Over at
Dpreview they have tested
the latest version of firmware from Fujifilm which is supposed
to ease the white orb syndrome experience when using the new
Fuji X10 digital compact camera.
"It
didn't take long once samples of the Fujifilm X10 were out in the wild
for reports to start surfacing of a strange and unwelcome phenomenon in
images taken in certain conditions. Colloquially known as 'white orbs'
or 'white discs' the problem describes the peculiar circular, hard-edged
appearance of clipped specular highlights in images taken on the X10.
The effect is unpredictable, but virtually unavoidable in some
situations (low light city scapes for example) and impossible to ignore
once you notice it. The table below shows what we're talking about -
this is the same scene, shot at identical settings. The Fujifilm X10 is
on the left, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 (one of many examples we
could have used here) is on the right".............Dpreview
Tests and Sample Images
Sometimes
it pays to wait a few months before purchasing the latest
technology!
Today, I went 'suited and booted' into Edinburgh
for lunch with a pretty lady and a
romantic walk in the gardens at the castle.
Before I left the house, I had considered what camera would be
suitable for the occasion?
As usual, the answer was none, the Canon 5D DSLR was too large
to fit into my suit pocket and so was my Panasonic GF1 compact
system camera. When your strutting your stuff there's
nothing worse than a bulge in the wrong place spoiling the suit lines. A shoulder
bag or a waist belt pouch is totally uncool.
A couple of years ago I gave my last digital compact, a Canon
IXUS, to another
girlfriend and I bought the GF1 to replace it.
Anyway,
I had a great time and we laughed a lot - fortunately I still
have all my own teeth, so there were no embarrassing moments and
she never knew I was wearing my thermals. However the day lacked
the pictures and to make it worse the sun came out and I
overheated.
Anyway, here I am checking out 'genuine' pocket digital
compacts (again). Back at the end of December I
checked out a video of the Canon S100 digital compact, so I am
posting it again as the S100 seems like a very nice camera,
it shoots 'RAW' files. I have included links to other reviews
I am reading up on -
"When it comes to developing high-end compacts, Canon usually
succeeds in coming up trumps. That said, with a threat on the
horizon in the shape of the latest highly specified compact
system cameras (CSCs), camera manufacturers have to make their
advanced compacts work harder than ever to win customers. To
that end, Canon has gone all-out when developing the replacement
for the older
PowerShot S95. The new
PowerShot S100 – incorporating a 12.1Mp, 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor,
24-120mm (35mm equivalent) zoom lens, the latest DIGIC 5
processor and GPS functionality – is a fully-featured compact
that's aimed at advanced enthusiasts"...........TechRadar
"Video capture has also been revisited. Where the S95 was
limited to 720p high-def video (1,280 x 720 pixels, 24 frames
per second), and the S90 to just VGA standard-def capture, the
S100 can capture video at up to Full HD (1,920 x 1,080 pixel,
aka 1080p) resolution. The recording rate at this resolution is
limited to 24 frames per second, while lower resolutions are
captured at 30 fps. Images are still framed and reviewed on a
3.0-inch LCD panel, as in the earlier cameras. Like those
models, the Canon S100 offers not only Program Auto shooting,
but also caters to enthusiasts with both Aperture- and
Shutter-priority, plus fully Manual capture. There's also a
choice of JPEG or raw file formats, the latter a rare option in
current fixed-lens cameras"...........Imaging-Resource
"Canon's
PowerShot S100 is a pocket-sized camera aimed at enthusiasts who
want a compact model which doesn't compromise on features.
Announced in September 2011, it replaces the earlier PowerShot
S95 which proved to be one of Canon's most popular models in the
past year. Externally the new S100 resembles its predecessor,
but features many more changes than the previous S95 did over
the S90. Most notably the 28-105mm 3.8x zoom of the S90 and S95
has been upgraded to a new 24-120mm 5x range while maintaining
the fast f2.0 aperture when zoomed-out. The earlier 10 Megapixel
CCD sensor of the S90 and S95 has been switched for a new 12
Megapixel CMOS sensor with Canon's HS designation for improved
low-light performance. The image processor has also been
upgraded from DIGIC 4 to DIGIC 5, and you now have the chance to
adjust the noise reduction on JPEGs".....................Camera
Labs
The
Canon S100 is available for £385.00 inclusive of VAT at
WEX Photographic in the UK
- in black of course to match the suit, not exactly cheap but I
guess it might be worth it to remain cool!
