Photography Gear News

Here are some images I took with the Fujifilm X100S that was loaned to me by my camera vendor in Vietnam. I have used the X100 and am looking to see if the X100S does indeed have the improvements. I tested this camera to see if I should sell my Carl Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 that I use on my Sony NEX-7 and buy this as a second camera. The two will produce the same 35mm equivalent with the aperture almost the same. If I did not have the CZ 24mm, then I would buy the Fujifilm X100S immediately, no doubt. Overall, the Fujifilm X100S produce beautiful and pleasant images right out of the camera, the colors are amazing as all Fujifilm cameras are. The AF is now very fast. Metering is accurate. Noise is one-stop better than all camera I have used and the same as my Canon 5D Mark II images, and this is amazing for APS-C sensor. The .jpgs are absolutely clean with great details. I set everything at 0, no NR, no sharpness, no saturation, vv...

 

I use 1600 ISO on all the low-light shots as I have no need to go higher. Also, did some macro and fill-in flash toward the end. Yes, that is me, my wife and daughter as models. The camera is easy to use, even my amateur friend took the image pin-sharp. Hope this helps anyone thinking about this camera.

 

Pros:

- 16mp sensors is awesome, just like the X-E1 I have tested
- ISO & noise control is supreb, one-stop better than my NEX-7
- AF is definitely faster. I sold my X100 because of slow AF, no more problem in the AF department
- colors rendition is beautiful and better than my Sony
- lens is exptremely sharp with details rendition in dark shadow area
- dynamic range is totally awesome, make me want to sell my Sony gear
- on-camera flash is superb as you can see in some of my fill-in images
- silent shutter makes shooting a joy
- aperture ring on lens is the best way to control aperture
- auto-iso setup is well thought-out and much better than the Sony implementation
- good battery life but not great, you will need several extra battery for one day shooting
- the Q button implementation is superb offering quick glance and setting changes
- ND filter built-in is awesome as I found myself using it on several occasions for f/2.0 shooting
- EV compensation dial is the most used dial and every camera should have one dedicated dial
- Hybrid OVF/EVF is excellent, though I used EVF 90% of the time
- build is excellent and all Fujifilm are "Made In Japan"

 

Cons:
- EVF still have lags, Sony NEX have better EVF
- LCD is still primitive compare to my Sony NEX
- 6fps as compared to 12fps on Sony NEX
- only +-1EV for AEB, not good for hand-held HDR
- cost $1300, I think about $1100 is the best
- screw on wide-angle adapter is not quick
- using it with filter, you have to buy adapter
- lens cap will drop and lose if you are not careful

Via Thomas Menk