Killer image quality from a tiny mirrorless interchangeable-lens compact camera
By Mason Resnick
The small Fujifilm X-T10 is the second DSLR-style mirrorless compact in the fast-evolving Fujifilm X line of interchangeable-lens cameras, and while it’s priced for consumers and hobbyists, its extensive feature set and promised image quality make it a very worthy candidate for travel photography, sports photography, and even for professional use.
Check out this basic overview video of the Fujifilm X-T10, exclusively created by the Adorama Learning Center.
Ever since Fujifilm announced its original X-Trans sensor-based camera, the X100, the former film giant from Japan has been producing digital cameras inspired by classic film cameras, complete with traditional shutter speed dials and lenses with aperture rings—flying in the face of more “modern” digital controls—to great popular acclaim. Beyond the retro look, feel and operation of its X line of cameras is the X-Trans sensor. Based on an unusual semi-randomized pixel array, the sensors produce noise with a more organic (read: film-like) look, and less noise than some competing sensors at high ISOs. The X-T10 uses the second generation of this sensor, the X-Trans Sensor II, a 16MP APS sensor with a native ISO range of 200-6400.
The X-T10 is a bit smaller but considerably less expensive than the similarly-designed top-shelf X-T1. It lacks the X-T1’s water and dust resistance, but is smaller and lighter, and its dials have been changed to include more access to useful functions. The camera also offers a new AF Zone and Wide/Tracking modes to help you catch the action.
The X-T10 accepts the full range of X-Mount lenses, which has grown to include nearly 20 models, including high-quality primes such as the magic 56mm f/1.2 portrait lens and the street-happy XF 18mm f/2, and zoom lenses from the superwide 10-24mm f/4 to the 18-55mm f/2.8-4 and pro sports-oriented XF50-140mm f/2.8 pro lens. Zeiss has produced a series of outstanding prime lenses in the X mount, and both Fujifilm and independent manufacturers have produced lens mount adapters that let you use Leica M-mount, Canon and other mount lenses on Fuji cameras (albeit with limited functionality).
Is the Fujifilm X-T10 the ultimate mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera for you? Read on to find out the results of our field-tests!
Key Features
•16MP APS X-Trans II sensor
•EXR Processor II
•Classic Chrome film simulation
•2,360k dot OLED viewfinder
•920k dot resolution flip-up/down LCD monitor
•ISO range 200-6400, expandable to 51200
•Electronic shutter release up to 1/32000 sec (mechanical shutter range 4-1/4000 sec)
•Wi-Fi and Geotagging
•Built-in flash
In the hands
Although the X-T10 is noticeably smaller than the X-T1, it offers many of the same physical controls along with a few new ones. Gone is the left-side top ISO dial—to access ISO quickly you now need to hit the Q button, select ISO and dial it in. This dial has been replaced by a the mode dial, which appeared on the X-T1 as a ring at the base of the ISO dial. The shutter speed dial has been shrunk a bit but it along with the EV compensation dial and shutter release remain on the right side of the camera’s top plate. Switch lets you choose between manual and auto exposure control—and setting this to A makes the the camera accessible as a step-up for snapshoters who want to grow into their camera. You can start shooting now, and learn the controls when ready.
Filter finder: Use the Adv 1 and Adv 2 options on the mode dial on the left side of the camera’s top plate to access filters such as miniature mode (above), and toy camera mode (below).
Thumb and forefinger dials in back and front, respectively, are used to navigate the menu items; in cases where lenses do not have aperture rings, aperture can be manually controlled via the thumb dial. The front and back control arrays are similar to the X-T1’s. A thumb rest protrudes slightly in the back while a smallish grip can be found in the front. I found the camera to be well-balanced and easy to hold, thanks to its light weight, even when using the heavier 18-55mm f/2-4.0 kit zoom. When using the budget-priced 16-50mm lens, the camera was light as a feather. If you’re traveling and are concerned about schlepping a camera around all day long, this is a great choice that won’t put a strain on your neck or shoulder.
Bug’s eye view: The flip-up LCD monitor let me place the camera in the grass so I could shoot these flowers from an extreme low angle.
In the Field
The generously-sized viewfinder displays a high-quality image that to my eyes is almost as clear as any optical finder, but with all the display benefits of a digital one. There was virtually no roll or hesitation when panning. The flip-up LCD monitor (not a touch screen) is reasonably bright, with typical reflectivity in bright sunlight. My suggestion is to use the viewfinder exclusively when shooting in bright sunlight. I noticed some flicker on the LCD monitor in certain low-light situations, especially when the primary light source is fluorescent.