The Fujifilm X10 is a camera that I seriously considered and it started
of so well - here is what
Cnet wrote -
"There
are two ways to look at the Fujifilm FinePix X10. You can view it as a
cynical attempt to capitalize on the fanboy frenzy of the X100 with a
camera that looks a lot like it, but that lacks everything that made it
desirable to the fans. Or you can look at it as Fujifilm's first serious
entry into the enthusiast compact market, going up against stalwarts
from Canon, Nikon, and Panasonic (and newcomers like Olympus), with a
design and specs that don't look too shabby in that crowd. I'm taking
the latter view. But despite a nice design, I think there are some
practical and conceptual problems with the X10 that may turn off some
photographers.
For example, the camera is capable of producing some very nice
photos, but it does its best low-light work in its special
reduced-resolution, complete auto modes. To me, extra features on
enthusiast cameras only matter when they add creative options--not when
they're there to compensate for deficiencies in the hardware. And in the
case of the X10, they're all automatic, which defeats the purpose of a
camera ostensibly for people who want to play with the settings. And
Fujifilm claims the camera goes up to ISO 12,800--but that's in an
automatic, super-reduced resolution mode. The highest manual sensitivity
is ISO 3200, just like the rest of its class. The ability to change the
shutter and aperture give me creative control; switching into EXR High
ISO/Low Noise mode doesn't. Even if Fujifilm's EXR sensor were the
greatest tech ever, it's simply too high maintenance"
My disappointment with the final reviews of the Fujifilm X10 re-enforces
my belief that you should always wait at least a couple of months after
a camera's launch to read up on the reviews and visit some of the 'less
fan boy' gear forums to check for reported faults. The X10 currently has
the 'white disc' problem which is a round white circle reflection which
normally should look like a sun star (typically the bright sun bouncing
from a car's chrome bumper into the lens). Professional review sites are
by far the best to visit but even they can miss the 'wrinkles' that
appear in a new camera when it first appears on the shelves.
Recently I spent some time checking out digital compact cameras for a
family friend and for anyone that is interested in reading up on them -
my article is still on my website with review links -
Digital Compacts. There are also
another articles on the
NEX Series and
Compact System Cameras.
This is another video on the Fujifilm F600 EXR Digital Compact -
The Fujifilm F600 EXR was the compact camera that I
reckoned was the best value for the money, not perfect but very few
cameras are. This 'optimum' image quality from this camera will be
obtained by using the 'RAW' file capture capability and post processing
the files in software to tiff or jpeg format for printing and web
display. The camera can be purchased from
Wex Photographic in the UK for
£214.00 vat inclusive.
The internet is buzzing with the reported 'white disc syndrome' effect
in some images from the new Fuji X10
digital
compact camera.
It appears that in certain shots at certain angles in scenes with
reflective light that the light (e.g. a bright light angled towards
the lens reflected from a car bumper) instead of a star burst is
actually a very 'pronounced' round white circle.
Its a pity that the promising start of the Fuji X10 has been compromised
by a 'few wrinkles' but this one appears to be the worst of all. For
those 'advanced amateur' photographers who were hoping for a small
'fixed zoom' and fast lens digital compact camera with excellent image
quality - the X10 now has a large question mark over it's ability to
deliver that expected image quality in it's 'RAW' as well as it's jpeg
images.
There are a few photographers who tend to shoot subjects that are of a
certain type where this 'phenomenon' does not occur. Naturally these
photographers tend to defend the camera in the forum discussions whilst
others attempt to establish what is the actual cause. From the posts that I have read, I suspect that the
'white disc syndrome' problem is universal across the model serial
numbers.
Please see the white disks/orbs/spots on these
pics..flash is used execpt on the ISO 1600 one.yes its hard contrast
with a flash but sometimes its needed, as I am in the music business I
was planning to use the X10 for some product shots when needed,and
sometimes I may need a flash or bounce flash..but these disks/orbs
destroy the whole image........We are many who love the X10 and want a
fix for this ASAP...
This is a fairly serious problem that has arisen and one that might
prove difficult for Fujifilm to resolve - I am sure that it already has
their full attention and perhaps a 'firmware fix' is the answer?
