Here we go again. These Fujifilm camera first look reviews has become quite the theme for me, apparently. I do wish that I would get more time to update the blog with other stuff than Fujifilm releasing a new camera, but it’s just the way my life is at the moment. I’m shooting more and more film these days, and I need to finish my analogue section of the site to start uploading those shots. You can always tag along over on instagram.com/jonas.rask for the daily photography updates.

Anyway! My blogging insufficiencies cast aside, let’s focus on the topic at hand shall we. Fujifilm today announced a brand new line of cameras – The Fujifilm X-T100.



Disclaimer 1:

I’m a Fujifilm ambassador. I get early access to products for testing purposes. My opinions are my own, but they’re as biased as they come since I love Fujifilm. However I’m a grown up, I make my money as a doctor, and I have no reason whatever to lay it on thick. If you cannot see through that, there are probably other sites that will provide you with info. But while you’re here, why not have a look at the images 😉

Disclaimer 2:

All shots in this post has been taken by me using early X-T100 prototypes. IQ might not be final in comparison to the production models. Productshots where taken by me using the Fujifilm GFX

The new X-T100 is a new entry level model similar to the X-A5, but in a slew of new colours, with a built-in EVF as well as a new LCD screen that can do all sorts of new acrobatics. It looks amazing, and it actually feels really good in everyday use, even for a guy like me who are used to using the top of the line products from Fujifilm. This is definitely luxury on a budget.

I have been using this camera extensively over the course of the last 2 months. Firstly, I have been shooting the editorial-packshots, secondly I have been shooting almost all of the images for the camera brochure. (Download at Fujifilm.com or view here) Hence I have been dragging all three colours of the camera around, with various lenses attached and shooting everything I come across. So to say that I have thoroughly tested these small cameras would be an understatement.

There are 3 obvious things about the X-T100 that differs from what I usually shoot with.

1. First and foremost it doesn’t have the X-Trans sensor like all my other X-series cameras excluding the GFX. That makes it a lot more easy for Lightroom to handle the files. I can’t say that I notice much difference in file quality. But it definitely is there. The dreaded “worms” artefacts are nowhere to be seen when I pixel peep the RAW files in lightroom, so I guess that is definitely a Lightroom/X-Trans combo phenomenon.

2. Secondly it has a PSAM dial. I havn’t used one of those since I used the X30 a while back. But the X-T100 adds two completely customisable top plate-dials, that can be set to almost anything. So while using this camera, I found myself putting the PSAM dial to “M” for Manual, and then setting one top dial as ISO, and the other as Shutter Speed. Quick and easy. It allows me to shoot this camera in the exact same way as I shoot my other X-series cameras.

3. The new acrobatic tilt screen. This screen flips all the way to the left of the camera (right when you’re looking at it in selfie-mode, which is obviously what this feature was made for). It’s completely new for Fujifilm to offer this screen. While it’s a complete gimmick for me, I do know that the majority of the potential buyers of this camera will appreciate it a lot. (The X-A5 has a screen that flips across the top of the camera, so the selfie screen isn’t an entirely new concept for Fujifilm)

Build and Feel

Since I’m the guy shooting all the gear-porn promo material for Fujifilm, this is obviously one of the things that I value more than the average user. Fact of the matter is, if it feels good to use, and it looks so good that you want to take it with you – then you shoot more images in interesting places, and in terms you get better images. So looks does matter if you ask me.

So how does it look, and what does it feel like, Jonas? Well. It looks and feels goddamn gorgeous and luxurious, thats what it does!

Fujifilm launched the X-T100 in 3 different colours. Black, Graphite and Champagne Gold.

The Graphite is just like the X-Pro2 Graphite, whereas the champagne gold is reminiscent of the old Fuji T-X1 and Contax G-series. It looks absolutely cool. And it actually attracts a fair bit of attention in todays camera market. These cameras definitely begs to be taken off the shelves when you see them at the store.

The top plates and dials are made from metal, and the colours are coated on there using anodising techniques. It is quite sturdy, and during my testing they proved to be very sturdy and durable.

