I love them and I hate them a bit!  (Compared with Canon 40D, Sony NEX-5N, Canon S95)

I love them and I hate them a bit! (Compared with Canon 40D, Sony NEX-5N, Canon S95)

Fujifilm X10 Digital Camera (12MP, 4x Optical Zoom, 7.1 cm (2.8 inch) display) (Electronics)

Customer Review

For a few days now I have a Fuji X10, a few months I've been lurking around her, had let me first time the blooming problem ("white slices") scare and wanted at least wait until
(A) I get delivered almost certainly a copy with a new sensor,
(B) has his DPReview X10 Full Review published with positive results.

Now, state June 28th 2012, the Review's unfortunately still not, but according to Amazon cameras will only be available with a new sensor. Since the camera soon to go on holiday with and I want to make me feel comfortable with her before, I have ordered halt without condition (b) times.

***** Addendum on 12/07/2012
Since yesterday (11.07.2012) of the long-awaited full review of the X10 finally (!) Is on-line at DPReview. I can every X10 owners and -Kaufinteressenten that of English is fairly powerful, only recommend to read this article. The in this review (and their comments) points above are largely confirmed, and with a total score of 76% achieved the X10 an absolutely very good, for the compact class even very excellent rating. Even more interesting are the systematic study and comparison, both to its competitors and in this case, the X10 features among each other (see, eg, dynamic expansion in image size L vs. Image size M) which performs DPReview. The article thus makes also awareness training on the operation of the camera, which was supposed, at least initially stood well the X10 manual to face.
***** Vindictive

My photographic history I can save at this point. Anyone who wants to can read in my review for Canon PowerShot S95. Only this: I take pictures for more than 10 years digital (ie since the beginning of the consumer digital photography) and owned or possessed more than a dozen cameras. I currently use active, apart from the X10, the Canon EOS 40D (older DSLR), the Sony NEX-5N (just 1 yr old mirrorless system camera) and even the Canon S95 (about 2 years old Compact for your pocket). With this I will the X10 occasionally compare.

Why do I to these three cameras yet another "need", some people will ask. Well, the Fuji fills my opinion, a "gap": Sure, the 40D is with the right lenses an all-round talent, but lack in many situation of place, since large and heavy. The S95 is nice and small and makes great pictures up. ISO 800, but is slow and bright light only at the short end. The NEX-5N I currently use the most, as they beat the favorite of my Sony 18-200 lens in the universality hardly useful fast, top picture quality up to max. ISO 3200 has, but not much light (3.5-6.3) and at least the 18-200 but again is quite a chunk (albeit much smaller and lighter than the DSLR). The X10 now promises an acceptable compromise from NEX-5N- and S95 virtues: yet handy enough useful focal range, fast, high quality image (even in high ISO), this light also strong at the long end. Thus it is on paper the favorite for available light situations in which it comes to a possible light and handy equipment.

For those in a hurry among readers below an "Executive Summary" of my review: The Fuji X10 is an excellent crafted, yet handy camera with high image quality, an excellent automatic mode (EXR Auto) and rapid auto focus. However, their concept is not determined at a glance, even an intensive study of the manual will help further here hardly. In addition, the operation under the ill-structured menu and the fact that many functions exclude each other inexplicably suffers.

Now for the details ...

Two major criticisms I have to attach to the first days of use of X10:

(1) It is unclear in which modes and settings in which one really benefits from the potential of the EXR sensor (high dynamic range and reduced noise).
As already described in another review, the X10 uses two methods for dynamic increase:
(A) In each case, half of the pixels of the EXR sensor are exposed to 1-2 stops difference. It calculates the camera a 6MP image with increased dynamic range.
(B) All pixels are equal exposed, and the dark areas are brightened 1-2 f-stops before the JPG editing.
In EXR DR mode, both methods can be combined, resulting in a maximum dynamic gain of up to 4 stops.
In the area 1-2 win stages, the question arises for the choice of method. Here is (a) should be preferred, because the noise in the dark areas is then lower. Choose explicitly one can not but. Rather, it is often unclear when method (a) shall apply. Well, in EXR HR mode (12 MP) comes logically method (b) used in the EXR DR and -SN modes (6 MP) method (a) (again logically). For the PASM modes, it is probably in principle method (b), provided that the image size to L (12 MP) stands. But as it is in the PASM modes when the image size in principle on M (6 MP) is ?? How is the car (not EXR Auto) mode? As in Adv.- or SP mode?
Sure you can say it only in retrospect: one obtains a 12 MP image with dynamic expansion method was used (b); obtained a 6 MP image, it was method (a) (optionally in combination with (b)). Too bad that is not even shown in the picture display, how many pixels the image has ...
The manual brings on this topic unfortunately no elucidation. Would be nice if someone could enlighten me as times competently ...

