digital cameras | Stuff-Review

Fujifilm X100S camera announced with fast AF and new 16.3MP X-Trans II sensor (hands-on video)

January 6, 2013 at 10:25 am

Although the official announcement by Fujifilm is pegged to happen tomorrow, the company’s UK website proved too eager to keep this camera under wraps for any longer. The Fujifilm X100S is the proud successor of the X100 APS-C fixed lens camera and has been revealed through a press release on its website. We’ve always said that Fujifilm listens to its customers and critics and the new X100S really keeps all the good parts of the X100 and improves on the not-so-good parts.

When we reviewed the X100 our main issue with it was its slow performance, both to autofocus (AF) and in general operation. Well, Fujifilm now claims that the new X100S has the world’s fastest AF of just 0.08 seconds under certain circumstances, a start-up time of around 0.5 seconds and a shooting interval of 0.5 seconds.
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Fujifilm X-E1 coverage: previews and sample images (video)

News

September 10, 2012 at 4:18 pm

As expected, the Fujifilm X-E1 mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (MILC) was announced last week. It is a cheaper and more compact version of the X-Pro1, with the same excellent APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensor, sans any anti-aliasing filter, but missing the innovative hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder.

Instead, the X-E1 features a 2.36-million dot OLED electronic viewfinder, and you really can’t get much better than that. It is the same resolution as the Sony OLED EVF we were so excited about in the Sony NEX-7, A65 and A77, and we bet this is Sony-made too, though it’s rumored to be an updated version with better contrast. The X-E1 also gets a slightly smaller, 2.8-inch, and lower resolution, 460k dots, screen than the X-Pro1, to keep costs under control.

One of the main criticisms against the X-Pro1 and X100 (which we thoroughly reviewed here) was the slow autofocus and operating speed. Fujifilm is a company that listens, and claims the X-E1 can now focus in 0.1 seconds with the new Fujinon XF 18-55 F2.8-4 R LM OIS zoom lens which we was part of Fuji’s 2012-13 lens roadmap for the system. The camera also features a 0.05 second shutter lag, 0.5 second quick start (you can see our startup test of the X100 here) and 6 frames per second burst shooting.
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Panasonic GH3 Micro Four Thirds camera specs leak

News

September 9, 2012 at 11:48 am

With Photokina 2012 only a breath away, camera fans are gearing up for some exciting announcements. One of the most anticipated cameras is the Micro Four Thirds Panasonic GH3, and it really couldn’t come soon enough. The widely popular Panasonic GH2, having been announced at Photokina 2010 two years ago, has not only proved an incredible stills camera but has also won the hearts of videographers everywhere — just have a look at some examples here and here.

The GH series sits at the top of Panasonic’s mirroless interchangeable lens camera (MILC) line with integrated electronic viewfinder, DSLR-style body and handling and top of the line specs. However, although Olympus presented the incredible OM-D E-M5 this year, Panasonic has been quiet on the high-end front.
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More affordable Fujifilm X-E1 leaks with EVF and pop-up flash (pictures)

News

August 24, 2012 at 3:39 am

It only makes sense for Fujifilm to release more mirrorless bodies for its XF system, and it seems the lonely X-Pro1 will soon be getting a younger brother. Ahead of Photokina 2012, a new Fujifilm camera has leaked, the X-E1. It looks like a cross between the X-Pro1’s front and the X100’s (you can read our full review here) top.

Astute observers will note that there is no hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder, but the viewfinder port in the back it tell-tale of a straight EVF. This makes sense as the X-E1 would be the more affordable choice for enthusiasts in comparison to the X-Pro1. We can also make out a pop-up flash port next to the hot shoe at the top.
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Fujifilm X100 discontinued, making way for the X200?

News

July 30, 2012 at 4:34 pm

It’s pretty hard to hold back on our love for the Fujifilm X100. The compact mirrorless APS-C shooter received a glowing review from us and was one of our favorite pieces of tech for 2011. This is no small part because of its innovative hybrid viewfinder, traditional control layout and awesome image quality. In fact, the shooting with the X100 was the most fun we’ve had in a while with a digital camera.

Well it seems that Fujifilm might be getting ready for a successor of this popular camera, if this product page on Crutchfield is to be believed. The vendor has marked the X100 as discontinued. As if that’s not enough evidence, the X100 has received a pretty remarkable $200 price drop on Amazon, B&H and Adorama coming down to $999.
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Fujifilm shows X-Pro1 lens roadmap with a stabilized zoom and an ultra-wide prime coming this fall

News

June 27, 2012 at 1:08 pm

We are enamored with Fujifilm’s X-series of cameras, as one can attest after reading our X100 review here. When Fujifilm announced the interchangeable lens camera in the series, the X-Pro1, it could only be paired with three prime lenses with some lamenting the lack of a zoom lens and the kind of flexibility it offers.

Well, Fujifilm is certainly looking to expand the X-Pro1 lens universe with a number of new XF-mount lenses. The camera maker announced its lens roadmap for 2012 and 2013, with a 18-55mm, f/2.8-4.0 optically stabilized lens and a 14mm f/2.8 prime coming in the fall of 2012.

