The Fuji X10 offers a large 2/3in-size 12MP sensor, 28-112mm lens with manual barrel zoom and a top-spec build quality...

Fujifilm announces the X10 – a new premium compact camera with a large 2/3in-size, 12-megapixel EXR-CMOS sensor and a 28-112mmf/2.0-f/2.8 Manual Barrel Zoom lens.

The Fuji X10 is an advanced compact with specifications that follow in the footsteps of high-spec X100. Featuring a bright optical zoom viewfinder with a wide viewing angle, the X10 is one of only a handful of compacts to offer such a built-in feature.

The X10’s body has an upper control deck and base manufactured from lightweight, ultra strong die-cast magnesium alloy; while mode dials and the lens ring are aluminium milled with a textured finish. The manual zoom lens also doubles up as an on/off power switch, ensuring you can react quickly to potential photo shooting scenarios as they occur. With its super speedy shutter-release time lag of approx. 0.01 seconds, the X10 can capture even the most fleeting of photo opportunities.

The X10 features a newly-developed high-definition Super EBC (Electron Beam Coating) Fujinon lens which is said to achieve superb clarity over the whole of the image. The lens consists of 11 glass lens elements in nine groups, including three aspherical glass lens elements (six sides) and two extra-low dispersion lens elements. The result is an ultra bright lens with a wideangle maximum aperture of f/2.0 and a telephoto maximum aperture of f/2.8. Featuring a newly developed Optical Image Stabilisation mechanism, the X10 also ensures that any lens aberration is kept to an absolute minimum for sharper images.

Fujifilm’s engineers have used an arrangement of three 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, and all whilst still maintaining a compact camera size. This, combined with the Manual Barrel Zoom functionality, makes a real difference and brings a welcome old-style photographic feel to the X10.

The X10’s newly-designed 2/3in-size, 12-megapixel EXR-CMOS sensor has approximately twice the sensor area and 2.5 times the pixel area when compared to the majority of standard compact cameras. This bespoke EXR-CMOS sensor combines Fujifilm’s proprietary EXR technology (which can select the optimum shooting mode from the three options below SN (High Sensitivity) / DR (Dynamic Range) / HR (High Resolution)), with CMOS technology to provide bright, sharp images in all shooting conditions. In terms of sensitivity, the X10 can capture shots between ISO 100 for
well-lit conditions and top picture quality, all the way through to
ultra-high ISO 12,800 for the most minimal of lighting conditions.

In addition the X10 can facilitate high-speed continuous shooting at up to seven frames per second (7fps) at full resolution or 10fps at a reduced size.

The Fuji X10’s 49-point matrix contrast AF also provides high-speed and high-precision autofocusing thanks to the fast CMOS capabilities and an advanced EXR Processor.

There’s no final word on cost or release date as yet, but as soon as we have more info and a hands on with the X10 we’ll let you know all the extra details. Watch this space…

Fujifilm X10: Highlights

 – 4x optical zoom f/2-f/2.8 28-112mm manual barrel zoom lens
 – Diverse manual shooting modes that can be selected according to scene type (Program / Aperture Priority / Shutter Speed Priority / Manual)
 – Power start-up within approx. 0.8 seconds using on/off switch built into lens ring (must be in Quick Start mode)
 – 1cm macro mode
 – 49-point AF system
 – 7fps burst mode (10fps at reduced resolution)
 – Motion Panorama 360 for seamless 360-degree panoramic shooting
 – Manual pop-up flash with a range of 7 metres
 – High-contrast and wide viewing-angle 2.8in, 460k-dot LCD monitor
 – Electronic horizon levelling gauge
 – Four diverse auto bracketing functions for exposure, ISO sensitivity, dynamic range
and film simulation
 – RAW shooting and in-camera RAW processing (plus SilkyPix RAW conversion
software is supplied in-box)
 – Premium Accessories also available (Retro Leather Case / Lens Hood / TTL Flash EF-20 or EF-42)