The X-S10 is a new step in its quest to make the last word mid-range mirrorless digicam. By taking most of the highlights from its flagship Fujifilm X-T4, together with in-body picture stabilization (IBIS), and shoehorning them right into a smaller, cheaper physique, it is made the most effective cameras to this point for novices and hobbyist shooters. Till now, the position of deputy to Fujifilm’s X-T flagships has been stuffed by wonderful little cameras just like the Fujifilm X-T30. The X-S10 is not a substitute for that mannequin, however, as a substitute an try to win over new followers who’ve to this point been proof against Fujifilm’s charms.
Just like the X-T4, the Fujifilm X-S10 has been constructed as a real all-rounder that is as snug capturing video as it’s stilled. You get the mixture of the 26.1MP X-Trans CMOS Four sensor and X-Processor 4, plus the power to shoot uncropped 4K/30p video. A barely uncharacteristic change of tack, although, could be discovered within the X-S10’s dealing with and controls. Moderately than Fujifilm’s signature array of handbook dials, you get a PASM (Program, Aperture, Shutter Pace, Guide) dial and a chunky handgrip that’s extra harking back to basic DSLRs.
In brief, when you’ve got an older Canon or Nikon DSLR and fancy buying and selling it in for one thing smaller and extra trendy, you’ll really feel proper at residence with the X-S10. How does the X-S10 carry out in comparison with its rivals? Total, very properly. Stills’ picture high quality is equivalent to the Fujifilm X-T4, a digicam at the present prime of our information to the very best cameras. The standard and suppleness of the X-S10’s 4K video are additionally proper up there with rivals just like the Nikon Z50 and Sony A6600.
Maybe the X-S10’s solely actual weak spot is its autofocus. Its AF efficiency remains to be spectacular in most conditions, however, the subject-tracking isn’t fairly as superior because of the Sony system seen on cameras just like the Sony A6600. Nonetheless, whereas it won’t be the primary alternative for motion shooters, the X-S10’s IBIS system is an actual bonus for such a small digicam. For those who do a number of handheld capturing, this might help you protect picture high quality through the use of longer shutter speeds. This characteristic alone provides it a giant edge over the Nikon Z50, Fujifilm X-T30, and even the Fujifilm X-T3.
While you mix this sensor-based stabilization with the Fujifilm X-S10’s different charms – retro styling, an amazing grip, wonderful picture, and video high quality – you have got the most effective mirrorless cameras obtainable at this worth. The dearth of weather-proofing and barely inferior autofocus are the one black marks on an in any other case excellent digicam. The Fujifilm X-S10 is in the stores now for a reasonably cheap $999 / £949 / AU$1,699, and in numerous package lens bundles too.
The XC15-45mm package bundle, which isn’t obtainable within the US, prices £999 / AU$1,849. For those who can, we might suggest getting the XF18-55mm package lens bundle for $1,399 / £1,299 / AU$2,099.95 over that XC package lens. And in case you want a much more versatile lens, the X-S10 may even be obtainable with the newer XF16-80mm for $1,499.95 / £1,399 / AU$2,499. This pricing is cheap contemplating the Fujifilm X-S10’s vary of expertise. At launch, the Fujifilm X-T4 value $1,699 / AU$2,999 (body-only).
With the X-S10 packing the sensor and processor because the latter, it’s an amazing difference for anybody who’s been postponed by the X-T4’s measurement, complexity, and worth. Although that relies upon a bit on whether or not you will be okay with its quirks and limitations… The Fujifilm X-S10’s design is classic Fujifilm and a giant change from its different cameras.
It appears like a barely Fujifilm X-T4 with a bigger, deeper grip. Due to that grip, the dimension is not, in sensible phrases, a lot totally different from the X-T4. A magnesium alloy construct additionally provides it an extra premium really feel than cheaper fashions just like the Fujifilm X-T200.
It is solely while you come to make use of the X-S10 that you simply discover the large modifications from the remainder of the X-series. Fujifilm cameras are famed for their dial-heavy method to controls, with most providing a triplet of wheels for tweaking your shutter velocity, ISO, and publicity compensation. As a substitute, you get the PASM dial (Program, Aperture, Shutter Pace, Guide) method favored by most different digicam producers. The rationale for this, Fujifilm advised us, is as a result of it discovered that many individuals have been postponing from switching to X-Sequence cameras purely as a result of they discovered its standard dials too complicated.
