FujiFilm X-S1 Pro Reviews

The Fujifilm X-S1 is as big and as expensive as an SLR, but packs an amazing 26x zoom lens and excels at low-light shooting.

The X-S1 is a likeable camera, then, but it's a niche camera that's not quite as appealing as the X10. Where it fits very well is for those that want a long-zoom camera they can grow into, but who don't think they'll test the limits of that camera for years. Likewise, it's good for those of us who would much rather save the few hundred dollars needed for a telephoto lens, even as they refuse to give up control. Should you fit into those categories, the X-S1 is a solid choice.

With the new X-S1, Fujifilm have produced the ultimate super-zoom bridge compact camera, with a long list of desirable features, intuitive user interface and excellent image quality. The only real drawback is the price-tag, which puts the X-S1 up against mid-range DSLRs and high-end compact system cameras as well as its main superzoom rivals. Building on the success of the HS10 and HS20 EXR super-zooms, the X-S1 is an altogether more serious proposition - bigger, heavier, sporting a better electronic viewfinder and image sensor, offering faster RAW processing, start-up, shutter-lag and focusing times - it really does fix the main issues that we had with the HS20 EXR. Although the lens isn't quite as long at a "mere" 26x, the new 2/3-inch sensor results in much better performance particularly at the higher ISO speeds. We wouldn't hesitate to use the X-S1 at ISO 100-800, and even ISO 1600 and 3200 are usable for smaller prints and the web, putting the X-S1 well ahead of all other super-zoom compacts. That doesn't compare so well to similarly-priced DSLRs or compact system cameras, though, so you really need to decide if the do-it-all approach of the X-S1 makes up for the drop in image quality.

At around £600, the X-S1 is going to be quite an investment for the average person, so is it worth the money? Its features make it an extremely ideal option for someone wanting more than they get from a compact camera, but aren't interested in carrying around a number of lenses. With its zoom range of 24 - 624mm (35mm equiv.) and manual controls, it is very much like having a DSLR camera with the kind of lens range that would normally involve carrying a bag full of heavy lenses. Image quality is fantastic, with low levels of noise up to and including ISO 3200. A couple of issues include the camera struggling to focus occasionally, particularly on objects closer to it and continuous shooting mode slowing significantly after just a few frames. If you can look past these issues and have the budget available, the Fujifilm X-S1 is well worth the outlay.

The X-S1 is king of the superzooms and will see off any of the competition. Though, at £700, it’s a costly investment. But an investment is just what it feels like – this is a quality bit of engineering. But it’s not without fault. The autofocus system is good, but can leave a feeling of longing for something yet more capable – in particular at the telephoto end of the zoom range and when in continuous autofocus mode. Image quality, too, is an echo of the X10: there’s that ongoing processing issue that can cause specular highlights to morph into white orbs (whether shooting Raw or JPEG, it doesn’t matter). Otherwise we’re full of praise: image quality is impressive and beyond its competitors, though next time we’d like a full-resolution ISO 6400 setting. A decent electronic viewfinder is also something superzooms have been crying out for – and the X-S1 hits the nail on the head with its 1.44m-dot EVF. The £700 price tag will be a big ask for many, yet the sensor, viewfinder, metal parts in the build and the high-standard of optics won’t be cheap to produce. And what alternative is there? A Nikon J1 with 30-110mm or a Panasonic Lumix GF3 with 100-300mm will both cost considerably more and neither offer a viewfinder. Think of it in that perspective and the X-S1 is worth every penny for the right user.

The Fuji X-S1 is an ideal purchase for the photography nut looking for one camera that can do it all, and prepared to compromise on having image quality not quite on a par with a semi-pro DSLR that one could buy for a similar outlay. As with any superzoom, it really is about whether you need that whopper of a lens on the front. If you do, then the Fuji X-S1 is presently about the best big zoom bridge camera that's out there. Bear in mind, however, that while it looks like an SLR it has a compact camera sized sensor.

The Fuji X-S1 is intended as a premium grade superzoom bridge camera. Using the same 2/3inch sensor as the Fujifilm X10, the X-S1 is capable of producing class-leading image quality within the superzoom segment. Other highlights include the manually operated 26x optical zoom, a surprisingly usable EVF, and solid overall build quality. Overall, superzoom fans will find little to complain about here, aside from the rather high price tag. Ultimately you will get better image quality from a DSLR or compact system camera, however if your heart is set on a superzoom and you have the money to spend then this is undoubtedly the model to aspire to at present.

The X-S1 is an impressive superzoom, though it's not quite the perfect machine. It's a recommended piece of kit as there's nothing else like it out there, and it gives the superzoom market the kick it needs. But then at £700 it is expensive, the overall autofocus performance won't rival a similar-price DSLR, and the sensor can fall into difficulties when confronted with direct light sources that can generate hard-edged, circular highlights.