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

News

  • January 6, 2013 at 10:25 am

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Fujifilm X100S digital camera with the wide conversion adapter

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

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Fujifilm X-E1 black and silver

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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More affordable Fujifilm X-E1 leaks with EVF and pop-up flash (pictures)

News

  • August 24, 2012 at 3:39 am

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Fujifilm X-E1 silver with XF18-55mm lens

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

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Screen capture from Crutchfield's website showing that the Fujifilm X100 has been discontinued

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

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Fujifilm X-Pro1 lens roadmap for 2012 and 2013

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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Fujifilm announces 28mm equivalent wide angle conversion lens and v1.30 firmware for X100

News

  • May 15, 2012 at 3:34 pm

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Fujifilm WCL-X100 wide angle conversion lens - silver and black

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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Fujifilm X100 v1.20 firmware update brings control refinements and AF improvements

News

  • March 23, 2012 at 3:12 am

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Fujifilm X100 digital camera - customized looks with Kaza case, Bop soft release and filter adaptor

We thoroughly reviewed the Fujifilm X100 here, which we loved for its amazing image quality. Our main gripe with the camera was its secondary controls. Well, Fujifilm has just released a new firmware v1.20 for the X100 that tackles these specific issues.

First of all, we asked for the ability to be able to customize the RAW button in the back, i.e. use it as second function button, and it seems we got our wish. Next up, ISO Auto Control has now been moved to the more logical ISO menu. Unfortunately however, it is not accessible from the FN/RAW buttons when you pull ISO settings, you still need to go into the menu to enable or disable it.
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Fujifilm X100 Black Limited Edition shipping now for $1,699.95

News

  • March 9, 2012 at 7:17 am

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Fujifilm X100 Black limited edition in leather case

Let’s just say that the we respect the 12.3-megapixel APS-C sensor, 23mm f/2 lens Fujifilm X100 digital camera immensely; but for a more in-depth look better have a read at our lengthy review here. After almost a year since the original X100 was released, Fujifilm is following up with an all black edition of only 10,000 pieces worldwide.

The appropriately named X100 Black Limited Edition set includes a sweet black X100 digital camera, black leather case, adapter ring, lens hood and a 49mm filter. The package can be had for $1,699.95 over the $1,200 which would buy you the plain old two-tone X100. That’s a hefty premium considering you can get the leather case and the adapter ring and hood for less than $300.
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Fujifilm FinePix X100 digital camera real world review

FeaturedReviews

  • March 5, 2012 at 8:35 am

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Fujifilm X100 digital camera - top front

I have to foreword this review of the Fujifilm FinePix X100 by saying that I am not a professional photographer or a camera expert, nevertheless I think there is value on a review done from the viewpoint of the average user. Thus, this review will be very different from other technically focused reviews; instead I will tackle the camera from a real world perspective.

I’ve tried to balance the review with a healthy number of sample shots. To depict the camera’s image quality, rather than my Lighroom skills, the images in this review have not received any software treatment, except from the odd straightening/cropping. The shots are mostly out of the camera JPEGs. Rather than photographicw merit, I’ve tried to include shots that demonstrate the camera’s capabilities.

It’s also good to note that this review of the Fujifilm X100 comes late to the party; the camera has been out for almost a year now, though initially it was impossible to get hold of one. I’ve had my own unit since late last summer. I do consider however that despite more recent mirrorless camera launches, and even Fuji’s own X-Pro1, the X100 still is a very unique camera with a very unique offering.
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Your Fujifilm X100 overexposes images? How to check for the sticky aperture blade issue (video)

Guides

  • February 19, 2012 at 9:51 am

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Fujifilm X100 sticky aperture blade issue, close-up of lens at F16 shutter button pressed

The Fujifilm X100 is an amazing camera (and you can read our extensive real world review here), but it is plagued by one well documented manufacturing defect — at least the early batches of this mirrorless camera. The ‘sticky aperture blade’ issue results in the lens diaphragm blades not closing down as they should and hence leaving the aperture wide-open even at increasing f-numbers f/8, f/11 and f/16.

The first indication that your X100 may be suffering from the sticky blade problem would be if it tends to overexpose images. Because the aperture doesn’t close as it should on high f-numbers, more light reaches the sensor and results in an overexposed image. The issue won’t be apparent at wide apertures, like f/2 for example.
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Fujifilm X-S1 26x superzoom bridge camera takes on a Canon DSLR (video)

News

  • February 18, 2012 at 1:07 pm

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Fujifilm X-S1 vs. Canon T3 (1100D) shootout

We’ll admit that we are generally pretty harsh when it comes to superzoom bridge cameras. These are cameras that look like DSLRs but have fixed zoom lenses and sensors much smaller than APS-C. This means that you can’t change lenses, e.g. use any fast and sharp prime lenses, and bridge camera have worse low-light performance than DSLRs.

When we first had a look at Fujifilm’s latest 12-megapixel 26x superzoom X-S1 bridge camera we weren’t too intrigued, especially because of the hefty $800 price point. For the price of the Fujifilm X-S1 you can get an entry DSLR, which has some undisputed benefits, like the bigger sensor and optical viewfinder.
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Olympus E-M5 vs. Fujifilm X-Pro1 vs. Panasonic GX1 vs. Sony NEX-7 comparison

The Lab

  • February 9, 2012 at 5:36 pm

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Olympus OM-D E-M5 back black

We needn’t say much on the state of the competition in the compact mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (MILCs) space. In the short period of a few months we’ve seen the release of some pretty amazing high-end mirrorless shooters with very distinct design and engineering decisions and featuring a number of innovations.

The latest entrant is the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Micro Four Thirds (MFT) digital camera that has claimed a number of firsts. It’s the first MFT rangefinder-style camera with a built-in EVF and the first with a weather-sealed body, it is also the first ever camera with 5-axis image stabilization, while Olympus is claiming that the camera has the fastest autofocus of any interchangeable lens camera.
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Fujifilm X10 v1.03 firmware update released, brings a bunch of improvements

News

  • February 9, 2012 at 12:36 pm

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Fujifilm X10

Fujifilm has just released a firmware update for its retro-looking X10 enthusiast point-and-shoot camera. The update to version 1.03 brings a host of fixes and improvements to the excellent X10 including compatibility with Mac OS X Lion, better face detection and the ability to customize the “RAW” button’s function. The update also promises to reduce the ‘white orb’ blooming effect that many users have complained about, though it doesn’t eliminate it.
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Fujifilm sold 100,000 X100 cameras in nine months

News

  • January 31, 2012 at 6:28 pm

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Fujifilm X100 top

A hundred seems to be Fujifilm’s lucky number. The Japanese camera-maker slid an interesting piece of info in its third-quarter earnings presentation. Sales of the X100 high-end compact camera surpassed the company’s expectations, with Fujifilm selling 100,000 units in just nine months.

It’s quite an accomplishment considering that the X100 is selling for around $1,200 and that it’s a niche camera product with a fixed prime lens and not the most straightforward controls. Bear in mind that for the first few months of its release, it was practically impossible to get hold of one. No wonder that every other camera manufacturer is trying to get into the same bandwagon, i.e. release a retro-styled high-end mirrorless cameras.
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