Fujifilm X-T10 Review

Fujifilm X-T1 gets a little sister with the X-T10: A lot of performance in the mid-price segment

With the X-T10 introduced today, Fujifilm puts the X-T1 at the side of a smaller sister model, which has been reduced less in terms of equipment, but above all in terms of price. A few things can make the X-T10 even better than its big sister, so Fujifilm has improved for example the autofocus in the photosensitivity and tracking of subjects. The mirrorless system camera continues to rely on the X-Trans CMOS II sensor with its unique color filter arrangement.

Short evaluation

Pros

• Well manufactured housing made of metal and plastic
• Classic or modern operation including auto-function
• Extensive equipment
• Very good image quality, especially up to ISO 800

Cons

• Video record button very bad to press.
• Screen without touch function
• Tripod thread outside the optical axis and too close to battery and memory card compartment
• Much slower autofocus than promised by manufacturer, though not really sluggish

As a small sister model of the X-T1, the Fujifilm X-T10 promises to offer an excellent price-performance ratio, rather than a slimmed-down functional range. APS-C sensor, multiple dials, large electronic viewfinder, movable screen and high continuous shooting rate are just some of its core features. It’s compact, too. With the X-E2S, however, the X-T10 has been given a competitive model at eye level in its own house, but with its different design it should also appeal to different target groups. In the test, the Fujifilm X-T10 must show what it can do.

The Fujifilm X-T10’s generously rubberized case makes a high-quality impression thanks to the metal lid and base plate, each of which is made of metal. The small hump even hides a real pop-up flash. The Fujifilm X-T10, as a low-priced sister model of the X-T1, offers a lot of features for the price. With 700 instead of 1,200 euros, the X-T10 costs a whopping 500 euros less. [Photo: Fujifilm]

The Fujifilm X-T10 features a high-resolution electronic viewfinder, a folding screen and a 16-megapixel APS-C sensor with X-Trans CMOS II technology. [Photo: Fujifilm]

The resolution of the APS-C sensor, however, leaves Fujifilm at 16 megapixels. Instead of the usual Bayer pattern, a special color filter arrangement is used that comes much closer to analog film and eliminates the need for a low-pass filter to reduce moirés. In addition, all color information is captured in each row and column. Image processing with the EXR II processor comes up with the Lens Modulation Optimizer (LMO), which can reduce optical errors of the lenses to optical effects such as diffraction blur. The LMO is compatible with all Fujinon lenses of the X-System, but can also be switched off. The light sensitivity of the sensor in extended mode ranges from ISO 100 to 51,200, in standard mode from ISO 200 to 6,400.

Fujifilm was able to improve the integrated phase detection autofocus, which now works from 0.5 EV instead of 2.5 EV as with the X-T1. This means that phase autofocus is still available even in low ambient light and can support contrast autofocus. With only 0.06 seconds according to the CIPA standard, Fujifilm’s autofocus is still one of the fastest on the market. While 49 autofocus fields can be selected in the normal focus mode as with the X-T1, the X-T10 now also offers the modes “Zone” and “Far/track (C)”, in which 77 autofocus measuring fields are available. In Zone mode, the user can select an area of 3×3, 5×3 or 5×5 autofocus fields, while in Tracking mode, the 77 fields distributed over the field of view provide even better object tracking. Even with up to eight continuous shots per second, subject tracking still works. If you want to focus manually, you get support with a focus loupe, focus peaking and a layplan indicator simulation.

While the X-T1 still had to learn an electronic shutter mode with up to 1/32,000 second short exposure times by firmware update, the X-T10 brings this mode along from the beginning. The mechanical shutter, on the other hand, allows “only” a shortest shutter speed of 1/4,000 seconds. The electronic shutter is therefore not only silent, which can be useful in some environments, but also allows freezing of particularly fast movements and working with open apertures in bright ambient light. If you want, you can also take multiple exposures and even interval shots with the X-T10.

The Fujifilm X-T10 was  launched in June 2015 and was available not only in silver but also in black. [Photo: Fujifilm]

The Fujifilm X-T10 offers not only manual dials, but also an automatic mode as well as a 1/32,000 second fast electronic shutter. [Photo: Fujifilm]

In contrast to its big sister model, the X-T10 is not splash-proof, but the upper part of the housing and the camera base are made of a robust and light magnesium alloy. An optional additional handle can also be used to improve handling, because the X-T10 does not have a pronounced handle by default, but at least it has a rubber coating. Furthermore, the X-T10 comes with a small integrated pop-up flash, but can also be equipped with large TTL system flashes thanks to the system flash shoe. The back of the hump of the viewfinder also contains a high-resolution electronic viewfinder, which achieves 2.36 million pixels, just like the X-T1. However, at 0.62x magnification, the view is slightly smaller than the enormous 0.77x viewfinder of the X-T1. Of course, this does not change the real-time properties with a delay of only 0.005 seconds. In addition, the viewfinder image can be switched to a mode with particularly natural playback. The 7.6 centimetre screen at the rear has a resolution of 920,000 pixels, is scratch-resistant and anti-glare, and can be folded up and down.

