Fujifilm FinePix X100 First Impressions Review
$1,199.95
- Sections:
- Ease of Use
- Size & Handling
Ease of Use
After spending a substantial amount of time with the X100, we can finally comment on the camera's ease of use. What's quite obvious is that this camera is not designed with the beginning user in mind. There is no "easy mode" and all those buttons, dials, and switches would likely intimidate novices. The typical cruise control point-and-shoot user is definitely not the X100's target demographic.
On the other hand, the FinePix X100 seems like a dream come true for advanced users. DSLR photographers looking for a secondary, compact camera are sure to be enticed by the X100. This is a camera that offers more sophistication than the highest end point-and-shoot, an APS-C sensor, and less bulk than anything with an interchangeable lens. For that target demographic, the X100 is incredibly intuitive and easy to use. Options are located precisely where you expect them to be, with clearly labeled controls and clean menus.
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Since they were starting from the ground up in everything else, the folks at Fuji decided to redesign the graphical interface of the camera: "to enhance the user experience and to improve the clarity of the information presented." We spent plenty of time trolling around inside the new GUI and can attest to its design improvements. Everything looks much cleaner than previous Fujifilm menus and we found it extremely easy to navigate.
The only downside to the menus is that there are several pages of options—this is a camera with a lot to discover. If there's one particular control that you want, it will definitely take some effort to find it and activate it. We anticipate that users will want to make use of the custom control settings and/or customizable Function button in order to make their favorite options more readily available.
Size & Handling
The FinePix X100 is remarkably small for a camera packing an APS-C sensor. (Cameras with the same size sensor are typically DSLRs.) The X100 measures just 5.0 in. x 2.9 in. x 2.1 in. (126.5mm x 74.4mm x 53.9mm).The weight, including battery and memory card, is 15.7 oz. (445g). Those dimensions may be small and light by SLR standards, but the X100 is still pretty hefty for a camera without interchangeable lenses.
The length of the camera (and the bulge on the front of the right side) are incredibly reminiscent of old film cameras. The main body of the camera is covered with faux leather finishing and the right side bulge makes for a slightly curved gripping surface for your right hand. The weight and sturdiness of the controls will also bring back memories. Those 15.7 ounces have a lot to do with the X100's metal controls and casing: both the top and bottom of the camera are cast from magnesium alloy.
The benefit of this extra weight, however, is that the X100 feels stable and substantial in your hands. Yes, it's heavy, but it also feels remarkably sturdy. The buttons and dials on this camera could easily ruin all other cameras for you; ten minutes with the X100 and you'll be wishing that your Nikon D7000 was this well-built. Well... we may be exaggerating a bit here. But the truth is, the controls feel very, very good.
The buttons and dials are also well positioned; we had no trouble accessing aperture, shutter speed, or exposure—all of which have their own dedicated controls on the X100. The handy switch that allows you to toggle between OVF and EVF is also conveniently within reach on the front of the camera. Placing the aperture control around the lens ring is a particularly nice old-school touch that feels very natural.
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