Fujifilm X-S1 Samples

Given that the Fuji X-S1 can easily be mistaken in appearance for a digital SLR, this comparison is provided to show that the image quality of even the best ultra-zoom cannot be mistaken for that of a modern DSLR. On the left we have 100% crops from the X-S1 next to crops of at the same ISO for the Pentax K-5
Pentax K-5.

The X-S1 uses a 1/2" sensor compared to the APS-C one on the K-5. Accounting for 25% more resolution on the DSLR, it comes down to pixels which are 5 times larger than on the ultra-zoom. This translates into a five stop image quality lead at the base ISO which narrows down to 2½ stops at ISO 3200, the last full-resolution sensitivity of the X-S1. This is obviously an excellent acheivement for the X-S1 but shows that when it comes down to low image noise, larger sensors are better. Of course, the smaller sensor allows the Fuji to pack a huge 26X optical zoom lens, unmatched by any DSLR lens in terms of range, size, weight and versatility.

Fuji X-S1	Pentax K-5
ISO 100	ISO 100
ISO 200	ISO 200
ISO 400	ISO 400
ISO 800	ISO 800
ISO 1600	ISO 1600
ISO 3200	ISO 3200
ISO 6400	ISO 6400
ISO 12800	ISO 12800
	ISO 25600
	ISO 51200