Fuji X100 Digital SOMETHING from Fujifilm

[msbel]

Looks cool. Until I see how the sexy specs translate to actual IQ, ergonomics, and the rest, just a pretty picture. I love my X1, and the images are outstanding. Perhaps it will come down to a duel of the lenses. One thing for sure, this baby will be the killer if comes in under $800.

Does anyone think a few more like this are going to be announced shortly by other manufacturers?

[kdemas]

Very very interesting. The hybrid finder is exactly what I've been looking for, should be very cool! I look forward to reading more.

Now if this WAS a Leica some tool would be whining about the 90% viewfinder coverage. I'm glad this product is being appreciated for it's apparent innovation.

Now, let's see how it performs

[tightsqueez]

Finally... the camera I've been looking to get my girlfriend.

[DanP]

Originally Posted by msbel

Does anyone think a few more like this are going to be announced shortly by other manufacturers?

I think so, once the initial sales figure come out.

I doubt it will be under $800.

[jwhitley]

So I can read your mind at the start of this thread: "Why did this bozo just post about a FinePix in this forum?!?" In part, that's because I have no idea quite how to categorize it. To get your own answer to the question "what is it?" you'll have to check out the details from Photokina, via DPReview:

Fujifilm has announced the X100, a large-sensor compact camera aimed at professional and enthusiast photographers. Based around a 12Mp APS-C CMOS sensor, Fuji EXR processor and 23mm F2 Fujinon lens (equivalent to a 35mm semi-wideangle), the classically-styled camera features traditional analogue controls for shutter speed, aperture and exposure compensation. Of particular note is the new 'hybrid' viewfinder system which allows the user to switch between optical and electronic viewfinders and project detailed shooting information into the OVF.

Do check out the photos. The X100 looks a bit like the offspring of Sigma DP1 and a Canonet. The hybrid optical/digital VF is especially interesting and if done right may provide an excellent combination of the clarity of optical VFs and the utility of an electronic VF.

[kshapero]

Originally Posted by tightsqueez

Finally... the camera I've been looking to get my girlfriend.

I'll be your....URG....girlfriend

[semilog]

It's not like Fuji has never made a professional-grade, fixed lens RF before!

[semilog]

HOLY COW.

It takes a conventional cable release!

[Mephiloco]

I don't see the issue with the camera being fixed lens. The bulk of the cameras that fuji has been putting out for the past 10+ years have been fixed lens. This allows them to control the variables affecting quality, especially in consideration to digital cameras. The sensor and lens were designed with the other in mind.

I think this is a smart move for Fuji. The only real complaint I see here is that it's a fixed lens, which doesn't bother me. Many of you would use a X1 if it wasn't so crazily priced, and many of you see the value in the Ricoh digitals, despite them being fixed lens. Fujinon lenses are great, it's f2, and has iso up to 6400. The lens is essentially a 35/2. If this thing is in the area of $600-$900 I'd strongly consider one.

I can't imagine it being over $1200, considering the Ricoh GRDIII is something like $800 new, and other fixed lens digitals with larger sensors (excluding the X1) aren't that expensive.

Fuji has the digital experience that Leica doesn't, and their high ISO performance is amazing. The f30 was considered the best low light point and shoot for YEARS after it's release.

[semilog]

Originally Posted by DanP

I think so, once the initial sales figure come out.

I doubt it will be under $800.

I doubt it will be under $2k.

[atlcruiser]

Wow.....very interesting

[Frank Petronio]

Brilliant Common Sense, how Canikon could miss doing this defies all logic but is perfectly predictable.

I bet it comes in at $2499 and isn't in the States until next Summer -- look at how much the 6x7 folder is, plus the exchange rate and the mad rush this is going to generate. But they will still sell out the production.

The only fly in the ointment that I can see is that Fuji will probably butcher the user interface like they've done with all their other digital cameras....

But the really great news is where this type of camera will be in 2012-2013 after the majors see the validation of the concept.

In the meantime, maybe I'll pick up an $1100 X1 next Summer ;-)

[gavinlg]

Just allow this comparison to really sink in...









Wow.

