Fujifilm X100F - Review 2022

Fujifilm'due south X100 series has long been a hit with photographers. Its archetype pattern—the beginning version helped to popularize the retro wait for digital cameras—and optical viewfinder appeals to modern photographers who, in the by, would accept opted for a meaty rangefinder. The latest version, the X100F ($1,299.95), keeps the basic design of previous models (with a few minor tweaks), ups the sensor resolution to 24MP, and offers an improved autofocus system. If yous yearn for a camera that's almost pocket friendly, offers the image quality of an SLR, and is only a joy to use, look no farther. The X100F is our Editors' Choice.

Design and Controls

The template for the X100 blueprint hasn't changed much in the lifespan of the series, now about half-dozen years old and in its fourth generation. This version measures in at 2.9 past 5.0 by ii.1 inches (HWD) and weighs but about a pound. Information technology's bachelor in a silver finish, with black leatherette, or in an all-black edition. We received the silver trunk for review.

The X100F boasts a fixed 23mm f/two lens and APS-C paradigm sensor, giving information technology a field of view similar to a 35mm lens in a total-frame organization. If you prefer a wider (28mm) field of view y'all can add the WCL-X100 Two conversion lens ($349), and fans of 50mm can tighten the scope of the lens with the TCL-X100 II ($349). But both add majority to the camera and take away the ability to slide it into a pocket.

In that location is another excellent pocket-friendly 28mm equivalent on the market, the Ricoh GR 2—it'due south getting upward at that place in historic period, only remains a solid option for 28mm fans. In that location are also full-frame compacts available with similar lens designs, but both the 28mm Leica Q and 35mm Sony RX1R II are priced higher up $iii,000, putting them in a much more premium cost category.

For a camera of this size, you lot're more likely to plough to the built-in flash than an external ane, although a hot shoe is there to mountain an external flash or radio trigger. It's a convenient way to make full in shadows when shooting outdoors, or to burnish a scene where's in that location's simply not enough light, fifty-fifty for an f/2 lens and farthermost ISO capabilities. By default, there's no like shooting fish in a barrel button to get to the flash settings and turn it on or off—or arrange its power. But the X100F is a very customizable photographic camera. Most of its buttons can exist remapped, so if y'all don't see yourself requiring quick admission to a particular button, you lot can remap information technology. The breadth of settings that can be assigned are too lengthy to list here. The X100F online manual runs through the entirety of the customizations.

Ane of the physical changes from the previous-generation X100T is right on the front plate—the X100F has a front end control dial, a start for the series. Its functionality is rather express, though. It tin be used to adjust EV bounty or ISO, only only if you set the EV dial to its C position or set up the A position of the ISO dial to a Custom setting rather than the default Automated in the menu system.

The advantage of using C for EV is additional bounty, 5 stops in either direction instead of 3. Using the front dial to command ISO makes adjustment a scrap easier than the top ISO punch, which is integrated into the shutter command and requires yous to pull up on the dial and twist information technology to adjust the setting. If you lot often change the ISO, you may find the front dial to exist more comfortable to use. If you want to control both settings via the dial, a push in will switch its functionality.

Also on the front is a toggle switch, styled later on the film rewind switch on a archetype Leica rangefinder. It'south is used to alter between the electronic and optical viewfinder way. It has a button at its center; pressing it displays an on-screen menu that adjusts the setting of the control band surrounding the lens. You can go out information technology set to its default function, which activates a Digital Teleconverter when shooting JPG only, just does nothing when Raw capture is enabled. It crops images to a 50mm or 70mm field of view, upscaling the photo to maintain a 24MP resolution at both focal lengths.

You as well have the pick of setting the dial to adjust White Residuum or switch Film Simulation modes on the wing. The control ring but works to adjust these settings when the X100F is set to AF-S or AF-C; if you use transmission focus, the ring is dedicated to focus adjustment.

