First impressions of the Fujifilm X-S1

[Anthony Lee]

Excellent review cactus!

Do you think this is good enough for birding instead of the usual heavy stuff?

 

[Cactus jACK]

wow this cam weighs nearly a kilo ah...

it fits well in the hand, either carrying it by the hand grip or by the lens (focusing ring).

When will it be launched in Singapore? I think it is launched in Japan today or one of these few days.

i'll update the thread once i get any information on the singapore release - date and pricing.

Excellent review cactus!

Do you think this is good enough for birding instead of the usual heavy stuff?

i think that if you are a hardcore birder, assuming your back can take it, you will still want to lug out your DSLR, 500mm or 600mm f/4, 1.4x teleconverter, tripod, wimberley sidekick, flash, flash extended, mosquito repellent and camo net. but really, i think that it would be hard to emulate the compression of a longer focal length and the sharpness of a prime lens... and let's not forget the amount of pixel peeping that goes on under the camo net in between shots. the Fujifilm X-S1 is probably more suited for a more relaxed visit to the birdpark, and take anything from 24mm to 624mm.

 

[Cactus jACK]

[Motion Panorama] - As promised, a sample of the 360° motion panorama. This "Adv." mode function allows you to take 120°, 180°, or 360° motion panos, the last circular 360° allows for play back in an endless loop. Options for horizontal pano : (i) Landscape or (ii) Portrait orientation. The hight of images captured in Landscape will be 1080 pixels, whereas that would be increased to 1624 pixels when taken in Portrait orientation. While it captures more, file sizes will be accordingly larger. The motion pano will only shoot wide at around 24mm.

Of course, you could also do a vertical pano (up -> down or down -> up). But I think that it application is probably best for the horizontal pano in portrait orientation, as described above.

Here are some screen shots and a sample of a portrait orientation 360° motion pano. The 360° motion pano was done rather unprofessionally - handheld. For best results, shoot with good lighting and pivot following the same level plane, in a measured and even pace.


360° at the padang before the storm... full size is 9600 x 1624

- options for Adv. motion pano mode

- [Angle] 120°, 180°, or 360°

- [Direction] landscape motion pano (L -> R)

- [Direction] portrait motion pano (L -> R)

Caveat : Images are taken using a Pre-Production model of the Fujifilm X-S1.

 

[Cactus jACK]

[Summary] - Superzooms are often referred to a “Bridge Cameras”, offering 20x to 35x optical zooms. As the name suggests, they bridge the gap between DSLRs and compact cameras. Some people like the convenience of these superzooms as travel cameras as they are able to cover anything from wide range of (24-28mm), to the tele-end (600-840mm). And while they can perform well outdoors, they are challenged in performing in dimmer conditions with their small 1/2.3” sensors.

- Fujifilm X-S1, 624mm, 1/30sec, f/8.0, ISO100, 100% crop (1200x800)

The Fujifilm X-S1 is a bridge camera, offering a 24-624mm optical zoom range, but with a difference... it’s sensor. The Fujifilm X-S1 features a “large” 2/3” 12MP EXR-CMOS sensor – same found in the Fujifilm X10. Along with the EXR processor, offers the High Resolution (12 megapixels), Wide Dynamic Range (up to 1600%), and High Sensitivity & Low Noise (ISO100-12800) EXR modes. I didn't really talk about the Fujifilm film simulator modes here (Standard, Velvia, Astia, B&W, B&W/Yellow, B&W/Red, B&W/Green, and Sepia), but you can find sample shot from the X10 are available here. Fujifilm's Velvia slides simulator provides punchy colours, ideal for scenary, street and landscapes. While the Fujifilm's Astia film simulator is beautiful for soft portraits and weddings.

However, at near 945g, it is heavier than the other bridge cameras, primarily in the larger lens (read next para) and the solid body. The body is well coated in a rubber-like texture for a comfortable sure grip, and carries comfortably with one hand either on the handgrip or by gripping the lens.

With a larger sensor, it would also be hard to stretch the tele-end of the zoom too far before the lens starts to become too large. And I think Fujifilm have found a nice balance here with the Super EBC Fujinon 26x optical zoom (plus 2x Intelligent Digital Zoom) which allows you to take anything from a 1cm macro, to a 24mm field of view, to 624mm (or 1248mm when you include the Intelligent Digital Zoom). ISO performance appears expectedly not too different from the Fujifilm X10, given they share the same sensor. Shots at ISO400 still look pretty crisp with good contrast, and still with good results at ISO800. Even at ISO1600, shots are still acceptable although you know the 100% crops will be a little smuggy with lower contrast.

- Fujifilm X-S1, 330mm, 1/100sec, f/5.6, ISO800

Mind you, the samples are based on a pre-production unit of the Fujifilm X-S1, so while the features are there, they may still be tweaked before the actual production run. One would imagine that it is already “about there” by now, but if anything, there should only be possible upsides (i.e. improvements) rather than downsides from prototype, to test, to pre-production, to actual production.

