Fujifilm X-S1 Review

#1 Falk

How about the video capabilities? Not tested? The HS"X"0 models had issues with keeping the focus correct during video mode or after a slight zoom-in or out.

2:42 pm - Thursday, February 9, 2012

#2 infin1te

excellent image quality? not according to my eyes. is it me or most of the pictures look unsharp when zoom into them? colours and clarity look washed out in all pics. maby is this why we dont see noise until 800 iso(noise reduction)???and how can you say that iso 3200 is usable even in small prints. look the obvious noise in ‘‘man with crutches’’ pic. how exactly would you use this photo?
im strict but image quality is not excellent. its not even very good according to me. it just good and certainly wouldnt pay 900$ for this image quality.

3:13 pm - Thursday, February 9, 2012

#3 John

Nice review. One question though.
Have you checked the settings of the Video?
Because the bitrate is ONLY 14Mbps, extremely low for HD.
Can you please recheck it, maybe there is a setting for high quaility.

3:24 pm - Thursday, February 9, 2012

#4 Mountain Michael

As a user of the Fuji S100FS for the last 4 years, I’m really interested in learning more about this camera.  The S100FS is an excellent bridge camera.  I shoot landscapes, and I manually “stich” my images together in Photoshop.  Using from 5-15 pictures to capture a landscape, I print images that are 13"x39”, and I could print larger.  The S100FS has been a great camera and provides excellent detail.  I’m interested in the Higher ISO the X-S1 would provide, as well as video, zoom, and other features.  For the money, the S100FS was also $799 and worth every penny to me.  The X-S1 provides so much more, and even though pricey, go look at the prices of comparable lenses if you’re looking for a DSLR body for $799.  Due to this, I’m seriously considering the X-S1 as a step up, and it would be a good future backup camera for the day I can afford a higher end DSLR.

4:29 pm - Thursday, February 9, 2012

#5 YOAV

DID YOU TAKE IN ACOUNT WHEN COMPARING PRICES TO DSLRS THE RANG OF THE LENS AND HOW MUCH LENSES FOR SAME RANG WILL COST YOU?

4:51 pm - Thursday, February 9, 2012

#6 Christian

Hello, (Google translation)
I live in Switzerland and I bought this Fujifilm S1-X a week ago. I am deeply disappointed by the picture quality, the development is slow and imprecise. The images are still blurry and lacked sharpness. The video is also bad. I will sell this device as soon as possible!

4:58 pm - Thursday, February 9, 2012

#7 Warren Lyons

Like I thought, too much camera for the 18 year old looking to post bikini shots on facebook and not enough for the naturalist on assigment for Smithsonian magazine.  Will suit bridge camera users willing to pay a premium price, lug around a heavier camera, and give up some reach at the long end in return for better IQ, as well as would be DSLR/kit lens buyers willing to give up some IQ in return for the zoom

7:32 pm - Thursday, February 9, 2012

#8 gaston

The new sample images aren’t impressive in terms of IQ
IMO Canon SX40 is better in IQ. More details, better color rendering. and its price is half of that of XS-1, never mind the size and weight

7:34 pm - Thursday, February 9, 2012

#9 Fotofan

The images in this review are of extremely low quality.  It is very hard to see how the reviewers can be impressed by such an overpriced, under performing camera.  There are SOOO many options at this price point, the Fujifilm camera simply cannot compare.

9:34 pm - Thursday, February 9, 2012

#10 Peter Frailey

I crossed this off my list on page 1, when you pointed out that autoISO only works in Auto mode.  If it won’t work in Aperature, Shutter, or P mode (and preferable evenin Manual mode) its of no use to me.

Or did I misinterpret?

Peter F.

9:45 pm - Thursday, February 9, 2012

#11 ZliKriticar

This is far superior camera than Canon SX40. Just SX10 was worth working with, others (SX20, SX30) were just worse and worse.

11:54 pm - Thursday, February 9, 2012

#12 niel

the price is to much for a super zoom camera

7:16 am - Friday, February 10, 2012

#13 Joey Wilson

This is the shape of things to come.  A no compromise, all-in-one like this, will become the norm over time.  This will evolve to where there will be no appreciable advantage to interchangeable lenses, save for professional use .  DSLR’s will become the view cameras of the day, specialist pieces for very demanding applications.

