FujiFilm X-S10

The Devil in Disguise.

If you appreciate the space efficiency of some full frame mirrorless cameras, you’d be surprised by how much the X-S10 can do in a even smaller form factor.

At first glance, X-S10 looks and feels like a cheap toy. A minute later, I knew that I was dumb and blind. Photo-wise, X-S10 is just as good as the flagship XT4, but smaller, lighter, which means better.

It is like the mastermind, the evil boss of some movies, who doesn’t look like the most aggressive, but hidden with great powers.

Flagship Killer.

Being half the price of the so called “entry level” full frame cameras, X-S10 is the so called “flagship killer”.

Under low light situations, X-S10 surprisingly outperforms Sony’s A7C, a $2000 full frame camera. However the downside is that images from X-S10 aren’t as sharp and dynamic as you would normally see from some other full frame cameras.

Fujifilm’s film simulations are quite fun to use. It unleashes the potentials of the image (in a Fuji way) and allows you to see a different world within. It is an addicting feature, because you wouldn’t need to edit your photos afterwards. Most of time the photo would automatically come out as a beautiful, harmonious piece. Unfortunately film simulations would limit the image’s possibilities, and totally affect its authenticity, but just like everything else comes to a cost.

Effortless, Totally.

Regardless of X-S10’s light weight and small body, the overall shooting experience is like nothing more than drinking a cup of tea.

X-S10’s autofocus is fairly usable, not like Sony’s or Canon’s level, but still works well 80 percent of the time. It allows you to catch quick shots from difficult angles. X-S10 speeds up the pace of my journey, because I found myself constantly searching for the next composition, and all I would do after is just press that shutter button and move on.

The Magic Brush

I’m a full manual person. I enjoy setting everything up myself just for taking the next photo, even the saturation and contrast. But I found myself not doing so with X-S10. This tiny machine is telling me not to bother and let her do the work.

I wouldn’t say manual mode is frustrating to use on an X-S10, but its automated decisions are just too brilliant that they make you doubt the need to manual control.

And yes, I’m mostly talking about X-S10’s film simulations. Classic Chrome and Classic Negative are sufficient for most situations, and I’ve never edited a photo I took from the X-S10. These “filters” are just like magic brushes, every color they touch transforms into a subtly different, yet unique and elegant representation. Film simulations are like cancers, brutally unifying everything to be Fuji style pitch perfect.

Overall

The X-S10, is like an iPhone SE in every way. Honestly, I wouldn’t want to buy one and use it as my main camera for a long period of time.

But it could be a joyful sidekick for professional photographers, or a smooth kickstart for those who just want a decent camera at a decent price. Its outstanding portability balanced with sufficient performance (photo-wise), makes photography so satisfying and effortless.