Photography Digest

In amongst all the camcorders announced at Photokina 2010 - such as associate SLRs such as the Nikon D7000, Canon EOS 60D, Pentax K-5 and Sigma SD1 - one definitely awesome design took the show. Fujifilm exposed the FinePix X100, a compact electronic picture photographic electronic camera with an SLR-size APS-C sign and conventional analogue control telephone telephone phone calls, that defends ground-breaking engineering in the retro-styled program with looks to die for. It's the company's first electronic picture photographic electronic camera with a huge, APS-C sign targeted at professionals and awesome newbies since the S5 Pro DSLR of 2006.

Fujifilm may be a company that is currently best-known for its well known development of compact camcorders, but actually it has a long customized of creating somewhat left-field, exclusive camcorders targeted at serious fans and professionals. The company regularly suggested out market promoters in the times of film, from its Fujica 6x9 framework extensive range locators, through the GA645Zi technique framework �zoom compact�, to the TX-1 Disadvantages awesome extensive range locator (better known in Western working trading markets as the Hasselblad XPan), all of which still control top fantastic costs on the used market these days. In the electronic era it has targeted mainly on its awesome SuperCCD sign engineering, using it to offer class-leading awesome extensive range on camcorders such as the S5 Pro and the EXR series of zoom ability capability ability ability compacts. Along the way it has created some genuine conspiracy idea concept idea classics, such as the F30 and F31Fd compacts which obtained a reputation as awesome low-light performers.

The X100, though, is something definitely different. It�s a beautifully-designed rangefinder-styled electronic picture photographic electronic camera that drives an SLR-size APS-C sign into its compact program, and actions a set, fast F2 maximum possible possible aperture semi-wideangle connections with a conventional 35mm-equivalent place of viewpoint. It uses conventional analogue control contains shutter amount, aperture and exposure agreement, together with an electronically combined (�focus-by-wire�) information focus team. But the biggest story is its fantastic several viewfinder, which provides together a conventional direct-vision recognizable viewfinder with a high-resolution electronic viewfinder, offering the best of both international plus a few exclusive techniques of its own.

The large-sensor, fixed-lens compact is not a new idea, of course, and both Sigma�s DP series and the Leica X1 have already visited this place. However these have not been entirely effective items, experiencing gradually operate, low-resolution LCDs and, in the situation of the Sigmas, a somewhat exclusive interface. Because of this they have conducted to recognize a awesome raison d�etre, especially in the experience of opponents from the new recreate of similar connections mirrorless compacts typified by the Olympus Pen series and Panasonic NEXs. So the big question is whether Fujifilm has managed to improve the idea, and produce a electronic picture photographic electronic camera that is as awesome to catch with as its specifications (and looks) suggest.

There�s no mistaking what Fujifilm�s design team were thinking when they created the X100. Its two-tone body and analogue controls hark back to old rangefinder compacts, and it doesn�t look at all out of place in the company of these 1970s classics. Both Olympus and Leica have recently released retro-styled small cameras in the shape of the E-P1/2 and X1, but the X100 takes the concept to a whole different level. Its flash is even placed in the same position as was once occupied by rangefinder windows.

Key features

• 12 megapixel APS-C sized CMOS sensor
• Fixed 23mm F2 lens (field of view equivalent to a 35mm lens on full frame)
• 2.8" LCD screen, 4:3 aspect ratio, 460,000 dots
• Hybrid optical / electronic viewfinder
• OVF with 0.5x magnification, projected framelines indicate approx 90% of field of view
• EVF with ca 0.5x magnification, 1,440,000 dots
• Traditional-style control dials for shutter speed, aperture and exposure compensation
• ISO 100 (L), 200-6400, 12800 (H)
• Flash hot shoe and built-in flash
• Built-in neutral density filter (3 stops)
• 1280x720 HD movie recording with stereo sound

Compared to...

The composite image below gives an idea of the X100's size relative to some of its competitors, both fixed- and interchangeable-lensed. It's a bit taller than the Leica X1 with which it most closely competes, but this mainly reflects the X100's built-in hybrid viewfinder (X1 users have to make do with the rear LCD or an add-on optical viewfinder). It's also noticeably larger than interchangeable lens cameras like the Panasonic GF1, and particularly the APS-C Sony NEX-5 (from which it's poles apart in terms of control philosophy); but again, neither of these have an eye-level viewfinder either. Of course the X100 is distinctly smaller and more portable than any DSLR fitted with a similarly-fast lens.

Specifications compared

The table below lists some of the key specifications of the X100 and its competitors. What's notable is the combination of an unusually fast lens and a large APS-C sensor, which together bode well for its low-light capability.

