Sleek retro designs are the ultimate ‘in-thing’ especially in the compact digital camera industry. These ‘old school’ designs are certainly making a big comeback faster than the shutter speeds of today’s fancy DSLR systems. Now fitted with mirrorless technology, there’s no telling the limitations of these formidable compacts. Designed for style to follow function, the Fujifilm X10 certainly is an attention grabber with its immediately apparent retro design. The proliferation of buttons, dials and switches welcome complete photographer approach especially those ‘serious about photography’.
A Little Goes A Long Way
Despite its minimalist grip, it fits easily in the hand, giving the thumb easy access to the rear control dial and index finger for the shutter button. The manual zoom lens also encourages the classic two-handed rangefinder-style of shooting.
In line with the camera’s extensive provision of external controls, some of the most desirable features often used by pro photographs are strategically placed for ultimate ease-of-use. There is a dedicated focus mode switch on the front of the body, a four-way control dial, configurable AEL/AFL (Auto Exposure Lock/Auto Focus Lock) button, dedicated raw button on the back of the body and exposure compensation dial on the top plate, all fitted in the magnesium alloy body.
Compact Everywhere
Another engineering feat it achieved for its compact size, is its Fujinon lens. It features a newly developed manual 4X optical zoom with a superb F2.0-2.8 ranging from 28mm wide angle to 112mm telephoto which delivers high resolution optical performance through the entire range. This is also made possible by its larger sensor size (2/3 inch EXR-CMOS) packed with 12-megapixels and also fitted with image stabilisation. The wide aperture combined with its large sensor offers more control over the depth-of-field for stunning “bokeh” than any other camera in its class. It is also capable of taking super-macro shots as close as 1-cm within the 49 point auto focus (AF) area in the screen. The high contrast LCD 2.8 inch monitor allows you to compose and preview your shots with ease.
Old School Feel?
The X10 also simulates the colour and tonal qualities of typical film cameras used and loved by pro photographers. The Fujichrome colour films distinct family members are once more reunited in this digital age in the X10. In addition to its Expanded Dynamic Range features and Built-in Auto Bracketing Functions, the X10’s built in RAW converter lets you edit your images on the camera itself, fully functional with any Film Simulation modes, image quality setting, exposure compensation, white balance and many more.
A cut above its already desired peers, it is truly a professional-quality camera achieved by a perfect combination of style and function.
