Fujifilm 12 Megapixels FinePix X10 Compact Camera Review by PhotographicCentral

On September 1 2011, Fujifilm announced the X10, a step-down version of the X100 in terms of both price and features. It features a 2/3-inch 12 Megapixels EXR CMOS image sensor, f/2 Fujinon 4x optical zoom lens, manual exposure controls, full 1080p HD video support, 7fps full resolution shooting (or 10fps at reduced resolution) and 2.8-inch 460k-dot LCD. The X10 also comes with a standard optical viewfinder instead of the hybrid EVF/OVF of the X100. In shooting mode, users can select the following for any lighting situation:

With that EXR imaging system comes a manually-operated 4x manual zoom lens covering the 28-112mm equivalent range. The comes with a Super EBC (Electron Beam Coating) that achieves superb image clarity from edge to edge. The lens consists of 11 glass lens elements in 9 groups, including 3 aspherical glass lens elements (6 sides) and 2 extra-low dispersion lens elements. Together with its wide-angle maximum aperture of F2.0 to a maximum telephoto aperture of F2.8, the X10 delivers bright images with outstanding clarity. The X10 is currently selling at around $549. Here's the summary of review by PhotographicCentral:

"In three weeks time I couldn't quite bond with the X10 like I hoped I would. On paper and in the flesh the X10 almost seems too good to be true. But in use, the Tiger shows it's stripes and it can forget about any sneak attack on it's prey. I hope you are keeping up with the metaphorical references here. I don't know how else to express my mixed emotions about the X10. There are two fatal flaws with the X10 that I can't get over. Two issues are major and one is even recall worthy. The X10's newest firmware did not fix the highlight blooming issue, nor address the faulty histogram and blown red channel- at all. I think the two issues might be interlinked, simply the sensor may not be capable of holding extra bright highlights as well as it should in certain shooting conditions- and that is the frustration. The highlight blooming doesn't always show, only in certain circumstances. Fuji needs to fix this blooming highlight orb issue one way or another in order to gain any of my trust as a serious competitor in the current marketplace. The histogram issue isn't as serious but can be depending on how much you rely on your exposures when reviewing images during and after the exposure (who doesn't anymore?). For me it is. Simply put the X10 is the best example of a Jekyll and Hyde camera I think that I've ever used. In some ways it is a brilliant camera, and in others a total disaster.  I'm more of the mind set that a great camera should be well rounded, a sort of jack of all trades and master of none.

After using the X10 for 3 weeks I found it to simply infuriate me at times (blown red channels, useless histogram, highlight blooming orbs, and the other not so intense frustrations), and other times had me grinning ear to ear. But the cumulative effect leaves me wondering why Fuji screwed up so many things in this camera. It could have been a grand slam, but I find it overall to strike out on a pop fly. My dream camera ended up being a sort of nightmarish frustration. If I can't rely on it in all circumstances to do what a camera today should, I don't want to use it. There are simply too many alternatives out there. I wish I could wholeheartedly recommend the X10 but I can't. As long as you don't mind the highlight blooming and useless histogram, it's other faults can be forgivable and be worked around I suppose. Some shooters love the X10 as is and I can see why, but as a reviewer I have a moral obligation to report issues I find as well I use too many different cameras that don't have these issues to just let them slide. They are simply unforgivable from my standpoint. Therefore the the X10 as is now gets my lowest rating yet. If Fuji can work miracles on future firmware, or do a recall and fix those issues on repair, I'd be glad to change the rating. As is, I can't. Recommended for those who love rangefinder designed compacts, like photographing sun dogs, and can ignore a couple of big flaws. For everybody else:  Fujifilm X10 Rating- Below Average (for its class)"

Do NOT get this camera!, JTA - Apr 26 2013
I have really tried and tried to like this camera. I bought this after my backup DSLR was stolen our of my checked baggage at the airport. Wanted something that was small and portable and had plenty of manual functions. But my gosh... this camera is THE WORST. 1. Focus: the thing will only focus correctly half the time. You hold the shutter down half way, the green box appears, you h...

Replaced my DSLR 90% of the time, MC Fisher - Apr 11 2013
I like this camera, a lot. I can't decide whether it is the convenience of its size, the quality of the pictures or the picture options (HDR, low light, extra bokeh) but it is my go to camera most the time. I owned a Nikon D7000 16.2MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED Nikkor Lens and D200 just recently got rid of the D200. I still use my D7000 for...

Replaced my DSLR 90% of the time, Mark C Fisher - Apr 11 2013
I like this camera, a lot. I can't decide whether it is the convenience of its size, the quality of the pictures or the picture options (HDR, low light, extra bokeh) but it is my go to camera most the time. I owned a Nikon D7000 16.2MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED Nikkor Lens and D200 just recently got rid of the D200. I still use my D7000 for...

Not just the X10, Fuji Sucks!, Rao-Birds - Mar 25 2013
I have been a fuji loyalist forever now but not any longer. Bought myself a X10 in Sep 2012. Always had issues turning it ON. Took me 1-3 attempts to rotate the lens dial to get the thing ON. It never bothered me until 2 weeks back when the lens rotatory got very hard and I wasn't even able to turn it ON. So I called the Fuji repair center in NJ and was told to ship it...