Fujifilm X10 Review: A Field Report

Another good review from Jeff, thank you! Just for curiosity, did you keep the DP2x? A travel bag with x10 and DP2x could be exciting.

Thanks! I did not keep the DP2x. I was very tempted, and still am, but I think that having purchased the x10, it is less likely that I will get a DP. The Fuji will fill the same spot in my bag but is a much better low light performer. In the end, it is versatility of the x10 that put it over the top for me.
 
Jeff,
You have me seriously lusting for this handsome camera now!One of the main shortcomings of the x100 is,of course,the fixed lens.Do you think the x10 is good enough to replace the IQ of it's larger sibling,plus the added benefit of the zoom lens?
Also,what do you think of the Optical finder?
 
Jeff,
You have me seriously lusting for this handsome camera now!One of the main shortcomings of the x100 is,of course,the fixed lens.Do you think the x10 is good enough to replace the IQ of it's larger sibling,plus the added benefit of the zoom lens?
Also,what do you think of the Optical finder?
I'll chime in to say that the X10 IQ is not up to the standard of the X100, but very few small cameras are (maybe the Nex 5N...?). But its very very good, exceptional for a small sensor. I'd say if you can live with 6mp files, the low light and DR is at least as good as m43 and I LOVE m43. Its probably good enough for a LOT of people, and its obviously more versatile than the X100. But no, its not to the exceptionally high level of the X100...

-Ray
 
@spinyman - Welcome to the forum!

As a X10 and X100 owner, the short answer is no. The combination of the lens and sensor on the X100 is one of the best, if not THE best APS-C sensor camera currently in the market, IMO. Nevertheless, the IQ of the X10 is excellent for a point and shoot, and I really like it.
 
As someone who had both of these cameras, I will have to agree with Ray and Armando. As someone who no longer has the X10, I wish I still did!!!!:dash2:

As for the optical viewfinder, it is helpful and very clear but there is no focus box...though the camera can be set to show the AF green light. Certainly the X10's OVF would be extremely helpful in bright sunlight and it does "zoom" with you. Ray and Armando - and everyone else who has first hand info, how did you find the OVF?

The X10 and X100 make a great duo.
 
So the OVF does,at least, show a green light when focus has been achieved.I assume this would be similar to what my D90 shows me when using manual focus lenses.I find that works well for me.Also,I do use the detachable OVF,which is only for framing,with my EP-1, 17mm combo.
Can you tell I'm talking myself into a purchase? It IS Christmas,after all.
 
Well, spinyman, the OVF doesn't show the green light but the green light is visible... I don't have one right now so I can't be more specific. I'm going to send out a missive to some of our resident X10 shooters. Hang on!

I don't know where you live but B&H has them in stock see this thread:https://www.photographerslounge.org/f38/gone-again-fuji-x10-stock-b-h-photo-4921/ I'm seriously feeling my trigger finger itch - again.
 
The OVF is useful when ou really need it, but I don't use it much. Yeah, you can see the green focus light off to the side, but you really don't know quite what point it's focussed on so I wouldn't rely on it for critical or tricky focus shots. There's no parallax correction so I'd never use it at all for any close subjects. And of course you only have 85% of the frame visible and it only shows 4:3, so it's just not a precise tool in any sense. I'm glad to have it, but only use it in situations where I really can't see the rear screen because of glare. that said, it's probably the best OVF in any camera in this class - its plenty large and bright.

-Ray
 
So the OVF does,at least, show a green light when focus has been achieved.I assume this would be similar to what my D90 shows me when using manual focus lenses.I find that works well for me.Also,I do use the detachable OVF,which is only for framing,with my EP-1, 17mm combo.
Can you tell I'm talking myself into a purchase? It IS Christmas,after all.

No, the X10's OVF has nothing in it. Literally. My Pentax K5 also has a green box that lights up if and when I manually focus, and the focus is accurate. But the X10 has nothing of that sorts.