The 'reported' problems with the Fuji X10 are reason enough to wait
until all the reviews and the 'gear' forum analysis has been completed
(on any new piece of photographic equipment) - before you finally
purchase it.
The Fuji X10 is the camera I was going to purchase but changed my mind
at the last moment. The 'gear' forums are
buzzing with the pros and cons of this new digital compact camera with
its 'fixed zoom' lens.
Today, the
average digital compact camera is more than capable of capturing a wide
range of pictures right across the photographic spectrum and the
technology has come on leaps and bounds. However they remain limited in
their use for advanced amateur and professional photographers who 'work
around' the image quality issues, using advanced post processing skills.
Don't be fooled by the forum 'fan boys' the attention seekers, the
trolls and the
advanced amateur who changes his camera every second month and jumps
forums just as quickly - many are either pursuing their 5 seconds of
fame with a new toy or boosting their website for an advertising sponsor.
The genuine ones will remain polite, courteous, helpful and will post
sample images that remain faithful to the camera.
Here are some of the negative comments from X10 forum users across the
Internet -
The
camera is too small
Battery life isn't great
The sensor is smaller than micro four thirds
Is the dynamic range blending in the camera as good as HDR
I
don't like the complicated menu system
The
X10 manages to find plenty of highlights to turn into blown-out
blobs
Not
sure why the camera thought that shutter speed was OK or why it was
OK to blow out the highlights
Auto focus
sometimes indicates a focus lock but the image
is out of focus
The
viewfinder is very strange it has some kind of distortion, its
bright yes but not useful, the G12 one is better
The
viewfinder parallax is a significant problem with anything less than
six feet away
I can
see the lens in the viewfinder
The
optical viewfinder has no information and you can never tell until
you check your image if the focus or lighting was correct
Why not
a
electronic
viewfinder instead of a optical one
EXR Low Noise / DR
Modes reduce resolution to 6 megapixels
Wow - did Fuji really
not want anyone to truly know these cams?
Here are some links to one forum where the
debate goes on -
One has to remember that many photographers will experience 'wrinkles'
when they first use a new camera and these are invariably ironed out
with use - but sometimes, the only answer is to live with them!
It is interesting that the 'first rule of photography' back in the 1950s
was "always make sure that the sun is behind you" and today, in bright
sunshine, digital compacts are held at arms length to view the LCD
screen. If they have a viewfinder that is optical with no ability to
see the camera readouts or what you will get in the final capture, then you
can't tell if the light metering is correct or the camera lens has
optimum focus, without checking your image 'post capture' in playback. The X10
may be similar in looks and smaller build to a Leica M Rangefinder camera but it
does not share a similar viewfinder. The Leica has more than optically
magnified glass, it has a rangefinder style (split/spot)
focus and a
exposure metering indicator and warning system in it's viewfinder.
An 'alternative' digital compact system camera with interchangeable auto
focus lenses invariably
has an electronic viewfinder built into the body or attached
electronically to the body through a socket. What you see and what
(exposure meter/focus) camera settings you adjust are reflected through
it - that adjusted scene is what you should get in the captured image!
Fujifilm are
ahead of the pack with ideas but not necessarily the technology. I have
a feeling that there is a 'dark wolf' quietly waiting to pounce in 2012
with the next generation of their current G12 digital compact?
The HX9V measures 104.8mm (4.1") x 59mm (2.3") x 33.9mm (1.3") and
weighs in with battery and memory card fitted at 245g. Please click for
Full Specifications.
You may have to hit the f5 key to
refresh on the Sony site. The camera has a 16Mp 1/2.3 type digital
sensor and
for stills photography it shoots Jpeg files only
- there is no 'RAW' file format.
This camera
is available from
Amazon in the UK for £239.99 vat
inclusive and delivery extra.
The new
Fujifilm F600 EXR digital compact is now available at
WEX Photographic costing £239.00
inclusive of vat and delivery extra.
Wex
Photographic is the NEW TRADING NAME for WareHouse Express.
The
following text is from an 'old blog' on the Fuji F600 EXR Compact, a
camera I am seriously tempted to purchase - What
has happened to Fuji, they seem to have grown a whole bunch of
intelligent inventors who actually possess some common sense! If you
require any proof of that, just take in the X100 and the X10 cameras and
they are also promising something really big to compete with Canon and
Nikon 'full frame' sensor cameras in the spring of 2012.......can't
wait!