Also surrounding the lens is a concrete aperture control ring. Information technology can be set to f/2 through f/sixteen in third-terminate increments, and has an A setting for automatic aperture control equally well. The focus fashion switch is on the left side, toward the bottom; it has South, C, and Thou settings for unmarried or continuous autofocus, or manual focus.

On summit, to the left of the hot shoe, you lot'll find a pair of dials, the power switch, shutter release, and the Fn button. The shutter dial has Bulb, Timed, and standard settings from 1 second to ane/four,000-second. ISO command is nested, with the current setting visible in a cutting-out window. To change the ISO you'll need to pull upward on its knurled edges and twist. It takes a picayune getting used to, only as mentioned before you tin can switch ISO command to the forepart punch if you lot find the operation tricky—I can see the mechanism being a problem for those who endure from arthritis.

The EV dial tin can be set for -3 to +3EV adjustment in third-terminate increments. There's as well a C setting, which moves control to the forepart punch, for a five-terminate aligning range. The shutter release is a typical dual-action design—a one-half-press engages autofocus and a full press captures an prototype. Its design includes a standard thread for a mechanical release, a feature not seen on many modern cameras. The Fn button sets the metering blueprint by default, just tin be reprogrammed—I fix it to toggle the in-lens neutral density filter.

Rear controls include View Mode, which is above the LCD, simply to the correct of the eyecup. It switches between viewfinder and the rear LCD, and has a setting for the eye sensor to alter automatically. To its right are an AEL/AFL push and the rear command dial. The dial shifts shutter speed when shooting in Programme mode—which is ready when shutter speed and aperture are both set to A. Pushing it in zooms the Live View feed and so y'all can confirm proper focus.

Other rear controls include a dedicated focus joystick, only to the right of the rear LCD. It moves the active focus point when the camera isn't set to its Wide focus setting. Below it are Play, Delete, and Disp/Back buttons. A four-way control pad, with centre Bill of fare/OK push, is farther to the right of the LCD. Its top position is dedicated to change the Drive way, but the correct, bottom, and left directions are customizable. By default they adjust the White Balance, AF mode, and Moving picture Simulation settings.

The Q button is also on the rear, toward the upper right corner. It launches an on-screen menu that provides quick access to a number of options, including display brightness, flash settings, prototype quality and tone, and the self-timer. Like the physical buttons, all 16 available settings can exist customized to suit your needs. The display isn't a impact screen, simply the menu is quickly navigated using the rear joystick to move from setting to setting and the rear control dial to accommodate the highlighted function.

The X100F squeezes enough physical controls in its pocket-sized frame to satisfy demanding photographers, about all of which are highly customizable. If you don't like the fashion information technology handles out of the box, y'all'll be able to change the button functions to suit your style. If you're a more visual person, the Q bill of fare is just as flexible.

Viewfinder and LCD

A hybrid viewfinder is the authentication of the X100 series. The X100F doesn't make whatsoever existent changes here compared with the concluding couple models. The optical portion is bright, with an electronic overlay that shows current exposure settings and a frame that indicates the boundaries of the epitome. It's wider than the lens, and then you'll be able to see a chip of activity happening outside the frame. Additionally, the frame line moves after focus is locked, correcting for the parallax issue y'all get when focusing close up.

The focus points are also visible. They cover most of the frame, although only the central area, framed by an olive overlay, is covered past stage detection. The focus point or points that the X100F is using to lock focus are highlighted in green when the shutter is half pressed.

A flick of the front toggle changes the viewfinder to EVF mode. The quality is the same as you get from models dating back to the X100S. It's a 2,359k-dot LCD that is quite sharp to the centre. Using the EVF previews your final image, including any Film Simulation you have set. If yous prefer a more natural view, better simulating the look of an optical finder when using the EVF, you tin disable the Preview Motion picture Result setting in the menu.

The rear display is a fixed LCD panel without support for touch input. Information technology's 3 inches in size and very sharp at i,040k dots. Viewing angles are stiff, and at total brightness it'southward easy to see the prototype under bright sunlight.

