The Fujifilm XF10 ($499.95) will not be the direct successor to the discontinued X70 in mannequin identify, however it actually is in spirit. Just like the X70, the XF10 is a pocket-friendly digicam with an APS-C picture sensor, the dimensions discovered in lots of SLRs and mirrorless cameras. Its picture high quality is superb, because of a pointy wide-angle lens and a class-leading picture sensor. However efficiency is a bit spotty, with focus slower than what we’re used to seeing in a contemporary digicam, and a picture processor that does not embrace a few of our favourite Fujifilm profiles.
Beautiful End
The XF10 is well one of many best-looking cameras on sale right now, no less than in case you purchase it within the gold end we obtained for evaluate. The physique is steel, with a end to match. Its contrasted by a brown leatherette, with a sample that jogs my memory of alligator leather-based. Fujfilm additionally markets the XF10 with a black end, which is not as head-turning, however stays stylish.
The digicam is eminently pocketable. It measures 2.5 by four.four by 1.6 inches (HWD) and weighs 9.9 ounces. A wrist strap is included, and it is a lot nicer than the run-of-the-mill straps included with most compact cameras. The strap is a quarter-inch extensive, with gentle leatherette on the outside and black felt lining its inside.
The lens is an 18.5mm f/2.eight prime—there isn’t any zoom functionality. When paired with the 24MP APS-C picture sensor, it captures photographs with an angle of view just like that of a 28mm full-frame system. That is comparable with what many smartphones seize—though flagships have migrated to a barely wider design, within the 24mm vary, for probably the most half. The close-up focus is respectable—the lens can lock on as shut as Three.9 inches—it isn’t probably the most dramatic macro, however you’ll be able to nonetheless lock in on the tiny particulars.
The 28mm subject of view is a well-liked one for a lot of photographers—there is a cause smartphones use it. The XF10 is not the one fanatic digicam with it both. The Ricoh GR II makes use of the same lens, backed by a picture sensor that is the identical dimension, however not as dense with pixels at 16MP. The GR II continues to be accessible, however is getting up there in age, as its sensor and lens date again to the primary APS-C GR, launched in 2013. Ricoh has a GR III coming in 2019, which ups the sensor to 24MP and consists of picture stabilization, a characteristic lacking within the XF10.
The physique is small, so there aren’t a slew of management buttons and dials, however there are sufficient. A guide focus ring surrounds the lens, however it may be reprogrammed to scroll by movie simulation modes, set the white steadiness, regulate ISO, or carry out just a few different sundry capabilities.
There is a programmable Fn button on the highest, together with the Mode dial, twin management dials, and the On/Off button. The shutter is surrounded by the entrance dial, and it is one ergonomic side that I do not love. It is just a little cramped on prime, so the small diameter afforded to the dial would not make it fairly as snug to show because the bigger rear dial, which is assigned to shutter management or EV adjustment, relying in your capturing mode.
The Drive/Delete and Play buttons are positioned on the prime heart, simply above the LCD. To the precise, nestled on the fringe of the rear thumb relaxation, is the Q button, which prompts an on-screen menu to shortly regulate settings. Regardless of sporting a contact display screen, the Q menu is not navigable by way of contact. Above Q is an unlabeled black button, Fn2, which is as programmable as the highest Fn button.
The XF10 eschews the anticipated four-way management pad, changing it with a tiny joystick to slot in the confines of the small body. It is what you will use to navigate by the Q menu, whereas utilizing the rear dial to regulate settings in every pane. Under the joystick you will discover the Menu and Show/Again buttons. It is simple to customise the Q menu, Fn button, or rear joystick operate—simply maintain the management you wish to change in for a pair seconds and a menu will pop up on the display screen, permitting you to switch its operate.
There is no EVF or sizzling shoe, so you’ll be able to’t even mount a set optical viewfinder. You are restricted to utilizing the Three-inch, 1,040k-dot LCD as your viewfinder. Fortunately it is a sharp, vibrant display screen, with 11 ranges of brightness adjustment accessible by way of the Q menu. And whereas menu navigation is not accessible by way of contact, you’ll be able to faucet to decide on the main focus level or to focus and seize a picture, relying on which focus mode you are utilizing.
There are some further contact management gestures accessible whereas capturing. You possibly can swipe all the way down to customise the operate of the entrance management ring, to the precise to regulate face detection settings, to the left to modify to a sq. crop, and as much as activate Snap capturing.
That is Fujifilm’s tackle the Snap Focus operate accessible within the Ricoh GR collection. It stops down the lens to f/eight and switches to a preset focus distance—6.5 toes (2 meters) and 26 toes (eight meters) can be found. I like having the operate accessible, however discover that the implementation is not as slick as what the GR and GR II do—with these cameras, a fast, full press of the shutter units the lens to its Snap Focus place, making it potential to modify between autofocus and the preset Snap distance with out having to regulate any type of settings. With the XF10 you will must resolve to make use of the Snap setting earlier than making a picture, taking away its actual profit—lag free, in-focus seize of probably the most fleeting of candid moments.
