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Fujifilm X100 Digital Camera Review

$1,199.95
By Kaitlyn Chantry July 01, 2011
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Noise Reduction

Noise Reduction

The X100 offers five settings for noise reduction (in addition to the special selection for long exposure noise reduction). On most cameras, noise reduction tends to lessen the amount of noise, but also reduce sharpness. The X100 certainly had its share of reduced sharpness, but the blurring was only distinctive at the higher NR levels. Medium and Medium Low noise reduction was incredibly effective—especially at ISO 400 and above—but did not deteriorate image sharpness significantly. More on how we test noise.

We were impressed with the X100’s noise performance, with clear photos up through ISO 3200. While we wouldn’t necessarily suggest using ISO 6400 or ISO 12800, even those noise percentages were reasonably low with noise reduction applied. (Noise stayed well below 1% through ISO 800.) Overall, Fujifilm is offering excellent image quality when it comes to pristine, noise-free photos.

Compared to the compact mirrorless cameras we’ve tested, the X100 had excellent noise performance. These are typically the numbers we see on many DSLRs—and certainly above what we see in even high-end point-and-shoot cameras. The inclusion of five different noise reduction settings makes the X100 even more compelling. Well done, Fuji.

ISO Options

The X100 comes equipped with an incredibly robust set of options. To start, the range of ISO settings is quite broad: from ISO 100 (marked as Low) to ISO 12800. The Fuji also allows you to choose from numerous intermediate increments, for a total of about 18 discrete levels. The only drawback is that you have to go into the menus to alter ISO—unless you choose to leave ISO mapped to the camera's customizable Function button.

If you prefer to shoot with auto ISO equipped, there is an auto ISO limiter, enabling the user to set a maximum sensitivity of ISO 400, 800, 1600, or 3200. (The minimum sensitivity in Auto ISO is 100.) As an added bonus, you can set a minimum shutter speed as well; when using Aperture Priority or Auto modes, sensitivity will be adjusted only when required to prevent a shutter speed lower than the selected value.

For a little icing on the ISO cake, the Fujifilm X100 offers an ISO bracketing option, which will capture a single exposure, then process two copies: one with sensitivity raised by the selected amount, and one with sensitivity lowered by the selected amount.

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Vice President of Editorial Management, Kaitlyn oversees the editorial departments of Reviewed.com’s various sites. She has been writing about technology since the turn of the century. Outside of her Reviewed.com home, Kaitlyn is also a theatre director and avid gamer.
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