Finepix x100

Scott Brady

Founder
Lustful upon first review - at least visually.

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http://www.fujifilm.com/news/n100920.html

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PHOTOKINA 2010, COLOGNE, GERMANY, September 20, 2010 - FUJIFILM Corporation is pleased to announce the new FinePix X100, a high-grade digital compact camera featuring an APS-C CMOS sensor, a Fujinon 23mm fixed focal length lens and a newly developed Hybrid Viewfinder, due for commercial release in early 2011.
The FinePix X100 is aimed at the professional photographer or keen enthusiast looking for exceptional quality pictures from a compact camera. It is designed to appeal to the millions of DSLR users who need a slim back-up camera for high quality in-fill shots when the use of a bigger SLR system is either inconvenient or impractical. Or, of course, it can be used as a professional's only top-end camera, if size and versatility are the primary considerations.
Fujifilm has closely studied the current line-up of professional cameras and feels that there is a strong need for a compact high-quality (APS-C based) camera as a counterpoint to an SLR. Using the experience of working with generations of photographers using famous emulsions like Velvia, Provia, Astia etc., Fujifilm engineers distilled this knowledge into months of careful study to create the perfect compact-sized professional camera.
The priority for this model is picture quality, so it was decided to make the highest quality possible lens and sensor combination, built from the ground-up. The lens chosen is a fixed, prime F2 lens, made by Fujinon, manufactured to perfectly match the APS-C custom sensor. Added to this is the newly-developed EXR Processor, which combines all the latest image processing technology Fujifilm has technology built up over the years.
Other cameras on the market look to fill the need for the ultimate ‘compact’ professional camera, but the Fujifilm development team believe that, having listened to the marketplace, the FinePix X100 offers a number of technical developments that will set this camera apart from other contenders. The main technologies employed in this camera are as follows:
Hybrid Viewfinder (New Development)

The Hybrid Viewfinder on the FinePix X100 combines the window-type “bright frame” optical viewfinder found in high-end film cameras such as 35mm or medium-format cameras, and the electronic viewfinder system incorporated in fixed single lens or mirrorless digital cameras. By using integrating a prism for the 1,440,000 dot LCD panel image on the viewing screen in the reverse-Galilean optical finder, the Hybrid Viewfinder can show both the shooting frame and a variety of shooting data. Of course, it can also be used as a high-quality electronic viewfinder to compose or playback shots. With this ability to instantly switch between optical and electronic viewfinder images with simple “one touch” control. The new Hybrid Viewfinder offers users expanded freedom in the composition and enjoyment of photography in a range of challenging shooting conditions.
While digital compact cameras have become ever slimmer and more compact in recent years, composing and viewing shots on large, higher resolution LCD panels on the back of the camera has become the mainstream practice for today's users. On the other hand, shooting with an optical viewfinder is the standard practice for conventional film cameras and the preferred method for large numbers of digital camera owners. Many prefer the finder to be as close as possible to the eye so the user can focus attention exclusively on photo composition to get a clear view of the subject without distraction.
While traditionalists prefer the clear, sharp view of an ‘optical’ finder, modern electronic displays, giving data like shutter speed, aperture, white balance, exposure correction and sensitivity can aid the photographer tremendously. The new Hybrid Viewfinder on the FinePix X100 aims to give the user the ‘best of both worlds’.
 

4xdog

Explorer
That's almost the same image Digital Photography Review had in their review.

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photo credit: dpreview.com
 

off-roader

Expedition Leader
Wow, it sure is although you'll see they show the later f/1.9 version which has a bit more plastic parts.

Edit: $1200? Woah... is that for cosmetic reasons or is there at least $1000 worth of photo gear there?
 
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ccarm

Adventurer
This is by far one of the sexiest cameras on the market right now. Styling, quality and resolution are things to drool over. Hmm this gets me thinking that I need to add a rangefinder to the camera collection.
 

photoman

Explorer
Very interesting camera. Fixed 35mm lens. That is definitely a unique approach to take.

If the price is indeed in the $1200 range that seems like a lot for a camera with such a limited range.

Will be interesting to see some real sample images and what happens with the release.
 

off-roader

Expedition Leader
Very interesting camera. Fixed 35mm lens. That is definitely a unique approach to take.

If the price is indeed in the $1200 range that seems like a lot for a camera with such a limited range.

Will be interesting to see some real sample images and what happens with the release.

Agreed on 35mm being an interesting approach.

Price is a bit high I think. $800-1000 is more reasonable based on it using a fixed f/2 35mm lens with a "matched" aps-c sensor.

I do LOVE the look for sure.... Obviously LOL...
 

Honu

lost on the mainland
a lot of talk and a lot of pre orders on another photo forum DWF I am on

the one thing will be the focus ? I love my pro cameras but my daily grab is my pen setup and the focus sucks when you are used to pro cameras ?

but the quality out of pens is amazing and thinking that this will be even nicer

the fixed lens for me is also a ?????? the biggest thing will be how it compares to the M4/3 in output again should beat it with the lens being fixed and made just for the sensor etc.. guess if we could interchange the viewfinder would really have to change ? maybe a few years ;)

if the quality of the glass is their then I figure its not a bad deal really

the super cool thing is the leaf shutter and the sync speed we can get :) also how quiet that leaf is !!!!!

I will wait to see but it could be a cool camera to have in the bag thats for sure

low light super quiet when needed and quality that I am sure is going to be good enough for pro work ?
 

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