Fujifilm FinePix X100: Conclusions

CONCLUSIONS
The Fujifilm X100 is here, offering DSLR-like image quality and noise performance in a decidedly un-DSLR-like package. The classic rangefinder look is smart and relatively compact, at least compared to the typical DSLR. Materials, fit and finish are quite good. The camera packs some interesting touches, like the hybrid viewfinder arrangement, and a wide range of settings and image adjustment tools set this camera up to appeal to serious shooters who aren't looking to just point and shoot.

Image quality and the ability to extensively customize image parameters make this an easy camera to like, but I found the experience tainted by the controls, and to a lesser extent some menu operations. The control dial/OK button is the major source of my displeasure - I just can't seem to consistently get the input I want to make without suffering through a number of inadvertent activations first. The design of these controls looks no different than those on many digitals, but I've never had the problems I'm experiencing with the X100. Maybe increase the height of the OK button so the finger is less apt to hit the control dial as well?

And once I did get to the menus via the control dial, the secondary screens reverted to the primary screen within a couple seconds - practically before you could sort out the options and start to select one. Software fix, anyone?
Shutter lag is good, AF time is so-so, write times are slow, manual focus is really slow and I still like this camera. Funny how a dose of very good image quality cures a lot of ills. The X100 isn't perfect, but it's a very good start and if Fuji makes some fixes to the basic platform it won't take another natural disaster to make these cameras hard to find.

Pros:

• Very good image quality and color fidelity
• Very good high ISO noise performance
• Good shutter lag
• Good feature set for serious shooters
• Useful viewfinder

Cons:

• Some imprecise controls
• Slow write times
• AF times average to a bit slow
• Cost

Individual Ratings: *

Image/Video Quality 
Features 
Design/Ease of Use 
Performance 
* Ratings averaged to produce final score