You have a built in flash in the “faux mirror box” – and unlike the XT20 this pop up flash feel nicely dampened and very sturdy. The switch is located just under the left hand side topdial. On the right hand side, you have the PSAM dial and the other unlabelled dial as well as the unthreaded shutter release an Fn button and a movie record button. On the back there’s a “coin slot” selector wheel and a Q menu button as well as the usual array of buttons incl. a 4-way selector pad. There’s no joystick-knob as on the higher end models.

The LCD tilt screen is a touch screen and you have swipe gestures for easy shortcuts etc etc. All very cool and very up to todays standard. It’s very easy and handy when selecting a filmsimulation and you can scroll through. It works really well and it’s nice and responsive.

The camera comes without a finger grip attached, but you can attach one if you wish. At the time of writing I do not know if Fujifilm decides to offer different size options, but it would definitely be cool if they did.

The size of the camera is just right. Small and handy! I took most of the test images on my holiday in Greece, and as a small travel camera this thing is great. It’s small, inconspicuous, and doesn’t way anything in your daily walk around backpack.

Image Quality and Features

For the complete list of specs, I’m going to refer you to the complete features list on Fujifilm-x.com. It’s stupid for me to list them all here.

As I mentioned a bit further up, the sensor is a standard Bayer array 24.3 MP sensor. X-Trans has been controversial for along time. Extra sharpness and lack of moiré on cost of muddy foliage and worm details at high contrast scenes. I, personally, like X-Trans. I have worked with those files for 5 years, and my workflow is now optimised for that sensor. The only exclusion from this is when I work with my GFX files, but that requires a completely different mindset altogether.

With this bayer sensor, I found that the RAW files react the same way to my post-processing as my X-trans files do. I noticed no moire, I noticed no worms, and foliage looks good. So if you’re used to dealing with X-Trans, this sensor won’t give you the need to redefine your workflow.

Fujifilm included all their film simulations except for Acros, and obviously Eterna. This is due to processing limitations. I know this is an entrylevel camera, but I would have LOVED for it to have Acros, but you cannot have it all.

Fujifilm packed everything they could into this little body, given the current processor that they use in their entry level cameras. This unfortunately means that 4K video is only possible in 15fps. This makes this camera less than ideal for that kind of hi-res movie shooting, but in 1080p you get more- as well as higher framerate choices.

Autofocus is ok. Again, compared to the top of the line products, it’s not that fast. But it is very precise. You have spot AF, Zone AF and full frame AF zones. It works well, just like on the more expensive products. Its not a sports camera, but it will capture running horses and running children, which is good enough for me.

As most entry level shooters, the camera is packed with automatisation tools. The most prominent is the AI-like SR+ – This feature is so good if you want to hand the camera to inexperienced hands such as children or less camerapedia-minded people. The camera adjusts everything, and you get great well exposed images in every imaginable condition. Obviously I never use that function, except for demonstration purposes, but my kids definitely use it. You also have different modes for landscapes, portraits, night time etc. All work very well, albeit in jpeg output only. To be honest, I rarely stuck the camera on anything other than M or A mode.

Final thoughts

It’s always a cool moment for me when I open the brown box from Fujifilm to reveal whatever they want me to photograph. Sometimes I’m more enthused than others by the sheer look of the product. This was one of those instances. When I first saw the design, and the new colorscheme I was already impressed. Having handled the camera and shot an entire brochure with it, I have to say this camera really surprised me in a positive way. A perfect camera for the family. To share moments, and have some good old photography fun in a VERY nice looking package. It has a real premium feel to it. Much more so than many of the other entry level cameras I’ve handled. The X-T100 is a really nice addition to the Fujifilm lineup for sure.

Samples

As usual all my samples have been post processed to my liking, but if you want my images SOOC you can check out the product samples page on Fujifilm.com where you can find high-resolution sample shots that hasn’t seen any post-processing.

For now, here’s a big mix of images taken with the X-T100 during the course of the last couple of months.

Make sure to click the images to go to the gallery. There you can see exif data etc. 🙂

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