Just a couple of short months ago, I was browsing one of my
favorite tech blogs (Engadget) when I
ran across an announcement for the Nikon Coolpix A, a relatively tiny camera with a massive APS-C sensor crammed in.
As a gadget-head, that certainly got my attention. However, what ended up piquing my
interest even further wasn't the article, but rather a number of reader
comments referencing the Fuji X100S. I like to pride myself in being well appraised of new technology
announcements, but here was something I had never heard of. “Fuji? Didn't they
used to make film? What are they doing now?” I thought.
I can say with absolute certainty that I’m now fully aware
of what Fuji is doing, and I’m very
impressed. So impressed, in fact, that I quickly ditched my Sony RX100, cashed in a bunch of Southwest Airlines miles (that I earned while playing the frequent flyer game) for Amazon gift cards, and bought myself a shiny
new X100S.
After a few weeks with it, I’ve decided that it’s time to share my
impressions. I thought I had learned the basics of photography in the three years since I took up this hobby, but the X100S has taught me that I have so much more to learn. Even those of you who have been shooting for much longer than I have, will definitely want to take note of this camera. It very well could encourage you to rediscover photography all over again.
When I wrote my Sony RX1 post last year, I never thought I’d soon own a camera that wowed
me nearly as much as that one did. No, the X100S doesn't have a full frame
sensor like the RX1, but it nails so many other areas that it doesn't seem to
matter much anymore. Even if I could have afforded the RX1, I think I would
have been seriously jealous of the hybrid viewfinder in the X100S (more on that
later).
The X100S is such an impressive camera that it has gotten
the attention of a number of pros. Many have ventured out with it on
serious gigs and come back impressed. Some have even shot weddings with it! I’ll list a number of reviews by professional
photographers at the end of this post that will show you what this camera is
capable of in the most experienced of hands.
Update 5-16-13: I just found this great video by David in which he goes through all of the camera's features in detail:
Update 5-16-13: I just found this great video by David in which he goes through all of the camera's features in detail:
Another review you simply must read is by the hilariously funny (and talented) Zack Arias. I’d say his review is THE review to read if you only have time to read one. Read his story about a camera walking into a bar here. Also, check out the very well-done accompanying video below:
What really blew me away about X100S, is that it's so good
that I found many comparing it to the RX1. I would never have imagined that these cameras would be in the same league, much less hear people
suggesting that you buy one over an RX1 (even if cost isn't a factor).
Don’t believe me? Check out this video from Digital Rev comparing the two in a
hilarious “Battle of the X's”.
What I love about this camera
The hybrid viewfinder is an amazing piece of
engineering. It was the first feature of the camera that really caught my
attention, and the biggest feature that is currently unique to Fuji. Check out
this detailed explanation from Fuji on how it works. I’m often shooting indoors at close range with my kids, so the
electronic viewfinder (EVF) tends to be my mode of choice, as it has no issues
with the parallax effect. However, the optical viewfinder is certainly crisper,
as well as more useful in bright light. I could get by with just the EVF, but I
love the flexibility of having both. The integration of the two, gives you the option to do really sweet things like overlay a histogram on the optical
viewfinder, or have it switch briefly to the EVF to display the image that you just captured. Way cool.
High ISO performance that blows most other cameras in
the APS-C (and smaller) class out of the water. If you don’t believe me, check
out some of these image comparison tools to compare the X100S to your favorite cameras. It's really
astonishing to me that I can take a picture at ISO 3200 or 6400 and still have
the final image be eminently usable.
I was really impressed by some of the low-light examples in
David Hobby’s review above. Here is one of my attempts to replicate the shot he
has of his daughter lit by an iPhone screen. My attempt is of my wife, lit only by a distant 75W bulb
and a laptop screen. This is SOOC at 1/75s, f/2, and ISO 6400 (!!). I'll admit though, it is soft at f/2 and close range.