The
Fuji F600 EXR Advanced Compact
caught my attention. This is a very nice piece of kit, and it measures
100mm (3.9") x 54mm (2.1") x 23mm (0.9") and weighs in with battery and
memory card fitted at 220g. The main interests are the 16Mp
1/2" digital sensor which is
slightly larger
than the normal sensor of most compacts in this price range. Equipped
with a 24mm-360mm 'fixed' zoom
retractable lens, it shoots 'RAW + Jpeg' images.
This little advanced compact really promises to deliver big although it
does not boast
a viewfinder or hot shoe but there is a built in flash. This is a
camera
that you can use for general photography as
well as travel. Specifications -
Please check them out!
I
have three Fuji cameras on my list that I am interested in - the first two have
been announced and are due to appear in the UK during October/November
2011 -
Fuji
F600 EXR compact
Fuji X10
compact
The
camera that Fujifilm will announce in early 2012 to compete with the
Canon and Nikon 'full frame' digital sensor cameras for image
quality?
Fujifilm
seem to be heading in the right direction with their 'larger than
normal' digital sensors in their compact cameras. The Fuji F600 EXR
compact can slip into a top pocket or a hand bag and is available on
pre-order from
WareHouse Express in the UK for
£249.00 inclusive of vat and delivery extra.
The Fuji X10 is an
'enthusiasts' compact which is larger and around the same size as a
Canon G12. The X10 is available on pre-order from
WareHouse Express in the UK for £529.00
inclusive of vat and delivery extra.
From
TechRadar - "The Canon IXUS 1100 HS was announced back in August and features a 12x
optical zoom, a larger 3.2" touch rear LCD screen and is equipped with a
12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor.
Initial results from the labs data show that the Canon IXUS handles
noise well at the low to mid sensitivity range, although it does become
an issue above ISO 1600. However, when it comes to dynamic range the
results are impressive with dynamic range beating the Samsung WB700 and
Olympus XZ-1 at all sensitivities".
TechRadar have commenced their review on this camera >>>
Read More
The
Canon IXUS 1100 HS has
impressive technology with touch screen controls and especially the 15 -
1/4000sec shutter but (for me) it lacks the 'RAW' file image capability
of the NEW Fuji F600 EXR 'advanced' compact.
I am sure with careful menu choices the Canon camera can be 'honed' to
produce a first class Jpeg image but
for those 'choice moments' that
arise where a location and subject are spectacular, it would be nice to
have the 'RAW' file format for post processing.
I
used
a Canon 960 IXUS 12Mpixel digital sensor compact back in 2007 and it was a
tremendous piece of kit, so I should imagine this new 2011 model will be quite
a leap forward in technology!
I used mine for social events, it was neat
and very easy to slip into a jacket pocket. I eventually gave it to my
girlfriend as her camera had packed in - I shot this picture with it
down in England. It was a very hot and 'hazy' day, especially away in
the distance but I think the camera handled it very well and there is
still reasonable resolution in the far background. The picture is
actually terrific when enlarged and the Jpeg slightly softened in post
processing for effect!
The Canon IXUS 1100 HS compact can be pre-ordered from
WareHouse Express
for £349.99 inclusive of vat and delivery extra. They also have more
images of the camera and sales information.
Full reviews on this camera should start to appear during
October/November 2011.
I am still moving forward with my investigations
into 'advanced' compacts in the £200 - £300 price range.
The reviews
are starting to appear for the Nikon S8200 compact camera.
From the Nikon US Website -
"If your old camera never quite captured the moment, the S8200 will! It
boasts a high-resolution, 16.1 MP CMOS sensor so you get superb image
quality—even in low light. With fast, versatile, continuous shooting
modes, you can capture those spontaneous moments shot after shot. Then
show family and friends your movies and still creations on the 3-inch
ultra-high resolution (921,000 dot) display. Stylish and compact, the
S8200 tucks into a pocket but packs brilliant performance and advanced
features.
Despite a slim profile of approximately 1.3-inches, the S8200 delivers
amazing versatility with an incredible 14x zoom (25mm to 350mm
equivalent). Imagine creating macro images of a bumblebee in a spring
flower, then zooming out to frame a mountain range for a panorama. With
the S8200, you can go from wide-angle to telephoto to macro/close-up
views in an instant. Preserve the moment in photos or movies, including
everything from grandstand crowds to a stage performer's smile".