By 2013 we should also see the introduction of two more zoom lenses, an ultra wide-angle 10-24mm f/4.0 OIS lens and a 55-200mm, f/3.5-4.8 OIS telephoto. Fujifilm is also planning to release three more primes, including a pancake-type lens.
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The Fujfilm X100 is beautiful on the inside too

News

May 20, 2012 at 3:21 am

If you’ve read our review of the Fujifilm X100 digital camera you’ll know how much we love this little wonder. Well now we know how beautiful it is on the inside too.

After a fishing trip, photographer James Maher found his gear soaked in salt water in what was supposed to be a dry container. This unfortunately also included his trusty Fuji X100, which is not weather sealed, and the experience proved deadly for the camera.

So what do you do when you have a dead $1,200 camera? You take it apart of course.
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Sony NEX-F3 and Alpha A37 cameras official: 16.1-megapixels for $600

News

May 17, 2012 at 5:19 pm

Sony’s new entry-level Alpha SLT-A37 and NEX-F3 digital cameras were hardly a secret, we first saw pictures of the pair, followed by full specs three weeks ago, but today they’ve been made official. The two cameras are successors to the single lens translucent (SLT) A35 and the mirrorless interchangeable lens NEX-C3.

What you need to know, and what makes them appealing, is that both the A37 and NEX-F3 get a spiffy new 16.1-megapixel APS-C sized sensor, lilting LCD displays and a more ergonomic design with chunkier handgrips. They will also both retail for $599.99 together with an 18-55mm kit lens.
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Fujifilm announces 28mm equivalent wide angle conversion lens and v1.30 firmware for X100

News

May 15, 2012 at 3:34 pm

Fujifilm has just eliminated one reason why we would want to upgrade to the X-Pro1 from the X100 — you can read our in-depth real world review of the latter right here. The camera maker has just announced a new wide angle conversion lens for the Fujifilm X100.

The WCL-X100 conversion lens attaches directly onto the X100 and effectively multiplies the camera’s focal length by a factor of 0.8, converting it from a 23mm (35mm equivalent) focal length to a 19mm wide angle (28mm equivalent).

The wide angle conversion lens is made of four glass elements in three groups and Fujifilm promises comparable image quality as the X100’s excellent fixed lens element. Fujifilm also mentions that the WCL-X100 will have no negative effect on autofocus speed, the X100’s 10cm macro capability and the hybrid viewfinder.
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Watch The Making of the Leica M9-P Edition Hermès limited edition

News

May 13, 2012 at 3:30 am

We can watch high end camera gear being made all day long. We were awed by the commitment and skill of the individuals at the Canon lens factory and now Leica wants to show us a thing or two of its own.

Together with the Leica M Monochrom, the German camera maker also released a new special edition of its M9-P digital camera the M9-P Edition Hermès. Following on the footsteps of previous special editions, like the white Leica M9-P limited edition the Edition Hermès is a very small run of 400 copies, all hand-made.
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Leica M Monochrom digital camera sees black-and-white

News

May 10, 2012 at 4:34 pm

So the rumors were true. Instead of an M10, Leica has just announced a black-and-white only camera, the M Monochrom.

We know that at first look you might think that Leica has gone crazy, but we’ve already gone through the benefits of a black-and-white only sensor camera before. By doing away with the color filter the resulting images are sharper, have better dynamic range and less noise.
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Nokia 808 PureView passes by the FCC, opens up to show its 41-megapixel powers

News

May 9, 2012 at 8:30 am

Nokia’s 41-megapixel PureView camera module is a thing to behold. The technology that drew inspiration from satellite imaging first found its way into Nokia’s 808 Symbian Belle handset.

The PureView camera module is made up of an oversized (at least according to smartphone standards) 1/1.2 inch sensor and a Carl Zeiss f/2.4 lens. We’ve already seen images of the sensor but it wasn’t clear just how much internal real estate the camera module demanded.
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The Olympus OM-D E-M5 is here: first impressions

Featured The Lab

May 2, 2012 at 3:41 pm

We finally have the Olympus OM-D E-M5 with us, and anyone not familiar with this small Micro Four Thirds wonder camera can check out our entire coverage here. Note that we’ve opted for the $1,099 kit with the 14-42mm lens and we’ll be taking the camera through its paces over the coming weeks.

As we like to spend some time with a gadget before we review it, I thought it would be wise to bring you some first impressions of this mirrorless interchangeable lens camera after a few days of use.

There’s a lot to like with this camera, Olympus has thrown everything but the kitchen sink into it, and it’s a serious contender against even much bigger DSLRs. Still there are a couple of niggles, but read on for our first impressions.
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Sony Alpha A37 and NEX-F3 full specs leaked

News

April 29, 2012 at 3:51 pm

Sony has been doing a bad job of keeping its new entry Alpha A37 and NEX-F3 digital cameras under wraps. We’ve seen leaked photos of the two upcoming cameras earlier and now we have a full list of specs for the pair.

Both cameras get a beefy 16.1 megapixel APS-C sensor, tilting screens and for $599 as a kit, they offer a great entry point to Sony’s Alpha DSLT and NEX mirrorless systems. But read on for the full details.
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