When using the EVF or LCD you accept a few options when it comes to aiding manual focus. By default the focus aid is unproblematic frame magnification. Merely you also have peaking, which highlights in-focus areas of the frame, and a digital split prototype available. The digital split up breaks the image into several rows, which are offset when your shot is out of focus, simply line up perfectly when you've nailed manual focus.

Picture Simulation and Connectivity

One of the vivid points of recent Fujifilm cameras is the bevy of Picture Simulation settings available. Y'all tin can shoot images with a Standard await, which the company likens to its Provia slide moving picture. Other slide film options include Astia for a soft await, Archetype Chrome for the muted colors of Kodachroma, and the punchy, bright tones of Velvia. Color negative picture show is simulated in Pro mode in standard and high contrast. In addition to a standard black-and-white option, the X100F include Fuji'due south signature Acros stock, with your choice of simulated color filter, and a Sepia mode.

You lot can add grain to whatever of the moving picture looks—y'all have the option of a standard or potent event, or no added grain at all. The Film Simulations are just applied to JPG images, but if you like the look yous can always shoot in Raw+JPG mode and have the pick of using the out-of-camera version or adjusting a Raw prototype to taste. You can as well apply whatever number of looks to Raw images in the camera itself; you can use its Raw processing function to create equally many different JPGs from a single Raw shot as you'd like.

Wi-Fi is also baked into the camera. The free Fuji Photographic camera Remote app, available for Android and iOS, lets yous transfer images directly to your smartphone for quick social sharing. The app as well works equally a remote control, complete with a Live View feed to your phone, exposure aligning controls, and the ability to tap on your phone's screen to set up focus.

The X100F has a few ports, including a two.5mm microphone input, micro HDMI, and micro USB. The USB port supports in-camera charging, just Fujifilm also includes an external charger with the photographic camera. The battery is different than the one used past the X100T. It'south packs more juice, powering the camera for 390 shots per charge per CIPA's standard testing procedure. It's the same type of battery used by the 10-T2, X-Pro2, and X-T20, a plus if you ain multiple Fujifilm cameras.

Performance and Autofocus

The X100F is really speedy. It starts, focuses, and fires in just 0.9-2nd, locks focus in as little as 0.1-second, and fires off shots at a quick 8fps burst rate. It can keep that footstep for 22 Raw+JPG or Raw captures, or 47 JPGs. When using a SanDisk 280MBps memory menu the buffer requires most 38 seconds to clear after a full Raw+JPG burst, 28 seconds for Raw, and xviii seconds for JPG.

The new autofocus system covers almost the entire width of the sensor with contrast detection points, although coverage is lacking at the superlative and bottom of the frame, giving the active focus surface area the wait of a broad-screen movie on an erstwhile standard definition Television receiver. The joystick makes for quick moves of the agile betoken. Past default the camera displays 91 points, but if you want to see all the available points you tin can set it to show the entire 325-point system and size down the focus area for precise command. I plant that using the 91-point display and a larger focus box got the job done amend, every bit it'due south quicker to motility the bespeak from i area of the frame to another. But for shots where a very precise focus is required, y'all have that pick.

Run across How We Test Digital Cameras

There's an expanded focus area manner as well. Using information technology limits your option to the 91-point display surface area, and covers 9 of those points at all times. It'southward very useful for situations where the betoken of focus may change quickly from shot to shot, as you can move the focus area from i side of the frame to the other with a few flicks of the joystick. Finally, there's a wide focus area that lets the X100F decide what to focus on.

In practical terms, there's very piddling to complain nearly when it comes to the X100F's focus system. It's speedy, customizable, and gives you the option of precise or coarse control over the focus point. If at that place's one area where information technology suffers it's in tracking fast-moving subjects. Our standard focus examination fires off shots continuously while moving back and forth from our test target at varying speeds. The X100F slows its burst rate to get more than shots in focus, but still came upwardly with a middling hit rate. It's non a huge deal for this type of camera—you lot're probably non going to shoot a basketball game game with a broad-bending lens. The focus system is more than capable of capturing the close-up, candid moments of daily life.