The Nikon S8200 camera is worth checking out and it is starting to
appear in the shops in the UK although stock is limited as yet. More
pictures can be found at
WareHouse Express and the
US Nikon Site.
The
Canon IXUS 1100 HS -
Nikon CoolPix S8200
-
Fuji F600 EXRwhich are 'NEW' compacts are either on pre-order
or are just being released into the marketplace, so there does
not appear to be any reviews out as yet. However, I have posted some
videos and reviews regarding the Sony HX9V and the Panasonic TZ20
compacts!
My cousin's daughter asked me the other day about a compact camera that could offer
her a little extra for her money. It's an area that I very rarely
properly explore, so I did a bit of searching on the Internet for
reasonably priced compacts that could shoot 'RAW' images - which is
still a work in progress!
I have UPDATED this Blog (13th October 2011) see other 'advanced' compacts
at the foot of the article.
I was never
really interested in anything that Fuji manufactured until the Fuji X100
camera showed up, followed by the Fuji X10 'enthusiasts' compact
camera!
What
has happened to Fuji, they seem to have grown a whole bunch of
intelligent inventors who actually possess some common sense! If you
require any proof of that, just take in the X100 and the X10 cameras and
they are also promising something really big to compete with Canon and
Nikon 'full frame' sensor cameras in the spring of 2012.......can't
wait!
The
Fuji F600 EXR Advanced Compact
caught my attention. This is a very nice piece of kit, and it measures
100mm (3.9") x 54mm (2.1") x 23mm (0.9") and weighs in with battery and
memory card fitted at 220g. The main interests are the 16Mp
1/2" digital sensor which is
slightly larger
than the normal sensor of most compacts in this price range. Equipped
with a 24mm-360mm 'fixed' zoom
retractable lens, it shoots 'RAW + Jpeg' images.
This little advanced compact really promises to deliver big although it
does not boast
a viewfinder or hot shoe but there is a built in flash. This is a
camera
that you can use for general photography as
well as travel. Specifications -
Please check them out!
A compact camera that shoots 'RAW' images, which can slip easily into a jacket pocket
or handbag with it's automatic and
manual controls and full HD video. Expect this camera which has a retail price
of £249.00, to be discounted to the average street price of
around £190.00 to £210.00 within 2-3 months based on similarly priced
Fuji compact cameras.
I
would not expect this
very 'neat' camera to outperform the 'more expensive' and larger 'RAW' image compacts
that are around in the marketplace but it offers a 'great deal' for the
price.
This compact has yet to be released, reviewed and time will tell how well it holds up
for image quality. I suspect that the best images will be gained from a
little post processing of 'RAW' image files?
UPDATE
- I must admit
I was really impressed by the above Fuji video and the review video
regarding the Fuji F550 EXR compact and if the new 'updated' variant the
Fuji F600 EXR provides more improvements in the technology, then for
£249.00 Retail for a compact that shoots 'RAW' file images as well as
Jpegs it will be a steal!
As well as the Fuji F600 EXR, I have listed some 'advanced' compact
cameras that compete with it but none of them have 'RAW' file
shooting capability. The Canon IXUS 1100 HS and Panasonic compacts have 'touch
screens' for menu selections. The Sony shoots 3D 'sweep panorama'
images.
The Canon IXUS 1100 HS is more 'touch screen' oriented and because it
has not been released, it's retail price is more expensive than the
'street discounted' prices of the rest. The Nikon S8200 is still in
short supply!
Once the reviews are all out, especially for the Fuji and Canon
compacts, I will be providing links to them! Click on the camera name to
open up a features/technical data window and WareHouse Express for more
images and prices. Some of the links have videos of the compacts on
their pages!
There are cheaper prices on the Internet, it all depends on the amount
of stock that is available in the marketplace at the time and which
supplier has it - good suppliers tend to have an 'in-stock' statement
alongside the price.
The Fuji X10 is a compact camera that more that rivals anything that
Canon or Nikon have released, including
the Canon G12 and the Nikon
P7100 cameras. You can now pre-order the camera as a kit in the UK and the leather
case looks pretty cool!
