A Brutally Honest Review: Fuji Finepix X100

Every once in a while, a camera comes around that gets the internet buzzing. The hype is usually about an amazing new feature that will make everyone's pictures come out amazing. Forget skill, technique, or knowledge; every manufacturer out there wants to make your shooting experience "automatic." The point of technology is to enhance our lives and make us more comfortable, not less intelligent. However, it seems that the knowledge of photography is becoming lost amongst the "TAKE GREAT PICTURES OF ______! IT'S SO EASY! AND FUN!" Some will argue that much of this is aimed towards the consumer market and that people just don't have the time to care about how to make good photographs anymore. Sadly, some of this is true and my sitting here, groaning about how people actually used to learn photography fundamentals, isn't going to change anything. However, Fuji has recently released a camera that will validate my antiquated complaints about the way society works!

Meet the Fuji X100: the camera the antagonist snobs have been waiting for! This camera has received a ton of hype over the past several months and there is a plethora of reviews out there gushing over this camera. You don't need me to tell you how good it is, but I will anyway! However, there is a limit to how much hype I can stomach...  There are some real flaws with the Fuji X100 and it's time to address them instead of standing in the corner of a room, facing the wall, and smiling to yourself about how good the X100 is.

The Philosophy

The Fuji Finepix X100 is a compact fixed-lens camera with an APS-C sized sensor. The 23mm fixed-focal length lens is equivalent to a 35mm f/2 lens on a full frame camera. So what's the big deal? Why wouldn't someone just buy a Canon Rebel for a much cheaper price with the option of the entire Canon EF/EF-S lens line? Well, the quality is tremendous for such a small camera.

The X100 is much smaller than an SLR and this has several advantages. It is more inconspicuous in crowds, easier to travel with, and it is also much quieter than a DSLR. Although some reviewers will say how innovative and original the Fuji X100 is, the truth is that it really isn't. There have been several fixed lens/large sensor cameras, such as the Sigma DP series or the Leica X1. These cameras had their fans, but were never widely accepted or hyped as much as the Fuji Finepix X100.

So what has made the Fuji X100 just so darn popular when similar cameras have been on the market for years? Well, the answer is, someone finally got it right. I think a lot of people have been waiting for someone to "get it right" with one of the big sensor compacts, and it seems like Fuji has. Image quality is superb, as I will detail later, but it takes more than that to be the best. The sleek, retro design and manual control dials on the Fuji X100 are just as much of a reason for the camera's success as its image quality. So let's take a look at what Fuji has done to create the supposed masterpiece that is the X100.

 

 

The Design

When you first look at the Fuji X100, you'll think that you're looking at an old Leica or Olympus 35mm film rangefinder. The resemblance is uncanny and trust me, it was 100% intentional. Fujifilm hasn't made a digital camera that has mattered in years, so the success of the Fuji X100 was and still is imperative to the survival and success of Fujifilm as a digital camera manufacturer. They really needed to do something different! Many a manufacturer have learned, or are in the process of learning, that you can't copy Canon/Nikon and win... If you know anything about the market, you'll know that expensive cameras don't sell nearly as well as less expensive ones.

So Fuji certainly rolled the dice when they announced the X100 with a seemingly lofty price tag of $1,200 MSRP. The marketing campaign was brilliant and whoever they hired to do it should be proud of their work. The laundry list of diagrams, charts, and teasers leading up to the release kept us on the edge of our seats. As you can see on the top of the camera, there is a dial for exposure compensation, a larger dial for shutter speed, a function button (changes ISO by default), the on/off switch coupled to the shutter button, and a hot shoe. The shutter button is also "retro" in that it can accept a traditional threaded cable release. You will also notice the nameplate with the FUJIFILM logo and model number. Just like old cameras, the Fuji X100 boasts a full metal chassis and none of that cheap plastic you see on DSLRs today...

In the end, I found myself shooting how I used to with my old Leica R4, Minolta XE-7,  or Olympus OM-10 35mm film cameras.  It was strange to actually feel like I was using a real camera, not a computer.  Of course, a fancy camera like this can't just accept a normal filter thread like any other camera; you need to purchase a fancy filter adapter to do that.  I suggest just buying the lens shade and filter adapter together.  You can take a swig of whiskey and be thankful that at least you aren't paying $500 like you would for a similar Leica product.

