Fujifilm X-S10
Enthusiast Mirrorless Camera
A LITTLE IRONICALLY, given Nikon’s incursion into traditional Fujifilm territory in the previous category, it’s the latter’s stepping away from a more classically-themed styling that has produced a winner here. The X-S10 is unlike any other Fujifilm X-mount camera we’ve seen before, and its feature set looks a bit curious at first – a mix of entry-level and high-end, giving the impression that the design team might not have all been talking to each other.
All this changes in practice though, because the X-S10 excels in its ergonomics and operational efficiencies, the functionality balances wants and needs very effectively, and the performance is on a par with its top-of-the-range siblings. As we noted in our original review, the X-S10 is essentially a lot of the X-T4 repackaged in an X-T30 size body, but with a more conventionally contemporary control layout. It gets all the important stuff from the X-T4 – latest-generation X-Trans sensor, processor and 425-point autofocusing – along with in-body image stabilision (using a dedicated, more compact module) and some extra video capabilities compared to the X-T30. Additionally, it has a full suite of Fujifilm X-mount in-camera processing functions that includes the 18 current Film Simulation profiles and the additional tweaks available via Grain Effect, Colour Chrome Effect and Colour Chrome Effect Blue. On the video side, there’s uncropped 4K DCI and UHD recording with a bit rate of up to 200 Mbps, a 10-bit 4:2:2 colour output via HDMI, F-Log, slow-mo Full HD frame rates and time code support.
The compact body is magnesium alloy, but there’s no weather sealing and only a single memory card slot, which could be considered anomalies on a camera that’s otherwise more high-end than anything else. This is where the price tag comes into play, because for the amount of money you’ll be asked to hand over, the X-S10 represents exceptional value. The feature set has clearly been carefully worked out to minimise any compromises and, indeed, for many potential users, it’s the more accessible performance that’s really the key attraction of this camera. The more conventional layout gets you to where you want to be much more easily, and you still get the same brilliant results as the X-mount flagship.
There was some truly heavyweight competition in this category this year – Nikon’s brilliant Z 6II, for starters – but the X-S10 was simply unbeatable on value. How we concluded our review still stands, “Fujifilm may just have been a bit too generous with the X-S10… so grab one before they change their minds”.