A world-class companion for street photography

SINGAPORE — There is nothing quite like an old-school camera — the die-cast magnesium top and base plates welded with a rugged black grip to offer a feeling of sturdiness; the precision-milled aluminium dials a show of the bare-bones mechanical operation. The Fujifilm X-T10 has all these elements of single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras, although its insides are as newfangled as a modern-day camera can get, with an operating logic that is not as straightforward as it looks.

The world, as seen through the X-T10’s viewfinder, is fully digitised, with its high-definition display of 2.36 million dots. Still, since the view is of what the camera’s eye is processing, it pales in clarity, dynamic range and instantaneity to what your eye sees.

Regardless, this camera has the makings of a world-class street photography companion. Its silent electronic shutter and compact build allows for exposures up to 1/32,000 seconds, and making it easy to shoot unobtrusively in public spaces. Also, its back panel screen is a 3-inch 920K-dot LCD monitor that can be tilted for low- or high-angle shots.

The X-T10’s APS-C 16.3-megapixel X-Trans CMOS II sensor is an upgrade of what was first introduced in the top range X-Pro1, a model that was wildly popular in photographer circles. The X-T10 is a compact camera that can shoot in RAW format (similar in image quality to a DSLR) at fast autofocusing speeds of about 0.06 seconds and an ISO ceiling of 51,200. Even at an ultra-high sensitivity of 12,800, the camera produced usable photos with low noise and strong blacks.

The Fujifilm X-T10 can satisfy both intermediate shutterbugs and professional photographers. If you care equally about looks and substance, the X-T10 is a great alternative to a bulky, entry-level DSLR. It is available in silver and black, and costs S$1,299 (body only), S$1,499 (with XC16-50mm lens), or S$1,799 (with XF18-55mm lens) at all Fujifilm authorised dealers and megastores such as Courts and Best Denki.