Build somethng like this with a truly software driven / updateable processor, settle on a standard for megapixel/resolution that’s practical (do you REALLY need 36 mp?), and a suitable lens range and perfect viewfinder, why would you need anything else?  Plus, you never have to worry with cleaning the sensor !!

Fuji is ingeniously mining a market with the X Cameras that everyone else has ignored.  At least with the XPro, you’ll finally be able to get a deal on a LEICA !

10:26 am - Friday, February 10, 2012

#14 Krishna

I don’t understand how judges are giving 4.5 for this picture quality…it’s very poor…and images are distorted, no sharpness…. Fuji should improve the quality…i think it’s better if they concentrate more on CSC….

2:57 pm - Friday, February 10, 2012

#15 kita

Great image quality (especially dynamic range, shadows looks great). Hmm, looks even better than most mid-class DSLRs.

3:40 pm - Friday, February 10, 2012

#16 Robert

As i have seen , the pictures are unsharpless , specialy with the wide angle (sorry, i am french talking) . For such price i found it not acceptable !

3:52 pm - Friday, February 10, 2012

#17 Mitchel

What a camera, i want it

4:27 pm - Friday, February 10, 2012

#18 zebarnabe

I think the biggest compromise on this camera are the lens ... but what would one expect from such massive zoom lens…

The smudgeness, lack of sharpness, blurriness, mushiness, or whatever you may want to call it, seems related to the lens or it’s correction than the sensor noise reduction, there is a certain lack of contrast and saturation as well.

If it justifies the price tag? Hmmm, if you want all in one package it is hard to get any better, but for that price there are many options that are a lot better. If they had put something less ambitious on the front of the sensor :/

7:07 pm - Friday, February 10, 2012

#19 tonysturn

I have been (and I still am) an avid fan of the fujifilm HS20. 
For over six months now, I found it to be a great camera and done all I needed,(that was once I discovered the manual mode).
But people move on, and I think I’d gone just about as far as I could with it,and I wanted something with just a bit more IQ without giving up the versatility of the superzoom and the full manual control.

Well I think Fuji must have heard me .. Enter the X-S1..           

I received mine yesterday and at the moment I’m “happy man”.
It’s more or less still the HS20,  “but on speed”,
all the shortcomings (or quirks as I call them) of the hs20 seem to have been sorted,

the viewfinder, (now great)
the burst mode ( now continous,  and it can also use100 ISO,(not limited to 200 minimum like before)
the slow focusing, (much faster now)
the slow write speed if you used burst mode ( much faster ,not a problem)
The image quality (noticably more refined)
you can also use the full ‘12mp’ so you have that extra crop factor
and there are many things I’ve probablly forgot to mention

Well I only got it yesterday, and I’m still getting to grips with it (the buttons and switches in different places)

but you can see a few pics I’ve taken at this link
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonysturn/sets/

So far it’s all good, and no negatives ...
 
  Tonysturn ..

8:14 pm - Friday, February 10, 2012

#20 Tonysturn

I have been (and I still am) an avid fan of the fujifilm HS20.
For over six months now, I found it to be a great camera and done all I needed,(that was once I discovered the manual mode).
But people move on, and I think I’d gone just about as far as I could with it,and I wanted something with just a bit more IQ without giving up the versatility of the superzoom and the full manual control.

Well I think Fuji must have heard me .. Enter the X-S1..

I received mine yesterday and at the moment I’m “happy man”.
It’s more or less still the HS20, “but on speed”,
all the shortcomings (or quirks as I call them) of the hs20 seem to have been sorted,

1- the viewfinder, (now great)
2- the burst mode ( now continuous, and it can also use100 ISO,(not limited to 200 minimum like before)
3- the slow focusing, (much faster now)
4- the slow write speed if you used burst mode ( much faster ,not a problem)
5- The image quality (noticeably more refined)
6- you can also use the full ‘12mp’ so you have that extra crop factor
7- more IS0’s to choose from in manual mode
and there are many things I’ve probably forgot to mention (will try to update as they come to mind)

Well I only got it yesterday, and I’m still getting to grips with it (the buttons and switches in different places)

but you can see a few pics I’ve taken at this link
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonysturn/sets/

So far it’s all good, and no negatives ...
Tonysturn ..

7:40 am - Saturday, February 11, 2012

#21 Paul

Another disappointing and expensive camera from Fuji after HS10, HS20! Blurry images, noise even at ISO 100. A device that the poor quality of the Fuji presents him as an alternative to DSLR. Even we take the suckers???

