
Video output
NTSC / PAL selectable with Monaural sound
Digital interface
USB 2.0 High-Speed
HDMI output
HDMI Mini connector
Power NP-50 Li-ion battery (included)
CP-50 with AC power adapter AC-5VX (sold separately)
Dimensions 117.0(W) x 69.6(H) x 56.8(D) mm / 4.6(W) x 2.7(H) x 2.2(D) in.
Weight Approx. 350 g / 12.3 oz. (including battery and memory card)
Approx. 330 g / 11.6 oz. (excluding battery and memory card)
Operating Temp 0°C – 40°C
Operating Humidity 10% – 80% (no condensation)
Guide to the number of available frames for battery operation approx. 270 frames (LCD : ON, AUTO mode) CIPA standard
approx. 640 frames (LCD : OFF, AUTO mode)*

  • *For expanding available number of frames, following menu must be set
    LCD display : OFF (Only optical view finder must be used)
    Shooting mode : AUTO , Flash : OFF,
    IS mode must be set except for the mode including “MOTION (detection)”.
    IMAGE DISP. mode : OFF
Included Accessories Li-ion battery NP-50
Battery charger BC-45W
Shoulder strap
Lens cap
USB cable
CD-ROM
Owner’s manual
Optional accessories Li-ion battery NP-50
Battery charger BC-45W
A / V cable AV-C1
Lens hood LH-X10
Leather case LC-X10
Shoe Mount Flash EF-X20 / EF-42 / EF-20
AC power adapter AC-5VX
DC coupler CP-50

 

More Info

Purchase options

Fujifilm X10 available at Amazon | Adorama | B&H