14 DAY TRIAL // Fujifilm’s has just announced that its X-Series of digital cameras will receive a new member in 2012, dubbed the X-S1, which according to the company represents a new breed of bridge camera with 26x optical zoom.
The Fujinon lens installed is X-S1’s most valuable asset since it offers an impressive 24-624mm range (35mm equivalent) while it can also open up to f/2.8 when used at wide-angle settings.
In addition, this even sports a Super Macro Mode that enables users to focus down to just 1cm for frame-filling close-up images.
On the inside, Fujifilm’s latest creation packs the same 12-megapixel EXR CMOS 2/3-inch sensor installed in the X10 which should deliver good image quality, although it won’t be able to match that of the APS-C sensor installed in the X100 and many DSLRs.
This sensor can also be used for capturing movies in Full HD resolution (1920x1080) with stereo sound at 30 frames-per-second.
The content captured can be then viewed on the tiltable three-inch rear LCD screen with a resolution of 460,000 pixels, which also features a special Daylight mode that automatically increases the brightness of the screen.
An electronic viewfinder (EVF) featuring 1.44 million pixels is also included for those of you who prefer to take pictures in the more traditional way.
The rest of the features list includes a full range of conventional shooting functions (program/aperture-priority/shutter-priority/manual), user adjustable color levels, RAW format shooting, an Auto ISO mode, 10 frames-per-second continuous shooting, 360° motion panorama mode and a battery providing up to 500 shots per charge.
Due to be launched in February 2012 in the UK, the X-S1 digital camera will have an estimated selling price of £699, which translates into a rather hefty 1,087 US (811.8 EUR).