Fujifilm has introduced a second model to its X series of "premium compact" cameras, this time featuring a 4x zoom lens.

The first in the range, the X100, was perhaps the year's most hotly anticipated camera, focusing on uncompromising picture quality with its fixed 23mm f/2 Fujinon lens and matching sensor combined with an optical viewfinder and retro styling reminiscent of celebrated analogue compacts of old.

The new addition, the X10, has similar high-spec attributes, save for its f/2.0 wide-angle and f/2.8 telephoto Fujinon 4x manual zoom lens, equivalent to 28-112mm in 35mm format, which, says Fujifilm, is "characterised by its brightness and superb picture quality right up to the edge of an image". It can focus down to 1cm, and has a seven-blade aperture designed to deliver a quality bokeh effect in telephoto mode.

The image-stabilised lens - made up of 11 glass lens elements in nine groups, including three aspherical glass lens elements and two extra-low dispersion lens elements - has been given a newly-developed "high-definition Super Electron Beam Coating", said to deliver "superb clarity over the whole of the image".

It's matched with a new 2/3-inch CMOS sensor delivering a resolution of 12 megapixels and using Fujifilm's EXR pixel arrangement, which allows users to switch to a high sensitivity/low noise mode (SN), or wide dynamic range (DR) mode, both dropping down to six megapixels in the process. The EXR processor enables continuous shooting at up to 7fps at the full 12 megapixel resolution (L size), and 10fps at the reduced resolution M size.

In addition, the camera has a proper optical zoom viewfinder with a wide viewing angle (instead of the X100's hybrid finder), shutter-release time lag of approx. 0.01 seconds, a 49-point matrix contrast autofocus, ISO range of 100 to 12,800, film simulation modes referencing the maker's analogue heritage (including a monochrome mode that can be fine-tuned with R / Ye / G filter settings), and is made from a lightweight yet sturdy die-cast magnesium alloy.

Accessories include a metal lens hood with adapter ring, leather case, a leather case, and the camera is compatible with Fujifilm's EF-20 (Guide No. 20) and EF-42 (Guide No. 42) flash guns.

It will go on sale at the end of the month. Pricing has yet to be announced.