 

 

 

 

The Technology

Advances in imaging technology have exponentially increased camera capabilities over the past decade.  We've come a long way since the days of the Nikon D1.  For the Fuji X100, the hybrid-electronic viewfinder is the highlight of the technology in the camera and the biggest marketing point for Fuji.  No other mirrorless or large sensor compact has an optical viewfinder.  Companies can brag about the resolution of their EVFs, but real photographers know that there is nothing like a nice, bright optical viewfinder.

This is one of the biggest selling points of the Fuji X100.  The LCD information overlay on an optical viewfinder is not new technology, but it hasn't been implemented on this type of camera yet.  It's great to be able to see all of your settings and the focus point.

The disappointing news is that Fuji's innovative technology stops right there.  Okay, this may be a bit of a stretch, but a lot of the other "technology" found in the Fuji X100 reminds me of my first DSLRs, and not in the warm/fuzzy kind of way.  Menu navigation, controls, and general camera operation is primitive to say the least.  Even with a fast memory card (Lexar 133x or Sandisk 200x), the Fuji X100 is a slow mother and although the idea of reviewing your images right away in the viewfinder seems like a nice idea at first, it quickly becomes an annoyance.  As usual, the EVF is never a good representation of your actual image, so I really don't see the point.

Once you get a hang of the camera, the awkward button operation of the camera is slightly improved, but goes against the general simplicity and "direct" approach that I expected from the X100.  You can turn the EVF review off, but the problem is you can't turn review on the LCD on.  If someone has figured out a way to do this, please let me know.  It seems like a logical idea, and it's quite possible I'm just missing something.

 

 

[caption id="attachment_4433" align="aligncenter" width="422" caption="A sample of what it is like to look through the X100 viewfinder from Fujifilm's website."][/caption]

 

 

[caption id="attachment_4430" align="aligncenter" width="590" caption="BMW Motorcycle in NYC ISO 200 f/2.0 1/125s"][/caption]

 

Firmware Update

I want to acknowledge that Fuji has released a firmware update that addresses some of the issues people were having with the X100.  It doesn't fix everything, but I thought I should include this official list from Fuji so you can see for yourself exactly what has been updated.  Here is a direct link to Fuji's website if you want instructions on how to update the firmware on your X100.

 

1. The following functions can be rocked during shooting by holding down [MENU / OK] button over 3 sec. DRIVE / Flash / White balance / Macro (set on the Command Dial - 4 direction key) 2. "CORRECTED AF FRAME" menu is added in "SET-UP" menu (the last line on menu page 6) to display additional AF frame (corrected AF frame for reducing parallax) which can be effectively used for macro shots. (Factory default value is set to "OFF") 3. Adjustment in1/3 step increment for shutter speed or aperture setting is enabled in Shutter-Priority AE and Aperture-Priority AE mode, on top of those in Manual Exposure mode. Shutter-Priority AE : Adjustment is controlled by rotating the command dial Aperture-Priority AE : Adjustment is controlled by moving left / right on the command control lever 4. In the post-view mode (display after shooting), focused area is magnified in the LCD (EVF) display when the command control lever is pressed. Cf. "IMAGE DISP." Setting must be set to "CONTINUOUS", 5. Setting of the role for "Fn" button is enabled by holding down "Fn" button over 3 sec. 6. Actual ISO sensitivity for shooting is displayed just after pressing shutter button halfway, when "ISO AUTO CONTROLL" is set to ON. 7. When "eye sensor" is activated by pressing "VIEW MODE" button, "EYE SENSOR" is displayed on EVF / OVF or LCD just a while to notice the status. 8. Macro mode ISO sensitivity, Drive mode, Dynamic range, Self-timer mode, flash mode is maintained even if shutter speed setting or aperture setting is changed. Also, even after changing viewing mode into shooting mode or turning of the camera, these values are maintained. 9. The size of focus frame set through viewing EVF / LCD is maintained even after changing display mode between OVF and EVF (LCD). 10. When "SHUTTER SOUND" is chosen, each shutter sound is performed in each menu setting. 11. In viewing mode, the last viewed shot is maintained as even after changing into shooting mode. Cf. After another image is shot after viewing former image, memory of viewing the image is cancelled and the last shot is displayed as the latest image. 12. When the aspect ration of the image size is set to 16:9, the line of bright frame line on OVF is displayed with aspect ratio 16:9. 13. Viewing mode with Photo Information on EVF / LCD is maintained even if another image is shot. On top of this issue, deleting picture directly is enabled even in viewing with Photo information by pressing the command dial up, or MENU operation is also enabled. 14. Occasionally, preview image on EVF / LCD after pressing the shutter halfway might be darker than live view, according to aperture setting or brightness of shooting target. This phenomenon is improved. 15. When "DISP. CUSTOM SETTING" is set to OVF or EVF / LCD, the setting value is maintained even after customizing the menu. 16. Even for only RAW data recording mode, "RED EYE REMOVAL" setting is selectable among ON or OFF. 17. In MF (manual focus) setting with OVF mode, OVF viewing is activated after pressing shutter half way, even if "FOCUS CHECK" (magnifying center of the image) is displayed in EVF by pressing the center of the command control lever. 18. Displaying period after pressing each command dial (Macro / Flash) is prolonged from 1.5 sec into 2.0 sec for confirming correctly. 20. For resuming from AUTO POWER OFF setting, the shutter release button was required to hold down halfway for a few second. For quicker operation, resuming is activated by just pressing the button. 21. Image quality captured by Velvia / ASTIA mode is improved on mainly shadow tone (dark area), when dynamic range is set to 200% or 400%. 22. When "OVF POWER SAVE MODE" is set to ON and "Fn" button is set to "MOVIE RECORDING", the camera may be unstable occasionally. This phenomenon is improved. 23. Histogram display on OVF during exposure compensation is improved.   [caption id="attachment_4418" align="aligncenter" width="590" caption="Roaming Manhattan ISO 640 f/2.0 1/250s"][/caption]