The X-T10 can be controlled completely manually thanks to three control dials, but it also has an automatic mode that recognizes the subject to be captured and controls the camera accordingly. The auto macro mode is new, so that the camera no longer has to be manually switched to the close-up range. If desired, the corresponding function key can be assigned another function, as can some other keys of the mirrorless system camera. Furthermore, the X-T10 features the well-known film simulation modes with which Fujifilm imitates the classic analog films, including the new Classic Chrome. In addition, pre-screwed color filters can be simulated in black-width and sepia mode. If you want, you can also add further effects such as miniature or pinhole camera.

The X-T10 can also record videos. With Full HD resolution, a maximum of 60 frames per second can be achieved, but 50, 30, 25 and 24 frames per second can also be selected. Automatic and manual exposure, film simulation modes and advanced autofocus are also available. Thanks to the integrated WLAN, photos can not only be transferred wirelessly to smartphones and tablets, but the camera can also be remote-controlled with the corresponding app. From June 2015, the Fujifilm X-T10 will be available in black and silver-black at a price of almost 700 euros. The set with the XC 16-50 mm F3.5-5.6 OIS II costs one hundred more. Those who want can also purchase the X-T10 with the faster and higher quality set lens XF 18-55 mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS at a price of a good 1,100 Euro. The optional handle MHG-XT10 should cost almost 110 Euro, the leather case BLC-XT10 matching the X-T10 80 Euro.

Ergonomics and workmanship

Fujifilm has shrunk the X-T1, one might think at the first sight of the X-T10. The design affinity with the big sister is unmistakable. The X-T10 certainly appeals to a different group of buyers than the more expensive X-T1 with a price of 700 Euro (without lens). The processing of the quite compact X-T10 with 118 x 83 x 41 millimeters doesn’t need to hide at all. Both the upper part and the base plate of the mirrorless system camera, which weighs approximately 370 grams and is ready for operation, are made of metal, while plastic is used for the middle part. This is provided extensively with a grained rubber coating – one could mean at first sight. However, with the exception of the thumb rest, this “leather lining” is actually made of plastic on the back, which has a grained structure but is by no means slip-resistant. The X-T10 lies, at least one-handedly, reasonably well in the hand. The thumb rest as well as the discreet handle give some hold, but you can’t enclose the handle with your right hand. The X-T10 doesn’t hold up better than the X-Pro2, for example.

The rear 7.5cm screen of the Fujifilm X-T10 can be folded down 45 degrees and up 90 degrees in the manner of a light shaft. If you take the X-T10 to your eye, it automatically switches to the high-resolution electronic viewfinder. [Photo: Fujifilm]

Although the X-T10 is kept in the design of a classic SLR camera of the eighties, it has an electronic viewfinder as a mirrorless system camera. This enlarges sensor-related 0.93 times, which means 0.62 times the magnification for 35 mm images. The viewfinder is pleasantly large and delivers an image with a fine resolution of 2.36 million pixels. People who wear glasses literally look into the tube, because the distance between the eye and the viewfinder is too great, so that the viewfinder is clearly shadowed in the corners, not even horizontally it is completely visible. Those who are satisfied with the diopter correction ranging from -4 to +2 can be happy. But the rear 7.5-centimeter screen is also very useful. It can be tilted 45 degrees downwards and 90 degrees upwards, allowing the photographer, for example, to hold the camera in front of his stomach in the manner of a light well. It’s a shame, however, that Fujifilm didn’t install a touchscreen that could have been used, for example, to place the focus point with a fingertip. Both the screen and the viewfinder allow numerous insertions, such as a spirit level, grid lines or a live histogram.

The operating concept of the X-T10, even more than the X-T1, combines a classic with a modern operating concept. The photographer can choose to use the aperture ring on the lens and the time wheel on top of the camera to expose semi-automatically or manually. In addition, there are two setting wheels which take over these functions on request. However, the click function of the wheels also allows other values to be set and confirmed directly. If you want to expose automatically, you no longer have to move two wheels to the “A” position, but simply move a lever. The dedicated exposure-compensation wheel remains active even then. If you are not familiar with this, you can also screw up your exposure in automatic mode. In general, the exposure correction wheel should be able to rest a bit more heavily or have a lock in order not to be accidentally adjusted, which unfortunately happens quite often in the exposed position. Direct button operation enthusiasts will be pleased to know that the X-T10 has separate AF-L and AE-L buttons. With the AF-L button, you can conveniently focus automatically at the touch of a button, even with manual focus.

If you want to complain about a control, it would be best to do it with the video recording button. It sits so wedged between the exposure compensation wheel and the shutter-release button or the switch lever that it is difficult to operate. Since the video recording starts and stops a little delayed, you never know if you really pressed the button or not. Also annoying for those who assign another function to the video recording button. The menus and the quick menu are quite well done. The latter offers quick access to numerous functions and can be customized. The main menu is divided into two sections with several tabs, each tab having only one menu page with up to seven entries. You can either switch through the registers or the menu items individually, whereby you can automatically switch to the next register.