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| SOOC at 1/75s, f/2, and ISO 6400 |
The fixed, 35mm equivalent, f/2.0 Fujinon lens might turn away some. There are of course times when it will be overly restrictive, but for the most part, I find it liberating. It forces me to think out of the box a bit, consider different angles, and move myself rather than the lens. In doing so, I am also forced to think more about my surroundings which, in turn, ends up causing me to think more about unrelated (but important) things like the source and strength of the light. I also like that the focal length captures very close to what my eye sees. That’s important to me when I am travelling, as I prefer to capture memories the way I saw them. I know there's a lot of debate about which focal length accomplishes this. For me, I find 35mm to be ideal. Oh, and man is this lens sharp! Check out the tight crop at f/4 below:
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| Click on the image to see how sharp this is! |
Dedicated physical dials that really help drive home
the key concepts of photography. One reason I bought this camera, was to learn
more about photography. The X100S certainly does that in spades. Sure you
can change aperture or shutter speed on just about any high-end camera with a
variety of general purpose buttons and wheels, but having dedicated dials
really encourages me to use them. For example, I’ve always seen the exposure
compensation menu option on other cameras, but never really bothered to futz
with it. Now that I have a dedicated dial right at my
fingertips, I find myself using it more often to explore what it can do for my
images. Take a look at the various dedicated dials and buttons below:
The built-in 3 stop neutral density (ND) filter
nearly made me scramble to find my credit card when I first read about it. I’ve
always wanted to explore the idea of using ND filters to do things in broad
daylight that you normally can’t such as, shoot at wide open apertures, or
capture smooth flowing water with a slow shutter speed. The problem was I just never got around to
spending the money on high-quality filters. Even if I had, I know the lazy side of me wouldn't have
wanted to stop what I was doing to dig into my gear bag, find the filter, spin it
on the lens, then reverse the process when I was done with a handful of shots.
Sounds stupid, but that little bit of extra inconvenience or time is often enough to discourage me from trying new things. Having a built-in physical ND
filter that can swing into the optical path at the press of a button is beyond
awesome. Once again, an X100S feature is helping expand the depth of my
photography skills.
The huge APS-C 16MP X-Trans sensor was a major draw
for me. Ever since I picked up my first DSLR, I’ve been looking for a camera
will allow me to enjoy the benefits of a large sensor camera, without having
the bulk of a DSLR body. I’ve finally found that camera. Fuji really likes to tout the
advantages of the unique pixel array in their X-Trans sensor. I’m
not sure I buy into all that marketing just yet, but I have yet to be
disappointed by the images it produces. See the difference between the standard
Bayer pattern on most sensors, and the X-Trans pattern first introduced in the Fuji X-Pro1 here.
The built-in flash actually does work well, and the EXR II processor
does an amazing job of compensating for it to produce natural looking images. I
don’t use a flash often, but usually any built-in flash is beyond useless to
me. This, on the other hand, is one I actually plan to experiment with. Here’s an example using the fill-flash with
one of my boys (Small contrast and highlight adjustments have been made in Lightroom. The image
is also cropped):
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| Example of the Fuji's great fill-flash |
Manual focus features that are actually very useful.
I’ve never used manual focus in the past. I simply don’t trust my
eyesight. The X100S has two cool manual focus aids that I love. They
really work too! I find focus peaking to be the most useful, but digital split image is fun to experiment with as well. Watch a demonstration
of the two manual focus aids below:
Stellar build quality that matches what I would
expect from a $1300 camera. I really have nothing bad to say about the materials
used. Everything about the design is highly polished. The nostalgic retro look of
the X100S might be what initially attracts those who used to shoot film, but it
was actually a little off-putting to me at first. However, the design has
really grown on me, and I like that it stands out in a crowd. It stands out so
much, in fact, that the Strobist covered his in gaffer tape to reduce the “steal me” quality it exudes.
Dynamic Range (DR) and Film Simulation bracketing modes
that really help me learn more about the camera’s features. I can’t believe
that I’ve spent three years on this hobby, and never learned about DR. The DR bracketing mode clarified this concept for me real
quick by taking three photos in succession (one each at 100%, 200%, and 400%
DR). In certain situations (like a backlit subject) I was able to clearly see
the difference between these modes.
Fuji has also been known for years for their wide array of film
products. The X100S includes an interesting film simulation mode that lets you
alter the image characteristics to emulate these old films (such as Provia,
Velvia, and Astia). I really couldn't decide at times whether or not I liked a
certain film simulation. This film simulation bracketing mode takes the stress out of the decision by taking three successive shots with a different film simulation for
each (the three chosen simulations can be customized in the menus). I'm then able to compare them in post and decide what looks best.
