Today Fujifilm announced the FinePix X10. This is an advanced compact camera that incorporates a 28-112mm f2.0-2.8 fast lens and comes with the companies latest technologies. When I've first read about the X10, I thought to myself, wow, Fujifilm is back in the interchangeable lens camera business, but no, it a fixed lens premium camera. Although I'm a bit disappointed, I was interested to hear (actually read) what so unique about this camera.
The X10 sensor uses a EXR pixel arrangement that is different from what other sensor offer. It allows better utilization of the sensor for provides different functionality, like dividing the sensor area for two parts, one that captures an under-exposed image and one that captures a regular mode. Then the two separate images are combined to a one high dynamic range image. Another option is to use a group of pixels to reflect one pixel in the final image, so you actually get a lower resolution image, but with better higher sensitivity and lower noise. There is even an auto mode where you let the camera decide which mode is preferred based on various parameters.
According to the press release, Fujifilm actually tried to build a camera that, in some way, resembles the vision, philosophy and qualities of the Fujifilm X100. It also wants to compete against other fast point-and-shoot cameras already exist in the market today, including the Olympus XZ-1 and Canon PowerShot G12 and Canon S95. The idea was to come up with a premium compact point-and-shoot camera that fits this generation of high-end compacts. Indeed, we have mirrorless cameras on the market, but it seems many people just like buying an all-in-one camera, and they don't want to bother themselves with changing lenses. This is the market that this camera is aimed for.
Another thing that I'm pretty sure that Fujifilm is doing is that it tries to build upon the success of the X100. The X100 already recognized of being a very good camera, offering high quality images and very high performance for a non-interchangeable lens camera. Now Fuji wants to do the same for a different market segment of advanced point-and-shoot photographers, those who want to upgrade from consumer-level cameras to a more advances camera, but not a DSLR or Mirrorless one.
The use of a fast lens has several advantages. The first is that the low-light capabilities of the X10 is higher compared to other compact P&S cameras do to the EXR sensor NR mode and the fast lens. Second Fujifilm made this lens with 7-blade aperture so you'll get a very pleasant, creamy and smooth Bokeh, where applicable. The combination of a relatively larger sensor and a fast lens, should provide better out-of-focus properties, not possible with other P&S cameras with a smaller sensor and a slower lens.
It seems like everything was though of, the design (leather-like finish, metal ring and dials, "Made in Japan", etc.), size, materials, speed, optics, optional accessories, user interface, Raw, 1cm Macro mode and so on.
The Fujifilm FinePix X10 can also record gorgeous Full HD 1080p movies at 30fps in H.264 format, while still being able to shoot stills while shooting a video.
At the back of the camera you'll find a high-contrast 2.8 460K-dot LCD. I am a bit disappointed to see a relatively small and low-res LCD on the X10. It was actually hopping for a 920K-dot 3-inch LCD, and even expected that Fuji will surprise us with this camera. Apparently this is not the case.
The X10 also features Motion Panorama and a generous scene selection for those who just want to grab a perfect shot without massing around with the camera settings.
It certainly an interesting camera that features a large arsenal of all the latest goodies from Fujifilm. Let's hope that the image quality matches the long list of advanced specs that this camera is proud of.
Fujifilm has a dedicated mini-site for the X10, has it done with the X100.
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| Fujifilm FinePix X10 Camera |
The EXR Sensor
The fist thing I've read is that the FinePix X10 features a 12MP 2/3" EXR-CMOS sensor. For those of you who aren't that familiar with sensor size (nor care about it), it's a relatively small sensor, not a large sensor as found on mirrorless cameras these days. The good news is that it's bigger than other Fujifilm compact cameras, actually times as large. The EXR technology is used to enhance image quality depands on the shooting conditions. It has three modes (SN High sensitivity,DR High dynamic range and HR High resolution). Each mode utilizes the sensor differently to overcome some of the issues that we have with non EXR sensors.The X10 sensor uses a EXR pixel arrangement that is different from what other sensor offer. It allows better utilization of the sensor for provides different functionality, like dividing the sensor area for two parts, one that captures an under-exposed image and one that captures a regular mode. Then the two separate images are combined to a one high dynamic range image. Another option is to use a group of pixels to reflect one pixel in the final image, so you actually get a lower resolution image, but with better higher sensitivity and lower noise. There is even an auto mode where you let the camera decide which mode is preferred based on various parameters.
Premium Compact Point-and-Shoot
Another thing that I'm pretty sure that Fujifilm is doing is that it tries to build upon the success of the X100. The X100 already recognized of being a very good camera, offering high quality images and very high performance for a non-interchangeable lens camera. Now Fuji wants to do the same for a different market segment of advanced point-and-shoot photographers, those who want to upgrade from consumer-level cameras to a more advances camera, but not a DSLR or Mirrorless one.
Newly-Developed Prestige Components
In order to achieve its goal, Fujifilm has decided to follow the X100 path and develop components exclusively for the X10. For example, the X10 lens is a newly-developed 28-112mm (35 equiv.) F2.0-2.8 high-definition Super EBC FUJINON lens. It utilizes 3 aspherical glass lens elements and 2 ED elements. The lens barrel is made of metal and Fujifilm also incorporated a new Image Stabilization mechanism specifically for this camera.The use of a fast lens has several advantages. The first is that the low-light capabilities of the X10 is higher compared to other compact P&S cameras do to the EXR sensor NR mode and the fast lens. Second Fujifilm made this lens with 7-blade aperture so you'll get a very pleasant, creamy and smooth Bokeh, where applicable. The combination of a relatively larger sensor and a fast lens, should provide better out-of-focus properties, not possible with other P&S cameras with a smaller sensor and a slower lens.
Delicious Specs
The X10 is also a very fast performer and can shoot consequence 7 frames in a second in full resolution and 10 fps in reduced resolution. The speed acceleration takes place by the utilization of two CPUs, EXR Core and a dedicated writable processor that computed dynamic volatile data on demand. All of that is nice, but its not over. Fujifilm wanted to provide the best user experience for any compact camera of this kind. That's why the X10 was honored to be a host of a suprr bright and large optical viewfinder. That should certainly increase the composition experience for demanding hobbyist photographers.It seems like everything was though of, the design (leather-like finish, metal ring and dials, "Made in Japan", etc.), size, materials, speed, optics, optional accessories, user interface, Raw, 1cm Macro mode and so on.
The Fujifilm FinePix X10 can also record gorgeous Full HD 1080p movies at 30fps in H.264 format, while still being able to shoot stills while shooting a video.
At the back of the camera you'll find a high-contrast 2.8 460K-dot LCD. I am a bit disappointed to see a relatively small and low-res LCD on the X10. It was actually hopping for a 920K-dot 3-inch LCD, and even expected that Fuji will surprise us with this camera. Apparently this is not the case.
The X10 also features Motion Panorama and a generous scene selection for those who just want to grab a perfect shot without massing around with the camera settings.
It certainly an interesting camera that features a large arsenal of all the latest goodies from Fujifilm. Let's hope that the image quality matches the long list of advanced specs that this camera is proud of.
Fujifilm has a dedicated mini-site for the X10, has it done with the X100.
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