10:08 am - Saturday, February 11, 2012

#22 Daniel

1.Image quality is poor;
2.Very noisy;
3.Pictures are blurry;
4.Colors are washed;
5.Weighs more (920g);
6.Too expensive;
I would not ever buy this camera. Sorry Christian already made ​​the mistake of buying it.

11:29 am - Saturday, February 11, 2012

#23 Ben

What a great camera, seems to be the best one with such a sensor quality. Especially the fine details are really impressive, very dynamic range. To compare it with other models? Not possible with such a soom and the new sensor. So this X-S1 as a bridge camera is the only super-zoom on the market, built massive - so this is also an aspect why it “feels” expensive.

1:17 pm - Saturday, February 11, 2012

#24 Mino

Joey Wilson: You are so wrong with “not cleaning the sensor”. Even compacts are very prone to this problem, zoom lens work like vacuum cleaner. The truth is, compacts have much more problems with dust because it is imposiible to clean the dust from sensor in comparison with DSLR and CSC. I can tell you, nowadays lot of compacts will have dust on their sensor in time, say… one year. Especially Panasonics are very prone to it. And my little Samsung has also three very big dust spots.

5:08 pm - Saturday, February 11, 2012

#25 Warren Lyons

Utterly amazing how PB readers seem to either love or hate the XS1.  For whatever it’s worth, it might not be worth twice the price of my Canon SX40, but those pictures posted by Tony were, in my opinion better than anything else I have seen taken by a bridge camera.

8:41 pm - Saturday, February 11, 2012

#26 Peter

I agree with you Warren, I’ve been thinking about buying this camera for a long time ,I like the whole idea of a super-zoom with a big sensor, but on seeing the poor quality image samples in this review and others on the net I was put off,that was until I saw tonysturn images,they completely restored my faith in the camera,he shows what can be done with it,some beautiful images, now I’m very excited about buying mine.

10:42 pm - Saturday, February 11, 2012

#27 Sergio

Picture quality seems good to me. The big problem is the presence of specular highlights (Orbs) that appear in some conditions. I didn’t find at this site pictures, but there are others sites were this problem is easily noticeable. It should be a very good option without orbs. If Fuji could not find a solution, I prefer Panasonic FZ150

10:50 pm - Sunday, February 12, 2012

#28 tony

As usual a lot of negative comments above. If you want a great camera with great image quality then you can not go past the X-S1. Had mine for over 2 weeks and LOVE IT.Ihad the Sony a33 and the slight drop in iq is not that noticable,not when you have a fully weathersealed camera with a long zoom, great iq,optical image stabilisation and faster than all bridge cameras out there.As far as price if you want quality you have to pay for it.

6:24 am - Monday, February 13, 2012

#29 Paul

Without being malicious, but the photos Mr. Tonysturn are resized (1094x694), probably processed, without EXIF. Nothing striking. Sorry

12:02 pm - Monday, February 13, 2012

#30 tony

Hi, no need to be sorry. I have checked a lot of photos in the reviews on this site and i haven’t seen a striking photo yet.This includes DSLRs, so they are not much good as far as portraying the real IQ.Cheers.

12:46 am - Tuesday, February 14, 2012

#31 Alf Smith

ORBS !

5:36 am - Wednesday, February 15, 2012

#32 webber

Most of the negative comments are from the canikon lot getting worried.I too thought up the idea that,as fujifilm now has no dlsr,they should produce a bridge camera with a focal length of around 600-800mm,quality optics with good build quality and some weather sealing,not to mention good feature set and larger sensor.the camera has all i need and plan to try it out soon,it would have to be genuinely poor for me not to buy.I feel strongly most of the negative comments should be ignored…

1:00 pm - Thursday, February 16, 2012

#33 John

Google translate
Fuji tries, fails unfortunately. X-S1 does not stand out at all. I do not adversely affect anyone, but I think it’s better not to throw money out the window.

6:29 pm - Thursday, February 16, 2012

#34 Alex

Mr. Tonysturn many thanks for your wonderful birds in winter. I see that you took from this camera as much as it could be taken. May be it is interesting not only for me - full enough EXIF info could be seen from Original size picturs.

