If you took a quick glance at the Fujifilm X10 you might think that you had just witnessed an antique camera, one of those old ones that still used film, yet in reality it is a beautiful representation of the latest photographic technology all packaged into an old-style design. In hopes of going back to its roots, Fujifilm has decided to base their newest camera on a more rustic design, the type of design that we relate to large light-bulb flashes and film ‘negatives.’ Essentially this rustic design only goes as far as the casing, and all of the internals are not only high quality but also combine to deliver some great shots. Read on to find out why the X10 holds great features and delivers amazing photos for it’s modest price tag.
After looking into the specs of a camera, if you happen to be an enthusiast, it is common to then jump into the pricing and try to compare the camera next to it’s nearest price-tier competitors. Lets first take a look at some of the sweet features included in this camera. Coming with a f/2.0 lens, 12-megapixel CMOS sensor, and an optical viewfinder this camera retains an amazing value. All of these high quality parts as well as the long-time respected company Fujifilm come together to create one stunning camera. Unfortunately the X10 comes in at $599 retail, so you may have to save up for a while before being able to afford such a high quality camera. Interestingly enough, the X10 is actually extremely similar to its predecessor the Fujifilm X100 that was sold for $1,199, so the company is clearly trying to make advancements in the pricing along with the features. It is always a positive to see the mid-ground of a market growing; for instance, often times people want more than the beginner-level cameras but are forced to either shell out many hundreds of dollars or stick with the terrible quality of a low-end, all while having few to no options. Frankly, with similar advancements in optic quality being seen in smart phones like the iPhone 4S, I believe camera companies are finally started to see a slow demise of the everyday cameras. The fact is, people just don’t have a need for a bulky camera that doesn’t offer much more than their phone, all while taking up valuable pocket space and creating other annoyances.
Finally, the main selling point of the X10, other than it’s proven amazing features, happens to be its gorgeous looks. Somehow Fujifilm managed to perfectly nail the ‘Retro’ concept of this camera, and it makes the user feel like he has taken a trip back into the 1900’s with one click of the shutter. The only negative aspect of this camera’s ergonomics is that it isn’t quite ‘pocket-friendly,’ you are most likely going to feel more secure and comfortable if you have a backpack or case to carry the X10 in when on the go. Then again, if you were even thinking about carrying a $600 camera in your pocket along with coins and car keys just waiting to scratch it up, you most likely wouldn’t be considering this purchase anyway. Lastly, with the integration of a nice looking LCD and intuitive user controls, as well as the before mentioned features, Fujifilm has demonstrated their camera-making prowess once again… the X10 is a real winner!