 

 

The Lens

As I mentioned before, Fuji designed the X100 with a 23mm f/2 (35mm equivalent on full frame) fixed lens.  Some groaned about the camera not having interchangeable lenses, but consider the cost and risk involved with launching an entire lens line and mount.  If the X100 continues to sell like hotcakes, I'm sure Fuji will consider it in the future, however, I don't really see it as necessary.  This would only make the camera bigger, and the small size is something I love about the X100.

Fuji didn't pull any punches when it came to advertising the lens.  They incessantly bragged about how a "sensor specific" lens, aka a lens/sensor designed together, is superior to interchangeable lenses.  I'm not sure how true this is, but they were right about the lens. It is nice even wide open at f/2 when you're further away from your subject.  Stopped down to 2.8, it is even better and about what you would expect from the top-of-the-line DSLR lenses.  Again, this is where the praise ends...

There seems to be a disturbing "but" trend with the Fuji X100, meaning I find myself saying wow, it's really good at something, but...  There always seems to be some lame excuse with the X100.  In regards to the lens, it can't focus close enough without having to be thrown into an amateurish "macro" focusing mode that forces you to use the EVF or back LCD.  This mode is also dreadfully slow and painful to use.  Despite this fact, images made in macro mode have quite pleasant out-of-focus highlights in the background.

 

[caption id="attachment_4432" align="aligncenter" width="590" caption=""Don't photograph me, bro."  ISO 400 f/2.0 1/70s"][/caption]

 

Focusing Issues

I can stomach slow write speeds and odd menu/button functionality, but when something hinders my ability to create an image, I can no longer have total faith in a product, especially if it costs $1,200.  The strange autofocus nature of the Fuji X100 is the most annoying and biggest flaw that the camera has.  People used to think contrast detect autofocus just isn't any good when compared to phase detect, but Panasonic proved everyone wrong.  The Panasonic GH-2, coupled with the 14-140mm lens, focuses like lightning.  I don't know if this was a technological limit on the X100 because of its complex design, but Fuji really let me down in this regard.  If you're paying a premium price, you should be getting a premium camera in all regards.   I had some of the same complaints about the Leica M9.

Again, I can get past the fact that the X100 doesn't have the world's fastest AF system.  It is the accuracy that kills me.  I can't believe that a camera that was hyped so much would perform this poorly in low light and close distance situations.  There were countless times when I would have the green AF rectangle right over a subject (say a person's face for example) and the camera would end up focusing on the background.  I don't want to hear the typical internet armchair photographer garbage, "Bah it must be the technique, not the camera".  While this holds true in many cases, it doesn't hold its weight in water here.  Acclaimed wedding and portrait photographer Neil Van Niekerk had chagrins with the poor autofocus functionality and accuracy.  This is something inexcusable and should be immediately addressed by Fuji.  I will be doing my best to get in touch with someone at Fuji to get a straight answer on this.