However, unless you have your eyeball pushed up flush against the OVF's glass, you should be able to see a green light from the corner of your eyes which provides for auto focus confirmation. The green light is mounted just to the right of the OVF.

Here's a nasty photo that I just took with my iPhone. Sorry for the horrible quality. And don't mind the mess in my office!

Focus_confirmation_greenlight.JPG


While the OVF has no information or green light on it. And while it also only provides 85% coverage, with the missing 15% being largely on the bottom. The OVF is not too shabby. It does zoom in and out, and it's very bright.

And yes, you should get the X10 for yourself for Christmas! :)
 
Thank you,Armanius, for the pic.I'm now getting a better idea of how it works.I imagine there is also a focus confirmation beep to go along with the green light?The large and bright EVF of my G3 has spoiled me,I'm afraid.I rarely pick up My beloved EP-1 anymore because of it.I don't know if I could go back to framing and focusing via the LCD again.Especially a,what, 2.8".
 
Just going on the record here to say that I have missed the, to me, diminutive X10 so much that I've just taken advantage of B&H's having it back in stock - and used the affiliate link via the front page.;)

Jeff, I think you and I were both using the X10 at about the same time....and now we'll both be using it again at the same time...along with not a few others here on the forum.:D

spinyman, I don't know where you live but B&H camera has an excellent return policy - they expect their buyers to try out the cameras. Of course, you should read their return policy carefully, but it is very good. As to the LCD screen vs OVF or EVF. I have the X100 and mainly use the EVF...but not exclusively. I don't mind the LCD at all on the X10 and find it a nice change..but the OVF is still very useable. I would urge anyone who is interested in this camera to get one and see for themselves how they like it once they're actually trying it out.

In the meantime, spinyman - why not stop over to our Welcomes and Introductions forum, when you have the time.
 
Jeff,
You have me seriously lusting for this handsome camera now!One of the main shortcomings of the x100 is,of course,the fixed lens.Do you think the x10 is good enough to replace the IQ of it's larger sibling,plus the added benefit of the zoom lens?
Also,what do you think of the Optical finder?

Yeah, what they said. :) I haven't have the privilege of using an X100 so have no direct experience, though my impression is that what everyone else said is exactly right. The x100 has incredible image quality and this smaller sensor just can't keep up with that. But they are also right that this camera has very high image quality for a compact - easily the best I've ever seen, and it hold up better at higher ISOs than any compact I've used or tested. I also agree that the optical finder is good for some situations but is not something I use except rarely due to the limitations mentioned.
 
Just going on the record here to say that I have missed the, to me, diminutive X10 so much that I've just taken advantage of B&H's having it back in stock - and used the affiliate link via the front page.;)

Jeff, I think you and I were both using the X10 at about the same time....and now we'll both be using it again at the same time...along with not a few others here on the forum.:D

spinyman, I don't know where you live but B&H camera has an excellent return policy - .

Welcome back to the fold! :) And yes, I have bought lots of stuff from B&H over the years and I've never had a single problem dealing with them - they are great!
 
This is the one camera that I've thought could lead me away from my NEX. The review hasn't helped! Maybe once the tax return is all sorted out I can evaluate the finances and maybe even get it through the business.
Have any of the other Scots got one? I'll buy the tea and cake in return for a quick demo?
 
But the question is, are YOU getting one? :)

And welcome to the forum!

Jeff,

I was on my way to buy a Canon S95 and then was swayed by the lens specs of the Oly XZ-1, even though it was bigger and $70 more expensive at the time. I chose not to buy the X10, even though its sensor grabbed my attention, because it cost twice as much as the S95, and was even bigger than the XZ-1. I am having a lot of fun with the XZ-1. I liked your reviews of the XZ-1 and X10 a lot, and generally agree with your conclusion that the X10 is a better camera, except this: I liked your XZ-1 pictures better than your X10 pictures. Maybe you just had a better day at the office when shooting with the XZ-1, but the XZ-1 pictures seem to have more presence, and pop, and generally seem more emotive.

Armanius, Thanks for your friendly welcome,

-Tim
 
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