Fujifilm FinePix X100 Digital Camera - (12.3MP, APS-C CMOS EXR) 2.8 inch LCD

Like everyone else with a keen interest in photography I was fascinated with the x100 as soon as it was announced. During the "Focus on Imaging" show at the NEC I, like thousands of others, handled the camera and was intrigued by its retro design and host of modern functions.However I couldn't decide if it was really for me, or where I would fit it within my existing camera gear (I mainly shoot with the Nikon D700 full frame) as I was already the owner of a Leica x1. Nonetheless I was seduced by all the media hype and bought one when they finally arrived in the UK.There are people more clever than me who have written about the technical aspects of this camera, and you can find numerous reviews via Google - I just wanted to express my overall impression of this camera. Bluntly I think it has been over-hyped and is over-rated. There, I said it.I don't deny that image quality is good, which is one of the stated key features of the x100, but in reality you can achieve similar quality with a camera that costs half the price and doesn't come with the emotional baggage. At this point I will repeat I own the Leica x1, and yes, you could argue that it is also over-priced. However image quality is absolutely superb! My Leica is also an easier camera to pick up and use, whereas the Fuji feels too laborious to set up and get running. No, I don't compare it with a Point-and-Shoot (I have the Canon Powershot S95 for this) but I've found I'm not using my Fuji on a regular basis as, well, I can't be bothered...Every review I've read about this camera takes great care to mention the hybrid viewfinder and what an innovation this is - I agree it's rather clever, but I've come to the conclusion it's no more than a gimmick whose fascination will soon wear thin. The OVF is excellent and I use nothing else.I realise the above will sound quite negative, but shouldn't detract from the fact this is a very good camera. I do wonder however if the novelty will soon wear off and we will see a major drop in the selling price - or alternatively the big boys (Canon, Nikon etc) will launch a similar type of product at half the Fuji price.From my side, I intend to persevere with this camera for a while, but in the back of my mind I suspect that it will be on eBay sooner rather than later!Update 13 September 2011Since writing the above, I have sold this camera. With every camera I've ever owned, I either immediately get a "feel" for it, or I don't. This is of course an intangible quantity and not at all scientific - I just didn't get the "feel" with this camera. Hopefully someone else can love it the way I couldn't...It's undoubtedly a very good camera but I do think the novelty value will wear off very quickly and prices will subsequently drop considerably - I see it's currently around £100 cheaper already. Anyone wishing to buy this camera may well be advised to hold off as I shouldn't be too surprised to see it at around the £500-600 level by Christmas.Update 15 July 2012OK, so sometimes you just have to eat your words...I bought this camera when it was first introduced last year and paid top dollar (around £1000) as soon as I could get my hands on it. As you may see from my initial review above I was disappointed with the camera and eventually sold it last September.However on reflection I began to realise that there was in fact nothing wrong with the camera - it was my own ineptitude and lack of real understanding of how a complex (relatively anyway) camera works. Over the past year I have tried to understand exactly how cameras do work and the effects of metering, focus points, WB, shutter speeds etc. Now I have a working but not extensive knowledge of these variables and then started to realise that I had in effect really only been using the X100 as a glorified "point and shoot" camera. I (wrongly) expected this camera to read my mind and work out the optimal settings and give me perfect images every time. Very wrong.Anyway. I recently decided to investigate this camera a little further and spoke to a few in-the-know people and a couple of professionals to gauge their opinion of this Fuji. Without exception they all sang its praises unreservedly, so I decided, with my new-found camera skills (sort of) that I would again buy this model. I ordered it from Amazon on a Friday afternoon and it was delivered Saturday morning - excellent service! I earlier predicted that the price would eventually drop and it's now priced at a reasonable £650. I spent most of Saturday afternoon familiarising myself with all the controls, although this was quite straightforward as I already own the also excellent Fujifilm X10 and the menu systems are almost identical.As I said at the start of this update I must eat my earlier words and completely retract my earlier criticism of this camera. It is truly outstanding, particularly in image quality and whereas before I found the setting up of the camera to be a little daunting, I now know exactly what I want it to do and I can make whatever shooting adjustments I may want.Read the various other reviews online and they will enlighten you on more technical aspects on this camera - I only wish to convey my own thoughts on just what a quality product the X100 is, although I would still say it's not for the faint-hearted moving up from a basic P&S model. You can of course just set it to Auto control, but this to me seems contrary to what you may be able to achieve with a little work playing with the controls.I also took the precaution of checking the Fuji website for any firmware updates and yesterday updated to version 1.3.I then spent most of Sunday out experimenting and running around looking for something to capture. I had no preconceived thoughts on landscape, architecture or portrait options, but I do have a liking for street photography and this camera feels tailor-made for this type of action. I have recently invested in some prime lenses for my DSLR and using these lenses has taught me to move closer to my subject rather then to only rely on using a zoom lens. This camera forces you to move yourself closer to the subject and think about framing the image. Wow, I almost feel like a real photographer! I also decided to buy the genuine Fuji leather case for the X100 - at £70+ it's not cheap, but I think it's a little incongruous to spend a large wedge of cash on a real quality item then package it with a less than premium case. That said I have ordered a non-Fuji lens hood and filter adapter (!) which probably punctures my last point...Walking around today then with my new toy in the quality leader case over my shoulder I felt like a 1950's tourist (if that makes sense) as I remember my Dad many years ago had a camera he carried around in the same way.Lastly I see Fuji has now announced a new wide angle option for the X100, although this isn't commercially available yet.I can't leave this review without making a couple of negative points; well not really negative. I would have liked to see an option to shoot 1:1 rather than the standard 4:3 or 16:9. Yesterday I dropped the lens cap on to a metal manhole cover which resulted in a chip in the paint of the cap. However neither this nor the lack of 1:1 will detract me from my expected fun using this camera.So, on the strength of all the above I now give this camera a fully deserved 5 stars.