Although
the Fuji X10
is larger than a 'true' compact camera, it packs a lot of power and it is small
in the bag when you consider its strengths - that 2/3-inch
sensor which is a great deal larger than
most compact camera sensors - the 'optical' viewfinder in the body and the f2 wide to f2.8 telephoto 28mm-112mm 'field of
view' zoom lens.
The Fuji X10 has a larger digital sensor than a Canon G12 and it's combined
body and fixed zoom lens size measures out at just slightly smaller than the Panasonic
GF1 Micro 4/3rds camera with its Lumix 20mm f1.7 lens fitted.
This X10 is a beautiful looking piece of kit and if it performs as good as it looks, it will prove to be a desirable camera.
I am really looking forward to the reviews.
For more information and to view the promotional video about this new compact camera
which is due for release in November - Please visit the
FUJIFILM X10 Micro Site.
You can pre-order this camera plus leather case and the lens hood/adapter
for £599.00 inclusive of vat at the UK website of
WareHouse Express.
From my 10th
September Blog -
Doc Martin and Compact Cameras - "Perhaps its too tough a call to manufacture a slim automatic/manual
compact that slips into your pocket with a MUCH LARGER Micro 4/3rds
sensor and a retractable zoom lens"
Well it seems Panasonic has heard my call along with thousands from
other photographers. Its a pity that it might be late 2012 before it
happens?
Panasonic's top-end compact camera could be set for an increase in
sensor size according to Yoshiyuki Inoue, the company's Senior
Engineering Planner..............read more at
TechRadar
I remember
when the Fuji X100 camera came out, everyone talked about it and praised it.
Ken Rockwell is still
raving about it today!
I thought I would like it, I really did but once I put one in my hands
at Jessops in Edinburgh, I was disappointed. It was just awkward, fiddly
and I never got passed holding the camera, looking through the
viewfinder and working with the lens and menu system. I know that might sound strange especially as I use the
smaller Panasonic
GF1 for street photography but the X100 ergonomics just failed to stand up to my
expectations.
Ken Rockwell writes that the X100
is still on back order in the US but over here there appears to be no
such problem. You can pick up the X100 for £879.00 vat inclusive and
delivery extra at
WareHouse Express.
Perhaps I was spoilt by the GF1 but it fell far short of the GF1
handling - this was the opening section of my article earlier in the
year when the Fuji X100
camera first appeared -
The Fuji X100 is one of those cameras. It is absolutely
beautiful and
reminiscent
of the rangefinder style of cameras but with a different
approach to focusing.
It has
a fixed lens built into it and an APS-C digital sensor with a 1.5x crop
value.
The autofocus and manual focus 'fixed' lens has an aperture of f2 - f16
and is 23mm which produces a 'field of view' of 35mm.
The apertures are on the lens and you use an aperture ring on the barrel to change
them........hopefully the ring will have a nice 'firm' click sound as
each aperture is lined up and selected.
The overall design is very neat and the size and weight is in-between a
Panasonic GF1 micro four thirds (MFT) 'mirrorless' camera and a Leica M9
Rangefinder camera. If it has the build quality of the GF1, the Leica X1 or the Leica
M9, then it really will be fantastic to use.
The Canon S100
Powershot has been announced and I expected the new G13, the replacement
for
the
G12, to have appeared at the same time?
Strange one but I suppose there is still time or is there an underlying
issue with the current design and the expected G13 1/1.7 type CCD
sensor?
The Nikon P7100 has appeared and so has the new Fuji X10, so just maybe
the Fuji X10 with it's larger 2/3-sensor has Canon rattled?
A large number of photographers are going to hold off on the Nikon P7100
until the reviews of the X10 appear and the same will be likely of any
new Canon G13 that is announced.
There is no doubt that the
P7100 digital compact with it's 1/1.7" Type CCD sensor is loaded with manual
controls
and
offers excellent technology as you would expect from this generation of Nikon
camera. However the sensor remains small and despite the smaller amount of
pixels to raise the noise versus image quality bar at higher ISO ratings it
remains out of step with the FUJIFILM X10 which also has excellent manual
controls with that all important and larger
2/3-inch
sensor.
The P7100 is an automatic and fully manual digital fixed 'zoom lens' camera,
measuring - width 4.6" x height 3.1" x depth 1.9" and weighing 395g. Compared to
the Fuji X10 measuring - width 4.6" x height 2.7" x depth 2.2" and weighing
350g.