Neither method is higher than the opposite, identical to Apple and Android’s differing takes on the smartphone residence display. Nevertheless, it’s honest to say that whereas the Fujifilm purists won’t be impressed, anybody coming from the likes of Sony or Nikon will really feel immediately at residence with the X-S10. Not that the X-S10 is a whole ergonomic success. We discovered its button to be too slippery for our liking, making it exhausting to show the digicam on shortly without wanting. That is most likely attributable to its proximity to the entrance command dial, however, it was barely annoying.
The dearth of a d-pad on the again of the X-S10 additionally makes it trickier to cycle via its menus than on higher-end X-series cameras, with the small AF joystick as a substitute taking over these duties. Nonetheless, we’re glad to see an AF joystick included for selecting autofocus factors, and the X-S10 is in any other case a pleasant digicam to shoot with.
Read: Canon EOS Rebel T5: Everything You Need To Know
That beneficiant grip is a bonus for an in any other case small mirrorless digicam. After all, this implies it is nowhere close to as compact because of the Fujifilm X-T30, which may slip into pockets when paired with a pancake lens. However merely with the ability to maintain the X-S10 one-handed by its grip was an actual pleasure, and the grip additionally helped to stability out longer lenses just like the XF50-140mm. This alone makes it an amazing difference from the Nikon Z50.
The viewfinder (a 2.36m-dot affair with a most 100fps refresh charge) is strong moderately than spectacular, whereas its vari-angle touchscreen (which flips around 180-degrees to the entrance) makes it versatile for each video and stills. Photographers might desire the tilting display seen on stills-focused cameras just like the X-T30, however, this display’s flexibility is certainly a bonus for solo videographers or vloggers.
Take a more have a look at these ports, although, and you will uncover the Fujifilm X-S10’s major design weak spot when in comparison with pricier cameras – there is no weather-proofing in any respect. For those who often shoot in unpredictable climates, that will push you again in the direction of the weather-sealed Nikon Z50.
The Fujifilm X-S10 actually packs a number of energy and options into its comparatively compact physique – and probably the most notable of those is in-body picture stabilization (IBIS). We have seen small, APS-C cameras with IBIS earlier than – the Sony A6600, for instance – however, none which might be as reasonably priced because of the X-S10. The obvious rival at this worth level is the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III, which has excellent stabilization however a smaller 4 sensor. There are query marks over the longevity of cameras just like the E-M5 sequence, given Olympus’ choice to exit the digicam enterprise.
IBIS programs are helpful for each video and stills – they’ll counteract handheld jitters and protect picture high quality by letting you shoot at longer shutter speeds and decrease ISOs. However, they don’t seem to be all made equal. The X-S10’s IBIS system is 30% smaller and lighter than the Fujifilm X-T4 and barely much less efficient.
Nonetheless, there is not a lot in it, with the X-S10 managing most of six stops of compensation when paired with most X-series lenses, in comparison with the X-T4’s 6.5 stops. You may learn extra concerning the X-S10’s stabilization within the ‘efficiency’ part beneath, however broadly talking, it isn’t dissimilar. We discovered the stabilization claims to be a bit overstated in apply, and there is no doubt that you’re going to nonetheless want a gimbal for actually clean strolling video footage.
The inclusion of IBIS is large enhance for anybody who has (or is contemplating shopping for) non-stabilized prime lenses just like the XF90mm f/2. Fujifilm has additionally included a couple of digital stabilization choices to bolster the X-S10’s sensor-based stabilization. For those who do not thoughts your footage being cropped by 10%, these will add to your movies’ smoothness. How does the X-S10 stack up in areas? It is a mid-range digicam, so efficiency is of course a notch beneath flagship degree, however, options like steady capturing and video are within the ‘adequate’ zone for most individuals.
The X-S10 can shoot in burst mode (utilizing the mechanical shutter). That is a way in need of the Fujifilm X-T4’s 15fps most, however, in case you swap to the digital shutter (which may create points like a rolling shutter with fast-moving objects or panning), it might probably attain 20fps with none crop.