Camera	Lens*	LCD	Dimensions & Weight (with lens, battery + card)	Sensor (effective pixels)
Fujifilm FinePix X100	35mm equiv, F2	2.7" 460k pixels	126 x 74 x 54 mm, 445g 5.0 x 3.0 x 2.2 in, 15.8 oz	12.3 Mp CMOS (ca. 23.6 x 15.8 mm)
Leica X1	35mm equiv, F2.8	2.7" 230k pixels	124 x 60 x 50 mm, 330g 4.9 x 2.4 x 2.0 in, 10.9 oz	12.2 Mp CMOS (23.6 x 15.8 mm)
Panasonic DMC-GF1	40mm equiv, F1.7*	3.0" 460k pixels	119 x 71 x 61 mm, 448g 4.6 x 2.8 x 2.4 in, 15.8 oz	12.1 MP LiveMOS (17.3 x 13 mm)
Sony NEX-5	24mm equiv, F2.8*	3.0", tilting 920k pixels	111 x 59 x 54 mm, 361g 4.4 x 2.3 x 2.1 in, 12.7 oz	14.2 Mp HD CMOS (23.4 x 15.6mm)
Sigma DP2	40mm equiv, F2.8	2.5" 230k pixels	115 x 64 x 56mm, 280g 4.5 x 2.5 x 2.2 in, 9.9 oz	4.6 MP x 3 X3F (20.7 x 13.8 mm)

*The Panasonic DMC-GF1 and Sony NEX-5 both accept interchangeable lenses

Original Article:www.dpreview.com

The Fujifilm X10 is the organization's first availability into what is becoming an incredibly flourishing partner compact picture digital photographic camera area. The growth of mobile mobile phone picture digital photographic camera use - coming at the price of conventional compact picture digital photographic camera sales - determines producers displaying a welcome interest in offering the needs of lovers. These customers often wish a second 'carry-anywhere' picture digital photographic camera but still value immediate admittance to picture controls and need picture amazing considerably greater than that of entry-level compact digital designs. As such, the choice of high-end compact camcorders like the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 and Olympus XZ-1 is increasing to contain large-sensor set relationships designs like the Cannon PowerShot G1 X and most lately, the Panasonic Cyber-shot DSC-RX100.

The X10 is Fujifilm's try to attract modern digital camcorders lovers willing to pay a top fantastic for greater picture amazing and specifications in a very little, if not practical program. Its conventional style noticeable preserves the DNA of the organization's X100 and X-Pro1 designs with a vitamin nutrient mineral magnesium metal body, smooth rangefinder-inspired style and a success of exterior telephone phone calls and management control control buttons.

The X10's innards are as modern as its exterior is conventional. It functions a 12MP, '2/3" type' indication, which is twice as huge as those used in almost all conventional compacts and between 26% and 40% bigger than the receptors used by some of its partner compact co-workers. Indeed the X10's indication can only be considered little next to the incredibly scaly receptors in the more costly Cannon G1 X and Panasonic RX100. The Fujifilm X10 also uses the organization's unique 'EXR' engineering that allows you to merge associates of p to generate 6MP pictures that have either been averaged to reduce disturbance, or differently-exposed so that more emphasize information is taken. The real processer uses a conventional CMOS agreement, rather than the back-side lighted kind that can help improve mild catch in little receptors.

Despite its relatively huge indication, Fujifilm controls to find room for an image-stabilized, sinkable 28-112mm comparative F2.0-2.8 relationships. In a very welcome shift it also functions a 'proper' specific zoom capability ability capability team. The huge aperture relationships provides two main advantages; it allows the use of reduced ISOs in low mild for better picture amazing, and can provide ambiguous qualifications when getting pictures at the telephoto end. Indeed in this regard it can go with or exceed most SLRs when used with their kit zooms.

The fast readout from the CMOS indication allows the picture digital photographic camera to catch at up to 7 frames-per-second at full fantastic, and 10fps at 6MP. It also allows 1080p30 film getting and the growth of panoramas in a single brush of the picture digital photographic camera.

As you'd predict from pictures digital photographic camera in this category, the X10 can catch Raw structure pictures, and just like its higher-end buddies the X100 and X-Pro1 the X10 allows you to re-process them in-camera. Combine this function with the X10's film simulator techniques and color-filtered black and white techniques and you have several solutions for simple and fast post-capture improvement of your pictures without the need to turn on your computer.

Fujifilm X10 specification highlights

• 12MP 2/3" EXR CMOS sensor
• 28-112mm equivalent F2.0-2.8 lens
• Optical viewfinder (85% coverage)
• 2.8", 460,000 dot LCD
• Extensive manual control
• Raw shooting and in-camera Raw conversion
• Continuous shooting up to 7fps at full resolution (10fps at 6MP)

Compared to...

