barjohn
New member
Of course no camera is perfect and the X100 is no exception. Before I get into the positives, I'll dispense with the negatives, most of which can be fixed in firmware.
1. We need to have the ability to have another programmable button. The RAW button is a natural candidate as it is a function that could as easily serve in a menu for frequency of use. This button would be FN2 and most likely be used for turning on or off the ND filter. However, the photographer could choose as he does for FN1.
2. Auto ISO should be moved to the ISO menu and its parameters selected there with out limitation.
3. Multi-thread the control functions such that they can continue to be used while an image is being written to the memory card.
. Dramatically speed up the write of RAW files to SD memory. This function is way, way too slow and given the other performance parameters cannot be a hardware limitation but a programming one where the writes of RAW are processed in some arcane way that takes too long. With a fast processor and a high speed data path it shouldn't take so long.
4. When you select the focus rectangle size it goes back to the default after the shot. I want to pick one and have it stay until I decide to change it. Same is true for going into macro mode. I want it to stay in macro mode for multiple shots until I no longer want it in macro mode. Better yet, give me both. Option 1 only for next shot, option 2 stay until changed. Same for size of focus rectangle.
5. You cannot change the size of the focus rectangle in the OVF and you can't perform the function when the camera is up to your face.
These may appear to be minor quibbles but they would enhance usability greatly and are all simple firmware changes. As I get to know the camera there may be more.
Now to the good:
This camera lens holds its own and I think, based on both first hand observations and the tests performed by others out performs the X! which I considered a benchmark in lens performance for these small APSC cameras. Since I don't have an X1, I could only note for myself how sharp the images and how high the resolution the images are when I compared them to other cameras I have owned. But this link to a test by a professional photographer that really compares the two lenses in the real world of a photo shoot is the most convincing. Additionally, this comparison between the X100 and X1 and 5D II provides both useful image comparisons but more importantly the difference in distortion is clearly visible.
Finally this video comparing AF speeds between a GF2, X100 and an X1, while not purely scientific gives a good relative performance view.
The bottom line is that I believe this camera beats out the X1 at its strong suit, costs at least $800 less and offer features the X1 doesn't have and can't offer. I just hope that Fuji is able to deliver them with the chaos currently in Japan. They will need all of the business they can get to rebuild their economy and to try and recover from this disaster.
1. We need to have the ability to have another programmable button. The RAW button is a natural candidate as it is a function that could as easily serve in a menu for frequency of use. This button would be FN2 and most likely be used for turning on or off the ND filter. However, the photographer could choose as he does for FN1.
2. Auto ISO should be moved to the ISO menu and its parameters selected there with out limitation.
3. Multi-thread the control functions such that they can continue to be used while an image is being written to the memory card.
. Dramatically speed up the write of RAW files to SD memory. This function is way, way too slow and given the other performance parameters cannot be a hardware limitation but a programming one where the writes of RAW are processed in some arcane way that takes too long. With a fast processor and a high speed data path it shouldn't take so long.
4. When you select the focus rectangle size it goes back to the default after the shot. I want to pick one and have it stay until I decide to change it. Same is true for going into macro mode. I want it to stay in macro mode for multiple shots until I no longer want it in macro mode. Better yet, give me both. Option 1 only for next shot, option 2 stay until changed. Same for size of focus rectangle.
5. You cannot change the size of the focus rectangle in the OVF and you can't perform the function when the camera is up to your face.
These may appear to be minor quibbles but they would enhance usability greatly and are all simple firmware changes. As I get to know the camera there may be more.
Now to the good:
This camera lens holds its own and I think, based on both first hand observations and the tests performed by others out performs the X! which I considered a benchmark in lens performance for these small APSC cameras. Since I don't have an X1, I could only note for myself how sharp the images and how high the resolution the images are when I compared them to other cameras I have owned. But this link to a test by a professional photographer that really compares the two lenses in the real world of a photo shoot is the most convincing. Additionally, this comparison between the X100 and X1 and 5D II provides both useful image comparisons but more importantly the difference in distortion is clearly visible.
Finally this video comparing AF speeds between a GF2, X100 and an X1, while not purely scientific gives a good relative performance view.
The bottom line is that I believe this camera beats out the X1 at its strong suit, costs at least $800 less and offer features the X1 doesn't have and can't offer. I just hope that Fuji is able to deliver them with the chaos currently in Japan. They will need all of the business they can get to rebuild their economy and to try and recover from this disaster.
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