The Fujifilm X-S1 has been officially announced after the existence of a Fujifilm X10 sensor-based model was confirmed earlier this year. The specs are, as expected, a large 26x optical zoom combined with the 2/3inch sensor seen in the superb manual control compact released a few months ago.

Looking similar to a DSLR rather than a traditional bridge camera, the X-S1 sports an electronic viewfinder with 1.44 million dot resolution as well as a 3inch tilt-angle LCD offering 460k dots. Full manual controls are also present, accessible via a dial on top of the body rather than menu-based shortcuts.

The lens' 26x optical zoom translates to a 24-624mm focal length utilising Fujinon optics. This is a touch shorter than the 24-724mm lens currently being sported by the Fujifilm HS20 and its predecessor, the HS10. Much in the same manner as Fujifilm's 30x zoom bridge camera the zoom is manually controlled rather than powered, strengthening the parallels with DSLR design.

The sensor, which is the same seen in the Fujifilm X10, offers a 12MP resolution alongside the EXR technology. The most significant element is undoubtedly the size, which is 2/3inch rather than the more commonly seen 1/2.3inch present in the majority of compacts. Although the sensor is still smaller than those seen in Compact System Cameras and DSLRs, it still sits at the top end of those seen in fixed lens cameras.

The EXR technology gives users the chance to take low light photography and images with potential issue with over-exposure with confidence that quality will not be compromised thanks to the sensors ability to combine images taken at different metering levels.

Raw shooting, a 10fps burst mode and HD movie recording is also available, as is a 1cm close focussing macro mode and various film simulation filters. The Fujifilm X-S1 will hit UK shelves in February next year, initially priced at £699. This is in excess of the X10 and a number of DSLRs and Compact System Cameras, so it'll be interesting to see if the performance matches up to the price tag.

Source: What Digital Camera

Fujifilm X-S1 Digital Camera Pictures

Also on Blogsteady