10:52 am - Friday, February 17, 2012

#35 Doug Sinnott

How any one can say that the image quality of this camera is terrible?
What planet are these people from?
If Mark Goldstein’s images are “blurry”,or “unsharp”,perhaps some new glasses are required by certain people!
Mark always gives a fair and balanced review,in my experience,and if he says,after extensive use “in the field”,that the image quality is excellent,and after looking at his pictures,I’ll take his word for it.
He has tested many cameras over the years,and if he says the images produced by this superb new camera are great,then I’m sure they are.
The same contributors probably slag of all cameras that aren’t either Canon or Nikon DSLRs,but in my long experience of DSLRs and Fuji and Panasonic Superzooms,when comparing A4 prints,there’s very little difference in the quality,and the bigger sensor,(and viewfinder!),amongst several other improvements on the new Fuji will all of the previous HS20’s shortcomings.
My HS20 can produce some great pictures even so,but I think the XS10 looks to be the ultimate all-in-one,and,once the price drops a bit,I’ll get one!
Thanks,Mark Goldstein,for a great review,concise,and informative,as always!

1:13 pm - Friday, February 17, 2012

#36 ontologico

to all the people of this thread.

You can view the 1:1 size of the photos taken by Mr. Tonystrun just by clicking the link “Large Size” under each image.
It seems to be non so difficult, isn’t it?

2:33 pm - Friday, February 17, 2012

#37 vladimir

I know there is an invasion of mirrorless photographic market with exceptional qualities, but I know I will not resist the acquisition of new XS1. I have a S100FS takes excellent photos and I believe that the XS1 is actually an evolution of the S100FS to the sensor is the same size although improved, if kept proper proportion xs1 believe will be exceptional.

11:06 pm - Friday, February 17, 2012

#38 vladimir

Although the XS1 is designated as belonging to the new line of premium fuji X for me it is an evolution of the S100FS S200EXR and shot photos with exceptional S100FS and be maintained for proper proportion to xs1deverá be an excellent camera to the sensor has the same size 8.8 mm x 6.6 mm, here in Brazil is not for sale but when you’re going to get one. Just do not understand even the pretense of fuji with HS30EXR looks like it will clash with the xs1 except for the sensor that is a little smaller and so far no review any photos and video test, I’m crazy to compare with hs30exr xs1 .

12:06 pm - Saturday, February 18, 2012

#39 John

I saw Mr. Tonystrun photos. Noise, noise, noise. Even at ISO 100. And software “picnik.com. Hilarious.

2:35 pm - Saturday, February 18, 2012

#40 vladimir

Although belonging to the line x xs1 premium fuji for me it is an evolution of the S100FS is S200EXR until the sensor has the same size 8.8 mm x 6.6 mm, if the ratio is maintained believe that this camera will be spectacular both in pictures as video is expected to see. Just do not understand what you want with the fuji hs30exr looks like it will clash with the xs1 except for the sensor that is smaller in hs30exr. Both are robust, superzoom has a number of similar items, I’m curious to see who will do better HS30EXR XS1 fuji or two will be one of mine.

9:43 pm - Saturday, February 18, 2012

#41 vladimir

Although the XS1 is within the X Series premium fuji I understand it as an evolution of the S100FS is S200EXR until the sensor is the same size 8.8 mm x 2.2 mm, robust, superzoom, if the ratio is maintained over the S100FS is S200EXR will probably be an excellent camera. Just do not understand what you want with fuji HS20EXR seems that clashes with the XS1 except for the sensor that is smaller, I see the reviews of HS30EXR certainly one of the two will be mine.

11:58 pm - Saturday, February 18, 2012

#42 Ben

It should be better to discuss the photos, which are posted here in this review. In my eyes absolutely outstanding for a super-zoom camera.
I cannot see any other camera with such a picture quality. This Fuji beats with its great functions and good built quality all other cams with a zoom factor mor than 20 - at least right now. I´ll get mine next week.

Many thanks for this great review!

12:47 pm - Sunday, February 19, 2012

#43 Dennis Patterson

@Sergio: You will find the orbs from the faulty sensor on photo no. 30 . Look for the white blobs (reflections) on the front of the cars to the right. Pixel peeping I know, but it is there - faulty sensor…

http://img.photographyblog.com/reviews/fujifilm_finepix_x_s1/sample_images/fujifilm_finepix_x_s1_30.jpg

10:07 am - Monday, February 20, 2012

#44 Andrew

A travel camera, that and nothing more. Good for amateurs, not for professionals. It’s foolish to compare Fuji X-S1 with a DSLR. Greetings enthusiasts bigger zoom.

