ISO and White Balance performance
How does the X-S1 perform in terms of
noise and white balance?
ISO
and White Balance performance
The X-S1 uses different processing
techniques depending on the selected shooting modes and file options.
Evaluating noise at full resolution means avoiding the EXR processing routine,
resulting in lower-resolution files. If using the RAW file option as well, sensitivity
is curbed to a maximum of ISO3200 so our results are limited to that.
In terms of noise, in-camera JPEGs are
clean up to ISO1600. RAW files show some chroma noise at ISO800 when converted
using the default settings in the supplied Silkypix RAW File Converter. Another
issue is that JPEG files don’t sharpen well in Adobe ACR or lightroom.
With White Balance, the X-S1 produces
pleasing results when set to AWB, but colour inaccuracies were noticed under
incandescent and low natural light. This is irrelevant when using RAW but can
be troublesome when shooting JPEGs but the X-S1 has options available to deal
with it.
Test shot in detail: Look at one of our
test shots with a critical eye
Test
shot in detail
Highlights:
The highlights are blown in the brightest areas
Long exposure: The X-S1’s manual modes let you to get creative with slower shutter
speeds
Noise: There
is no noticeable noise creeping into the shot, which is pleasing
Finer detail: Even in low light there is plenty of texture and form in the details
White Balance: Auto WB gives realistic results straight out of the camera
Contenders
Canon PowerShot SX40 HS
Price: $690
Web: www.canon.co
Tel: 01737
220000
Canon
PowerShot SX40 HS
Housed in a curvaceous body sits a similar
12MP resolution type back-illuminated CMOS chip and 35x optical zoom, but it’s
a smaller 1/2.3in (6.1x4.6mm) type sensor, which explains the lower price
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX150
Price: $705
Web: www.panasonic.co
Tel: 0844
844 3899
Panasonic’s DMC-FZ150 rivals the Canon
rather than the Fuji by virtue of the less costly 1/2.3inch sensor but it too
boasts a high-ratio image stabilised optical zoom (24x) and Full HD video.
Verdict
Features: 9/10
The camera is full of essential features
for the enthusiast, and is mostly efficient and easy to use
Build quality: 7/10
There’s no faulting the body’s build at
this level, but the metal-barrelled lens has more movement than we would like
to see at this price
Handling: 7/10
Some of the settings can be difficult to
find, but the camera’s ergonomics and balance are very good
Quality of results: 7/10
The EXR sensor does have benefits,
especially for automatic captures and it’s capable of great results
Value for money: 6/10
This is something of a unique offering and
it’s priced that way, but the X-S1 isn’t without a few flaws
Score: 7/10
Although hugely versatile and easy to use,
the mixed performance means the X-S1 doesn’t quite fulfill its potential. It’s
pricey too
