We’re going to review the Fujifilm X-S10 camera and compare it to the Fujifilm X-T30ii. This will be a real world review. The Fujifilm X-S10 is a little bit of a hybrid camera, it’s great for video and has an amazing 26.1 mp Fujifilm X-trans sensor. The camera boasts many of the features from the higher end Fujifilm models, such as IBIS (image stabilisation) and the best autofocus Fujifilm currently have on offer.
This camera has had a polarising effect among Fujifilm followers as it’s styling looks very similar to other brands like Sony, and not a traditional Fujifilm design. It has a PASM dial (Program/Aperture/Shutter/Manual) to make it easier for changing modes. However, this is something of a shift by Fujifilm as they have been known for having separate dials on top of the camera for the exposure triangle (aperture/ISO/shutter speed).
Before we get into the Fujifilm X-S10 review – thank you so much for all the questions that you’ve been sending me. There are so many questions and I love receiving them. Those of you who are new to my channel, I do these Q&A’s because i get so many questions from you on my YouTube channel and my Patreon channel – it’s very easy with the Patreon channel because actually people who are on there have got direct access to me. That’s the beauty of Patreon. It’s like texting me, so i get lots of messages from my Patreon followers and that’s brilliant, so click on the link and come and join me on Patreon because it’s a really good way to ask me questions. Here’s the link to my Patreon channel.
Ok, first question – it says you’re looking at getting a camera for travel, family and some portrait photography, and have been debating if you really need image stabilization (ibis) or not. Also, you would like to be able to hand over the camera to your wife for auto mode shots, as she’s not very familiar with photography. You’ve been thinking that the size of the Fujifilm X-T30ii or the Fujifilm X-S10 would make sense for you, or perhaps a Sony camera. What do I recommend?
Ok, so I had the Sony a6400 for about a year and to be honest I found it a little soulless. It’s a great little camera, with some good specs, but it didn’t do anything that made me want to keep it. I just didn’t love it. Styling was very bland in my opinion. I also had the Fujifilm XT30ii for a few months and i’ve got some reviews on that on my YouTube channel. I loved that camera. i really really loved that camera. Of the three options, that would be my favourite as it has so much going for it with an x-trans 4 sensor, small form factor and 4K video. It also has a lovely, bright EVF (electronic view finder). I found it very easy to shoot with so that would be my favourite.
In fact, I was looking between the X-H1 and the X-S10 and I actually spent a long time debating between those two cameras. In the end i decided that the X-S10 was just a little bit too much like a DSLR for me, but it’s got some fantastic features. In many ways, the Fujifilm X-S10 is a mini Fujifilm X-T4, as many of the features found in the flagship model are also in the X-S10, most notably IBIS.
If the retro styling isn’t something you care much about, then get the Fujifilm X-S10 because you’ve got image stabilisation in there. For every kind of photography, IBIS is such a helpful thing to have. It will prevent your shaky hands from having a negative effect on the photo, which can make a big difference when shooting in low light.
As much of a help IBIS is, it won’t stop the blur from your subject moving, but it will stop blur from your own handshakes and also will enable you to get down to some lower shutter speeds and maybe be a bit creative. If it was me buying just for portraits, it would be between the two Fujifilm cameras.
As much as I prefer the look of the Fujifilm X-T30ii, the features of the Fujifilm X-S10 are much richer, so you would be getting much more for your money. Both cameras have Fujifilm’s latest autofocus technology, which isn’t as accurate as the Sony system in my opinion, but nevertheless is still acceptable. If you were wanting to track fast moving subjects, such as cars or animals then I’d recommend something like the Fujifilm X-T4 or the Fujifilm X-H1, or even on of the latest Sony cameras. But, for those cameras the price is much higher.
The choice really comes down to how important the Fujifilm retro styling is for you, and whether you want to do much video with your camera. If you’re happy to let go of that side of things, then the Fujifilm X-S10 makes sense. It has a larger grip, which makes filming very easy is really tailored towards a video centric photographer.
Both cameras have the same sensor (x-trans 4), which is the same as the Fujifilm X-T4, which is recognised as being one of the best APSC sensor cameras on the market today. Both cameras have one memory card slot, which doesn’t matter if you buy a large memory card and regularly back up your images and video files.
The Fujifilm X-S10 is bigger than the Fujifilm X-T30ii, so if you want to put the camera in your pocket then the X-T30ii would make more sense.
Ultimately, the IBIS and PASM dial on the X-S10 make the camera well suited for video, and so if that’s something that interests you, it would make the X-S10 a better choice. The Fujifilm X-T30ii is very much a travel camera aimed at someone who mainly takes photos, but would also like the occasional video option if the situation arose. The X-S10 feels like it’s aimed at a semi professional photographer, who also shoots a lot of video. It would also make sense to buy as a second camera, if you already have the Fujifilm X-T4. It would be a good back up, or B-roll camera.
The Fujifilm X-t30ii is beautiful. It’a joy to hold and fits easily into your pocket or bag. You could carry it around all day on your holiday and never feel like it’s in the way. Fujifilm are renowned for their film simulations, which emulate older Fujifilm colours from their film stock, and both cameras have these readily available within the menu systems.