It is also a reliable little digicam for video and vlogging. Just like the Nikon Z50, it might probably shoot uncropped 4K/30p video and Full HD as much as 240p for a 10x slow-motion impact. In contrast to its Nikon rival, although, the X-S10 does additionally supply F-Log recording (for preserving extra dynamic vary than compressed codecs) and the outputting 4:2:2 10-bit video through its micro HDMI port.
The X-S10 can also be certainly one of Fujifilm’s most user-friendly cameras to this point. The X-S10’s ‘auto’ mode is now rather more highly effective – it permits you to shoot uncooked photographs (alongside the same old JPEGs), and there is now the choice of selecting from three totally different AF modes.
Fujifilm has additionally added an ‘auto’ movie simulations choice to the digicam’s ‘auto’ mode, which sees the digicam select between ‘Provia,’ ‘Velvia’ and ‘Astia,’ relying on what fits the scene finest. For those who’re not conversant in Fuji’s movie simulations, they’re basically delicate filters that recall the look of sure kinds of movie and are one of many major the reason why the X-Sequence make such nice point-and-shoot cameras. Including an ‘auto’ mode to those is sensible, however, it’s fairly straightforward to select from the lot broader vary of 18 movie simulations by turning the digicam’s Perform dial.
The X-S10 is a good little all-rounder on paper, however, how does it carry out in the true world? Total, it’s very aggressive with rivals at this worth and measurement. The actual star is its IBIS system, however, the X-S10’s autofocus, burst to capture, and battery life is all extra mid-range than high-end – therefore the worth tag.
For basic capturing, the X-S10’s autofocus could be very dependable and on a par with the X-T4. Whereas the efficiency naturally varies relying on which lens you’re utilizing, its Face and Eye detection AF have been very dependable – even when used with lenses just like the XF 50mm f/1.zero WR.
Barely much less spectacular was the monitoring autofocus. Just like the X-T4 (and now the X-T3, because of its latest firmware improvement), you now get a bit field in ‘extensive/monitoring’ AF mode that permits you to choose a topic within the body to lock onto as you recompose. In our exams, this labored nicely when the topic was shut and contrasted properly in opposition to the background, however extra barely distant topics – for instance, geese on the water – proved too tough to trace. The X-S10’s Face and Eye Detection AF is fairly dependable, even with at this time’s masks (1/640s, f/6.4, ISO 800).
Fujifilm’s autofocus programs have actually come to a great distance. However, in demanding conditions, they nonetheless lag behind class-leading programs like Sony’s Actual-time monitoring AF. You additionally don’t get bonuses like Animal Eye AF, which could be discovered on higher-end cameras. Nonetheless, for basic capturing, the X-S10’s autofocus is greater than adequate for many conditions. One of the many largest efficiency variations between the X-S10 and X-T4 is burst capturing.
The X-S10’s pretty common max of 8fps (with the mechanical shutter) and restricted buffer means it isn’t probably the most highly effective device for capturing sports activities and motion scenes. At 8fps, the buffer hits its restriction after solely 23 uncooked recordsdata (about three seconds of capturing) or 105 JPEGs. Whereas it’s potential to shoot at 20fps utilizing the digital shutter, you then solely get 17 uncooked recordsdata or 32 JPEGs.
To be honest, cameras on the measurement and worth aren’t skilled sports activities cameras. However this efficiency does lag behind rivals just like the Sony A6600 and, in case you do shoot a number of motion scenes at excessive frame-rates, then it’s value spending extra on the likes of the Fujifilm X-T4. The X-T4 virtually doubles the X-S10’s buffer depth when capturing at 8fps and may rattle off frames at a formidable 15fps utilizing the mechanical shutter. The X-T4 additionally has a superior battery that lasts virtually twice so long as the X-S10’s pretty common 325-shot life.
Nonetheless, the X-S10 does have one vital trump card over its rivals – an imposing and helpful IBIS system. This five-axis affair is barely much less highly effective than the X-T4’s IBIS (by round half a cease), and we discovered it carried out equally. This implies we didn’t fairly get the claimed 5.5 stops of stabilization on lenses just like the Fujifilm XF18-55mm f/2.8-4, with the X-S10 extra reliably giving us around 4 stops of compensation. That’s nonetheless very helpful and means you may get very usable handheld pictures at shutter speeds as little as 1/fifth second.
