Fujifilm claims it’s ‘reinvented’ the bridge camera with the newest in its X line of premium snappers. The XS-1 is affixed to a Fujinon lens that opens as much as f/2.8 and stretches all of the way from 24mm to 624mm (in 35mm parlance) in an effort “cater perfectly for each photographic need” and stop you from ever craving for the flexibleness of a DSLR. It even sports an ideal Macro Mode for focusing right down to a slightly intimate single centimeter. Behind the lens sits a similar 12-megapixel EXR CMOS present in the X10 , that means you get an undersized 2/3-inch sensor rather than the very best APS-C format present in the X100 and lots of DSLRs. Read on for more specs within the press release plus a quick promo clip, and expect to look this hit British shelves in February for £699 ($1090).
24th November 2011 – The Fujifilm X series of premium cameras has a 3rd model, the X-S1, due for UK launch in February 2012. The XS-1 represents a brand new breed of bridge camera. Featuring a Fujinon 26x optical zoom lens through to the EXR sensor technology present in the X10, the X-S1 puts the photographer on top of things.
The X-S1 is the proper camera for the safari and travel photographer – offering superb image quality, extensive zoom range and superior handling.
Maximum optical versatility
The centrepiece of the X-S1 is the excellent Fujinon 26x optical zoom lens. Offering various 24-624mm (35mm equivalent) it caters perfectly for each photographic need and lines a bright f/2.8 maximum aperture on 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 tradititionally seen on older digital models As a result of the, the X-S1 offers users a major 52x zoom range of 24-1248mm (35mm equivalent).
Optically, the Fujinon lens comprises 17 glass elements, such as four aspherical elements and two ED lenses, to deliver images with superb edge-to-edge sharpness and amazing clarity. The lens’ construction may be of the best standard, featuring metal cams for smooth zoom control and fast, precise framing.
The X-S1 also is supreme to capturing subjects pack up. In standard mode, the zoom focuses right down to 30cm, but by selecting Super Macro Mode, users can focus all the way down to just 1cm for frame-filling close-up images. Furthermore, the lens’ aperture is made of nine blades for nice bokeh effect photography.
Great ends up in every picture-taking scenario
The X-S1 features the identical 2/3-inch 12 megapixel EXR CMOS sensor because the X10 which guarantees quality images whatever the lighting conditions.
The original EXR CMOS technology pioneered by Fujifilm allows the user to modify between three modes – High Resolution, Wide Dynamic Range and High Sensitivity/Low Noise – dependent on the lighting conditions – or leave the camera to make its own choice within the Auto EXR mode.
Coupled to the EXR CMOS sensor is a Fujifilm high speed EXR processor, which offers a minimal shutter lag of just 0.01sec and a high speed continuous shooting capability
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.
Easy composition and image review
The X-S1 offers a powerful combination of nice electronic viewfinder and rear LCD, with the 0.47-inch electronic viewfinder (EVF) featuring 1.44 million pixels for superb image clarity with a wide viewing area of 26 degrees to reduce eye strain.
The rear mounted prime quality, tiltable three-inch LCD screen features 460,000 pixels to make it easier for users to scroll through menus, assess exposure accuracy and examine images. The LCD also offers an invaluable Daylight mode that overcomes the issue of viewing the screen in bright conditions.
Full user control and movie taking versatility
The X-S1 offers an outstanding level of functionality whether users need to make picture taking so simple as using a compact or as involved as a completely-manual digital SLR.
For simplicity, the X-S1 will assess the topic after which select the relevant scene mode for the appropriate result, automatically switching the EXR CMOS sensor accordingly. The XS-1 could also calculate whether a picture encompasses a person, features backlighting or has any subject movement. ISO settings are treated too by the automobile ISO mode.
Photographers after full control are well catered for with the X-S1. The camera offers an entire range of conventional shooting functions (program/aperture-priority/shutter-priority/manual), plus users could 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.
Because of be launched in February 2012 within the UK, the X-S1 can have an estimated selling price of £699.
Fujifilm X-S1 key features
• Good quality Fujinon 26x optical zoom covering 24-624mm (35mm equivalent) with Intelligent Digital Zoom boosting range as much as 1248mm
• Superb build quality and finish with rubberised coating and metal dials
• 12 megapixel EXR CMOS sensor
• As much as 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 all the way down to 1cm
• Lithium battery providing as much as 500 shots per charge
• Optical image stabilisation
• 360° Motion Panorama mode
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