What don’t I like?
There's a lot to love about this camera, but nothing is perfect. None of these were deal breakers for me but they could be for you.
There's a lot to love about this camera, but nothing is perfect. None of these were deal breakers for me but they could be for you.
No Image Stabilization (IS) is both a con and a
blessing. There is no doubt that it can help in certain situations. I used to
have this be a mandatory requirement when buying a camera or lens, but now I’ve
accepted the loss of it. I realize that it was a crutch that I relied on far too much. I still do miss it though. Perhaps I’m still not over my IS
addiction.
The low resolution screen isn't the end of the world,
but I’ve gotten used to the 1.04 million dot resolution of my DSLR screen.
Having a little less than half the resolution on the X100S is noticeable when
coming down from a higher-res display. Does it affect the quality of my pictures?
No, but it would have been nice for reviewing them on-site. I just find it to be an
incredibly curious omission on a $1300 camera. How much more could the part
have cost Fuji? I’d have paid $1350 for that. Perhaps it was a concession to
accommodate for the poor battery life of the X100S (relative to a DSLR).
On that note, it’s the battery meter, not the battery
life, that I lament most. No, the battery life isn't great, but the battery is small
and cheap. I bought a second one and moved on. What really annoys me, is that
the camera will display three out of three bars of battery life for a very long
time, then two, followed very suddenly by one…and then you’re done. Two out of three bars does not mean 67% power remaining. Rather, it means more like 10% power remaining. If
you see two out of three bars on the battery meter, change the battery as soon
as you are able. If you see one bar, do it immediately lest you miss a critical shot. Why can’t camera
manufacturers take a page from the smartphone playbook and display battery life
as a percentage? Seems like an ultra simple software tweak to me.
I wish it was a little more compact than it is. If
you’re coming down from a DSLR, the size will seem diminutive. I bought this camera to replace high-end compacts that I’ve used
in the past such as the S95 and
the RX100.
From that perspective, the X100S seems huge. That said, when I’m shooting, it
really doesn't bother me all that much. I end up getting lost in taking
pictures, and in the end, the pictures are all that matter. If you care about
something “pants pocketable”, I don’t think photography is the hobby for you.
You’ll need to rethink your case and lens cap strategy
if you opt to use the lens hood or a filter. Once the accessory ring and lens
hood are attached, you can no longer use the stock lens cap. I find this to be
a bizarre design oversight from Fuji considering the attention they've given to
every other aspect of the camera. You’ll also need a much larger case to
accommodate the camera with the hood attached. Yes, I realize that I can remove
the hood when I don’t need it, but if I take it off, I’ll be less likely to
have it with me when I do need it. See my recommendations for overcoming this
con in the accessories section below.
Raw support is limited at the moment as popular image
editing tools have yet to master the X-Trans pixel array. The
big names like Lightroom and Aperture support it, but I’ve seen enough articles
to suggest that things aren't quite perfect yet. I am happy with the JPEG
output though, so this really isn't an emergency for me right now.
Autofocus speed is good but not great. It has supposedly
been improved from the older X100 model (which I’ve never used), but I still wouldn't describe this as blazing fast. At least not by DSLR standards that is.
It’s plenty quick for most situations, but I occasionally miss shots of my VERY
fast moving kids. Fuji claims it has the fastest autofocus in the world right now. I don’t believe that at all. It can be very fast in
great light, but not in low light. There are also suggestions
that the current firmware may have something to do with autofocus speed
degradation over the early units tested by pro photographers and review sites. Don’t
buy this camera if you’re expecting to become a sports photographer.
The eye-watering $1300 price tag makes me feel like
I’m stealing from my children’s college fund. If that price sounds like a lot
to you, I’d say that you would understandably be labeled a normal, rational
human being. It is a lot of money. It is especially a lot of money if
you, like me, aren't earning any money for your photos. If it wasn't for the
fact that I had a hefty sum of unused airline miles (that converted to $1100 in
Amazon gift cards), I wouldn't even be writing this post.
This camera isn't for
everyone
The more you read about the X100S, the more you’ll want one.