Contemplating some rivals just like the Canon EOS M6 Mark II and the Nikon Z50 doesn’t even have an IBIS system, it is a large boon and helps to clean out handheld jitters within the video too. The X-S10 makes use of the identical 26.1MP back-illuminated sensor because the Fujifilm X-T4 and Fujifilm X-T30 – it’s a tried-and-tested performer that’s nonetheless the very best of its sort. After all, you will not get fairly the identical degree of uncooked enhancing flexibility as you would possibly with a full-frame digicam. Nonetheless, the inclusion of IBIS helps protect picture high quality in difficult circumstances.
One of many advantages of X-series cameras is their means to supply nice out-of-camera JPEGs – whether or not or not you utilize the 18 Movie Simulations, that continues to be the case right here. The native ISO vary is 160-12,800, and we had no points capturing at ISO 6400. The truth is, even ISO 12800 is completely clear and usable, regardless of some luminance noise. Dynamic vary can also be imposing, notably, while you benefit from the built-in ‘DR’ choices within the picture high-quality menu.
We actually just like the Fujifilm ‘shade science,’ and photographs have a pleasant quantity of elements, too. For those who like enjoying around with colors without doing lengthy enhancing classes at your pc, then these Movie Simulations are an actual bonus. Primarily based on Fujifilm’s movie inventory, the simulations are nice for giving your snaps some environment or character without overdoing the impact. We loved capturing with Velvia for an additional pop of shade on gray days, whereas Eterna is another nice choice for stills and video. Like capturing in black-and-white? You’re lined right here, too, because of Acros or the usual Monochrome mode.
Read: 14 Cheapest Cameras To Buy Right Now
This spectacular picture high quality extends to video, too. You get management over your video recording, which now has a devoted menu system, and the X-S10 shoots uncropped 4K/30p video or Full HD at as much as 240p, which produces noisy however usable slo-mo. In contrast to the Fujifilm X-T30, you can too shoot 4K for as much as 30 minutes uninterrupted (in comparison with ten minutes on the X-T30).
It’s a disgrace that full topic monitoring isn’t obtainable in the video, however, you do get Face and Eye Detection AF, which is fairly dependable (once more, so long as your topic is pretty shut). The X-S10 data 8-bit 4:2:zero internally, however superior video shooters additionally get the choice of outputting a 10-bit 4:2:2 sign through the HDMI port. Total, the Fujifilm X-S10 is among the finest video cameras you should purchase at this worth (with maybe solely the pricier Sony A6600 coming shut) and is the right choice for vloggers who need to shoot a beneficiant aspect of high-quality stills.
Okay, the Fujifilm X-S10 isn’t precisely a finances digicam, however, we’d say it’s pound-for-pound the very best all-rounder you should purchase at this worth. Contemplating you get a premium physique, IBIS, a flexible display, spectacular picture high quality, and a beautiful retro design, it provides lots for the cash. The one drawback is the quantity you’ll be tempted to spend on prime lenses. Combining the X-S10’s giant grip and IBIS system makes it a pleasure to shoot with handheld. Until you need a pocketable digicam, this makes it a greater choice than the older Fujifilm X-T30. It helps iron out jitter when capturing video, too, although in case you do a number of vlogging, you should still need to think about using it with a gimbal.
The X-S10 is uncommon for Fujifilm as a result of it makes use of the ‘PASM’ dial seen on DSLRs from the likes of Canon and Nikon, as a substitute for the corporate’s standard array of handbook dials. Whereas this confuses Fujifilm traditionalists, it does make the X-S10 a superb choice for these coming from different digicam programs. The X-S10 isn’t a foul digicam for capturing speedy topics and is completely as much as household pet portraits. However, in comparison with rivals just like the Sony A6600, its 8fps steady capturing and comparatively restricted buffer imply it isn’t the most suitable choice for rattling off bursts at fast-moving sportspeople.
Fujifilm’s autofocus is much-improved from a couple of years in the past, and also you get fairly dependable Face/Eye detection AF right here. However its subject-tracking isn’t at all times rock-solid, and at this worth, it’s edged out by the likes of the Sony A6600 and Nikon Z50, which now has Animal Detection AF. The flipside of the X-S10’s courting of non-Fujifilm customers with that PASM management dial is that followers of the corporate’s conventional handbook dials could be postponed. For those who want a devoted ISO dial and weather-proofing, see in case you can stretch to the Fujifilm X-T4 as a substitute.
