Fuji X-S1 Officially Announced

New Fuji X Camera

So Fuji have sent this to me today:

Fujifilm X-S1: The bridge camera, reinvented

The Fujifilm X series of premium cameras has a third model – the X-S1 – and just like the two before it, this latest addition sets new standards in design and performance.

The X-S1 represents a new breed of bridge cameras. Built in Japan to exacting standards, the body has a high-quality look and feel with metal dials, a rubberised coating and superior handling characteristics that will appeal to the discerning photo enthusiast.

In addition, the X-S1 offers a premium picture-taking performance to match its looks. From the high-quality Fujinon 26x optical zoom lens through to the EXR sensor taken from the X10 and the wide range of functions, the X-S1 puts the photographer in complete control.

Maximum optical versatility
The centrepiece of the X-S1 is the Fujinon 26x optical zoom lens. Offering a range of 24-624mm (35mm equivalent) it caters perfectly for every photographic need and features a bright f/2.8 maximum aperture at the wide-angle setting.

This optical range is boosted further by Fujifilm’s Intelligent Digital Zoom capability, which effectively doubles the focal range without the drop in picture quality normally associated with digital zoom functions. As a result, the X-S1 offers users an incredible 52x zoom range of 24-1248mm (35mm equivalent).

Optically, the lens comprises 17 glass elements, which includes four aspherical elements and two ED lenses, to deliver images with superb edge-to-edge sharpness and amazing clarity. The lens’ construction is of the highest standard, featuring metal cams for smooth zoom control and fast, precise framing.

The X-S1 is also ideally suited to capturing subjects close up. In standard mode, the zoom focuses down to 30cm, but by selecting Super Macro Mode, users can focus down to 1cm for frame-filling close-up images. Furthermore, the lens’ aperture is made up of nine blades for excellent bokeh effect photography.

Great results in every picture-taking scenario
The X-S1 features the same 2/3-inch 12 megapixel EXR CMOS sensor as the X10 which ensures high quality images regardless of the lighting conditions.

The unique EXR CMOS technology pioneered by Fujifilm allows the user to switch between three modes depending on the lighting conditions – or leave the camera to make its own choice in the Auto EXR mode.

Switching between the modes changes the performance of the sensor. The High Resolution option is perfect in bright conditions or when the very best picture quality is the primary aim. Wide Dynamic Range mode should be chosen in scenes of high contrast when the user wants to get details in both shadow and highlight areas of an image, while the High Sensitivity & Low Noise option should be selected for optimum results in low light conditions.

Coupled to the EXR CMOS sensor is the high speed EXR processor, which offers a minimal shutter lag of just 0.01sec and a high speed continuous shooting capability of seven frames-per-second at full resolution (Large JPEG) or 10 frames-per-second at six megapixel resolution (Medium JPEG).

The X-S1 also takes high-quality movies. It captures Full High Definition (1920 x 1080 pixels) video with stereo sound at 30 frames-per-second, which is saved in the H.264 format.


Easy composition and image review
The X-S1 offers a powerful combination of high quality electronic viewfinder and rear LCD to ensure composing and viewing images is quick and simple, regardless of the lighting conditions.

The 0.47-inch electronic viewfinder (EVF) features 1.44 million pixels for superb image clarity and has a wide viewing area of 26 degrees to reduce eye strain. The bright EVF makes it easy to check settings or adjust focus manually.

On the back of the X-S1 is a high quality, tiltable three-inch LCD. It features 460,000 pixels making it easier for users to scroll through menus, assess exposure accuracy and view images. The LCD also offers a useful Daylight mode that overcomes the problem of viewing the screen in bright conditions.


Full user control and picture taking versatility
The X-S1 offers a superb level of functionality whether users want to make picture taking as simple as using a compact or as involved as a fully-manual digital SLR.

For simplicity, the X-S1 will assess the subject and then select the relevant scene mode for the perfect result, automatically switching the EXR CMOS sensor accordingly. Not only does it ascertain the type of scene being photographed, it can also calculate whether an image contains a person, features backlighting or has any subject movement. ISO settings are taken care of too by the Auto ISO mode, which selects the optimum setting between ISO 100 and 3200. Those after more ISO flexibility can select up to ISO 12800 (Small JPEG format only).

