Fujifilm X100 12.3 MP APS-C CMOS EXR Digital Camera with 23mm Fujinon Lens and 2.8-Inch LCD

The weight and complexity of too much gear was weighing me down. I needed relief. This camera came to the rescue. It is light, compact, and keeps a very low profile. The online reviews are confirmed. The AF is not speedy and the menu organization was done and implemented on a napkin at a football game after too many beers! and... I dont care. The images rock. Its easy to use. And I have it with me instead of in my car or backpack. There is only one lens so I used my feet to zoom. I havent decided what I think about the electronic viewfinder- it works. The optical finder is BRIGHT. The downside- -expensive -slow AF -slow turn-on -slow shot to shot -get and carry one or two spare batteries..... The good- -love the viewfinders -light -stealthy -great images Overall- I Recommend you forget all the gear, buy this, and go shoot............ I did and I have newfound inspiration! ENJOY!

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Ive always wanted a camera that I can carry with me everyday wherever I go. I have an SLR camera, but the size & weight are not always convenient to carry everywhere. For convenience, I started carrying the Canon PowerShot G9, which gave me great results. However, the G9s small sensor wasnt good enough for the information I wanted to capture; The FUJIFILM FinePix X100 was exactly what I needed with its compact size & larger sensor. Sensor & lens (+): The APS-C sensor, which is (almost) the same size as the Nikon DX sensor, giving a crop factor of x1.5.. The X100 has a fixed 23mm f/2.0 lens, with the crop factor it becomes equivalent to 35mm. Perfect for most of your everyday compositions, especially if youre a fan of shallow depth of field like me :) Noise (+): My old SLR can go to a maximum of ISO-1600, which isnt very convenient in low light conditions. The X100 supports ISO from 200-6400 in RAW format, and can be boosted to 12800 in JPEG format.. But Im sure those who like the RAW format, wont even consider JPEG.. Regardless of your choice, the noise reduction technology is absolutely wonderful (posted some samples with this review). Focus (-): You can set auto-focus in different ways: have the camera choose the focus point for you (almost always fails), or you set the focus point & compose accordingly (almost always succeeds, especially when you make the focus point as small as possible).. The X100 also has manual focus, but I hate (really hate) electric focus. Viewfinder (+): You can hold your camera in front of you & use the large LCD to compose & capture the image (EVF), or peep into the eye viewfinder for the old fashioned optical viewfinder (OVF) which you can also switch to the electronic viewfinder & see the same information as the LCD display (EVF).. The beauty of the (EVF) is it allows you to see the depth of field, EV compensation, and any film effect youre applying (B&W, B&W+filters, Velvia, Provia, Astia, or Sepia). Film Simulation (+): The simulations are B&W, B&W+filters, Velvia, Provia, Astia, or Sepia.. FUJIFILM really did a good job in these simulations, Im 99% on B&W (monochrome) and switch to Velvia every now and then. Film Simulation is only applied on JPEG, thats why Im shooting RAW+JPEG. But the simulation is so good, I didnt need to use the RAW files for B&W conversion. Motion Panorama (+): Im used to creating panorama by taking several shots & stitching them later in post processing on a computer. The X100 allows you to make a motion panorama, just pan the camera (120º or 180º) and it takes the needed frames & stitch them for you. The result is a JPEG panorama in the Film Simulation of your choice. Battery life (-): The camera ships with a battery that lasts around 300 shots, which isnt enough.. All I can say is, order an additional battery when ordering the camera. I ordered 2 OEM batteries, they cost roughly 20% of the original battery. Enjoy the camera & happy photography :)

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Im a professional photographer, for work I use Nikon D3x or a Hasselblad H with a digital back (rental) I bought this to have a nice walk around camera. For that its perfect. The view finder is AMAZING! I have nothing bad to say about it The focus can be slow and I dont like how you have to use the digital view finder to focus on close things, Id rather take my chance with parallax error and guess. The menus are odd, but easy to get to know after a few minutes. I love how it looks. I got the black version but I have friends that have the silver one and I love the classic look of the camera. With the leather case every one would think you had an old fashion 35mm range finder camera. The battery life is ok. They last me about 100 shots. The flash really drains them fast. So I would recommend a spare I dont think there is a better camera on the market at this price.

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Just opened up the box like 30 minutes ago. First impression, very easy to use. Makes me happy when I hold it in my hands. Its slightly smaller and lighter than the Nikon FE. Design wise, its sweet. I am pretty happy with low light pics up to 2500 iso at F2. Tried to manual focus, but, when using the focus ring, nothing happens at first. Switched on the EVF, then you can see the manual focusing working. Forgot its not a SLR, so you have to use EVF when manual focusing. Also, manual focusing is a pain on the X100. You turn and turn the dial, and the focus field changes either very slowly or very abruptly. The manual focusing is not mechanical like on a SLR lens body but is electronic. I wouldnt the camera in manual focus mode unless I have to. Shutter speed is on a dial and is self pretty explanatory. I think my Nikon D90 has more speeds though. Aperture dial is on the lens. Its easy to turn as long as you are using the knurled protruding portion. ISO is pre-programmed on the function button. Just press the function button and use the arrow button to go up or down on the menu screen or in the EVF. One dislike is the positioning of the battery and SD card door. Its right next to the hole where you screw in the tripod head release plate. So, each time I need to access that door, I need to remove the release plate. Another dislike is I tried to plug in a mini USB to try to access the card without accessing the battery door. I couldnt plug the minu USB cord in. The input connection is slightly smaller. Stupid USB port is proprietary. Maybe there is an ultra mini USB connection standard that I dont know about? I have the Fuji MX700. Its an ancient model from like 1996 if I remember correctly. I havent used it in quite awhile, but I remember the menu and general GUI to be very similar to the Fuji X100. My camera came with the latest 1.11 firmware installed. 12/29/2011 Update: Ive purchased a few accessories for the X100. First, I received Gariz half case. Second, I received a 49mm B+W circular polarizer filter as well as Rainbow Imagings filter adapter and hood. The Gariz case has a bottom plate that works as an adapter. It screws into the X100s bottom and has another tripod screw-in about 1" away from the battery door. So, now I can access the battery door without removing the quick release plate. And, I find the X100s color to be a bit flat. The circular polarizer solves this problem. Images with the filter on are a tad cooler but colors are much more lively and details are a bit more distinct. Been using the X100 with Manfrotto 484 tripod head w/ release plate, 680B monopod and 678 monopod folding base. The monopod with folding base is great for long exposure shots especially with the X100 since it is not nearly as heavy as a DSLR. Portability is awesome compared to DSLR plus full tripod.

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First of all, this camera is not for amateurs. If you are looking for everything-automatic-point-and-shoot-but-I-want-to-look-cool-adjusting-a-little-focus, then look elsewhere. Another thing is, it takes some time to learn the little quirks that the camera has. But, make sure you have the latest firmware version. At the time of writing this review, it is 1.30. You can check it here: [...] To be honest, this is the first camera that I had to break out the manual. There are tricks like the ND-filter; this comes in handy when shooting in bright daylight with F2. You can read Steve Huffs and Ken Rockwells blogs for tips and tricks. But if you can get over the quirks... this is an amazing camera! Beautiful colors and performs very well in low-lighting. If you are looking for something lighter than carrying your standard DSLR, this is perfect.

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