Fuji X-S1 EXR Black Digital Camera

Comments about Fuji X-S1 EXR Black Digital Camera:

this Fuji with 25-624mm 2.8-5.6 lens replaced my Lumix FZ20 (the original 36-432 constant f2.8 lens)after much research & narrowly won over the new Lumix 200 - the APSC sensor was the clincher, & I am pleased & impressed with the detail/quality available from this - also the comprehensive controls - the cam starts quickly, focusses reasonably rapidly & has minimal shutter lag - feels good in the hand with excellent deep grip - minor gripes are:
1) the on/off switch detent is too light, very easy to accidently switch off.
2) the lens runs out from gravity when cam carried on a neck strap, so a little more friction on the lens barrel would be good.
3)the manual could usefully be in larger format as many of the printed ikons are difficult to see/read.
Over all very pleased with this bit of kit.

Comments about Fuji X-S1 EXR Black Digital Camera:

Make no mistake about this camera. There's no point spending this money without a reasonable knowledge of photography basics. I had a Fujifilm HS-10 before this which took some really good pictures, but it did have its limitations. You can do sooooo much more with the X-S1 if you are prepared to put in the time.

I bought it 7 weeks before going on holiday to Mexico, to give me the chance of tweaking the settings before the real opportunities presented themselves!
The first thing that leapt out was the quality of the viewfinder – very nearly as good as an SLR, with as much or as little information on it as you like. The auto-switching from screen to VF and back is almost instantaneous – one of my gripes with the HS10 (which I used to set manually).

One of the really useful features is the 'C' (custom) settings on the main selector, of which there are 3. You can set these up with most of the settings you want for a particular situation, save it and when you want it back, select it again. I like wildlife photography so some of the settings I have are:
• C1: Aperture priority; ISO800; medium burst mode (7fps); centre-weighted autofocus; jpeg file save and so on.
• C2: As C1 but with (adjustable) AE bracketing instead of burst mode
• C3: Fully manual (a trick I learned on a course recently – if you totally override the camera's systems, for instance in low light, you can often get quite good results with a bit of experimentation).

Another really useful feature is 2 x Fn buttons, which you can programme from a menu of 6 different settings. There are also buttons for all the main settings: AE/ AF / ISO / WB / Exposure compensation / Burst mode / AE/F lock / RAW filesave.
What this all means is that, in most situations, there is no need to go digging into the menus to change from one scene to another, or if the light changes. I also have a Nikon D3200 with kit lenses and it's a nightmare to use because most settings are buried in the menus.

In use it's not heavy yet feels solid and ergonomic. The zoom and focus rings are meaty and positive. Battery life is excellent I got through 3 charges in all those shots, including quite a lot of reviewing.

Having taken over 2,500 shots on holiday, I have been astounded at just how good it is. I had decided I would go back to SLR if this camera did not produce. That decision is made – NO-ONE'S gonna part me from my X-S1! You can judge for yourself on the attached images.

2 minor gripes:
1. Once in a while, autofocus crashes and the more you try to recover it, the worse it gets. Switching off for a few seconds and back on again clears it but of course, the shot may be gone by then. This only happened a handful of times in those 2,500 shots and I have to say, did not present much of a problem.
2. RAW files are slow to save. I followed other reviewers'' advice and used a class 10 SD card. When saving in jpeg, saving is very quick, even with burst mode. Not so with RAW files, particularly in burst mode. However, I do not take my photography THAT seriously and if you want that level of performance, guess you should sink a small fortune into a good SLR instead!

I have found noise to be a slight issue above ISO800 but of course, there was so much light in Mexico, that wasn't a problem. I will find out some more now I'm back home.

Some tips I have found useful:
• Use class 10 cards – much quicker
• Use medium jpeg files (6MP): Its hard to tell the difference from 12MP and the unit flies!
• Use 'standard' film simulation. The greens on the 'vivid' setting are totally reminiscent of the sometimes garish colours I used to get on Fujichrome.
• Treat yourself to a cheap rubber hood. The bundled item is designed for use down to 24mm and is almost no use at longer focal lengths – can't be all things to all men eh?

Comments about Fuji X-S1 EXR Black Digital Camera:

I have been using a Fujifinepix S200EXR and I thought it was brilliant, but the XS-1 comes out even better. Although slightly heavier than the S200EXR it makes for a better grip and more stable shot.The 12 mp is the same but the larger sensor gives the picture that little bit extra. Plus the added 26 zoom. This is a great camera for the professional as well as the serious amateur.

Comments about Fuji X-S1 EXR Black Digital Camera:

It was expensive when it came out last year but at about 400 notes and a 600 zoom lens what's not to like. If you don't want to go down the dslr route and various lenses then this is a superb choice. Just buy one !!

Comments about Fuji X-S1 EXR Black Digital Camera:

Excellent for travel, giving you an all in one camera no lens changing from wide angle to telephoto.

Comments about Fuji X-S1 EXR Black Digital Camera:

From landscapes to micro it does the lot and very good

Comments about Fuji X-S1 EXR Black Digital Camera:

I thought that the Fuji HS20 was an excellent camera for someone who doesn't want to carry loads of lenses etc. But this Pro' version, The Fuji X-S1 is a fantastic piece of kit. It's so professional in every respect. The only niggle that I can find is that the On/Off switch doesn't feel nearly as sturdy as on its sibling, the HS20. I find that I have to treat it with greater care on the X-S1. But an excellent camera all round.

Comments about Fuji X-S1 EXR Black Digital Camera:

If you are looking for a camera to replace a DSLR and lenses and give the same image quality then this may not be for you but if you want a do-it-all travel camera then this ticks all the boxes.
I have just spent a fortnight in Thailand with the Fuji XS1 over 500 shots,it deliverd the goods everytime both day and night.The EVF is superb for framing shots and the whole camera just oozes quality . Fuji have certainly set a bench mark with this one.A real bargain now that the price has dropped.

Comments about Fuji X-S1 EXR Black Digital Camera:

This camera for me has to be the best for use when you need the minimum equipment, eg. travel street photography and when the use of your multi £'s expensive equipment might be a magnet for the light fingered and bonus of portability.

Full manual control, looks and feels well constructed. Covers a multitude of roles, very well I feel. Good accessories too!

Small sensor, but in the right light and set up correctly from the extensive menus, seldom fails to deliver. If you need A3+ and above get an aps/full frame. If you want A4 and normal sizes AND a great experience this is the camera. The fully Auto mode covers point and shoot admirably for those who only want that. As manual as a DSLR and the bonus of one fixed lens (although a tripod really at long zoom lengths).

I'll still keep my DSLR but it won't be out as often I feel.