[cmogi10]

Oh wow, I am going to keep my eyes on this in the future. Seems like a nice upgrade for my Dlux2 as a go everywhere pocket camera. I hate that damn Dlux2

[Mephiloco]

I can't see this costing more than an X1. It's a fixed lens aps-c sensor camera. I can't see a fixed lens non full frame costing more than a Leica X1, and to price it within even a few hundred dollars seems silly to me, because a lot of people would just spend a few hundred more and get the Leica, even if it is an inferior product, because it says Leica. This happened with the rebranded Panasonic Leica's a few years ago.

Anyways, I think this would have to come in at half of the price of the X1 or less or Fuji is making a huge mistake.

[Miserere]

A size comparison with the Leica X1, in case anyone's wondering:

[coelacanth]

WOW. I haven't read any details yet, but

Of particular note is the new 'hybrid' viewfinder system which allows the user to switch between optical and electronic viewfinders and project detailed shooting information into the OVF.

This is exactly what I've been waiting to see on mirrorless/large sensor compact.

I'm pretty much sold already.

[shyoon]

I love that little 'Fn' button positioned next to the shutter release. I swear upon my first glance it was a little film-counter dial. Nice touch.

[semilog]

Originally Posted by Mephiloco

I can't see this costing more than an X1.

I can. I wouldn't buy an X1 at half the price, because its finder system is not nearly so capable as the Fuji's, provided that the Fuji's is well-implemented. The entire reason I usually shoot an M is the optical VF. For this reason alone, the two cameras are not remotely comparable.

The X1 is not even slightly interesting to me. This is.

If I wanted a camera with only an LCD on the back, I'd get a Samsung or an NEX or a Micro 4/3 rig.

[gavinlg]

Originally Posted by Mephiloco

I can't see this costing more than an X1. It's a fixed lens aps-c sensor camera. I can't see a fixed lens non full frame costing more than a Leica X1, and to price it within even a few hundred dollars seems silly to me, because a lot of people would just spend a few hundred more and get the Leica, even if it is an inferior product, because it says Leica. This happened with the rebranded Panasonic Leica's a few years ago.

Anyways, I think this would have to come in at half of the price of the X1 or less or Fuji is making a huge mistake.

The lens is faster - f2 compared with f2.8, it has special offset microlenses on the sensor to reduce vignetting and corner sharpness falloff, it has a hybrid optical viewfinder with lcd overlay and electronic framelines and info that automatically adjust brightness for the scene.

How could you possibly expect it to be half the price of the x1?

I would say that it comes in at a price of around $1600-$1800us. If you think about it the Olympus e-p2 with viewfinder and basic lens comes in at about $1100us. The x1 is $1900us. It's got to be close to the x1 price considering the specs.

[CK Dexter Haven]

Originally Posted by bwcolor

After posting half a dozen times, in this thread and others, that you want interchangeable lenses, I think that we get it.

Move on please. The NEX-7, Samsung and Leica will get to you in the near future.

Yes.
Only wholly positive reactions here, please.

[Tsai]

Its beautiful....if only it could have the NP film system built in to the digital sensor...

(sounds like i should just buy a natura)

Eric

[mac_wt]

I like a lot of things about this camera: larger sensor, fixed, non collapsible 35mm-equivalent lens, viewfinder, aperture ring, traditional dials on top.

I would like to know more about the focusing system. And the price...

[raytoei@gmail.com]

Hats off to Fujifilm.

I think they found a niche where the other players won't looking, ie. film camera folks in the domestic market. In terms of price, I doubt if it will cost an arm or a leg. As a version 1, it is a lower risk to introduce a fixed lens camera, and should it succeed which is likely, it is not unforeseeable to expect interchangeable lens.

raytoei

[NickTrop]

Look at everyone getting all excited - including me. If you read the Fuji propaganda, they're tauting their "extensive market analysis" and how they "listened to the market..." LOL. Alls everyone wanted was a reasonable size, a decent fast lens, viewfinder, and some dials for the important stuff instead of a menu system. Blogs have been screaming for something like this for a decade. Is it really all that hard to figure out? - the only downside to this thing might be a slow contrast autofocus but I don't see that happening with a semi-wide fixed lens.

EDIT: Cost guess? I say $990 if only to keep it under a grand to compete with the EVLS and 4/3'rds cameras.