Be aware though that the X100S is a complicated camera. There is no dial on the
top with a green “Auto” setting. The camera has the standard PASM shooting
modes, but rather than a single dial to switch between them, you now have a bunch
of buttons and dials. You can effectively get auto in the form of the
Program mode (P), but you need to know what constitutes that mode and how to
manipulate the various settings to get there.
If you are a beginner to photography, and really want to
learn the ins and outs of it, I stand by a comment I made in my DSLR plunge post: Don’t buy a mirrorless camera as your first step up from a
point-and-shoot. They are great cameras, but to get to the point where you can
really consider replacing a DSLR, you need to spend a lot of money to get an absolutely
essential optical or electronic viewfinder. Those just starting out, will serve
themselves much better by buying a “cheap” $500 DSLR for learning the basics.
I’d liken buying an X100S straight out of the gate, to buying a BMW 5 series
right after passing your driver’s test. It’s complicated enough that you might
just scare yourself off before you've even gotten started.
So why did I buy it when I’m just an amateur? Well, the
X100S is a fantastic camera for learning photography, and I am using it to do
just that. With that in mind, I do still suffer from Gear Acquisition Syndrome, and I’m trying to save you from falling into the same
trap. I started with a DSLR and don’t regret it, but I moved too quickly to more
expensive gear.
Useful Tips
Here are just a couple of quick tips to save you some of the
grief I experienced out of the box. For some reason, my camera came by default
with the rear screen set to an info display that can’t be used to compose the
image. Perhaps Fuji wants to show off their hybrid viewfinder and force me to
use it? I spent many frustrating minutes digging through menus to change this.
In the end, all I had to do was press the DISP/BACK button once. Ooops.
The second tip applies to those that prefer to shoot in
continuous drive mode. I’m usually taking rapid-fire pictures of fast-moving children, so I switched
to this mode immediately. Within minutes, I discovered I couldn't zoom
in on images in playback mode. It took me a very long time to realize that this was connected to
my act of switching drive modes. As it turns out, Fuji has some bizzaro
“feature” where images that are taken in a single burst get named differently
and sorted into sets in the playback mode. Before you can zoom in on an image,
you first have to press down on the command dial to enter the set, THEN you can
zoom in. This is mentioned briefly on page 59 of the user manual.
Other useful tips can be found by perusing the very active
discussion boards in the Fuji X-Forum.
There’s the general X100S forum, as well as useful pinned discussions like these tips that apply to both the X100 and the X100S. I’ve also been exposed to a
great deal of information by following the Fuji Rumors site.
Last but not least, Fuji frequently releases firmware updates, so keep a close eye on their firmware page, or just watch the forums above. It is entirely
possible that a firmware update may improve the auto focus speed in the future.
Accessories
As with most cameras, but especially the X100S, you can go
completely accessory crazy if you want to. I didn't go crazy, but it did take
me a long time to assemble a kit that I felt was complete. Much of this is
subjective in nature, but this list may save you a lot of time. For even more
suggestions, check out this forum.
Lens Hood: If you are going to buy a hood, get this
third-party JJC hood from Amazon.
The color matches the X100S perfectly and it is four times cheaper than the authentic
Fuji version (which you can find if you prefer at Amazon,
Adorama
or B&H).
If the hood doesn't fit tightly at first, follow this tip.
Also, if you are like me and couldn't figure out how to get the stock lens ring
off in order to install the hood, watch this helpful video:
Lens Cap: As I mentioned in
the cons, you will have to get a new lens cap once you start using the hood.
You could also choose to use a lens filter full-time to act as a cap, but I
just can’t bring myself to do that. As heinous as it might seem to Fuji
acolytes, the best pinch-style lens cap I found was a Sony model originally
intended for their competitive NEX line. This is a perfect fit with the filter below. I don’t use a filter full-time though, so instead I have an empty filter ring attached with the glass removed. The hood can click directly into the X100S accessory ring, but my own paranoia prefers a little more separating the cap from the lens, and having the ring on there makes it a little easier to attach the cap when sticking my fingers inside the hood. This lens cap can be found at Amazon, Adorama, or direct from Sony.
