Fujifilm X10

12.30 Megapixels	4.00x zoom	2.8 inch LCD

Fujifilm X10 Overview

Posted: 09/06/2011

The Fuji X10 compact camera seeks to draw on the popularity of the company's earlier FinePix X100 model, with similarities not only in the name, but also in its retro-styled, magnesium-alloy body. Where the earlier X100 aims to satisfy photographers seeking not only traditional handling, but also maximum image quality, the X10 dials its ambitions back somewhat in the interests of achieving a smaller, lighter, more affordable and consumer-friendly design that--unlike the earlier camera--includes an optical zoom lens.

The most significant differences between the two cameras, beyond their choice of lens, is to be found in the image sensor and viewfinder. The Fujifilm X10 uses a much smaller 2/3-inch EXR CMOS image sensor, rather than the APS-C sized standard CMOS chip used in the X100. Effective resolution is twelve megapixels, for a maximum image size of 4,000 x 3,000 pixels, and the aspect ratio is a computer-friendly 4:3, rather than the native 3:2 aspect used by the X100 (and 35mm film cameras). Fuji's proprietary EXR sensors use a different color filter layout that provides the ability to trade off resolution for improved sensitivity thanks to simpler pixel binning. They can also increase dynamic range by reading out half the pixels mid-exposure, while the remainder of the sensor continues the image exposure. Note, however, that the chip doesn't carry Super CCD branding, and so lacks the octagonal pixel design and 45-degree rotated grid of the company's Super CCD chips.

The X10's design also forgoes the X100's unique hybrid viewfinder, which allows for either a high-res electronic viewfinder view, or an optical view with overlaid shooting info. Instead, the Fuji X10 has a standard Dach prism real-image optical zoom viewfinder, which doesn't provide any TTL functionality, nor the information overlay. (It does include a -3.5 to +1.5 diopter correction, though.) The X10's lens, meanwhile, is a Fujinon-branded 4x optical zoom with focal lengths ranging from 7.1 to 28.4mm, rather than the fixed 23mm focal length of the X100's prime lens. (35mm equivalent focal lengths are 28 to 112mm, versus the fixed 35mm of the more expensive model). The f/2.0 maximum aperture at wide angle matches that of the X100's prime lens, but falls a little to f/2.8 at telephoto.

On the rear panel of the Fuji X10 is a 2.8-inch LCD panel with ~153,000 pixel (460,000 dot) resolution. It's relatively high-res, but a little smaller than average, albeit unchanged from that in the X100.

Exposure modes include Auto, Program, Aperture- and Shutter-priority, Manual, two custom modes, and an EXR mode. Full-resolution burst shooting is possible at a swift seven frames per second, and the contrast detection autofocus system provides 49 points in a seven by seven-point array. ISO sensitivities from 100 to 3,200 equivalents are available. As well as still images, the X10 can record high definition movies at up to 1080p resolution (1,920 x 1,080 pixel, progressive scan 30 fps, aka "Full HD"). Movies are saved using H.264 compression, and include stereo audio.

The Fujifilm X10 stores images and movies on Secure Digital cards, and is compatible with not only the higher-capacity SDHC / SDXC types, but also the higher-speed UHS-I compliant cards. Still images can be saved in both compressed JPEG and lossless raw formats. Power comes courtesy of a proprietary NP-50 lithium ion rechargeable battery pack, while connectivity includes both standard-def NTSC/PAL and high-def mini HDMI video outputs, plus USB 2.0 High-Speed data.

MSRP for the Fuji X10 is set at US$599.95. Availability is expected from early November 2011.