Not many cameras in recent history has boasting rights as much as Fujifilm X100 series camera. The popularity of this camera is due to………. In my opinion there are a few important reasons that made this camera a success.
1. DESIGN.
The design have evolved but still stick closely to original X100. Everyone loves this classic design, beautiful dials and a lovely aperture ring.
2. HYBRID VIEWFINDER
No camera in the market offers this cool and flexible experience. Switch between EVF and the classic OVF.
3. APS-C SENSOR
I personally feels this is a good balance for IQ. Of course in term of sensor size,bigger is better. At least in my opinion.
4. RELATIVELY COMPACT
The X100 series camera is not really that pocketable; but its a very comfortable size for anyone.
5. COLOR OPTIONS
Choose from, Black or Silver. Plus some cool limited edition models. EG Brownand also Disneyland editions.
6. LEAF SHUTTER LENS
As a commercial photographer; I prize this feature much. Leaf shutter is usually present in the world of medium format lenses. Extremely useful for shooting in higher shutter speed with strobe lights. Instead of the usual 1/250 sync speed or using HSS on your strobes or flash. Which will inevitably decrease your power output.
7. BUILD in ND FILTER
An important tool. This is extremely useful during a bright day when you wanna shootwide open. For video; ND is always essential.
No camera is perfect. This is especially true to the early X100 iteration . By the time it reaches X100V generation ; I felt it have finally matured into a truly able camera. I have been using X100V since its launch. And the last 3 to 4 years has been a joy using it. Even though I didn’t have the opportunity to shoot as much. I guess this is due to the pandemic. My X100F shutter counts clocks 55K vs X100V which only clocks 15K. Below are some of my fav pictures taken with X100S, X100T, X100F and X100V. Enjoy.
X100Vl
I only had the X100Vl for exactly 72 hours. Like with any new camera; sometimes it take a while to get use to. The good thing about X100Vl; Its almost identical X100V. To an average Joe they will never be able to tell the difference. Like the old saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Under the X100Vl’s skin is where the true beauty lies. Through the many iteration of X100; the Fujifilm engineers have relentlessly try to perfect the X100. And this new X100Vl is certainly getting there. Earlier I mention the 7 reason for it success, and now I would like to add another 3 to make that a Perfect Ten! First is the new 40mp sensor and also X-Processor 5. This is nothing new. This sensor is already been used successfully in X-H2 and X-T5. This new sensor gives the X100V more cropping power too.
Next; X100Vl now house a 6 stops IBIS. This is indeed an engineering challenge, especially without increasing its overall size. Some may argue, what is the point of having an IBIS on a small camera. That is valid but on the contrary I welcome it. Some of the newer smart phone also have image stabilisation too. Why? It’s a valuable feature to aid us as photographers and videographers.
Lastly in the video department; it now have the capability of shooting 6K 30P and 4K in 60P. These numbers are indeed very useful. With a build in ND, shooting video will be quite a breeze.
Other notable new features includes an upgraded electronic shutter. At 1/180000. This is indeed useful in extreme bright conditions. If this couldn’t help; the build in ND is definitely here to recuse. Reala Ace is the new film Simulation. Which I love it. Base ISO is now 125. AI subject detection plus the latest Auto Focus Algorithm. New aspect ratio; 4:3 and 5:4.
All the above mention thus makes the new X100Vl is very desirable everyday camera. Is there any downside? At this point of writing; I was told the price will go northward. I don’t know by how much. Lastly; it has to be the battery. It still uses the same NP-W126S as X100V. I know many would like it to be the bigger and more powerful NP-W235. Again at what cost? Making the camera bigger? I also hope Fujifilm will be able to make theX100Vl a more efficient camera. And thus will the same battery but able to squeeze more shots than X100V. I certainly hope so.
Visually X100V and X100Vl may look very similar. Under the skin its where all the essential upgrade is house. In conclusion; as an owner of X100V; would I consider upgrading to a X100Vl? My answer is yes!
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