B+W 49mm Multi
Coated Filter: I only use filters when I absolutely need them. When I do
have one on, I refuse to use a cheap, uncoated filter in front of an expensive
lens. Do yourself a favor and buy a nice B+W or Hoya filter. The good news is
that at 49mm, even the high-end filters are relatively cheap. The B+W F-Pro mount has the perfect amount
of depth to accommodate a pinch cap. Don’t make the mistake I initially made by
purchasing the seemingly better XS-Pro mount. That is a slim filter that
will NOT work with a pinch cap. See the difference between the two below. The 49mm F-Pro mount with a multi-resistant coating can be found at Amazon, Adorama, or B&H.
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| Buy the filter on the left! |
Snapr-35 Case:
Finding a case that fits the camera with the hood attached was difficult.
The Snapr-35 works very well, and has ample room for a spare battery, memory
card, filter, cleaning cloth, etc. It is bulkier than I would have liked, but
such is life if you want to keep the hood permanently attached. Find it at Amazon, Adorama, B&H,or direct from the manufacturer.
Extra Authentic
Fuji Battery: Don’t even think about
this one. Buy a second battery. This is one area I don’t trust Amazon for as
there are hoards of imitations being passed off as authentic. Buy an
extra NP-95 from Adorama, or
Gordy’s Wrist Strap? Extra emphasis on the question
mark. Some prefer neck straps, I prefer wrist straps. Had I known I would
eventually buy the Snapr-35 (which comes with a useful wrist strap), I may not
have bought the Gordy's strap. A great many X100/X100S owners rave about this strap,
but I’m not entirely sold on it. I find
it pretty uncomfortable. I decided to keep using it for now to see if my
opinion changes as the leather softens. I bought the lug-mount model which was
crazy difficult to attach. I ended up switching out the circular attachment
ring that came with it, for the triangular one that comes with the X100S. I
found that to be more comfortable. You might like the string mount model (which is easier to attach), but I’m not sure I trust the strength of the string. Buy it
direct at Gordy’s Camera Straps (lug mount, or string mount).
Fast Memory Card:
You will definitely want a fast memory card if you shoot in RAW+Fine JPEG as I’ve
been fond of doing lately (I usually use the JPEGs and keep the RAW files on Bitcasa just in
case). Read more about my SD card of choice here.
Accidental
Damage Warranty: Whether you should buy this or not all depends on your
level of risk tolerance. Given that I knew I’d be shooting around damage-prone
children, I decided that a good warranty was a logical investment. I’ve never
had to use a SquareTrade warranty, but I hear good things about them. I bought
a 2 year SquareTrade plan from Amazon ($20 cheaper than buying direct from SquareTrade).
Learn more about what it covers here.
Optional Tom
Abrahamsson Soft Release: Some people swear that these things allow you to
shoot a stop slower. I’m not sure I believe that, but I am hopeful it will
help. Beyond that, I just think it looks cool. This is yet another thing the
X100S has taught me about photography. I'd never even heard of a soft release
prior to owning this camera. It's available in five colors at the Photo Village.
Sample Images
Below is a small sample of some of the shots I’m proud of
so far. Most of what I have are shots of my family. You can find more of my work at: www.emmanuelcanaan.com
Other Reviews
Aside from the David Hobby and Zack Arias reviews, also check out the great
reviews below for many additional details and sample images from the X100S:
- Brian Kraft
- Cult of Mac
- DP Review Samples
- Fredrik Averpil
- Ken Rockwell (Think what you will of him. I see A LOT of hate for him in forums for some reason, but I found his review and sample images to be very useful)
- Kevin Mullins
- Ralfs Foto-Bude (very detailed video review)
- Riflessifotografici (translated from Italian)
- Robin Schimko
- Steve Huff Photo
- The Verge
Let me know if I'm missing any other good ones!
Final Thoughts
If you skipped right to the bottom, here is the tl;dr
version: This camera rocks. If you’re a pro that wants a second camera that
will go places your DSLR can’t, buy this camera. If you’re a hobbyist that can afford
it (and you aren't just starting out), buy this camera. If you’re brand new to
photography, don’t buy this camera. Start with something cheaper, learn the
basics of photography, discover what it is you want to shoot most, and then buy
the inevitable successor if you find that this will suit your needs.
Lastly, if you found anything useful in this post at all, please
do me a favor and use this Amazon referral link to purchase your X100S. I get a small referral credit, and
you pay the same price. Note: At the
time of writing the X100S has very limited availability. You can track
the stock status here.
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