The P7100 fixed zoom lens may be 'pushing' the limits on the zoom range versus
image quality with it's f2.8 wide to f5.6 telephoto and it's 28mm to 200mm
'field of view'. The X10 has the
fast f2 wide to f2.8 telephoto and is more conservative
with
it's 28mm-112mm zoom lens.
The X10 lens is also capable of fitting filters to it, as it has a metal lens
hood with adapter ring. The adapter ring is also compatible with commercially
sold 52mm filters and lens caps.
Time will tell but it is likely that the P7100 will probably be one of the last
of the 1/1.7" Type CCD sensor enthusiast compact cameras. It is due for release
around the 22nd September, probably around the same time as the Fuji and the X10
would be my choice. You can see a video of the FUJIFILM X10 camera further down
this page.
The P7100 is not cheap at
£499.00 inclusive of vat on pre-order
at
WareHouse Express.
The FUJIFILM X10
is not quite the compact of my dreams. This is an automatic and fully manual
digital
fixed 'zoom lens' camera, measuring - width 4.6" x height 2.7" x depth 2.2" and
weighing 350g. It is due for release in the Autumn of 2011.
It will not quite slip into my trouser pocket without creating an embarrassing
bulge and I reckon I would experience a great deal of hardship pulling it out
but the specification is getting there.
Although the Fuji X10
is larger than a 'true' compact camera, it packs a lot of power and it is small
in the bag when you consider its strengths - that 2/3-inch
sensor which is a great deal larger than
most compact camera sensors, the 'optical' viewfinder in the body and the f2 wide to f2.8 telephoto 28mm-112mm 'field of
view' zoom lens.
The X10 has a larger sensor than a Canon G12 and in body/zoom lens size it
measures out at just slightly smaller than the Panasonic
GF1 Micro 4/3rds camera with its
Lumix 20mm f1.7 lens fitted.
The specification suggests that it should be good in higher ISO ratings in low
light conditions. It all 'hinges' on the zoom lens and whether it will deliver
on image quality throughout it's focal range, if it does then Fuji could have a
winner!
The X10 lens is capable of fitting filters to it, as it has a metal lens hood
with adapter ring. The adapter ring is also compatible with commercially sold
52mm filters and lens caps.
I first wrote about the X10 on the 1st September and you can get more
information plus another longer video by jumping to that blog article -
The Fuji X10 Compact Camera
This X10 is a beautiful piece of kit and if it performs as good as it
looks, it will prove to be a desirable camera. Its not cheap at £529.00
inclusive of vat on pre-order at
WareHouse Express.
My favourite TV
series is back this Monday - Doc Martin, which is filmed in the UK in
Cornwall and in particular the beautiful village of
Port Isaac.
Back in 2006, I visited Cornwall and Port Isaac with Carol. We
stayed in a rented cottage at
Rockand travelled all over
Cornwall which has great locations including the
Eden Project. It made me think
about taking photography up as a hobby, which I did later that year when
I bought my Canon 5D DSLR.
I had a
Sony DSC-P5 3.2 Mpixels digital
compact camera with me, which I had purchased in 2002. It was compact
but chunky, easy to carry around and it a CCD sensor, video and
apertures f2.8/f5.6 on the 39mm-117mm 'field of view' zoom lens. Most
importantly, it had a viewfinder in the body as well as the LCD and it
shot Jpegs and can you believe it, Tiff files.
Compact cameras just
don't get in the way, your out for a social evening, a day trip or a
holiday and you want to be attentive to your girlfriend, your wife, your
kids, mum and dad, friends and so in the background the camera is
plucked from the pocket, brought up to the eye, zoomed in or out and the
shot is taken. Switch it off, the zoom lens retracts, the front closes
and back into the pocket. Per chance, you have escaped for a few moments
from the company so you manage to capture a few landscapes, street shots
and the odd portrait of a passing female with a beautiful face or a
scraggy old buzzard like me, sitting on a chair - so what do you really
require in a modern compact camera that offers more than my old Sony?
