Fujifilm FinePix X-S1 adds 26x zoom to X10 and X100 series (CES 2012)
Along with a whopping 18 other digital camera announcements, Fujifilm has begun the Pre-CES blitz by adding a high-end 26x megazoom camera to its much-buzzed-about X series, which includes the Fujifilm FinePix X100 and X10. Though the new X-S1 doesn't have the same retro hipster design appeal as the X100 and X10, it does share the X10's 12-megapixel, 2/3-inch EXR CMOS sensor, which is significantly larger than any other megazoom currently on the market (including the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150/Leica V-Lux 3).
It's not the first Fujifilm megazoom to sport such a large sensor, though: The well-regarded Fujifilm FinePix S100fs from 2008 also had a 2/3-inch sensor (though it was an 11-megapixel CCD), but it was eventually replaced by the FujfilmFinePix S200EXR, which dropped the sensor down to a 12-megapixel 1/1.6-inch Super CCD EXR.
With the X-S1, though, Fujifilm is trying to capitalize on some X-factor allure by associating it with the X100 and X10, and has added a pricetag to match: At $799.95, it's the highest-priced megazoom out there and significantly higher in price than the earlier large-sensor megazooms from Fujifilm. For that hefty price, you'll get a wide-angle 26x manual zoom lens (24-624mm equivalent, f/2.8-5.6); super macro capabilities (focus as close as 1cm); 7fps burst-mode shooting (10fps at 6 megapixel resolution); 0.01-second shutter lag; a 0.47-inch, 1.4 million-dot EVF; a 3-inch, 460,000-dot tilting LCD; a heads-up sensor to automatically switch between the EVF and LCD, and more. You'll also get a pretty hefty camera--the X-S1 weighs in at a beefy 33.3 oz and measures 5.3x4.2x5.9 inches. Compare that to a Canon EOS Rebel T3i, which weighs in at about 25.7 ounces with the 18-55mm kit lens and measures about 5.2x3.9x3.1 inches sans lens, and you'll get an idea of what kind of heft we're talking about. Still, you do get the flexibility of a 24-624mm zoom, and while there are other 26x and longer megazooms, none will likely match the image quality.
Other key features include:
- 1080p HD video recording at 30fps
- High-speed video recording (320fps) for slow-motion playback
- Full manual controls
- Four auto bracketing options
- Eight Film Simulation and white balance functions
- Raw and Raw plus JPEG file shooting
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Mini-HDMI output
- Motion Panorama 360°
- Lithium Ion rechargeable battery providing up to 500 shots per charge
The Fujifilm FinePix X-S1 ship this month with a retail price of $799.95.
Related stories on ZDNet:
- The new Fujifilm FinePix X10: An X100 for the rest of us?
- Fujifilm announces March ship date for FinePix X100 high-end compact camera
- Leica announces new V-Lux 3 24x megazoom camera
- CES: Fujifilm announces 2011 lineup with eight megazoom cameras
- CES: A recap of all the 2011 digital camera announcements
- Fujifilm announces two hot megazooms: 10x ultracompact and top-of-the-line shooter
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