The X10 has an attractive, retro design that still manages to be functional.
Lori Grunin
I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.
The X10 certainly has an attractive, retro look, with a manual zoom ring on the lens and '50s-style black body.
2 of 5 Sarah Tew/CNET
Rotate on
One of the more novel aspects of the X10's operation is that you rotate the lens ring to turn on the camera.
3 of 5 Sarah Tew/CNET
Control layout
The X10's optical viewfinder is nice and large, but it's a traditional point-and-shoot OVF, not the great hybrid VF that the X100 uses. The camera operates with fairly typical menu assignments and button layout, though I'd never have guessed that the AE button was for metering and had to find it in the manual.
4 of 5 Sarah Tew/CNET
Top controls
Like the G12 and P7100, the X10 has an exposure compensation dial. The mode dial has the usual array of auto, manual and semimanual shooting modes, plus two custom settings slots; movie mode; a scene program mode with the typical set of choices; an "Advanced" shooting mode with Pro Low-Light, Pro Focus and Motion Panorama 360; and EXR resolution priority, high ISO and low noise, and D-Range priority modes. My one gripe: the function button is quite tiny.
5 of 5 Sarah Tew/CNET
Lens cap
While I generally wish somebody could come up with a non-detachable lens cover, the X10's big, snug-fitting cover is pretty good for its class.