(2) Many features include mutually exclusive. Examples:
(A) (except when EXR HR set fixed) In EXR-position the dial produced no RAW files.
(B) In the EXR Auto mode can no exposure to be made.
(C) For AE-L / AF-L has Face Detection off (the latter I have therefore laid me on the RAW button to go at least quickly). Oh yes, the focus mode must also AF-S (not AF-C!) Be.
Who the hell came up with that ?? A photographic situation is sometimes so fast, I will not have to think twice about what eg now it prevents me to lock the focus! And it goes without such artificial constraints (the camera takes the "obstructive" modes when pressing the AE-L / AF-L button so only temporarily disable), prove many other cameras, including the Canon S95. In such a situation, I hate the X10.

So, now even more systematic (but not exhaustive uplifting) Summary of advantages and disadvantages:

Benefits:
+ Excellent image quality even at the JPGs.
+ Very high luminosity (F2.0 at the short and even F2.8 at the long end).
+ Excellent processing.
+ Superior Auto mode EXR Auto (makes the camera but then - well - lay-capable).
+ Fast autofocus.
+ Face recognition works amazingly well (recognizes people even in profile, which S95 and NEX-5N can not).
+ Fast switching and zooming.
+ Freely assignable Fn key (and firmware version 1.0.3 the RAW button is freely assignable).
+ In Pro Low Light mode succeed amazingly simple low-noise images up to ISO 3200th
+ In the Pro Focus Mode succeed very beautiful portraits.
+ Nice look (but a matter of taste).

Indifferent:
+/- No Doller Video mode, but sufficient for the casual videographers.
+/- Blooming problem with a new sensor should be no more (I had the "white slices" not yet).

Disadvantages:
- For beginners only suitable (if restrictions on EXR Auto mode acceptable).
- Many functions join incomprehensibly mutually exclusive.
- Poorly structured, thus confusing menu.
- RAW support previously poor (only Lightroom version 3.6 plus some other less popular programs support the X10, unfortunately - still - not my Message Favourite DxO Optics Pro).
- Low battery capacity (replacement battery is compulsory).
- Slow storing RAW files (there's the S95 even faster).

Personally, I'll definitely keep the X10 because they simply "charm" has, makes really good pictures, the "gap" described really crowded and the mentioned advantages outweigh the disadvantages. In addition, I can also simply give to my wife in EXR Auto mode, the photographed have liked, but may deal little with the theoretical foundations. The X10 has to make the first an automatic mode, which I trust in> 80% of all situations, the proper settings, both from the technical and artistic aspects.

Bottom line makes it four stars for the Fuji X10.

One more thing: who occasionally works with Flash, which I can recommend the Fuji EF-20. Very small and light, yet enough power in conjunction with the X10, harmonizes very well with the camera.

Bag Recommendation: Kata DP-415, Crumpler Cupcake 1500 have already been mentioned in another review, I immediately bought me both. The Kata I use to still be able to transport the belt X10. The Crumpler is somewhat larger and holds in addition to the X10 still loose the external EF-20 flash and the lens hood.

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Update on 29/06/2012
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After some intense research on the internet and their own experiments I begin slowly to understand the functioning of the X10. I recommend a Google search for "Fuji X10 EXR PASM". Like the first link to the Fuji X Forum follow, and even explains an experienced user (even in German!) The EXR function in different positions of the dial. He then linked also still a (English) Post on DPReview, the it but no longer needs in principle.

Summarizing short, the key messages are:
- The behavior of the camera when the "Image Size" L (12 MP) is completely different from M (6 MP). As concluded above, comes with L (12 MP) always method (b) for dynamic expansion used.
- When "Picture Size" is generally set to M (6 MP), the camera always uses (in all positions of the selector dial, and PASM) method (a) for dynamic expansion or noise reduction. It then also RAW format, manual exposure compensation, etc., so all those things that do not work in EXR Auto mode available.
- As a follow the ideal basic settings for the Fuji X10:
(A) Image Size M (6 MP).
(B) DR car (the contribution DPReview even recommends fixed as 400%).
(C) Auto ISO (possibly limited to 800 or 1600 ISO depending on personal taste).
(D) RAW + JPEG (in order to still save at least failed in JPG photos by RAW processing can).

