Fujifilm FinePix X100
If you have the bucks and you want the best photo quality possible, the Fujifilm FinePix X100 delivers. That being said, it also doesn’t pack in enough features to justify its extremely high price. It seems as though FujiFilm FinePix X100 is relying a bit too heavily on its beloved name, rather than upping the features to make the camera warrant such a high price. This camera is also somewhat confusing, especially in terms of navigation and accessing certain features on the menu. Make sure you practice on this model before you take it out on a photo shoot because you will need plenty of experience with FujiFilm’s odd layout.
Advantages
The FujiFilm FinePix X100 produces the highest quality photos out there of any camera in this price bracket. The pictures turn out are crisp and vivid, specifically when capturing a still frame. This is also one cool looking camera, as FujiFilm has crafted a sleek retro-looking camera that is also durable. The hybrid viewfinder also intuitively helps you to capture the best shot.
Disadvantages
Unfortunately the Fujifilm FinePixX100 also performs rather slowly, making it a mediocre choice when taking candid or spur-of-the-moment photos. The navigation is also confusing, making using this camera rather annoying to use. It is also one of the more expensive cameras in this category, with no real bells or whistles to justify the high cost.
Design
The Fujifilm FinePix X100 has a prime lens with a 35mm-equivalent focal length that delivers excellent photo quality. The images are very clear going as high as ISO 800, and are still usable as 1600. It also offers a decent amount of latitude in order to fix underexposed images without having “noise” or distortion appear. The video can be shot in 720p/24fps with continuous autofocus. The subcompact body is retro-cool and well-built, but has very frustrating operational design flaws. Despite appearing retro on the front, the back of the camera is what you would typically find on a digital camera. It is also very comfortable to grip and shoot. The design of the FujiFilm FinePix X100 was cool on the outside, but confusing and annoying on the inside. Personally I’d prefer to have an easier-to-use camera decked out with lots of features because I like to play around with my shots, but if you are more into still life, this camera might be worth getting used too.
Battery Life
The battery charging time is 210 minutes, which is supposed to last approximately 300 shots. Unfortunately when I tested this camera under normal use it only got 230 shots. The battery life of this model is decent, but not at the top of its game.
Performance
The performance of the Fujifilm FinePix X100 is rather slow, especially for such a high-priced camera. The command and navigation control is awful. There is no other way to say it, but I expect many other users to share the same complaint. The buttons are near impossible to press without hitting the wrong one. This causes many headaches, especially if you are just about to take the perfect shot. The menu system seems a little outdated and some of the features should be available in short cuts. There are not a lot of state of the art features, really just the basics for a model of this price. These ‘basic’ features include the ability to adjust shadow tone, sharpness, contrast, color and noise reduction.
Conclusion
This camera is a great choice for landscape or portraits, but it is not ideal for action shots. It can be slow to react and that is why it is better for fixed pictures. Although the Fujifilm FinePix X100 delivers on photo quality, the price is not justified. Unless you want bragging rights about how much you paid for your camera, there are many other cameras out there that are much more affordable that also produce high quality pictures.