10:41 am - Monday, February 20, 2012

#45 Sergio

Thank You Dennis. The orbs are actualy there. Unfortunately the Achilles’ heel of this great camera. I think this problem can’t be solved by software. Probably it’s a CMOS problem.

9:34 pm - Monday, February 20, 2012

#46 faptastic

Orbs plus lens droop: http://i.imgur.com/STBTW.gif

Deal breaker Fuji!

HS20EXR has served me well but my next camera is looking to be a DSLR either 600D or D5100, not the X-S1 I was so looking forward to.

7:30 pm - Tuesday, February 21, 2012

#47 Swoosh

@ Mark Goldstein

Great X-S1 review sir! Gave me a complete info about the camera
and been thinking seriously about buying one BUT, what im so
interested to see are the digital super zoom capabilities of this
camera and its image quality, since Fujifilm has specially
emphasized that X-S1’s focal length can reach up to 624mm AND by
adjusting the digital zoom to 2X means that its focal length can
now REACH 1200+mm right? And Fujifilm also said that by adjusting
the digital zoom of the X-S1 to 2x while fully zoomed there’s no
loss of image quality. How true is this sir? Could you post pics
where an image was taken at its longest focal length and the
intelligent digital zoom set to 2x???...

In addition, since the X-S1 is capable of taking pics up to
52X using the intelligent 2x digital zoom. Does adjusting the
digital zoom to 2x (for example) will automatically include a
metadata for the image(s) taken where the focal length of the
image INCLUDING the digital zoom setting is already included?
OR, just the lens focal length only excluding the digital zoom
setting data? Meaning, although an image was take at 624mm and
with 2x digital zoom (resulting in 52x total zoom) still when
you look at the image’s metadata it will only say
Focal Length: 624mm?

Any info regarding this would be highly appreciated. Thanks a
lot for the good review and more power to you sir.

1:50 pm - Friday, February 24, 2012

#48 Swoosh

@ TonySturn

Nice pics sir, hope i could do some super zooming too like that when i buy the X-S1.

1:56 pm - Friday, February 24, 2012

#49 zebarnabe

Swoosh,

Digital zoom doesn’t add more detail to a photo, it is just a crop and resize of it.

No matter what Fujifilm says, digital zoom will not maintain the resolve power expected for a full resolution photo (and will actually enhance any defect in the picture).

If you have the RAW format, you can achieve the same digital zoom on a computer by cropping and rescaling.

Sensor wise the orbs seem to be a firmware issue when the luminance curves are applied, though I’m not entirely sure it will be solved in the future.
The only issue I see with this camera (aside from the price and the said orbs) is the lens performance, but with such a massive zoom it is not that bad.

Fujifilm should have made something with less zoom (something between 10 to 15 times) and a brighter aperture.

8:45 pm - Friday, February 24, 2012

#50 Dokikik

Thanks for this wonderful review - but is this really true:

“Once the burst is completed, it takes over fifteen seconds for the camera to clear the buffer, during which you cannot take another picture.”

As far as I know the X-S1 like the X10 can shoot and store in parallel, so you can continue shooting while the camera is storing data - or not?

4:36 am - Saturday, February 25, 2012

#51 Donnie Biggs

What’s wrong with Fuji? The IQ is no better than Canon SX40 (if not worse)!

4:01 pm - Sunday, February 26, 2012

#52 Donnie Biggs

Maybe its because they get final resolution by interpolation 6—>12Mp which is common for Fuji

5:01 pm - Sunday, February 26, 2012

#53 Darryl

I bought one and I love it!!
Excellent picture quality.
What a great camera (I also have a Nikon D300)
Darryl

7:07 pm - Tuesday, February 28, 2012

#54 Albert

1. Poor white-balance in artificial light
2. Weak Eye-Start sensor
3. Poor preview coverage
4. Not Exposure-Priority
5. Wrong Live-Histogram
6. Limited shutter-speed above base ISO
7. Strange occasional blooming
8. Off-center tripod mount
9. Sticky buttons

7:22 am - Wednesday, February 29, 2012

#55 zebarnabe

10. lens barrel bends down on it’s own weight when fully out (and it is made of metal… if it was plastic it would probably break)

It’s far from perfect… though ... it has PASM modes so I’m not entirely sure what you mean in point 4…. doesn’t it have exposure compensation manual control?

Point 6 is really weird as well.

