Incredibly, despite mirrorless cameras from Panasonic, Samsung and Sony, and DSLRs such as the Canon EOS 60D, Nikon D7000, Pentax K-5 and Sigma SD1 being announced at Photokina 2010, the largest photographic trade show at the time, it was a compact camera from Fujifilm that got the most attention. Of course, the Fujifilm FinePix X100 was no run-of-the-mill compact camera with a tiny sensor and an underwhelming lens. No, it had a CMOS sensor sized to match the chips in the most popular DSLRs of the time. And while many compact cameras of the day lacked a viewfinder, alongside its 2.8in screen the Fujifilm FinePix X100 had a hybrid viewfinder that combined an optical viewfinder with an electronic finder to give users additional choice when composing their images.
Adding to the attraction, this cutting-edge technology was housed in a body that could hide amongst popular film cameras from the 1970s. That wasn’t just an affectation, the shutter speed dial, exposure compensation dial and aperture ring gave a level of control normally expected with a DSLR. Meanwhile the robust body has die-cast magnesium alloy top and bottom plates that make it feel reassuringly solid.
While most compact cameras feature a zoom lens, Fujifilm plumped for a fixed-focal-length optic for the X100. This enabled the company’s engineers to optimise the lens to the sensor. The combination of a 23mm lens with an APS-C format sensor delivers an effective focal length of around 35mm, a popular choice for street, documentary and environmental portraiture. Add in the maximum aperture of f/2 and the lens opens up a raft of creative opportunities.
Since the very first model came along, we’ve seen the X100S, X100T, X100F, X100V and, most recently, the X100VI, with each successive model making improvements while still staying true to the original design.
Judging by the enthusiasm with which the Fujifilm X100VI was greeted, and its record-breaking sales, our love for the X100 series has not diminished. We may all carry smartphones with clever cameras, but there’s still a strong desire to use a dedicated camera with traditional controls. Let’s take a look in more detail at each camera to consider their relative merits.
Fujifilm FinePix X100: the camera that launched the line
● Price new: £999
● Used guide price: £579
At a glance
● 12.3MP● EXR Processor● ISO 200-6400, expandable to ISO 100 and 12,800 for JPEGs● Fujinon 23mm f/2 lens● 2.8in LCD with 460,000 dots● Hybrid optical and electronic viewfinder with 1,440,000 dots● 126.5x74.4x53.9mm● 445g with battery● Announced September 2010
