Fujifilm X-T10 review

Image quality

Fujifilm’s attention is clearly on still image quality, and the X-T10 lived up to the high standards I’ve come to expect from the range. Colours were rich and vibrant, details were precise and highlights were expertly controlled by the automatic dynamic range processing. The star of the show was the low noise at fast ISO speeds. ISO 1600 shots barely showed any hint of noise or noise reduction artefacts, and images remained good enough to print at ISO 6400. Even at ISO 12800, noise had a uniform grain rather than messy splodges that most digital cameras suffer. Other sensors offer higher resolutions but 16 megapixels is more than enough for most purposes. Along with its siblings, the X-T10 offers the best image quality I’ve seen this side of full-frame cameras.

Fujifilm also sent us two of its latest lenses to test with – a 16mm f/1.4 and a 90mm f/2. These raised image quality even higher, and served to demonstrate how Fujifilm’s expertise isn’t just in camera bodies. The choice of lens has a far bigger influence over image quality than the body, and you’re much better off with an X-T10 and one of these lenses than an X-T1 and a basic kit lens.

^ Focus is pin-sharp in this wide-angle shot, and fine details have been handled superbly. (1/350s, f/11, ISO 400, 24mm equivalent)

^ I like the lush colours here but there’s a bit of blooming around the white petals. I’d put this down to the kit lens rather than the sensor. (1/100s, f/4.5, ISO 200, 42mm equivalent)

^ Fujifilm’s dynamic range processing effectively uses a variable ISO speed across the frame, reining in highlights to avoid clipping. (1/180s, f/5.6, ISO 400, 135mm equivalent)

^ There’s barely any evidence of noise in this ISO 1250 shot, and still lots of detail in the foliage and subjects’ hair. (1/125s, f/3.5, ISO 1250, 24mm equivalent)

^ Noise is far from intrusive at ISO 2000. There’s a slight smudging of hair texture but it’s much better than rival CSCs at this price. (1/60s, f/5.3, ISO 2000, 56mm equivalent)

^ Even ISO 5000 shots are good enough to print at modest sizes. (1/60s, f/5.6, ISO 5000, 75mm equivalent)

^ Fujifilm’s prime lenses, such as the 90mm f/2 I used for this shot, are an important part of the system’s appeal. (1/105s, f/2, ISO 200, 135mm equivalent)

Conclusion

The X-T10 isn’t perfect but its minor weaknesses become easy to forgive when you consider the price. This camera is a worthy successor to the X-E2, which cost £800 body-only at launch. The exposure dials will delight keen photographers, and so too will the sensor’s exceptional image quality. The quality of Fuji’s X Mount lenses add to its appeal, with 10 wide-aperture prime lenses available from 14mm to 90mm. There’s also a superb alternative to the 16-50mm kit lens – the 18-55mm f/2.8-4 kit pushes the price up to £800, but with twice the light-gathering ability of the 16-50mm, it’s worth paying the extra for.

There’s no serious telephoto lens in the range. Fujifilm’s website states this is coming soon, but regardless, the disappointing RAW performance means this isn’t the ideal camera for sports and wildlife photography. However, for portraits, landscapes and street photography, this is the camera to buy.