Photographers after full control are well catered for with the X-S1. The camera offers a full range of conventional shooting functions (program/aperture-priority/shutter-priority/manual), plus users can also fine tune levels of colour, image sharpness and tone. Additionally, the X-S1 provides four auto bracketing options, eight Film Simulation and white balance functions and a Raw file format.

Fujifilm X-S1 key features
• High quality Fujinon 26x optical zoom covering 24-624mm (35mm equivalent) with Intelligent Digital Zoom boosting range up to 1248mm
• Superb build quality and finish with rubberised coating and metal dials
• 12 megapixel EXR CMOS sensor
• Up to 10 frames-per-second shooting
• Large EVF with 1.44 million pixels and 26 degree viewing angle
• Tiltable three-inch rear LCD with Sunny Day mode
• Full HD video
• PASM modes
• Raw file format
• Film simulation modes
• Macro focusing down to 1cm
• Lithium battery providing up to 500 shots per charge
• Optical image stabilisation
• 360° Motion Panorama mode




i have more specs if you want me to post them but Fuji has the lot here: http://www.fujifilm.eu/uk/news/article/news/fujifilm-x-s1-the-bridge-camera-reinvented/
 
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A few months ago there was talk from Fuji of a new "X" series camera on its way called the X-S1... yesterday it was officially announced!
According to Fuji "...this latest addition sets new standards in design and performance", I am inclided to belive them!

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Like the X10, this camera has a large "2/3-inch 12 megapixel EXR CMOS sensor" to put that into some perspective that is bigger than the sensor in the canon g12, nikon 7100 but smaller than the sensor in a micro 4/3rds camera.

What makes this impressive is that despite its relatively large sensor fuji have squeezed a 26x zoom (24-624mm equiv) lens into what looks like a camera that is no bigger than a consumer dslr+kit lens

dae00b6248.jpg


So to all those people who i said "nah, they will never make a hybrid with a larger than tiny sensor" im sorry, I was wrong! :)

to top it off the lens is 2.8 at the wide end and 5.6 at the long end ...
It has a flippy-flappy display on than back

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It shoots raw, does 10fps, marco focusing down to 1cm...

Needless to say, on paper, this is an impressive looking camera!

For the first time in a long time, the compact (non interchangeable lens) camera market, pretty much entirely thanks to fuji, has a good couple of very tempting consumer level cameras!
 
Watch out in February to as there may well be another big news story from Fuji with a new model interchangable lens camera !!!!! Only what I have heard from a reliable source,just in time for Focus.:eek:
 
I've just read from Fuji that may be delayed for a couple of months Andy as the plan was to build it in Thailand as for the X-S1 it is having read some more going to be marketed as the first bridge which is a viable alternative to carrying around a DSLR camera and kit which looking at the spec isnt perhaps to big a claim.
 
At least a prototype will be shown at CES/PMA in early January. Probably specifications will be revealed as well. When it will ship, who knows? The X100 was shown at Photokina, but mine did not arrive until April. Of course some monumental shock waves hit the factory on March 11. There have been rumors that the X100 was not a given, and Fuji was observing reaction prior to making the decision whether or not to manufacture it. Its success seems to really have Fuji on a roll.
 
The powered zoom has always been on the more "basic" end of Fuji's hybrids (no disrespect to your camera meant) ... I can't remember a time for a long while that they haven't had a manual zoom control on thier high end version... The current one is the HS20
I assume their thinking is "High" end S series and now X series S series ... If you follow my meaning?
 
It does look very promising!
At £700 (where did you find that number out of interest) it certainly offers a lot!
If
You were to buy an slr with lenses you would struggle to get close to that sort of range even second hand ...
Maybe a Nikon d40 with kit lens and sigma 50-500 lens, but you still wouldn't have the range and it would be a lot more to carry around!
Of course the biggest limitation of this sort of kit is always going to be low light capability ... Buy now Fuji are starting to squeeze bigger sensors in IQ will go up ...
As is often said, there is no perfect camera, always a compromise, but I think for a lot of people this camera will reduce that compromise significantly!
Just need to wait and see how well it takes photos now I suppose!
 
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