RX100 is still very popular

I like to check list of top selling cameras on Amazon. Sometimes the numbers are just unbelievable. For example, Fuji X100S is present in top 100 best selling cameras (position 68 in all categories). Fuji X100S is a great camera, no doubt but it is an elitist camera aimed on certain group of people. At $1300 it is one of the most expensive cameras in top 100 list. On other hand, other compact cameras with APS-C sensor, Nikon A and Ricoh GR, did not made it to the list on that day.

Another interesting fact: Sony RX100 is still selling close to $650. Today it was on position 21. Other camera with 1" sensor (Nikon 1) did not made it in top 100 list.  Nikon 1 J2 is selling for $300  including10-30mm VR lens but it is less popular that the Sony. J2 is not a latest model, but the replacement for Sony X100 is expected to be announced later this month. Still, Sony RX100 is prices twice more than the Nikon, and it is more popular.      

Nikon 1 is an amazing system with the fastest autofocus among current breed of mirrorless cameras, but many people want to have a small and capable camera. Nikon has the technology to make a good compact camera with 1" sensor and fast autofocus. Such camera probably would outsold RX100 or RX100MkII. But for now Sony is the only company producing 1" compact cameras.

This situation describes a very narrow segment of camera market, advanced compact and mirrorless cameras. The whole market is dominated by two giants. In fact, Nikon is very successful company.

Fuji X100S in Australia

Yesterday I visited a local camera shop in Brisbane, and it turned out that 1) the shop already got Fuji X100S and 2) it was sold out. I mean cameras, not the shop.

Anyway, I've grabbed Fujinon XF60mm F2.4 R Macro for one week. I am not a professional photographer by any means. I am not even a photographer. While I am very satisfied with Fuji X-E1 and XF18-55mm lens, the close-up inability of XF18-55mm F2.8-4 OIS is a bit disappointing, so I investigate various options in this area. The easiest way to solve the problem would be a camera swapping: X-E1 on even days, and X10 on odd. Or opposite. But I was curious about XF60mm Macro, a highly recommended lens (photozone), so I rented the thing. My first impression after two days of an opportunistic shooting: it is slow. I mean the focus speed, of cause. Actually, it is very super slow. It is also noisy. On some subjects, e.g. red flowers, it just refuse to focus. I must to admit: these were tricky flowers. On top of it, it does not focus very close: it is not 1:1 macro. Yes, the macro mode was enabled through the Macro button. It still covers a fairly big area.

The lens has an old firmware, so, maybe this can explain the slow autofocus.

The only good thing: it will save me $600 :)

Fuji X100S: sample photos and reviews

DPReview posted real-world photos from Fuji X100S. As usual, comments is fun to read.
Photography Blog published a review of Fuji X100S.
Some  Fuji X100S test shots on flickr.
Comparison of Fuji X100 and Fuji X100S by Rico Pfirstinger. He also has some other interesting stuff, such as photos taken with Fuji X-E1 and Metabones Speedbooster / adapter and Carl Zeiss glass...

Another review, by Zack Arias. I would say, impression, not a traditional review, but it is all about photographs - and those are awesome!  

Review by Simon Goldsworthy, from London. Yes, a double decker shot is included :) Nice street photos, some interesting comments on autofocus and 14 bits RAW from the camera. Simon also uses Fuji X-E1 and some m4/3 gear.

Early review of Fuji X100S

Fujifilm X forum on the DPReview site is now very boring. The same can be said about FinePix forum. ORBs gone, SAB gone, not much left to complain about. People compare images taken at iso 6400 by X100S and Sony RX1 and want more primes. It is a golden moment for Fujifilm. Fuji X100S is among 100 top selling digital cameras on Amazon, Fuji X-E1 is still very popular choice among mirrorless cameras (Amazon), the XF14mm wide angle  lens got very good reviews - you name it.

Anyway, I went on X forum to find opinions on Fuji X100S. The camera is not available in Australia yet, and the same is true for the US but some people already got the thing. I found link to BrianKraft Photography blog with interesting opinion on the camera, including wonderful photos.

Fuji X20 vs X10 and X100S vs X100

Link to comparison shots between Fujifilm X10 and X20. I am curious to see L to L comparison at 12MP, not 6MP for Fuji X10. For Fuji X20 sample images follow this link. Have a look and make your own conclusion.

For people interested in Fuji X100S vs X100 comparison ricopress got a dedicated set with several test images and interesting observation on auto white balance, difference in film simulation modes and iso rating. Obviously, the account has other images from both cameras but not many. I guess more sample photo will follow soon.

I followed this blog before buying into the X system. You've been warned, it can be very tempting and addictive :)

Sample photos from Fuji X100S

Fujifilm UK posted on flickr 15 images / sample photos taken with Fuji X100S.

DPReview on Fuji X100S

It seems that DPReview team is very excited about Fujifilm X100S. It seems that the most weak points of Fuji X100 were addressed in the new model. Better autofocus, better manual focus, focus peaking, higher resolution and updated hybrid viewfinder. The minimal focusing distance is just 10 cm (in Macro mode, the same as on the X100). Here is a link to X100S review by Ken Rockwell.

First look at Fuji X20 and X100S

Imaging Resource had published previews for Fuji X100S and X20. Quote: "Fujifilm's X-Trans sensor technology was arguably one of the most significant technical developments of 2012 for the photo business." I wish these guys will be able to test the new Fuji cameras in nearby future. Right now it is essentially the specs and excitement.

In meantime Nikon added two new lenses for Nikon 1 system, wide angle and compact version of super-zoom.