You can see the Fujifilm X-S1 as an “extension” of the Fujifilm X10... using the same 12MP EXR-CMOS sensor and extending its reach to 624mm (or 1248mm), or you can see the X-S1 as a bridge camera that has now put in a larger sensor to help improve its higher ISO capabilities. Either way, the Fujifilm appears to be pushing the boundaries with the X-S1 as part of their premium X line-up.

- Fujifilm X-S1

More sample images can be found at Fujifilm.com | X-S1 Sample Images

Caveat : Images are taken using a Pre-Production model of the Fujifilm X-S1.

 

[L-coholic]

Assume that it will be US$800. Take that x1.3 to approximate current exchange rates between S$ and US$ and we get...S$1,040.

Then add a markup of about approx 15% (since we all know cameras here are always more expensive) and we should be looking at a retail price tag of approximately S$1,200.

Ouch.

S$1,200 is way too much for me...

 

[ortega]

what can this camera do ....

 

[ortega]

the focal range is simply amazing

 

[ortega]

all taken from the same spot on a rainy morning

 

[ortega]

 

[shadlightsg]

Seems like X-S1 has reached our shores. CP and SLRR have limited stocks!
now dilemma over this or gx1

 

[Jerre Pantino]

S$1,200 is way too much for me...

Ditto... especially for a camera with a small sensor. Given a choice between this and shelling out an additional SGD300 for the APS-C sensored X100, id rather get the latter. Ofcourse your zoom is your feet. But still, the price i think is too high for such a camera. I got to admit though, the sample shots do look good, especially the tele on the moon.

 

[iamnubie]

Tried it in yodobashi japan, impressive zoom range and quick AF, only the body is nearly as big as my 7D, and the the "orange skin" surface didn't feels expensive, price is ard 70k+ yen

 

[gundamseed84]

Ditto... especially for a camera with a small sensor. Given a choice between this and shelling out an additional SGD300 for the APS-C sensored X100, id rather get the latter. Ofcourse your zoom is your feet. But still, the price i think is too high for such a camera. I got to admit though, the sample shots do look good, especially the tele on the moon.

X100 and XS-1 are two very different cameras for different purposes. Again sensor size is not everything. APSC sensor and have 600+ mm focal length you have to adapt to the size of a dslr and 400mm lens which defeats the purpose of a bridging camea. That's when small sensor size has its advantage.

There are times your feet can't get the 'zoom' you need. For by the time you feet moves to get the same framing, you might have missed out a shot. Also at around 35mm it would be almost impossible to take close up shots of 'sensitive' wildlife such as birds.

To judge value of money it would be more fair to put XS-1 against similar class of megazoom bridging camera such as SX40 etc. Or think of an entry lvl dslr with a mega zoom lens such as 18-200 + 120 - 400 to see if XS-1 is worth the money.

Personally if I don't have this range of focal length for my dslr I would consider this seriously for its versatility without much compromise on IQ, no pt judging on IQ if you cannot even capture the shot you want.

 

[Cactus jACK]

I have been informed that the Fujifilm X-S1 is available in Singapore now.

RRP S$1349 w/ 16GB card and Manfortto case free.

 

[Jerre Pantino]

Assume that it will be US$800. Take that x1.3 to approximate current exchange rates between S$ and US$ and we get...S$1,040.

Then add a markup of about approx 15% (since we all know cameras here are always more expensive) and we should be looking at a retail price tag of approximately S$1,200.

Ouch.

Im so SG$1,200 body only... its expensive, but not really that bad. I think the X100 is much more expensive during its launch. I wonder though how much the lenses would cost for this "X-series" camera. I hope they do not overprice for the sake of being an "X-series" lens...

 

[felixcat8888]

Im so SG$1,200 body only... its expensive, but not really that bad. I think the X100 is much more expensive during its launch. I wonder though how much the lenses would cost for this "X-series" camera. I hope they do not overprice for the sake of being an "X-series" lens...

Bro, The Fuji X-series cameras are not DSLRs, meaning you cannot change "lenses" as they are fixed to the body. Range of lens on X-S1 is 24-624mm or 26X zoom. This is a bridge camera.

 

[longvision]

It's a nice review. The camera can give a good bokeh ah?

 

[Jerre Pantino]

Bro, The Fuji X-series cameras are not DSLRs, meaning you cannot change "lenses" as they are fixed to the body. Range of lens on X-S1 is 24-624mm or 26X zoom. This is a bridge camera.

I stand corrected. I thought with the announcement of Fuji X-Pro 1, this would also be interchangeable. My bad

 

[Davidnikon]

i'm surprised with the image quality (thumbs up!)

 

[felixcat8888]

I stand corrected. I thought with the announcement of Fuji X-Pro 1, this would also be interchangeable. My bad

I think if it were interchangeable, most of us will get one with adapter for our brand lenses.