Lets face it, image stabilisation, a larger sensor like the Micro
4/3rds 16Mpixel from the
G3, a 1/4000sec shutter with an
excellent zoom f2/f4 lens from 28mm to 140mm 'field of view' and built
in firmware driven 2-10 stop ND and 2 stop grey graduated filters. An
'in body' electronic viewfinder and LCD 'live view' would be mandatory -
point and shoot or compose, manually adjust and shoot, simple and easy
to use, no hassle, no fuss and great image quality even in low light up
to ISO:1600 rating with 'RAW' as well as Jpeg files.
Perhaps its too tough a call to manufacture a slim automatic/manual
compact that slips into your pocket with a MUCH LARGER Micro 4/3rds
sensor and a retractable zoom lens?
I ask myself the question, if that compact camera had been around in
late 2009, would I have purchased a GF1 with inter-changeable lenses as
a second and compact/lightweight system to my 'Full Frame' DSLR and the
answer is - probably not!
Fujifilm has announced the FinePix X10 - a compact with a f2.0-2.8,
28-112mm 'field of view' lens -
2/3" (6.6 x 8.8mm) CMOS sensor
Fujifilm's EXR pixel arrangement
12MP sensor can produce 12MP images in high resolution mode or
under-expose half its pixels to provide 6MP images with greater
dynamic range, or combine neighboring pixels for a 6MP high
sensitivity mode.
The
X10 features a newly-developed high-resolution Super EBC FUJINON3
lens which has been treated to reduce ghosting and lens flare
promising clear image quality over the entire image. The lens
consists of 11 glass lens elements in 9 groups, including 3
aspherical glass lens elements (6 sides) and 2 extra-low dispersion
lens elements. The result is an ultra bright lens with a wide-angle
maximum aperture of f2.0 and telephoto maximum aperture of f2.8.
The
X10 has the the styling of the X100 but its zooming 'optical'
viewfinder means you lose the X100's hybrid viewfinder
4x optical manual zoom
SN High
Sensitivity and Low Noise mode –
produces clear and sharp images at high sensitivity while minimizing
noise levels, and is an ideal choice for capturing night scenes or
indoor situations with poor lighting.
DR Wide Dynamic
Range mode – delivers an
increased dynamic range (up to 1600%) while maintaining rich
gradations and detail in both shadows and highlights
HR High
Resolution mode – takes full
advantage of the 12MP resolution to reproduce the finest details in
landscape and portrait scenes, perfect for use on bright clear days
Fujifilm’s engineers have used an arrangement of 3 aspherical lenses
plus a special dach prism configuration to deliver a viewfinder with
superior brightness and a superb field of view with its extra wide
viewing angle while still maintaining a compact camera size. Using
an optical viewfinder vs LCD screen also enhances battery life and
improves the number of shots per charge. This combined with the
Manual Barrel Zoom functionality, makes a real difference and brings
a welcome old-style photographic feel to the X10.
What
has happened to Fuji, they seem to have grown a whole bunch of
intelligent inventors who actually possess some common sense! If you
require any proof of that, just take in the X100 and the X10 cameras and
they are also promising something really big to compete with Canon and
Nikon 'full frame' sensor cameras in the spring of 2012.......can't
wait!
From the Nikon US Website -
"If your old camera never quite captured the moment, the S8200 will! It
boasts a high-resolution, 16.1 MP CMOS sensor so you get superb image
quality—even in low light. With fast, versatile, continuous shooting
modes, you can capture those spontaneous moments shot after shot. Then
show family and friends your movies and still creations on the 3-inch
ultra-high resolution (921,000 dot) display. Stylish and compact, the
S8200 tucks into a pocket but packs brilliant performance and advanced
features.
the Fuji X10
is larger than a 'true' compact camera, it packs a lot of power and it is small
in the bag when you consider its strengths - that 2/3-inch
raving about it today!
beautiful and
reminiscent
of the rangefinder style of cameras but with a different
approach to focusing.
It has
a fixed lens built into it and an APS-C digital sensor with a 1.5x crop
value.
The autofocus and manual focus 'fixed' lens has an aperture of f2 - f16
and is 23mm which produces a 'field of view' of 35mm.
the
G12, to have appeared at the same time?
and
offers excellent technology as you would expect from this generation of Nikon
camera. However the sensor remains small and despite the smaller amount of
pixels to raise the noise versus image quality bar at higher ISO ratings it
remains out of step with the FUJIFILM X10 which also has excellent manual
controls with that all important and larger 
