Performance
These images show 72ppi (100% on a computer screen) sections of images of a resolution chart, captured with the lens set to its 100mm point. We show the section of the resolution chart where the camera starts to fail to reproduce the lines separately. The higher the number visible in these images, the better the camera’s detail resolution is at the specified sensitivity setting.
Compromises have to be made with a camera that has a compact-sized imaging sensor offering such a wide zoom range in a single lens.
The quality of detail that is captured is perhaps the most significant downside to a bridge camera, as is the case with the X-5. Given the target audience, processing power and price point of the camera, it shoots JPEG format only. In a landscape, fine detail such as grass appears either mushy or as a single green mass. There is also a softness to the edge detail of subjects in all but close range subjects in bright light.
Our resolution charts indicate that the X-5 is capable of resolving to the 24 marker at ISO 100, which is on par with the best performing bridge cameras. There is a drop in overall image quality at ISO 400, and then again at ISO 1600 and each ISO rating after that. Detail is soft at best, but this is even more noticeable down the ISO range.
As with most cameras at this level, the evaluative metering of the X-5 produces print-ready images. Midtones are bright and punchy, but in scenes of high contrast the highlight detail is usually lost. This suggests the camera has a modest dynamic range. In bright conditions, it is best to use manual exposure with around 0.7EV reduction dialled in, which is indicated on the screen.
Compact cameras tend to produce ‘less-believable’ colours than cameras with larger imaging sensors. This is the case with the X-5, especially when using the landscape scene mode, where colours are overly saturated. Overall, the auto white balance is a little cool for my liking, but a custom white balance addresses this.
For everyday use, the autofocus of the X-5 is perfectly capable, without being outstanding. The standard focus mode uses 25 centrally placed AF points, which are individually selectable in spot AF. Manual-focus operation is intuitive and covers from infinity to 1cm macro.
Image: The AWB setting produces a cool colour rendition in this scene, which was shot on a bright day with light cloud cover. The detail in the sky has burnt out quickly, and the edge detail of the building and branches against the sky suffers from chromatic aberrations