Point 7 is prolly the most serious, the so called ‘orbs’, it is always better to under expose if there are bright light sources on your framing…

4:38 pm - Wednesday, February 29, 2012

#56 Donnie Biggs

Mmm… some white orbs here
http://imageshack.us/f/525/bbbhm.jpg/

11:33 am - Saturday, March 3, 2012

#57 André

Bought it a week ago and I’m thrilled. Use to have a Panny FZ50. This one is so much better. The EXR Auto settings are awesome. I love this camera! A true multi purpose camera for all occasions.

5:48 pm - Saturday, March 3, 2012

#58 Michael James

Funny how these so called experts review a camera without using it for what it good for. Basically they said the same thing about the fujifilm finepix s100fs and yet it produces great images. There is a reason the S100FS has the knickname of “THE LEGEND”.
Now they come out with the X-S1 and here another so called Expert that is in love with ultra expensive cameras puts it down without going out into the real world and do a proper test. Get out there and use it for a week or two then come back with a review that is proper. Use it for a week and i am sure you will be hooked like i became hooked with the S100fs.

3:49 pm - Friday, March 9, 2012

#59 Warren Lyons

18 year old boys looking to post spy shots of MILFs in Bikinis will buy a Canon SX40 or wait until the Nikon P510 (1000mm at the long end) comes out.  Those working for Audobon Magazine will use a pro level DSLR.  In between these two extremes, there as a large audience for whom the XS-1 will float their boat

4:03 pm - Friday, March 9, 2012

#60 SUBRAMONIAM

I got this at an exchange offer that ran in the UAE last week. Love the fit and finish. Seems like a dormant volacano like it’s namesake (Mt. Fuji) with lots of features pent up inside. May not be compareable in IQ to my SONY A580 but seeing TONY’s Flickr I think I must learn to use this camera.

One thing all reviewer’s write is the price and say you could get a mid-range DSLR for X-S1’s price. But with a DSLR like A580 or d5100 one has to get a decent 18-200 lens and a 200-500 tele plus a macro to reach the range offered by XS-1!! Cheapest 200-500 tele lens would be about $1000 and another $800 for a macro and a 18-200 lens. So $1800 for lenses alone and maybe $700 for a decent body.  That way isn’t XS-1 value for money. And the convenience of carrying around.

Using it with flash I found even at long end there is no shadow of lens!! Macro is quite good. Have to try out fully but I think I slowly would shed my DSLR.

5:23 pm - Tuesday, March 13, 2012

#61 Bill Coats

Why does everyone insist on comparing a bridge to an SLR? We don’t compare volkswagon beetles to mercedes, both cars, both at opposite ends of the spectrum. Compare the xs1 to ANY other bridge camera and it is easily the “mercedes” of the bunch. It is NOT an slr, so stop comparing it to one.

1:39 am - Thursday, March 22, 2012

#62 vladimir

I’m with you Bill, I think the cameras should be compared within the same level.

9:26 pm - Thursday, March 22, 2012

#63 SUBRAMONIAM

+1 Bill. I was driving to that in my comment.

My X-S1 is giving very good results
http://www.flickr.com/photos/64618899@N04/sets/72157629217920220/

My A580 is sleeping now.

And for lens wobble or lens sag story it is BS. I checked mine. Yes, not measurable ~1mm or so. If you own a telephoto zoom with the barrel extending check that. It also has ~1mm of so called ‘Sag”. I feel what folks are writing is after mounting the hood. The hood has a good play of 2mm or so. If you lift at the hood that play also will show up and you get 3-4mmm ‘lens sag’. I don’t think Fuji engineers are so foolish not to think of this when they design the lens.

3:20 am - Friday, March 23, 2012

#64 Jaroslaw

I wanted to replace my old Panasonic FZ-50 with the new Fujifilm X-S1 so I have bought it. And sold it after one week. I made some RAW pictures using both cameras and compared them. The overall image quality were worse than in FZ-50! Although pictures were more sharp in the center of the image, they were very blurry and unsharp in the rest of the area, especially on the edges. The noises were less visible in X-S1, but after developing JPEGs from RAWs the quality of FZ-50 images was much better (sharpness!). To obtain the sharpness from RAWs of the X-S1 that was close to the one I have obtained from FZ-50 RAWs I had to use the 100% of detail enhancement, 100% of outlines and 0% of noise reduction. In result the image was almost as sharp as FZ-50 jpg (the edges still unsharp of course) but the noise started to be visible.