Official samples from Fuji X20 and X100S

The official Fujifilm X site was updated with info on both X20 and X100S. The  sample photos are also there as well as description of key features including a "hybrid" viewfinder on Fuji X20. Both X10 and X100 are gone.

Fuji X10 is my first Fujifilm camera and now I am hooked on user interface and Fuji colors. I am happy with the resolution and have not used EXR modes much. For high contrast scenes I prefer to use 200% dynamic range because the noise at iso 200 on Fuji X10 is very low. With BSI CMOS sensor on Fuji X20 the noise probably will be even lower. The resolution probably will be better, too. But, as all cameras with small sensors, it will struggle in low contrast areas. The inclusion of an information panel into optical viewfinder is the most interesting upgrade. This thing can make OVF on the X20 useable. It seems that only Fuji and Canon keep the OVFs on the compact cameras, and at least on paper, Fujifilm has an edge here. Olympus XZ-2 can be used with an external EVF, so it is also a reasonable alternative for very bright light. While I have not seen any X20 review yet, on paper it looks like a serious upgrade over the X10.

Appearance of X-Trans sensors on two new models increases chances of good third-party support of RAW development which is important for some people. I was really happy to switch back to JPEG with Fuji X10 and now with the X-E1. In most situations I am very happy with the white balance on both cameras, and Fuji X-E1 at 200% has amazing dynamic range. The resolution exceeds my needs on both cameras.

This time Fujifilm recycled the mechanical part of the X10 and updated the electronics (sensor, processor, information panel, fast hybrid autofocus). The same or similar lens, the same button layout, no ND filter this time. Very wise decision considering how good and well-thought is the X10 body. In comparison to X10 the UI of Fuji X-E1 feels a bit immature because of "dead controls": inactive buttons and dial in some shooting modes. Fuji X-E1 UI definitely can be better.

It seems that Fujifilm will make many people happy :-)

Price of Fuji X100S in Australia

Some shops in Brisbane already listed Fuji X100S for pre-orders for about $1,300 (AUD). The price is essentially similar to the X100. Very tempting camera for some people, and the price is about 1/3 of Sony RX1 (if you fork in an external viewfinder for the Sony).

The availability date for the X100S is not clear, even B&H does not have it.

However, B&H has Fuji X20 for pre-order for about $600. It is cheaper than Fuji X10 in Australia. Well, now in Down Under we can get the camera with extra things like a camera case from Fjifilm.

Fuji X20 and X100S are officially announced

The DPReview posted the First Look previews for both cameras. According to their preview, the X20 got BSI sensor, and with the back-illuminated sensor the noise at high iso should be low. The Q menu button of X20 is just renamed RAW button of X10. The autofocus probably will be fast on both cameras because of on-chip phase detection elements. The viewfinder got an overlaying electronic panel, and probably will be the best current OVF on current compact camera. Both Fuji X20 and X100S are designed for specific groups of photographers based on preferences of camera handling and intended use. No sample images were posted yet on the DPReview.

Also, Pentax joined the club and announced an advanced compact camera based on 1/1.7" BSI sensor. The MX-1 has  28-112mm eqv f/1.8-2.5 lens and a flip-out 920k rear screen.

Introducing the new Fujifilm X100S

The press release of the Fujifilm X100S is available at Fujifilm UK. The link was posted by Fujirumors.The official announcement probably will be on Monday.

The cool things: new(!) "16.3 megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS II sensor and EXR Processor II, which together increase resolution by approx. 25%  [over Fuji X100] and reduce noise by more than 30% [over Fuji X100]. So, there is a new X-Trans sensor. Fujifilm did some magic and according to the press release a lot of details are visible at f/16. At that aperture value the diffraction eats some resolution in X-Pro1 with the first generation of X-Trans sensor and previous image processing. The electronic part of the viewfinder is upgraded to 2.4MP. The camera got the hybrid autofocus system ("world's fastest"), focus peaking and image splitting for better manual focus. The 23mm f/2 lens is "specifically designed for this model" but it contains 8 elements in 6 groups as X100. The lens focuses up to 10 cm in Macro mode and has 3x ND filter. The Q (Quick) menu is added to the camera. The video is updated and "the X100S can shoot at 60fps (!) during Full HD video recording (1920 x 1080)". I want to see the sample images from X100S and comparison to Fuji X-Pro1 / X-E1 cameras.

Very impressive upgrade from the X100. At least some features probably will migrate to Fuji X-Pro2. 

Sensor in Fuji X20

Fujifilm is about to announce new cameras including replacement models for Fuji X100 and X10, and some specs for Fuji X100s and Fuji X20 are leaked. This rumor is somewhat confusing. First, it was expected that Fuji X100s will have a hybrid viewfinder. Maybe the upgraded HVF is based on OLED. It is confusing because Fuji X-E1 has electronic viewfinder. It seems that Fuji X100s will also have a hybrid viewfinder, and upgraded electronics. Also, the same source claims that Fuji X20 will have X-Trans sensor while it was expected that the successor of Fuji X10 will keep EXR sensor. Maybe it will combine both technologies. After all, the main feature of X-Trans sensor is essentially just non-standard color filter. But now I am curious to see the real specs. If Fuji X20 will get X-Trans sensor, than the camera can be the best compact with small sensor for shooting at high iso. And, on top of that, both cameras are getting focus peaking for manual focusisng and hybrid autofocus. 

Focus peaking on Fuji X100s

The announcement of both Fujifilm X100s and X20 is expected next week on CES show. In addition to X-Trans sensor Fuji X100s is expected to have a focus peaking (link). If true, than it will be implemented on Fujifilm X-Pro2.