The equipment with interfaces is pleasingly good. Behind a plastic flap on the left side of the housing there is a Micro-USB socket, a Micro-HDMI connection and a 2.5 mm jack socket, which can either accommodate a cable remote trigger or the plug of an external stereo microphone. Even if you want to film with an external stereo microphone and trigger remotely at the same time, don’t look into the tube, because the thread in the trigger button accommodates a classic cable trigger. The lithium-ion battery shares a compartment with the SD memory card at the bottom of the camera. The tripod thread is located in the immediate vicinity and not in the optical axis. It doesn’t get any worse, because the compartment is locked by even the smallest quick-release plate. 350 CIPA-standard shots are mediocre, but Fujifilm provides a spare battery, doubling the exceptional capacity. The batteries are charged externally in the supplied charging cradle, which holds a battery. The SD card slot is compatible with SDHC, SDXC and UHS-I, but unlike the X-T1 it is not compatible with UHS-II.

The Fujifilm X-T10 is available both as a case and optionally with the cheaper XC16-50 or the more expensive XF18-55 shown here. The mid-range lens offers very good image quality.

Exposure time, exposure correction and aperture can be adjusted with dedicated wheels on the Fujifilm X-T10. Alternatively, two universal setting wheels allow a more modern operation.

The tripod thread of the Fujifilm X-T10 was placed in the unfortunate. It not only sits outside the optical axis, but also directly next to the battery and memory card compartment.

Equipment

The Fujifilm X-T10 offers both beginners and advanced photographers the necessary functions for successful photos without a program selector wheel. Despite the new “Auto” lever, the operating concept is clearly aimed at ambitious photographers. Changing the mode is very easy: If you turn the exposure time wheel to “A”, the automatic exposure time is active, otherwise the set value applies. The front dial allows “fine adjustment” from -2/3 to +2/3 EV. In position T, on the other hand, the entire exposure time range of 1/4,000 to 30 seconds can be set in one-third increments. This applies to the mechanical shutter, because with the electronic shutter even up to 1/32,000 second short shutter speeds are possible, and even completely silent. However, the flash can no longer flash and the rolling shutter effect becomes visible with fast moving motifs. The same play with automatic and manual selection applies to the aperture, except that here no “fine correction” is necessary, since the aperture ring switches anyway in third steps. ISO sensitivity, on the other hand, does not have its own wheel, but it can also be set manually in one-third steps or automatically. New are the three ISO automatic modes, whose setting range and minimum shutter speed can be set. This allows fast switching of the automatic range or the minimum shutter speed.

Like every Fujifilm, the X-T10 also has the film simulation modes, with which the image impression of a certain, classic Fujifilm film can be adjusted at the push of a button, for example Velvia for vivid colours or a black-and-white film. If you want, you can even shoot entire film simulation series with one photo. You can also take bracket shots, ISO bracket shots, dynamic range bracket shots or white balance bracket shots. Even interval shots and a panorama mode are no foreign words for the X-T10. The X-T10 takes fast eight continuous shots per second, but only for very few shots in quick succession. Here you can see the differences to the bigger sister X-T10.

Fujifilm promises a 0.06 second fast autofocus according to the CIPA standard with the X-T10. We cannot comprehend this at all. According to our measurements, the X-T10 is about six times slower, so the autofocus takes about 0.36 seconds. In addition, there is a 0.08 second shutter release delay, which also occurs without focusing (e.g. to close the aperture, to tighten the shutter, etc.). Slowly, the autofocus isn’t, but still noticeably slower than some of the competing models and above all much slower than Fujifilm promises. Otherwise, focusing does not leave much to be desired. The photographer has the choice from 49 measuring fields, which are distributed far over the image area. In addition, there are modes such as “Wide” and “Pursuit”, in which the autofocus even uses 77 measuring fields and keeps a motif in focus. Those who want to focus manually receive all kinds of support in the form of a focus scale, a focus magnifier or the highlighting of sharp or high-contrast edges by means of focus preakings.

If you manage to use the unfavorably placed video button anyway, the X-T10 records up to 60 frames per second in full HD resolution (1,920 x 1,080). For example, the audio level can be corrected. Caution is advised because the X-T10 does not have a special video mode. This means that when the recording button is pressed, parts of the image are cut off at the top and bottom without prior control (3:2 to 16:9). Of course, the exposure time range is also limited, because of course it is not possible to expose longer than 1/frame repetition rate. This should be taken into account when setting the exposure time when manual exposure is used. After all, both the shutter speed and the aperture can be adjusted during shooting. The X-T10 tracks the focus during shooting, but overly large shifts in focus can also prevent this, leaving the image out of focus. The optical image stabilizer of the lens also remains active and, like the focus motor, is almost inaudible. There is no additional electronic stabilisation.

At first glance, the X-T10, like its big sister the X-T1, doesn’t seem to have a flash, so well integrated in the small super hump. If the mechanical lock is released by means of the corresponding lever, the small built-in flash pops up surprisingly high. This does not happen automatically, so you have to know when you want to flash. With long-term synchronization, the flashes at the end of the exposure and flash exposure correction, nothing important is missing. In addition, the X-T10 offers a TTL flash shoe with ISO connection also for simple standard flashes with central contact. However, the shortest flash sync time is not too fast at 1/180 second.