Camera test 36
Photography News Issue 22 absolutephoto.com
Specs
Price £499 body only,
X-T10 and XC16-50mm kit £599 X-T10 and XC18-55mm kit £799 black and silver available Sensor 4896x3264 pixels, X-Trans CMOS II, 16.3 megapixels, 1.5x crop factor, APS-C 23.5x15.7mm ISO range 200-6400, extended settings to 51,200 in JPEG only Shutter range 1-1/32,000sec (electronic shutter), 30-1/4000sec, B (max 60mins), T (30-1/4000sec), flash sync 1/180sec Drivemodes Up to 8fps Metering TTL 256-zone, spot, average Exposuremodes PASM Exposure comp +/-3EV in 0.3EV steps, AE bracketing up to +/-1EV Focusing Single, continuous, manual. 49 focus points on a 7x7 grid in single zone, wide/tracking AF from 77 on 11x7 grid, zone AF with 3x3/5x3/ 5x5 areas from 77 on 11x7 grid Video Full HD 1920x1080 60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, 14 mins continuous Storagemedia SD, SDHC, SDXC (UHS-1) Dimensions 118.4x82.8x40.8mm Weight 381g body Contact fujifilm.eu/uk
Full test FujifilmX-T10 Its features list doesn’t read like an entry-level model and at £499 for the body, the latest X-series CSC is designed and priced to attract newbies to Fujifilm’s quickly growing system
B (bulb) allows a maximum 60 minutes while T (time) extends from 30secs to 1/32,000sec with the Mechanical/Electronic shutter selected. I can’t see the benefit of T as Fujifilm interpret it. I can see the point of the traditional T setting, ie. one push of a button opens the shutter and another closes it, which means long exposures are possible without a cable release – but you can’t do this on Fujifilm’s T setting. The exposure system boasts the usual PASM modes with three light measuring methods plus a selection of subject modes and art filters. The exposure systemacquitted itself well as I shot around 1500 frames mostly in aperture-priority with multi- segment metering. The number of poor shots was remarkably low and only a handful were beyond the salvage of Raw. Shooting into the sun, white subjects against a blue sky, dark interiors and high-contrast scenes were handled well. Exposure compensation was only needed in extremely contrasty lighting. While the exposure system is sure-footed the AF system could be indecisive – there’s an element of user error there. The AF system’s very advanced with 77 zones arranged in an 11x7 array across the image. The central 15 AF sensors are phase- and contrast-detect, while the rest are contrast-detect onlywith no cross-type sensors.
There are various options for using the 77-zone array. In single- zone AF, you don’t see 77 options. Only 49 points are highlighted and used, with the option to alter the size of the AF point. With the smallest single point option you use one sensor but with a wide single area in action several sensors are used. In Wide/Tracking mode all 77 sensors are potentially active and the camera highlights the working zones. This mode can be used in with eye and face detection modes. Finally there is Zone AF where you pick a grid of focusing zones, so in 5x5, 5x3 or 3x3 so you have 25, 15 or nine AF zones working. The active grid can be moved around within the overall 77-zone pattern. The only time the 77-zone pattern isn’t available is when continuous high drive mode and continuous focusing are set. Only the central nine or 15 zones are available because they are the most effective. The AF system’s very good in a wide variety of lighting and contrast situations. I use single AF point by default, moving it to where I want sharp focus or using it with focus lock. Either way the camera latches on quickly and accurately even when the smallest AF zone is in use. Dim light and low contrast slows AF down and the focus zone might turn red with the !AF warning showing, indicating focus has been achieved.
I tried all focusing options with a high success rate in single-shot AF mode. Continuous AF mode tracks focus as the subject moves, and success rate was much lower with only the central grid of 15, nine or one activemeaning the subject needs to be in the middle of the frame. Strangely, in AF mode, on a tripod with a stationary subject the system twitches with the finger on the shutter button. If there’s camera or subject movement it’s expected, but nothing was moving and AF went in and out of focus with the active zones leaping around. This also occurred on an X-T1 with v4 firmware. It’s annoying as there seems no need for it. The AF-C issue apart, a thumbs up for the improved speed and sensitivity. Overall handling of the X-T10 is sound with a couple of niggles. The shorter body on the right side means a greater likelihood of accidentally pressing the four-way control, Fn button or the DISP/BACK button with your thumb. I did that more than a few times. I had the same issue with the VIEWMODE button by the eyepiece and managed to change mode without trying when carrying it around my neck. Finally, and other X-series camerasdo this, thebattery indicator can go from a few bars to flashing red in no time at all. A firmware fix would be nice, Mr Fujifilm.
Words by Will Cheung
In a short time the Fujifilm X-series has built a significant, devout and fast-growing following. This success is due to several factors. Fujifilm started from the ground up with an innovative X-Trans sensor to avoid moiré so no need for an optical low pass filter. Tomaximise the potential for detail-rich images Fujifilm intend its X-series lenses to be high spec with fast aperture primes. Then there are the cameras themselves with the original X-Pro1 and X-T1 leading the way. The X-T1’s retro-look and its ongoing firmware updates have definitely helped it gain respect as well as many fans. Selling at £499, the X-T10 is an entry-level X-series camera in the style of the X-T1. With the latest v4 firmware for the X-T1, both cameras share identical AF systems as well as a sensor. Despite its price, the X-T10 has an EVF and significantly improved brightness and contrast when compared to the X-T1’s EVF. Enoughcomparinga£499 camera with one twice its price, let’s focus on the X-T10. It sports a resolution of 16.3 megapixels with a native ISO range of 200 to 6400 with higher speeds available in JPEG only. The shutter has speeds from 30secs to 1/32,000sec which is the electronic shutter’s top speed.
I shot around 1500 frames mostly in aperture- priority with multi-segment metering. The number of poor shots was remarkably low
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