Journey-Pleasant
The XF10 consists of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, so you’ll be able to join it to an Android or iOS system for distant management and picture switch. You will must obtain the Fujifilm Digicam Distant app to get began, and undergo a painless setup course of. As soon as you have bought it going you’ll be able to switch pictures to your cellphone simply, though you might need to inform your cellphone to vary Wi-Fi networks to the one generated by the XF10 to make issues work. Transfers by way of Bluetooth, like what Nikon does with its SnapBridge Wi-Fi system, aren’t an choice, however Bluetooth can add GPS knowledge to photographs and set the XF10’s clock, based mostly on data acquired out of your cellphone’s GPS system.
The battery is rated for about 330 pictures by CIPA, which ought to get you thru the day with out an excessive amount of fear. Charging is on the market by way of micro USB, so you’ll be able to at all times prime off the battery utilizing an exterior battery pack when out and out and about. There’s additionally a micro HDMI output port and an SD reminiscence card slot.
Ample Autofocus
The XF10 is not set to win any races. It is relatively gradual to take a shot after powering on, taking an excellent Three.four seconds to focus and snap a photograph after urgent the On button. The autofocus system takes about zero.2-second to lock focus in vibrant mild, however slows to about zero.6-second in dim circumstances.
There are just a few completely different focus modes accessible. By default the digicam selects the main focus level routinely, which works effectively for many pictures. When you prefer to individuals, it is a good suggestion to show Face Detection on when utilizing the extensive space. There are just a few completely different choices, together with the power to detect both the left or proper eye of your topic, however I discovered leaving each Face and Eye Detection to Auto netted good outcomes.
When you have hassle getting the XF10 to lock on to what you need it to, you’ll be able to merely faucet the rear display screen and the digicam will concentrate on the area you select and hearth a shot. You possibly can flip this habits off if you would like, although I discovered it helpful. I do want there was an choice to faucet to pick the main focus, and nonetheless use the bodily shutter to snap a shot. However if you need the XF10 to behave like that, you should change the main focus mode.
Altering focus is simple sufficient to do—leap into the Q menu and choose one of many different focus modes. Single Level and Zone can be found, providing a versatile spot in two sizes that may be moved across the body utilizing the rear stick or by tapping. In these modes you’ll be able to select whether or not to focus and hearth when tapping the rear LCD (Shot), to focus solely (AF), or to easily transfer the main focus level with out adjusting the lens (Space). The icon to vary these settings is on the highest proper nook of the LCD and is adjustable by way of contact.
There may be additionally an ALL setting accessible within the focus mode choice financial institution of the Q menu. When that is turned on you’ll be able to change between the Single Level, Large, and Zone settings by urgent within the rear joystick and turning the rear command dial. If you end up altering the main focus mode incessantly it’s a useful gizmo.
Steady drive and AF-C can be found, however this isn’t a digicam for monitoring quick motion. The wide-angle subject of view means you will not be snapping pictures of wildlife or sports activities, except you’ll be able to rise up shut and private. Right here the burst capturing is healthier suited to topics with extra side-to-side movement, because the digicam would not have to regulate its focus as a lot or as shortly as it could with topics transferring towards or away from the lens.
The XF10 didn’t do effectively in our steady capturing take a look at, which stresses a digicam by firing on a intently framed goal that strikes towards and away from the lens, netting largely misfocused pictures. I consider the velocity of the lens motor performs an enormous half—you’ll be able to see and really feel the lens transferring out and in when focusing in AF-C mode. When you’re concerned with a small digicam that does a greater job with motion, have a look at the Sony RX100 VI, which sports activities a zoom lens and 24fps Uncooked seize with section detect focus monitoring.
The digicam shoots pretty shortly, at 6fps, however the capturing buffer is proscribed in case you work in Uncooked format. It will probably solely sustain the tempo for 5 Uncooked or Uncooked+JPG pictures. When you shoot in JPG the buffer extends to 15 pictures, simply shy of three seconds of motion in a full burst. There may be additionally a 15fps seize mode, using the XF10’s video engine, however it limits decision to 8MP and is simply good for one second of seize at a time. The digicam helps extracting particular person frames from these 1-second clips, however in case you offload your reminiscence card with out extracting frames first, you will discover them saved inside a 4K video file relatively than as JPG pictures.
General, I discovered the XF10’s focus system and velocity to be completely sufficient for the kind of pictures most photographers will wish to make with this digicam. Avenue scenes, environmental portraits, and macro pictures are not any drawback. Heck, you’ll be able to sustain with sports activities motion from the stands. But when I used to be capturing basketball from the baseline I would seize a special digicam.