I have been a long time DSLR shooter, and still am. Currently owning a Canon 5D mk3 and a huge assortment of lighting equipment. Prior to the X100 I owned the also brilliant Fuji X10, as I required a walk around camera as I want to use the 5D just for professional work and wanted something smaller. Having sold the X10 for the X100, I was hugely impressed with the looks and build quality, but quickly got frustrated with the camera's autofocus system.This is not a DSLR, it work in a totally different way. I had to learn and remember that every time I used it, but once you do, your results will be simply stunning. The image quality is nothing short of stellar. I find that it doesn't just capture the moment, but it created memories. It's hard to convey in words, but the images have a special quality about them.I suggest switching to black and white JPG, getting in close, stopping the lens to 2.8 or 4, and shooting away.The inbuilt flash is also very usable, as it doesn't create a white mess on your subject.My tips for focus: Use the focus area selector, and make it one bigger than the smallest setting.Only focus on a flat surface, so none of it includes items at different distances. So if focusing on a person, make sure your little focusing box is fully on their eye, with no part being on the background. In low light, switch to AF-C (continuous), it does a much better job than S (single). I keep it on single in the day time.Get a fast memory card. It boots up much quicker that way.Cost aside, in a house-fire I would be hard pressed to choose between this and the 5D mk3. Honestly. I would of course take the canon as it costs many times more, but I would even put my neck out and say that the image quality is comparable! I know, big claim, but I can honestly not ask for anything more in that regard.The lens is a touch soft at F2 around the edges, but that CAN add some magic to the shot as it creates a dreamy feel to it.The price has come down nicely that it would make a great 1st or 2nd camera for any serious photographer.This is not a fancy point and shoot. Do not buy this just because you have a lot of money and want "the best camera out there". You will be frustrated as it takes a lot of skill to be able to use it. Do not let it's small size make you feel like you can put it in auto everything and shoot away.If you are a DSLR shooter and want something lighter to carry around, or even as a 2nd body for an event (seriously), then this is a great addition.

I bought X100 early (June 2011). I had to wait until late Spring 2012 for the firmware to be upgraded to anything that can be regarded as half-decent - it was apalling until then. With hindsight, I should have waited with this purchase until now.The camera developed a fault a couple of months ago when it was still under warranty. Fuji UK repaired the camera but lost my original proof of purchase. (Unfortunately I did not have time to photocopy that document). Now I can't exercise my extended warranty because I haven't got the original proof of purchase. Fuji UK refused to rectify their mistake and did not even apologise.