At a glance:
- 16.3-million-pixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS II sensor
- ISO 200-6400 (raw), 100-51,200 (JPEG)
- 2.36-million-dot OLED viewfinder
- 3in, 920,000-dot tilting LCD
- New 77-area AF system
- 8fps continuous shooting
- £499 body only
Fujifilm’s DSLR-like X-T1 was undoubtedly one of the standout cameras of last year. With its combination of excellent image quality, dial-based controls and a rugged, compact body design, it earned numerous awards – including our own Premium Compact System Camera of the Year and our Reader Product of the Year at the 2015 AP Awards. Now Fujifilm is trying to build on this success with the launch of its simplified little brother in the shape of the X-T10.
The idea is clearly to offer a sensible subset of the X-T1’s features in a camera that offers a similar handling experience, but at a lower price. To this end, the X-T10 uses the same 16.3-million-pixel, X-Trans CMOS II sensor (which includes on-chip phase-detection pixels for autofocus), alongside Fujifilm’s EXR Processor II. It has a cosmetically very similar DSLR-style design, with a centrally mounted electronic viewfinder and tilting rear screen, and uses Fujifilm’s signature dial-led control layout, including top-plate shutter-speed and exposure-compensation dials (most lenses have their own aperture dials).
The control layout of the X-T10 will be familiar to anyone with even a passing familiarity with the X series
What the X-T10 lacks in comparison to the X-T1 includes weatherproof construction, ISO and metering-mode dials, and some smaller refinements such as dial locks and a PC sync socket for studio flash. The viewfinder isn’t as big, offering 0.62x magnification compared to the X-T1’s vast 0.77x, while the SD card now slots into the same compartment as the battery rather than living under a separate side-mounted door.
However, the X-T10 gains a few new features commensurate with its more entry-level target audience. There’s a pop-up flash that is cleverly hidden in the viewfinder housing and released by a switch on the top-plate. Another switch puts the camera into its beginner-friendly Auto mode, and allows access to subject-optimised scene modes. The X-T10 is also noticeably smaller and lighter than the X-T1, making it easier to carry around all day.
Available in either a staid all-black, or a rather attractive silver-and-black design, the X-T10’s body-only price is £499. Two lens kits will also be available, with the XC 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS II for £599, or the premium XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4R LM OIS for £799.
The X-T10 gets the same AF system as announced in Firmware V4 for the X-T1 (left), which is a considerable advance over that used in previous models like the X-E2 (right)
Fujifilm X-T10 Review – Features
The X-T10 offers an impressively broad feature set, with a specification that would have looked outlandishly advanced just a few years ago. The sensitivity range covers ISO 100-51,200, although raw-format recording is frustratingly restricted to ISO 200-6,400. Continuous shooting is available at 8 frames per second, with continuous autofocus during shooting.
Shutter speeds range from 1/4,000sec to 1/30sec plus bulb with the conventional mechanical shutter. However a fully electronic shutter allows the top end to be extended to a staggering 1/32,000sec, allowing the use of fast lenses wide open in bright sunlight. The electronic shutter is also completely silent, which is great in situations where the clack of a mechanical shutter would be intrusive. However it can potentially show distortion with moving subjects, and strangely it can’t be used with the extended ISO settings. A menu setting allows you to choose whether to use the electronic or mechanical shutter, or allow the camera to switch between the two as required.
As we’d expect, the X-T10 has built-in Wi-Fi for connection to a smartphone or tablet. This allows remote control of the camera with a live view display on the smart device, which is perfect for shooting on a tripod with, say, the camera at odd angles. It’s also possible to transfer images to your phone for sharing online. Fujifilm hasn’t included an NFC chip for easy set-up, but its implementation of Wi-Fi makes connecting the camera to the phone extremely straightforward anyway, so this is no real loss.
Full HD movie recording is available, at up to 60fps and with full manual control over recording. The camera has built-in stereo microphones, along with a 2.5mm stereo socket for an external microphone. A dedicated red record button on the top plate initiates recording at any time, but can be re-purposed to another function if you prefer.