Panorama: The X-T10 uses a sweep-type panorama capture: Select the Panorama from the mode dial, then press the shutter release and start moving the camera left to right without stopping. The camera processes and produces the panorama in seconds.
Unlike its more pro-oriented sibling, the X-T10 has a small pop-up flash, which produces just enough light for close people pictures. or for fill light. Coverage was good, but be careful when using wider lenses: If you use a lens hood, flash will likely be partly blocked by it so take the hood off in those cases.
Unlock best image quality: At ISO 200, the X-T10 produces optimal images, but don’t be afraid to pump up the sensitivity.
Autofocus was quick and decisive. Fuji film claims 0.06 second AF acquisition time—which is pretty much instantaneous—and I found images snapped into focus as soon as I pressed the shutter release, although it was slightly slower when shooting closeups and the lens was focused on infinity.
AFC Wide/Tracking automatically selects and focuses by grouping together several of the 77 focus points on objects moving through the frame. This is great when a subject is moving unpredictably up and down or left and right, or closer/futher from the camera, or when shooting multiple moving subjects. I found it worked well in complicated situations with a higher accuracy rate.
One fun experiment was to stop action with the camera’s fastest shutter speed, 1/32,000 second (this remarkable speed, accessible in electronic shutter mode, is also available in the X-T1). It required a sunny day, a large aperture, and a high ISO (4000), but I easily captured a broccoli floret that I kept dropping into a goblet of seltzer. I also let AF do its thing, and it all literally fell into place after a few tries.
The only downside of the X-T10 (and the entire Fuji X system, for that matter) is that it lacks TTL wireless flash control, a feature that would make it even more desirable for professinals; here’s hoping this will be addressed in future releases.
Low-light black & white: Shooting in very low light at ISO 4000, I was able to capture this glowing bride with virtually no visible noise.
Image quality
The X-Trans sensor is built with a semi-randomized array of sensors, which has caused problems for test labs such as DxOMark, which conduct sensor-level image quality tests. As a result, DxOMark doesn’t yet test Fujifilm cameras. I’ve set up an alternative, down-and-dirty series of tests that may not tell you everything but will paint an overall picture of the X-T10s image quality, which can be summed up in one word: Outstanding.
As one might expect, results are optimal at the camera’s base ISO of 200, but remain very close to that when shooting at much higher ISO’s. Grain remains very much under control well past ISO 1000, and even at its highest speed, ISO 6400, the camera produces surprisingly good image quality that holds up under close inspection. Here are some sample images.
The model: Patient Patricia, my faithful, never-moving mannequin, at ISO 200. Scroll down as I zoom in on her eye for a 100% detail.
ISO 200: No noise! Results are identical through ISO 800, with slight noise appearing at 1000 and 1200.
ISO 1600: We can see the beginnings of noise, but it is very well controlled.
ISO 3200: A full stop faster and noise continues to be barely noticeable.
ISO 6400: There is a slight loss of sharpness by now, and a bit more grain. But considering the speed, this is really quite a remarkable performance.
Other tests, including resolution test chart details, reflect similar results. The bottom line? You can pump up your ISO settings with few worries regarding noise.
I was able to shoot quietly, quickly and unobtrusively with the X-T10, thanks to its diminutive dimensions, excellent image quality, and fast focusing. I highly recommend it for wedding photojournalism.
Conclusion & Recommendation
If you’re looking for a small, unobtrusive interchangeable-lens camera that’s amazingly fast and delivers outstanding image quality even in low light, the entire Fujifilm X-Trans II sensor-based lineup is worthy of your consideration. What makes the X-T10 stand out? First, its size: It is smaller, and lighter, than the X-T1, and is comparable to the X-E1 in both size and price. Second, Fujifilm has made important improvements to its focusing system to make it easier to capture fast-moving subjects. If you’re a street photographer, either camera would work well, but if you are looking to shoot sports or travel photography the X-T10 has a definite edge. Pair it with either the 16-50mm lower-cost kit lens or the pro-quality 18-55mm f/2.8-4 standard zoom and you are ready to go, for around $1,000.
It is no wonder, with cameras like this, that the Fujifilm X line of cameras has become so popular so fast.
