The Fujifilm Finepix X100 camera

There doesn't seem to be any forum section properly embracing a camera of this type, so I posted this note here.

I didn't pay much attention to the Fujifilm Finepix X100 when it was first "pre-announced" at Photokina 2010, but a recent update caught my attention.

Here is Fuji's special Web site for this machine:

http://www.finepix-x100.com/x100

The camera has a CMOS sensor said to be "APS-C" size - I don't have the actual dimensions. The basic aspect ratio appears to be 3:2. The native image size is 12.3 Mpx.

The lens is non-interchangeable, fixed focal length, 23 mm, for a full-frame 35-mm equivalent focal length of perhaps about 37 mm.

The viewfinder offers two modes. The first is direct optical (0.5x), of the "bright frame" design, but with much information overlaid (including a frame indicator with parallax compensation). In this mode, there is considerable scene "outside the frame" visible.

The second mode is "electronic viewfinder (EVF), an in-your-eye Live View (always a favorite of the Fuji folk), at 1.44 Mdots.

There is also a 2.8" back panel monitor screen (460 kdots, not too fabulous resolution-wise).

The overall style is evocative of classical rangefinder 35-mm cameras.

Fuji pointedly reminds us that "this is not a rangefinder camera".

An interesting feature is a dedicated button to switch to raw output mode.

The camera is said to be "scheduled for release early next year" (2011).

Pretty exciting.

Best regards,

Doug

Have you got any idea of the price? I am not a specialist but it looks like hunting on Olympus PEN tracks. Anyway it looks like a nice camera just by the look (I love the leather case). The non interchangeable lens is a bit disappointing...

Over at RFF there's a few going gaga over this. The latest release also says the af will be very fast and that shutter lag will be 001 seconds. I'm guessing the latter is after it focuses and that it might have an electronic shutter too.

Looks like a very nice pocket camera if it lives up to the hype.

Mike

Well, it's exciting news. This is the 2cd APS-C sized sensor camera that I have got interested in. The first, the Ricoh GXR is pretty marvelous: silent, focuses tack sharp and has an f2.8 macro lens and excellent imaging even at ISO 800.

This new Fuji camera has a faster aperture of f2.0 and a focal length of 23mm! I'd like one for sure!

I'd still recommend a serious look at the GXR. The 50 mmm lens CMOS unit and the base control body is $946.58 at Adorama

Small, available now and the clearest small picture taker, (that doesn't have a mirror), I know!

Still, the focal length of 23mm in the Fuji will prove very useful for team sports, landscapes and scouting for shoots!

Asher

Sandrine Bascouert said:

Have you got any idea of the price? I am not a specialist but it looks like hunting on Olympus PEN tracks. Anyway it looks like a nice camera just by the look (I love the leather case). The non interchangeable lens is a bit disappointing...

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Sandrine,

the original release suggested $1,000, but this is now to be confirmed.

The lack of interchangeable lens allows the offset microlenses on the sensor to be optimised for the lens and less compromised. Also fits japanese camera culture.

Fuji have obviously been listening to forum buzz, which i think is a positive in their favour.

Mike

from my 12mp(!!) phone...

Very interested in the v2 of this with the 50mm equivelent lens, just hope it will happen!

I don't get a lot of the companies nowadays, they make primes with 40mm or 45mm or 60mm equivelents, how hard is it just to make a decent 50mm FOV that has been so popular for decades upon decades?

Here is to wishful thinking, this Fuji certainly does look good!

Oh and the dedicated RAW button, cummon, change it for ISO or something useful, how often do people change from RAW to jpg and need it that fast? Seems to me just an accident waiting to happen..

The lack of interchangeable lens is not a fail in itself but it makes it a second camera, so you need a main one. And at $1000(745 Euro, £630) it's a bit expensive - at least for me - for a spare camera . It looks pretty good anyway, I always been well surprised by Fuji cameras (I remember an old F700, The size of any pocket camera, very cheap and that you could set up in manual, I also remember that GXIII that was an exceptional studio medium size). I remember their digital cameras used to have that very smooth and soft colour rendition when every other camera manufacturer that made pocket camera for the general public used to make bright over-contrasted colour, saying that what the people wanted. Fuji had a special sensor of their own - don't remember the name. I don't know if it's still the case.

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.eastcoastphoto.com/images/bfinder/Finepix-F700_1417.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.eastcoastphoto.com/battery/fujifilm_finepix-f700_digital-camera.html&usg=__bPo14B8k3u8WjJgJ-8QXO-UZqZw=&h=500&w=500&sz=34&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=W984h9oltq8O0M:&tbnh=164&tbnw=164&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dfuji%2Bf700%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DX%26biw%3D1366%26bih%3D653%26tbs%3Disch:1%26prmd%3Divs&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=138&vpy=79&dur=60&hovh=225&hovw=225&tx=149&ty=157&ei=j0QHTfbUHsiDhQfxnInuBw&oei=j0QHTfbUHsiDhQfxnInuBw&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=17&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3381/4575371206_f13391a41a_o.jpg&imgrefurl=http://auctions.findtarget.com/detail_product/170548591191/sinar_digital/&usg=__jmaz7rb08Hfq0ZSATdQ-dqkztSY=&h=838&w=1200&sz=804&hl=en&start=76&zoom=1&tbnid=rPXkj_2_-5pPXM:&tbnh=141&tbnw=187&prev=/images%3Fq%3DFuji%2Bgx%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DX%26biw%3D1366%26bih%3D653%26tbs%3Disch:1,isz:l0,1989&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=493&ei=hkUHTfvgLtGh4Qb4rY2ODg&oei=f0UHTYOSBY-7hAezsuCUDQ&esq=5&page=5&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:76&tx=76&ty=80&biw=1366&bih=653

The sad and a deal killer for me is that it only has 12 bit RAW files NOT 14 bit files!

Very odd discussing something that doesn't exist yet... but

Ben, 50mm is a european love affair. In Japan 28mm fov is a common preference. A lot of people like 35mm fov. You takes your pick.

Sandrine, yes it maybe a second camera for most people, but having only one lens or focal length is an option for a more serious photographer too. It depends on what you are doing. I would be delighted if it made its way to the UK at its US equivalent price!

Will, it's a 12Mp APS-C sensor. It probably doesn't need a 14 bit ADC.

Mike

12 bit files don't bother me so much, they've been plenty good enough on my 5D's for five years to be honest. What I don't understand is why they are not using the incredible new sony chip that is in the K5, D7000, etc.

I would be delighted if it made its way to the UK at its US equivalent price!

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It's not likely to be...I'm not sure here but in France they use to set the Euros at 1 dollar or so. If it's $1000 in the US, I forecast 900 E in France (899 Euros) including the 19,6% VAT. I'll place a bet at Ladbrokes.