An SLR Sensor in Your Pocket
The XF10’s massive characteristic is its picture sensor, an APS-C chip with 24MP of decision. It is the identical dimension and pixel density that you will discover in interchangeable lens cameras just like the Nikon D5600 and Sony a6000. The sensor is a normal Bayer design, which is a little bit of a shock—Fujifilm usually makes use of its proprietary X-Trans coloration know-how, however not right here. The sensible result’s that a few of Fujfilm’s JPG coloration profiles, accessible in X-Trans cameras, aren’t accessible. You do not get the Acros black-and-white look, as an illustration, nor movie grain. You do get Provia, Velvia, Basic Chrome, and common black-and-white appears, the latter with a simulated coloration filter choice, any of which could be utilized to stills or video.
I used Imatest to examine the standard of the lens and sensor. At f/2.eight the lens resolves 2,763 strains on a center-weighted sharpness take a look at. It is a superb outcome for a 24MP digicam, and determination is robust from heart to edge. The lens is even higher at f/four (2,968 strains) and f/5.6 (2,938 strains). It begins to drop at f/eight (2,859 strains), however continues to ship sharp photographs at f/11 (2,703 strains). You can even shoot at f/16, however the decision drops a bit (2,314 strains) on the minimal f/16 setting.
Picture noise is effectively managed. The XF10 retains it underneath 1.5 p.c by ISO 6400, and reveals about 1.7 p.c at ISO 12800—the highest setting at which each Uncooked and JPG seize can be found. An in depth have a look at pictures from our take a look at scene reveals wonderful high quality by ISO 1600 when capturing in JPG format. At ISO 3200 and 6400 there’s some very slight smudging of nice element. The blur will increase at ISO 12800, and is extra of a priority on the prime ISO 25600 and 51200 settings.
Uncooked seize tops out at ISO 12800. When pushing the digicam that far you will discover some grain, however element continues to be fairly good. Uncooked output reveals very robust element and never a variety of noise by ISO 1600. I do not thoughts a grainy look, and am pleased with the outcomes I noticed from the XF10 when capturing Uncooked photographs at ISO 3200 and above.
Video usually looks like an afterthought with Fujifilm cameras. The dearth of a File button actually places the XF10 in that bucket. To change to video you want change the Drive mode to Film, which is not conducive to capturing fast, candid video clips. Regardless of having a really customizable interface, you’ll be able to’t set the Fn button on prime to start out and cease movies.
You possibly can shoot in 4K, however solely at 15fps, which is not helpful except you desire a uneven, silent film look. For clean video you’re restricted to 720p or 1080p at your selection of 23.98, 24, 50, or 59.94fps settings—30fps is notably absent, which is usually a concern when recording video in questionable mild, because the digicam might want to use a shorter shutter velocity to document at 60fps than for 30fps.
The 1080p high quality is common, however under no circumstances excellent. Particulars are a bit gentle, and there isn’t any type of optical stabilization included, so handheld footage is just a little shaky. The main focus system can detract from video as effectively. Every part is okay if the digicam would not detect an out-of-focus scene, but when it does there’s a little bit of wobble because the digicam adjusts the lens to match topic motion. AF-C is the one autofocus mode accessible for video. There’s a 2.5mm enter for an exterior microphone, however no shoe or different solution to mount one on the digicam. You will want so as to add a bracket or one other contraption to mount a microphone.
The Fashionable Pocket Digicam
The Fujifilm XF10 is an interesting digicam to the precise kind of photographer. When you had beforehand been a buyer of the Ricoh GR collection, or a fan of Fujifilm’s personal X70, you will perceive its attraction instantly. It packs SLR picture high quality into a very pocket-friendly type issue, and boasts an especially sharp wide-angle lens.
It does sacrifice some versatility to get there. The 28mm-equivalent lens is an effective match for landscapes, each pure and concrete, structure, and household snapshots, however it will not substitute a devoted telezoom or macro. Likewise, this is not a digicam that shall be of curiosity to anybody whose first precedence is video.
However as a high-quality pocket digicam it succeeds. Its picture high quality actually exceeds that of the Ricoh GR II, which earned Editors’ Selection marks after we reviewed it in 2015. Whereas the XF10 would not match the GR II’s wonderful ergonomic design, it ticks different containers, most significantly the 28mm angle of view.
Our favourite digicam of this kind is one other from Fujifilm, the X100F. It is considerably dearer, $1,300 versus $500, however encompasses a lens which is a cease brighter, a superb hybrid optical/digital viewfinder, and improved dealing with. However its 35mm angle of view could not attraction to followers of the 28mm look, and whilst you can add a wide-angle conversion lens to the X100F, it provides each price and bulk to the digicam.
The XF10 stands by itself as a stunning—particularly in case you go for the gold end—and pocket-friendly shooter. It prices lower than the Ricoh GR II (now promoting for round $600 after just a few years available on the market), and provides a considerably denser sensor. I believe it is likely to be price it for followers of the GR collection to attend till subsequent 12 months to see if the GR III lives as much as its predecessors in picture high quality and dealing with, however for photographers not dialed into the GR’s ergonomics, the XF10 will scratch lots of the similar itches.