As mentioned previously the X10 uses an all-new 2/3inch EXR CMOS sensor that delivers an effective resolution of 12MP, and which is backside-illuminated for better low-light performance.

Find out if it can deliver the goods in our in-depth Fujifilm FinePix X10 review, complete with full-size sample JPEG and raw images, videos and more... The Fujifilm Finepix X10 is an advanced compact camera that offers a retro design, 12 megapixel 2/3-inch EXR CMOS sensor, a 4x, 28-112mm, f/2.0-2.8 zoom lens with a manual zoom ring, optical viewfinder, 1080p movie recording, 7fps burst shooting and a 2.8-inch LCD monitor with a resolution of 460,000 dots.

Due to the unique design of the X10's EXR sensor, however, we're also providing access to the 6MP resolution images in both Raw and JPEG mode.

The X10's 28-112mm (equivalent) zoom lens is reasonably versatile and impressively fast, maintaining a respectably wide maximum aperture even at its maximum telephoto setting.

This camera has the retro looks, classic dials (fast access) and fun to shoot with; size is just right and feels good b/c that magnesium alloy body material; I like the Fujinon lens to be honest, Nikkor, Fujinon and Leica are my favorites; I like X10's bright and fast lens f2.0-f2.8(telephoto) makes it real good for low light shooting.

While F2.8 on the X10's lens is clearly not equivalent to F2.8 on a full-frame camera in depth-of-field terms, when set to an equivalent focal length equivalent and maximum aperture the X10 can deliver a very similar background blur to an APS-C DSLR with kit zoom.

One thing that helps immeasurably in low light is the X10's bright AF illuminator.

The Fujifilm FinePix X10's Pro Focus scene mode creates images with a shallow depth of field, with the camera taking a rapid series of exposures at different focal points and aligning them to produce a single frame showing a sharply focused subject against a soft, out-of-focus background.

Despite its reasonably fast capture modes, the X10 is unsuitable for shooting sports or action though, largely due to its lack of a true (predictive) focus tracking AF system, but also because of its live view behaviour in continuous shooting modes (more information follows below).

Some photographers may balk at voluntarily reducing the X10's output resolution from 12MP to 6MP but in our opinion it's worth it because 'DR' mode is very useful, and arguably the most valuable of the three EXR settings.

This strongly suggests that the unique EXR sensor data is not being demosaiced for optimal results by either of the raw converters, both of which officially support the X10.

As with all Fuji EXR sensors, the chip inside the X10 employs a unique pixel arrangement that allows neighbouring pixels to be combined when necessary to increase sensitivity in low-light conditions, but which can also act independently to deliver maximum resolution.

What i like on Fuji over Leica - build quality and finish is better on Fuji, viewfinder is great addition, for me size is better on Fuji ( never carried my Leica in my pockets) DOF - well, I like it more on X10 and pictures look phenomenal on both cams giving slight edge to Fuji which photos look more like from film times.

Optical viewfinders are something of a dying breed amongst modern cameras, so it's very refreshing to see X10 feature one, offering 85% scene coverage, diopter control, a bright display and zooming in and out as the focal length is changed.

The back of the X10 is adorned with a 2.8inch, 460k-dot TFT LCD monitor that offers 100% coverage and good viewing angles.