Tristan Tom | through the lens

I used to shoot with Leica M cameras until the system became prohibitively expensive for mere mortals.

This camera brings me back. It’s the closest thing to a digital M camera with 35mm lens, at a much lower price. While it certainly does not replace my DSLR, it complements it nicely especially as a street photography camera and ‘go anywhere’ camera. I turned off the shutter sound and it is nearly silent, enabling me to get publishable shots in more places than I could with my DSLR. And the size and weight is a lot more unobtrusive than my Canon 5D MKII.

It also looks very retro and reminds me of an old Leica M3, Canonet or Olympus – quite stylish and swanky indeed.

Image quality is excellent as is high ISO performance. The bokeh at f2.0 also has a great quality due in part to the large sensor. This camera has a larger (APS sized) sensor than 4/3 cameras like the Olympus PEN.  720p video quality is also excellent but when filming with the camera on a tripod or stationary, I have found it works best to set the focus manually. Otherwise, while videoing, the focus can hunt which is noticeable when watching the video. Also, this adds a bit of noise to the audio as well.

The menu system is a bit quirky and takes time to get used to. The menu button is in the middle of the rear dial and a bit too small. I find pressing it often actives one of the other buttons so I have to use my thumbnail to press it.

That said, I have very few complaints with this camera and it is fast becoming a classic in my opinion.

You can buy the Fujifilm X100 via the following links:

Amazon.com

B&H

Official X100 website