Oh, and you can forget about manually focusing.  I'm not sure if it is by design or a technological limit, but the throw on the manual focus throw/resistance is horrible on the X100.  It's quite literally like throwing a hot dog down a hallway. You can spin the darn manual focus ring forever and you'll never get to where you want to be.  Again, I wish this was something that Fuji would address.  It just seems so wrong that a camera targeted towards professionals and advanced users would have such poor manual focusing control.  The most useful function of manual focus is actually to use a little trick that a Fuji rep taught me.  You put the camera in manual focus mode, press in the control level (by your thumb on the upper right) back of the camera, then press the AE/AF lock button, and it will actually help autofocus the camera more accurately than in AF-S or AF-C mode... Go figure.

 

[caption id="attachment_4425" align="aligncenter" width="590" caption="Ring during the ceremony ISO 800 f/2.8 1/125s"][/caption]

Image Quality

If you've read this far, you'll probably be pretty disappointed by some of my comments on the Fuji X100.  However, don't fret quite yet.  The superb image quality that comes out of the X100 is the main reason I decided to even write about this camera.  Naturally, an APS-C sized sensor is going to produce better images than a point-and-shoot or even a micro 4/3rds sensor.  Sorry folks; when it comes to sensors, size matters, and unless something radically changes in technology, it always will.  And unless the laws of optics change overnight, larger sensors will always allow you to achieve more shallow depth of field.  I am not sure if Fuji's claims of a "lens designed for a sensor" holds water, but the proof is in the pudding, or in this case, the pictures.  I can safely say that the Fuji X100 gives some of the absolute highest quality images that I have ever gotten out of any digital camera.  While it won't beat out a Leica M9 (with Leica lenses) in terms of sharpness, a Nikon D3x (at base ISO) in dynamic range, or the ISO performance of a Nikon D3s, you're getting pretty darn close in both of those categories. That's scary good for a $1,200 camera.

I really can't say enough good things when it comes to image quality of the X100.  I had no problem shooting this camera up to 1600 and 3200 ISO.  Fuji has always known something about color. Many wedding and portrait photographers used to buy the Fuji S2 and/or S3 pro DSLR cameras that use Nikon mount lenses.  The Fujifilm X100 is no exception to this rule; I felt that it rendered color beautifully and had extraordinary dynamic range, keeping highlights in check and shadows nice and open.  Considering just how good the image quality is out of the X100, it pains me to have to say all the negative things that I did, but I feel compelled to be objective.

[caption id="attachment_4440" align="aligncenter" width="590" caption="Livingston Kiwanis Karnival ISO 1600 f/2.8 1/125s"][/caption]

 

Conclusion

So after much praise and criticism, it may be hard to tell exactly what I think about the Fuji X100...  Is it worth buying? That's a question that you will have to answer for yourself.  The Fuji X100 is a powerful imaging tool that does many things I haven't even gotten around to covering.  At the same time, there are probably many quirks and problems that I didn't get to either, but there were enough in basic operation that annoyed me enough to point them out as major flaws.  This being said, I don't want to make it seem like I didn't spend any time with the camera.

I shot with the Fuji X100 for a month and a half before writing down a single thought.  I did lots of research on popular digital photography websites and more importantly, I looked into what other photographers have been writing and/or saying about the X100.  Some people have lauded the X100 with too much praise and have anointed it as the messiah of mirrorless cameras.  Others have been overly critical (mainly Leica fanboys who have nothing better to do), considering they don't use their cameras for photographs.  Ultimately, the Fuji X100 is a camera that is capable of producing fantastic images in all aspects.  While Olympus and Panasonic like to brag about the micro 4/3rds system, the Fuji X100 outguns both of them pretty badly, especially at higher ISOs.  Both the Olympus PEN and Panasonic GF/GH/G mirrorless cameras may be better "pound for pound" cameras or better values, but the Fuji X100 simply puts out higher quality files.  There really is no way around it.

This isn't a camera for amateurs or those who need their hand held while taking a picture.  If you can get past the oddities and flaws of the X100, it is an excellent lightweight camera for the avid photographer, especially if image quality is your biggest concern and you don't mind missing some occasional shots due to the AF problems.  I hope Fuji will address this in a firmware update in the future, however, it may take the next model, or perhaps the next one after that, before we see a camera that's acceptable to the pickiest of photographers out there.  So let's see some of your shots with the X100!  I would love to see them, and please feel free to refute or argue any of my points on the camera.

 

[caption id="attachment_4445" align="aligncenter" width="590" caption="Coptic Wedding Crown ISO 800 f/2.5 1/60s"][/caption]