In fact when you watch resized pictures on the 1024/768 resolution monitor you will not notice these defects: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.361021110599245.90040.100000740789064&type=3&l=7ad58db64b

My conclusion: very good camera for those who just want to produce jpegs straight from the camera and do not care the details. If it was my first camera, I think I would love it, but being able to compare it with my own, old Panasonic FZ-50 I have just sold it.

http://krokus.tpn.pl/wenta/

5:45 am - Thursday, March 29, 2012

#65 Peter

I don’t understand this review and especially readers comments. In at least 2 other review sites the X-S1 got 5 out of 5 and editors choice which included IQ. Although this review gives it high marks, its obvious that many readers did not agree!!

Yet, my X10 seems to show superior IQ to the X-S1. I think this must be down to the lens more than anything else. Did PB get a duff camera for the review or was there a firmware issue that could have resolved the ‘poor’ IQ?? Hmmm.

Peter

8:05 am - Monday, April 30, 2012

#66 Doug Sinnott

To Jaroslaw,
To compare your old FZ50 with the XS1 is to compare chalk with cheese!
The FZ50 has a much smaller sensor,is much slower to use,and,although good in it’s day,and is just out of date now.
The XS1 is faster to use,is better made,has a better lens,a better viewfinder,better,and bigger, EXR sensor,(I could go on!),and a much,much better rear screen.
Plus it can produce much better prints,especially at higher ISOs, than the old FZ50,(I’ve owned a few Panasonics,as well as an FZ50)
To send it back after one day is ridiculous,how can you really try the camera out in so short a time!
Do you actually make any prints,or do you spend your life peering at images on screen?
There’s lots like you on these forums it seems!
THE XS1(and the HS30),are great “all in ones”,but you need to have them longer than one day to do them justice,and explore their full potential!

If you spent less time

7:16 am - Wednesday, May 2, 2012

#67 Peter

I use my X10 mostly for Jpegs, but my PP programme really does extract lots of detail, plus you can use the EXR technology to great effect. The X10 has the same sensor, EXR, processor as the X-S1 and pictures from both cameras are more or less identical.
Fuji are well respected for exhibiting superb colours.
Just to put the other side of the argument, read Ephotozine’s review of the X-S1
I would love the X-Pro1 but its out of my reach, however, good news, Fuji said they are working on a more affordable CSC, with electro/optical finder and a kit zoom with primes to follow.

Lastly, perhaps the huge focul range of the X-S1 zoom lens was just a step too far for top optical quality to be maintained at all settings, at these ranges, some compromises must be made.

Peter

7:56 am - Wednesday, May 2, 2012

#68 Finn Ritz Jørgensen

Last weekend I had my Nikon D3100 w. 18-105 Nikkor and a friends X-S1 to play with. I took only JPEG of highest quality indoor and outdoor. Up to 400ISO the X-S1 can match my Nikon. I can see no immediate difference. Outdoor in backlight on 24mm I sometimes saw a violet shade in the center. Shading the lens further with my hand eliminated the flaw. At 40mm and beyond it was gone. On a monopod the long zoom was easy to handle and produced some nice bird shots. The X-S1 is NOT a point and shoot camera for beginners. It is an exceptional enthusiast camera. I want one!!!

4:31 pm - Tuesday, May 15, 2012

#69 thygocanberra

@Finn Ritz Jorgensen
How did it go above ISO 400 ?
How does it compare?

I also imagine the X-S1 was about the same weight as the 3100+18-105, how about the feel - looks like it would be a similar size?

12:50 pm - Friday, May 25, 2012

#70 Finn Ritz Jørgensen

The D3100 with 18-105 and the X-S1 are very close in weight and size. The bulid quality of the Fuji is exellext. The lens is first class. I can email photos of the same subject taken with both cameras at ISO 400 and 800.
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). I still want an X-S1 for sure but I’m waiting for Fuji to deliver the new sensor. On the other hand I’ll also keep my Nikon. If I should only have one camera, Ill go for the Fuji.

7:59 pm - Friday, May 25, 2012

#71 Peter

I’m waiting for the new Fuji interchangeable lens camera. Rumoured to be an interchangeable lens version of the X100. Not to be confused with the XPro-1. They also have a zoom coming out for this camera.

I should imagine your pics on the Nikon 3100/18-105 are sharper with better detail than the X-S1?

6:15 am - Saturday, May 26, 2012