Olympus XZ-1

The Fujifilm X10 essentially brings together the best features of many of its rivals - a bright, reasonably versatile zoom and a high quality glass viewfinder. Add to this its relatively large EXR sensor and enthusiast-friendly manual control and customization options, and it's a very compelling little camera.

The Olympus XZ-1 has the brightest zoom of any current compact camera, but this is offset by the X10's larger sensor. As you can see, the X10 is not much larger in size despite including an optical viewfinder.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 and Canon PowerShot G1 X

The Fujifilm X10 offers a 2/3" sensor that is surpassed only by two cameras in its class, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 and the physically larger and significantly more expensive Canon PowerShot G1 X.

The Fujifilm X10 is a noticeably smaller camera than the larger-sensored Canon G1 X (right). However the Sony RX100 (left) impressively manages to fit a sensor twice the size of the X10's into a truly pocketable package.
In this top-down view you can see just how much more bulky both the X10 and Canon G1 X are in comparison to the Sony RX100. Yet the X10 offers what for many may be a reasonable compromise between size and features, with the inclusion of a mechanical zoom ring, optical viewfinder, hotshoe and cable release socket for the shutter button.

Source:www.dpreview.com

The Fujifilm X-Pro1 combines traditional rangefinder styling and handling with a 16MP APS-C sensor that features a newly-developed color filter array.

The Fujifilm X-Pro1 is the fourth entry in the company's enthusiast-oriented X-series lineup, following the fixed focal length, APS-C format FinePix X100, the Fujifilm X10 compact and the X-S1 premium superzoom. And while it inherits more than a few features from the X100 - though it notably lacks a built-in flash - the X-Pro1 sits well atop the X-series lineup in both specifications and price. It houses a 16MP APS-C sensor with a novel Fujifilm-designed color filter array that eliminates the need for an anti-aliasing filter, thereby promising sharper images compared to a conventional 16MP camera. It also has a brand new lens mount with an initial offering of three fast prime XF lenses. It has a street price of $1,700 / �1429 for the body only.
Just one look at the retro-styling and rangefinder-inspired controls of the X-Pro1 and it's obvious that Fujifilm is positioning the camera as more than just as a high-end mirrorless competitor. As the company told us back in January at the CES show, it sees the X-Pro1 as a vastly more affordable option to the Leica M9-P. The physical similarities between the two cameras are quite striking, as you can see in the comparison below.

The design and dimensions of the X-Pro1 closely mimic those of the Leica M9-P, yet the X-Pro1 body is 150g lighter, a difference that if anything feels even more pronounced when you pick up the cameras.

For those of us who began photography when film was king, the memory of Fujifilm's own rangefinder tradition is not so long past. And its worth remembering that the classic - and rather hefty - Fuji GW690 series models were lovingly referred to by many as 'Texas Leicas' (everything is 'bigger' in Texas). Understandably then, interest in the X-Pro1 among a certain breed of enthusiasts has been quite high.
Yet even the most loyal Fujifilm fan may have found their excitement about the X-Pro1 tempered by issues surrounding previous X-series releases. The well-documented 'white orbs' issue that has plagued the X10 has proven to be resistant to firmware updates, instead requiring a factory-modified sensor (which we've yet to be able to try out). Our in-depth review of the X100 - the first X-series model - includes an entire section devoted to quirks, eccentricities and outright bugs, some of which, even after multiple firmware updates, still take some of the shine off what is in many respects an outstanding camera.

The X-Pro1 (center) is the latest, and largest addition to Fujifilm's X-series camera lineup, which also includes the FinePix X100 (left) and the X10 (right).

One of the most pushing problems then is whether the X-Pro1 will experience a similar lot of cash, with its amazing aspects being broken by considerable errors. We won't have a specified response on this until we complete our thorough in-depth evaluation of the electrical powered managed power digital camera's function, performance and of course, picture.

That said, we've had an X-Pro1 for a brief while, and I've had to be able to use it quite intensively, as we gadgets up for a complete evaluation. In this post I'm going to discuss my actions based on using the picture electronic picture photographic digital camera in a number of real-world circumstances to be able to provide you a feeling of what it's like to actually use this long expected picture electronic picture photographic digital camera.

Specification highlights

• 16 MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensor (without low-pass filter)
• Hybrid viewfinder with focal length-based magnification in optical mode
• Newly designed X-mount for XF lenses
• Three fast prime lenses: 18mm f/2, 35mm f/1.4 and 60mm macro f/2.4 (28mm, 50mm and 90mm equivalents, respectively)
• Maximum ISO of 25,600 (JPEG-only mode)
• 3.0 inch 1,230,000 dot RGBW rear LCD
• Adjustable AF frame size

Source:www.dpreview.com