image courtesy: Cnet
Cnet tested the X100S and assigned to that camera 3.5 stars out of 5 (“One note on the rating: if it seems low — the same as the X100 despite all the improvements — that’s because it now has competition that it didn’t have two years ago when the X100 debuted. That includes the vastly more expensive but full-frame Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1, but more importantly a direct challenger in the Nikon Coolpix A. If necessary I will adjust the rating on the X100S in mid-April after I’ve gotten a chance to test the Nikon“).
It’s a great improvement over the X100, but the X100S has its quirks (which camera hasn’t?). The annoying issues are: autofocus inconsistencies, middling lens performance at f2 and an irritating control dial. Let’s focus on the Aperture:
“f2 is close to unusable, bad enough that if I hadn’t seen the same problems after looking back at my X100 shots I would have thought I had a defective unit. It’s not too bad beyond about 10 feet, but for anything closer it’s fuzzy in the center with what looks like convergence issues and extremely distorted at the corners of the image. At f2.8 it almost looks like a different lens, snapping into sharp focus in the center; you have to bump up to f4 before the edges are all relatively sharp.”
image courtesy: Cnet
But, overall, a very good camera. So the conclusions are:
“There’s enough improved in the X100S over the X100 that I think it’s worth the extra money over the now-reduced-price model: it delivers better performance, photo quality and usability. While the photo quality and lens can’t match that of the [shoplink 8518]Sony RX1[/shoplink], it’s still a great camera at $1,000 less. And though I haven’t yet tested the [shoplink 8820]Nikon Coolpix A[/shoplink], that camera lacks a viewfinder, which for some folks may merit the X100S’ extra cost.”
Check out the whole review (and see the first-look video) here at Cnet.
X100S: BHphoto / Adorama / AmazonUS / AmazonDE / AmazonUK / AmazonITA / DigitalRev / your ebay / your Amazon
X20: BHphoto (black – silver) / Adorama (black – silver) / AmazonUS (black – silver) / AmazonUK (black – silver) / AmazonDE / AmazonITA / DigitalRev / your ebay / your Amazon
22 Responses
“A great enthusiast compact for manual-focusing fans.” What were they smoking? 😀
Well, the lens hasn’t changed since the X100, I wonder what CNET said about the original lens.
“While the photo quality and lens can’t match that of the Sony RX1, it’s still a great camera at $1,000 less.”
So… these guys are not too good at math, huh? It’s about $1,500 less, but then you would have to add at least one viewfinder to get the comparison straight. So I’d say it’s more like a $2,000 difference. Just sayin.
I am curios: which sponsor can be?…may be Sony???…or may be Canon????or may be…..???…
However, I am using this camera. This is not a professional camera but it has brilliant performance for amateurs (can be a back-up for pro-photographers) and I can say, about this fake review: cannot save competition in this way!
Obviously, Sony is in the top of Cnet (sponsor?)
I agree to some extent with CNET and think that the f/2 performance is often overlooked. I’m a bit sad that the X100s didn’t feature a revised lens. The problem isn’t that I’m shooting macros in f/2, but that the effects from this aperture can show up even on semi-close shots like portraits and I don’t really see it on other cheap APS-C fixed lenses that I own. Maybe it’s a compromise due to the compact lens design? I think it’s a valid criticism anyway.
Jonas, unfortunately I have to agree here. Semi-close subjects and F/2 is the worst thing you can shoot with a X100S. I wonder if this problem was the same with the X100? Can someone share her/his experience maybe?
Yes, Fujifilm advises against using f/2 at close distances due to spherical aberration.
What does Fuji say is a close distance? I’m considering this camera so this would be a good thing to know if I do get it.
I’m interested to know what is considered close as well. I mean, it is a 23mm lens after all. I was planning to use this camera to shoot people within 10ft.
“f2 is close to unusable”
Total and complete utter rubbish. Its defo usable and it has a certain quality, called character. Which is a ton better than a clinical lens.
Agreed.
CNET? What do they know? Not very much, by all accounts.
You can create any “character” you want from a good (“clinical”) lens. Go Instagram or built-in “Soft Focus” etc effects. You cannot completely fix junk.
AF is inconsistent LOL.
Most professional review I’ve seen as well as the most useless.
Well said, Calvin. Leave CNET to reviews about shareware. But cameras? Come on now.
this review say:
AF inconsistent
poor at @f2, you need to close for better
less dynamic range than x100
raf not supported yet by capture 7.1
imho:
expensive
too many (good) competitors in this segment
425 gr (1/2 kg?)
…mmm I will wait… 24 1.4 fujion and x-e(2)
This lens is very sharp at f2 as was the x100 when I had that – I can’t have had the only two good copies ever made 🙂
Strange because I shot a heap of close up photos on holiday, within the 10ft they are quoting and although they are not razor sharp they certainly are acceptable. Shoot at 2.8 and the issue disappears. I honestly hadn’t noticed that much of an issue.
But then again, I just shoot photos and don’t spend my time with my head up my backside pixel peeping.
Never had an issue shooting close-ups with f2 on my X100; can’t speak for the new S, but maybe others received misaligned lenses.
Yeah guys, CNET is right. F2 is TOTALLY unusable for subjects closer than 10ft. Totally.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8110/8618749776_cd825f2879_k.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8406/8617638945_b292f8622e_k.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8395/8617638283_8561dd8716_k.jpg
I just received my x100s….I didn’t see soft image at @f2
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tandoi/
example
raw:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tandoi/8638408346/in/photostream
jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tandoi/8638400892/in/photostream
I think the people are under pressure, and do their job just to earn the money without passion.
When I read what David Hobby and Zack Arias (true photographers) write about this camera, this is a different world.
http://strobist.blogspot.ch/2013/03/in-depth-new-fujifilm-x100s.html
http://zackarias.com/for-photographers/gear-gadgets/fuji-x100s-review-a-camera-walks-into-a-bar/
Anyone must decide for himself what he needs “a Ferrari for off road or a Range Rover for the city 😉 ”
But one thing’s for sure Fuji has changed the world of digital photography and give us back the fun from the the analog age.
One remark more: thanks Fuji, I also found my best software in photography, fortunately, Apple and Adobe was not able develop adequate RAW Converter. I’m really happy with Capture One really the best Software in photography I ever use, it shows the true potential of the Fuji cameras.
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/1887029702/capture-one-fujifilm-x-trans-raw-support-tested