Fuji X100 versus Panasonic GF1

Photographer Michael Carpentier compared the Fuji X100 and the Panasonic GF1 camera. The original article has been written in french but click here to read the google english translation. You might be surprised to read that he considers the GF1 a better choice than the X100. Image quality difference is minimal, and he is particularly disappointed with the Fuji’s lens performance at f/2.0. There is also a huge problem with focusing at short distance. There are also other quirks with the X100 but also some positive notes. Anyway the small image quality difference in favour of the X100 doesn’t justify the huge price difference. And if you really need that bit more of IQ you can still go for the Sony NEX-5!

Check the Fuji X100 price and availability at [shopcountry 100018].
Check the Panasonic GF1 price and availability at .
Check the Sony NEX-5 price and availability at .

And also Thom Hogan cannot recommend the Fuji X100: “the camera has some near fatal flaws: for example, if it powers down due to inactivity, pressing the shutter release doesn’t bring it back to life. So you cycle the On/Off button and the power-on sequence is not fast to begin with. So much to like. So much to dislike. Oh, and a proprietary US$130 lens hood? Stinkaroo on that. Shame on Fujifilm for playing that game.“

One last news: Dpreview added the studio sample pictures of the X100.

New Fuji X100 reviews and news.

Reidreviews (Click here) published the “Part II” of the Fuji X100 review: “It includes, among many other things, a detailed look at the comparative quality of files from the X100, Leica X1, Sigma DP2s and Leica M8.2.”

Brandon Remler (Click here) published a couple of Street Scenes High ISO images on his blog.

DCresource (Click here) posted a full Fuji X100 review: “When I got my hands on the FinePix X100, I was instantly impressed. The viewfinder and user interface took some getting used to, but once I became familiar with the camera and its quirks, I found it quite enjoyable to use. And did I mention the excellent photo quality? There is room for improvement in terms of performance, user interface, and manual control limitations, but for a first effort, Fuji has done a very good job.“

Golftoimpress (Click here) also tested the X100: “In the end, while not without its quirks or issues, the X100 is an awesome camera. It is built wonderfully, has great technology, and most importantly is fun to use and takes great pictures.“

A few Fuji X100 cameras are in Stock for the very first time in Europe:  at Amazon UK (Click here). As you know in US switches form the “in Stock” to “out of Stock” status every couple of hours. Check at Amazon US (Click here). I can’t keep up with all the status changes. If you want to check for yourself here is the full list of worldwide stores I do check from time to time…and yes I am crazy :)

Alphabetical order by country:
[shoplist ”]

The new Fuji X100 firmware is out! (and gets reviewed at the NYC)

The new firmware fixes the following problem: “If the images are shot with ISO Bracketing mode when “QUICK START MODE”(*1) is set to “ON” and turn off the camera,the camera cannot be turned on again even with ordinary operation.“
You can download the firmware at: http://www.fujifilm.com/support/digital_cameras/software/firmware/x/finepix_x100/fupd.html

There is also a new review by David Pogue from the New Yor Times: “Real photo devotees don’t see a fixed lens as a huge detriment. They see it as a limit that inspires compositional creativity, like the 140-character limit on Twitter. And on the X100, the lens is the equivalent of a 35-millimeter film lens, perfect for portraits and a nice balance for landscapes. If you know how to use aperture and shutter speed controls, no camera on earth gives you quicker and more direct access. “

New Fuji X100 firmware coming soon? + new reviews roundup

A black X100 rendering made by ThePhoBlographer.

A dpreview forum user who had focusing issues with the new X100 received the following text from Fuji UK: “Sorry for the delay. We have just had confirmation that our office in Japan have been made aware of this as an issue and are looking into it as a matter of urgency. The problem which you describe should be fixable by simply upgrading the firmware. I have been informed that a new firmware version will be released late next week (please keep an eye on our website) which should resolve the problem which you are experiencing.”

You can get the Fuji X100 on [shoplink 100018 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]. But watch out the high price!

There is a list of new reviews:
Laroquephoto
Streetreverbmagazine
Samhurdphotography
Photoreview
The rolling review by Sean Reid.

A readers showcas on Flickr.

Fuji X100 against the rest of the world (Ricoh, Leica and Sigma)

[shoplink 100018 eBay][/shoplink]

There are three new Fuji X100 reviews you can read today.

The Japanese website DC.watch (Click here) compared the Fuji X100 against the other fixed lens cameras. The Leica X1, Sigma DP1x and Ricoh GXR + GR LENS A12 28mm. The text is in Japanese and google translation tool does a terrible job here. So we can’t tel you what the tester conclusions is. But you can take a look at the full-size samples for yourself. And let me know what in your opinion is the best camera!

The french magazine Focus Numerique (Click here) finalized their X100 reviews. The google english translation amkes a little bit more of sense here: “the list of positives and negatives is symptomatic of this duality. Both the X100 we delivers good image quality, features innovative features such as hybrid viewfinder, so it is penalized by small faults (ergonomics, slow). Some of these shortcomings can probably be corrected by a simple firmware update (assign functions to the rocker back button to customize the RAW option to auto ISO sensitivity menu …), others are not. “

You can get the Fuji X100 on [shoplink 100018 eBay]eBay[/shoplink], or preorder on J&R and Digitalrev.

Another review by Sam Hurd (Click here).
Image samples and Hands-on on Flickr (Click here).

DxOmark tests the Samsung NX11 sensor. Better than the GH2 but not as good as the NEX-5

DxOmark (Click here). tested the Samsung NX11 which scored a final 63 point overall score. That puts the Samsung between the Sony NEX-5 and the Panasonic GH2. A bit disappointing that the Samsung larger sensor delivers a worse ISO result compared to the smaller Micro Four Thirds sensor. Let’s see if the next generation Samsung sensor can get much closer to the current top Sony sensors.

Ricoh GXR P10 tested at British Journal of Photography

You don’t see a RIcoh review very often and that’s why it’s worth to ention that British Journal of Photography just published a Ricoh GXR P10 review: “The addition of the P10 unit significantly hikes the versatility aspect, but there is more to come. A GPS positioning and Wifi unit enabling, for example, the operation of an underwater camera unit, is on the cards, as are a projector, portable small format printer, image storage unit (hard drive or solid state), remote extension, copier and endoscopy module. Indeed, the possibilities for expansion seem endless, but without a lens mount module that permits the use of third party glass, I cannot see how the concept competes with DSLRs of any format.To my mind, what the GXR offers is the facility and versatility of a tool that slots somewhere between the pocketable compact and larger DSLRs. Its physical size is perhaps its downfall in some respects. Yet what it obtains in the way of image quality is impressive, especially when considering the smaller sensor sizes. I’d have no hesitation about using the camera modules launched so far for editorial work, but as it stands, it is not a replacement for the more sophisticated features offered with a DSLR.”

Hmmm, what do you think about BjP’s verdict?

The P10 is in Stock at Amazon and Adorama.