In order for the operation of the EXR function is much clearer! I have my camera already set accordingly, made the first test shots at dusk, and compared to 12 MP really much better results even at high ISO and in JPG format confirm the statements: Even at ISO 1600 is a hell of detail and in dark Although areas visible, but hardly disturbing noise, as it really looks like film grain.
The only disadvantage of this basic setting is the general restriction on 6 MP (although you can of course switch for a series of shots over and over again), but the fact I see no significant disadvantage. At high times of the Fuji F30 / F31fd 6 MP presented us also loose. The contributing author on DPReview even says that the difference between X10 pictures is marginal with 6 MP and 12 MP in accordance with its comparative tests, often of 6 MP mode even deliver better results.

If you understand the operation of a product, you can see it the same with the other eye. So I'll hate my X10 in the future even less. ;-) Actually, I am now even at the exact point that I have longed for in the review of the Canon S95, arrived: a camera with a relatively large sensor (in comparison to the market), relatively low resolution and intelligent algorithms to get out of that hardware to make the best. Manufacturers have me (and all the others who had this wish) answered! :-)

The four stars yet it remains for the time being, there seem to me the mutual function exclusions still stupid and unnecessary, but in some situations just a hindrance. Who knows, maybe Fuji improves these things still via firmware update. That aside, the X10 is really a dream camera.

By the way: The settings that I feel for the JPG-development in the camera as best match, almost exactly the recommendations in the Fuji X Forum-Post:
- Color MHOCH (the only difference)
- Focus MHART,
- Noise Reduction MNIED,
everything else on STD.

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Update on 03/07/2012
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Here's a tip accessory (was here somewhere to a review already mentioned in the comments): Who sets to protect the lens from dirt and scratching value, can the American shippers 2filter.com a "Marumi 40mm UV filter Multicoated Hanes Fuji X10 'order. Costs incl. Shipping about 40 Dollars (at its present price 33-34 Euro), delivery takes about one week. The filter fits perfectly in the (probably a bit unusual) filter thread of X10. The lens cap fits with attached filter yet.
In Germany, this filter, Stand 03.07.2012, not yet directly available.

As can be seen from the name, it is a pure UV filter, so basically a pure safety glass, which brings no optical disadvantages.
Yes, I know, there is also the photographer Group, is convinced that each additional glass surface brings an image deterioration with it from the lens. In theory this is true, but in practice this reduction is however so low (if any) that the positive effect (protection of the lens) clearly outweigh the theoretical existing negative effect (image quality degradation). At least that's my many years of experience; I have yet (mostly B & W MRC) provided each lens with a high quality, multi-coated UV filter and can find no disadvantages even with Canon L lenses.

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Update on 16.07.2012
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Again an update by now several weeks of use ...

There currently is still no RAW converter that really exploit the potential of the EXR sensor (see also mentioned by me Full Review at DPReview), I use now like the internal RAW conversion in the camera. Initially regarded as purely temporary solution, I must now say that is really fast and is particularly suitable for the correction of incorrect exposures and errors in the white balance. Although it has no immediate visual feedback as to the PC, but puts only times "by feel" the essential parameters. Then allowed to convert the camera and surveyed the result. If it fits, you save it (the camera then puts an additional JPEG file, so retained both the RAW and the original JPEG file) or go back to the settings and improves them iteratively until obtain a satisfactory result ,
Clearly, these changes could make on the JPEG and on the PC / Mac. The great advantage of the internal RAW conversion, however, is that this is based on the significantly higher color resolution in RAW and is thus contrary to the JPEG processing not lossy.

The parameter "Shadow Tone" (or something like that) I have now changed from STD to MWEICH. This gives the JPEGs in the dark image areas even better tracing. But you can only adjust if you have the ISO limits fixed in less than / equal to 800 or AUTO ISO 800! Otherwise, the settings MWEICH and SOFT are grayed out, but you know only times not know why ... has once again some time until I found out that. When the ISO example again is then set to AUTO (1600) in this setting, the camera allows that and gives an indication that "Shadow Tone" is automatically set to STD. I like this approach, namely easy to give an indication of why something just can not be set or which otherwise are the consequences of setting Unfortunately, this concept has not been applied consistently.

Despite these minor annoyances I'm working to be very happy with the X10 and will not want to miss it. As expected, that bothers me also the limitation to 6 MP in any way. I compare the photos I've done both with my NEX-5N (16 MP) and with the X10 (6 MP), I miss at the X10 no details. Who, of course, constantly making massive Crops or large format prints needs, will see things differently. All others will like me more than satisfied with the 6 MP mode.

Solid casing with top processing Rank: 4/5
February 17
Is exactly cheap Rank: 3/5
December 23
Great soft stylish beret Rank: 5/5
March 29
Perfect 1 3326 Rank: 5/5
April 16

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