Rahul Sharma (Editor)

Fujifilm X100

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Maker
  
Fujifilm

Maximum resolution
  
12.3 megapixels

Lens
  
23 mm f/2

Fujifilm X100

Type
  
Fixed lens digital camera

Image sensor type
  
CMOS with primary colour filter

Image sensor size
  
23.6 mm × 15.8 mm (APS-C)

The Fujifilm X100 series of digital cameras, the FinePix X100, X100S, X100T and X100F, are large sensor compact cameras with a 23 mm fixed prime lens (35 mm equivalent angle of view (AOV) in 35 mm full frame format). All four cameras have received generally positive reviews.

Contents

Fujifilm FinePix X100

The Fujifilm FinePix X100 was initially shown at the photokina show in September 2010 and was subsequently introduced in February 2011. It was the first model in the Fujifilm X-series of cameras and has since been joined by numerous models. It is superseded by the Fujifilm X100S.

Key features

  • 12.3 MP, APS-C sized CMOS sensor
  • Hybrid optical/electric viewfinder
  • 23 mm (35 mm equivalent angle of view (AOV) in 35 mm full frame format) fixed prime lens
  • Classic styling

    • Innovation

    The FinePix X100 was the first camera to show a number of new technologies developed by Fujifilm. These include a hybrid viewfinder which allows the user to choose between a conventional optical viewfinder with an electronic overlay, or an electronic viewfinder. The combination of APS-C sized CMOS sensor, EXR processor and 23mm (35 mm equivalent) fast aperture lens was also a first.

    Reception

    The X100 received generally favourable reviews and a number of awards. These include Innovative Camera of the Year from Ephotozine and Best Premium Camera in the 2011 TIPA awards. In most cases, the prizes were awarded for the combination of technology and picture quality, but the X100 has also received plaudits for its design outside the photography market, coming top of Stuff magazine's Cool List for 2011 and in October 2012 receiving Good Design Award from Good Design Award (Japan). Digital Photography Review gave it a score of 75% and a silver award, noting that it "combines excellent image quality, solid build and a superb viewfinder with somewhat sluggish and quirky operation", adding that "It's been much improved by multiple firmware updates since its initial incarnation, and despite its flaws, is now a very likeable camera indeed.".

    Issues

    Some X100 cameras have reportedly suffered from 'sticky aperture disease' where the aperture blades lock up, leading to overexposure. Fujifilm has acknowledged this issue and will fix it under warranty.

    On initial release the X100 was widely reported to have various issues. Many, but not all, of these issues were fixed through a series of firmware updates made available by Fujifilm.

    Fujifilm X100S

    The Fujifilm X100S is the successor to the Fujifilm FinePix X100. Announced in January 2013, it is a model similar to the X100 yet addressing some of the issues that the X100 had, and resembles it superficially, but with internal changes. It has been compared with the Leica M series.

    It was replaced in September 2014 with the Fujifilm X100T.

    Differences from the X100

  • 16.3 MP Fujifilm X-Trans CMOS II sensor instead of 12.3 MP CMOS sensor with primary colour filter
  • Redesign of menus
  • Quick Menu (Q) button
  • Uses X-Trans color filter pattern (taken from the X-E1 and X-Pro1), instead of Bayer pattern
  • No optical low pass filter (OLPF), to give sharper images
  • Phase detection within the X-Trans CMOS II sensor increasing autofocus speed to 0.08 s in good light
  • The faster the focus ring is rotated, the quicker the focus is adjusted
  • Focus mode switch options have been reorganised such that the most commonly used functions (Autofocus Single and Manual Focus) surround the least used function (Autofocus Continuous) for more efficient operation
  • Hybrid viewfinder switch has been altered in shape to allow for easier one-handed operation
  • Autofocus point selection has been altered to allow one button default access

    • Reception

    The X100S received generally positive reviews:

  • Digital Photography Review gave it a score of 81% and a gold award, describing it as a "hugely likable, very capable camera with some useful tricks up its sleeve".
  • Photography Life gave it 4.6 stars out of 5, describing it as "an amazing camera".

    • Fujifilm X100T

    The Fujifilm X100T was announced by Fujifilm on September 10, 2014. It is the successor to the X100S. It is visually very similar to the X100S, and shares many of its core specifications (including its lens and sensor), but features numerous iterative refinements and enhancements.

    It was replaced in January 2017 with the Fujifilm X100F.

    Differences from the X100S

  • Advanced hybrid viewfinder, with electronic rangefinder
  • Real-time parallax correction in optical viewfinder
  • ±3EV exposure compensation
  • optional electronic shutter (allowing silent operation and a shutter speed of 1/32000 of a second)
  • 3.0-inch, 1040K-dot LCD screen
  • "Classic Chrome" film simulation mode
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

    • Reception

    The X100T has received generally positive reviews:

  • Digital Photography Review gave it a score of 81%, criticising its autofocus and video capabilities but noting "there's currently nothing to touch it in terms of the size/price/image quality balance it offers and the style with which it does so".
  • Pocket-Lint.com gave it 4 stars out of 5, describing it as "a special little camera"

    • Fujifilm X100F

    The Fujifilm X100F, announced on January 19, 2017 is the successor to the X100T. It features a number of improvements and refinements over the previous model, many of which were first introduced with the Fujifilm X-Pro2. The X100F was released on February 23, 2017.

  • A third-generation 24.3 MP X-Trans CMOS III sensor
  • X-Processor Pro image processor
  • A new button layout with a joystick autofocus control (similar to X-Pro2 and X-T2), making it easier to select AF points
  • Built-In ISO dial
  • An improved 91-point autofocus system
  • Improved sensitivity (ISO 200–12800, expandable to ISO 100–51200)
  • Viewfinder has 6x magnification
  • Acros film simulation
  • 60 fps EVF refresh rate

    • Accessories

    Due to their similarities the different X100 cameras accept many of the same accessories.

    Conversion lenses

  • Wide Conversion Lens WCL-X100 - gives a magnification factor to the 23 mm fixed lens of 0.8×, providing a focal length of 19 mm (28 mm equivalent angle of view (AOV)
  • Tele Conversion Lens TCL-X100 - multiplies the 23 mm fixed lens by approximately 1.4×, providing an equivalent focal length of 33 mm (50 mm equivalent angle of view)

    • Flashguns

  • Fujifilm EF-20
  • Fujifilm EF-X20
  • Fujifilm EF-42

    • References

    Fujifilm X100 Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA