Fuji Fuji X-S1 with X10 sensor and superzoom

flysurfer

Hall of Famer
Great news for fans of serious bridge cameras (like me): Fuji is expanding its X model palette with a superzoom bridge in the tradition of the famous S100FS. Here's what I got so far:

Product Name
“FUJIFILM X-S1”

-Specification
“2/3inch EXR CMOS”
“FUJINON 26 x Zoom Lens (24-624mm, F2.8-5.3) (maybe they mean 5.6?)
“High Resolution EVF (1440k pixel)

-Availability
“By end of 2011” (at least in Japan)

Price
“n/a” (won't be cheap, I guess)

I also scored a few official product shots:

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I like it. What do you think?
 
Probably way too large for me, but interesting nonetheless!
There were rumors a while ago that said that this camera would be weatherproofed, I really hope it's true! That's one of the areas I'd really like to see some development in, since it allows you to use your cameras in more extreme (and therefore often interesting) situations!
 
Probably way too large for me, but interesting nonetheless!

Looking at the pics, the backside doesn't appear to be larger than the HS20. It will certainly be heavier (bigger lens), but probably not heavier than a S100FS, which this camera obviously succeeds.
 
They said it has the same sensor as the X10.

I'm a bit ambivalent about these cams. For me, it's just easier to get an SLR, even with a kit lens, with a larger sensor, as the zoom isn't my priority and such high zoom levels aren't always needed and of great use in cams like these. They would be of greater interest to me if they would ever just put faster lenses than f2.8 on them. I'd give up some zoom just to have a faster lens.
 
SLRs with kit lenses aren't faster than 2.8, either. They just offer much less zoom for the same price. Of course, the sensor is better, but then again, I used to be quite happy with the quality of my S100FS, and the S1 will certainly be at least as good.
 
They are not faster, but they have much larger sensors and their light gathering capability and higher ISO capability is much higher than smaller sensor cams, even with faster lenses because the aperture sizing is still relative to the sensor.
 
They are not faster, but they have much larger sensors and their light gathering capability and higher ISO capability is much higher than smaller sensor cams, even with faster lenses because the aperture sizing is still relative to the sensor.

That depends. The Leica S2 has a huge sensor (and even huger price tag), yet it's pretty lame at high ISO. The X100 has a small APS-C sensor, yet it rivals full format cameras like the D700 or the 5Mk2 at high ISO setups. The M9 is, according to people who compared, is actually weaker than the smaller APS-S X100 at high ISO.

I currently have a Sony A55 with Zeiss lens on my desk, and even though it features a state of the art 16 MP APS-C sensor, it's no match for my X100 with its 12 MP APS-S sensor at higher ISO setting, say 800 and better.

Now, Fuji uses EXR SN to reduce noise at high ISO, and that works pretty well with the F200 and the HS20, which I both tested. So there's reason to believe that the X10 and S1 will be quite powerful 6 MP cameras in EXR SN. Let's wait and see. It's certainly going to be better than with the S100FS.
 
Naturally, there are exceptions to the ISO, of course. Even the Leica M9 is terrible above the 600 point, but relies heavily on large aperture lenses.

That depends. The Leica S2 has a huge sensor (and even huger price tag), yet it's pretty lame at high ISO. The X100 has a small APS-C sensor, yet it rivals full format cameras like the D700 or the 5Mk2 at high ISO setups. The M9 is, according to people who compared, is actually weaker than the smaller APS-S X100 at high ISO.

I currently have a Sony A55 with Zeiss lens on my desk, and even though it features a state of the art 16 MP APS-C sensor, it's no match for my X100 with its 12 MP APS-S sensor at higher ISO setting, say 800 and better.

Now, Fuji uses EXR SN to reduce noise at high ISO, and that works pretty well with the F200 and the HS20, which I both tested. So there's reason to believe that the X10 and S1 will be quite powerful 6 MP cameras in EXR SN. Let's wait and see. It's certainly going to be better than with the S100FS.
 
Even the Leica M9 is terrible above the 600 point, but relies heavily on large aperture lenses.

Is that so. Mine is perfectly fine up to iso 1250 and files shot at higher iso are still "good enough" for many uses with some PP. But maybe yours is different:rolleyes:
 
I guess there may be varying perceptions of "perfectly fine" ;)

Did I mention that my X100 is "perfectly fine" up to ISO 3200? :)
 
Just for fun, here's an unedited OOC JPEG at ISO 6400:

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Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)


Klick on it for full resolution...

Nice.
I just don't like blanket statements like the one from one poster: "Even the Leica M9 is terrible above the 600 point" as the M9 does not even have an iso 600 setting. Speaking volumes about the guy's hands on experience with an M9.
 
The benefit of the superzoom has been shown in flysurfer's thread about his trip. Its flexible and theres no lens changing fuss. If you need a serious camera for serious work, the DSLR is the go, but for a lot of people a superzoom is all thats needed. I no longer see a need to keep a dslr, but I do, because I want quality shots even if nobody but me ever sees them. I was happy enough with my old Fuji superzoom a few years back, until I got a bee in my bonnet about dslr, and in truth I never actually NEEDED it. I just wanted it. And its gone on from there.

If this turns out well enough I think I would choose it over the X-10, and be satisfied with the other Fuji's in my little camera stable, plus the Ricoh which I adore.
 
X-S1 Design thoughts

Quite a serious looking camera - could well believe it is WR sealed as looks like rubberised skin over all of the body and no open speaker/microphone grills.
And being a fixed lens means no issues with lens mount gaskets.
With that prominent hump I'd expect the EVF is probably DSLR magnification or better.

But superzooms are not my cup of tea/coffee - I'd rather Fuji brought back their HD-M film camera in a APS digital form for us outdoors types and give us decent IQ with low light capability.:cool:

We live in interesting times ...
 
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