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.

Fuji X100 is an Amazon bestseller (+ news, deals and reviews roundup)

[shoplink 100018 ebay][/shoplink]

Let’s start the week by posting the latest Fuji X100 news. As you probably have noticed the first stocks of X100 cameras were quickly sold out. Amazon US (Click here) had a bunch of them in Stock and they were sold out in 23 minutes! BHphoto (Click here) increased the price up to $1399. In Europe Amazon UK (Click here) had a couple of cameras in Stock (now accepting preorders only). And to finish the X100 price is still very high on [shoplink 100018 ebay]eBay auctions (Click here)[/shoplink].

But let’s take a look to the latest news and reviews:
1) The Fuji X100 is the third most sold camera at Amazon US (Click here).
2) ePhotozine (Click here) posted a set of landscape image samples taken with the X100.
3) there is a new X100 forum in Germany (Click here).
4) Day 5 of the X100 field review at ThePhoBlographer (Click here).
5) read the new X100 user reviews at Amazon US (Click here) and Amazon UK (Click here).

New Nikon and Pentax mirrorless rumors!

A long time ago we posted the rumor that Nikon would use a 2,5x crop factor sensor for their new “Coolpix Pro” mirrorless system. Now a second independent and well known externals source (Nikonrumors) confirmed that the system will have a 2,6x crop sensor (not 2,5x): “the difference between 2.5x and 2.6x is probably because of different rounding“. But Nikonrumros also got one more info: “According to the rumor, three new lenses will be introduced at the time of the mirrorless camera announcement: one wide pancake and two zooms.” To bad that the announcements have been delayed. As Thom Hogan said: “The electronics companies in Japan still aren’t sure what they will and won’t be able to produce in the near term.“

P.S.: I know many of you will laugh at the “PRO” suffix for the mirrorless Coolpix camera. But you know…marketing rules the world!

One more news about the Pentax mirrorless system. Raphael Mabo (Dpreview forum) said that “If Pentax makes a mirrorless camera, it won’t be K-mount.” Sounds reasonable…

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 ”]

Samsung leaks a 300mm f/2.8 XF-ED lens on youtube

After Sony also Samsung decided to commit a leak suicide :)
The video you can see on top contains the picture of a new 300mm f/2.8 XF-ED lens. Certainly an intentional leak from Samsung and also not the first one (Click here to see the NX camera/lens roadmap” leak”). It’s called viral marketing!

That’s the lens:

 

Nice or not?

A reader noticed that: “the focus ring turns in the opposite direction to other NX lenses“.

Fuji X100 in Stock in US (and new reviews)

UPDATE: Out of Stock now!!!!
You can get the Fuji X100 right now at Amazon US (Click here). In Stock for the normal price $1199!

Systemkameraforum (Click here) posted a new Fuji X100 review. But you have to be a registered forum member to download the pdf file!

Steve Huff (Click here) posted the final X100 review: “The Fujifilm X100 ROCKS and it ROCKS HARD. No, it is NOT perfect but neither is the Leica X1, or NEX-5, or E-P2, or Ricoh. What the X100 has is a combination of looks, size, performance and technology all wrapped up into one classic and sexy well built design. $1200? It’s priced right folks. To be honest, this could be my only camera and I would be happy. It’s light enough to take anywhere, it’s a joy to use, and once you get used to how it operates and exposes, the results are up there with the best of the APS-C cameras.”

The official Fuji website added five new photographer interviews on their website (Click here). (via Noisycamera)

Quesabesde: Nikon delayed the mirrorless announcement

According to sources from Quesabesde Nikon delayed the announcement of the mirrorless cameras because of the problems conected with the Sendai plant that has been shut down after the earthquake. Quesabesde doesn’t expect any new mirrorless camera (and No D700 and D3 replacement) before October!!!

P.S.: Nikon’s mirrorless system should be named “Coolpix Pro”.