Prototype and Video Quality

The X100F enjoys a serious prototype quality upgrade over previous models. It uses the same 24MP 10-Trans paradigm sensor that has delivered first-class results we've seen in the Ten-Pro2 and 10-T2. Despite packing more than pixels, noise is better controlled than the 16MP sensors used in earlier versions of the camera, and image quality holds upwardly improve at college ISO settings.

While the X100T only keeps noise under command through ISO 6400, the X100F manages to adjourn it to under one.v percent through ISO 12800, a one-cease advantage. When shooting JPGs with default noise reduction settings enabled (y'all can ready the racket reduction to be more or less aggressive), image quality is fantabulous through ISO 3200. At that place's some slight smudging of detail visible at ISO 6400, which gives manner to a more than noticeably blurred look at ISO 12800. ISO 25600 and 51200 are also bachelor, but blur kills image detail at both settings.

Noise reduction isn't applied to Raw images in camera. We use Lightroom CC every bit our standard conversion software, which does apply some small colour dissonance reduction past default. Raw photos show very stiff particular through ISO 3200. Grain starts to detract from fine detail at ISO 6400, but results are still very useable. Grain is rougher at ISO 12800, only I'd nonetheless feel comfortable using it when a shot calls for it. Results are rougher still at ISO 25600, merely non in any fashion blurry. ISO 51200 is bachelor every bit an option, just noise wipes away almost all item—yous should avoid pushing the camera that far if possible.

The lens is the aforementioned 23mm f/ii we've seen in earlier X100 models. It delivers similar results with the new sensor at f/2—2,166 lines per film pinnacle on Imatest'due south standard center-weighted sharpness test. Edges are soft, one,585 lines, but the rest of the frame betters the 1,800-line marker we want to run across at a minimum. Edges don't improve at f/2.8, but the center and mid parts of the frame do, upping the average score to ii,349 lines.

The depression edge score is exacerbated past some field curvature, which affects edges at the close distance at which nosotros frame our examination chart. If you're focusing at a further distance you lot'll net crisper results, and if you're shooting a discipline shut up, a shallow depth of field should mask whatever peripheral softness.

Depth of field reduces the effect of curvature and sharpness improves in general at f/4. The average score is an splendid 2,854 lines here, with edges that top 2,000 lines. Image quality is about the same at f/5.half-dozen (ii,849 lines), f/8 (2,998 lines), and f/11 (2,840 lines). The best edge functioning is enjoyed at f/8 and f/11, with the lens showing ameliorate than 2,400 lines at the periphery at both f-stops. You can shoot at f/xvi, only we don't recommend information technology—diffraction cuts the overall resolution to 2,246 lines.

Lens sharpness does suffer when focusing shut at f/2, delivering images with a somewhat soft-focus look—you'll want to cease down to f/2.8 or f/4 for crisper macro shots. The X100F focuses to 3.ix inches (10cm), which makes the X100F a versatile tool for close-up work.

The in-lens leafage shutter is nearly silent and can fire every bit quickly as 1/4,000-second, with wink sync bachelor at all speeds. Merely even with a fast shutter, the base ISO 200 sensitivity can arrive difficult to shoot at f/2 under vivid light without overexposing an image. To gainsay this at that place's an in-lens neutral density filter. It cuts out iii stops of low-cal, making the constructive base ISO 25 when enabled.

The X100F records video at up to 1080p quality at 60fps. Fifty-fifty though it uses the aforementioned sensor as the X-T2, 4K capture isn't supported. Heat is probable an effect preventing 4K implementation. The X100F's 1080p footage is quite well-baked, and the autofocus system does a expert task locking onto focus and adjusting as the scene changes. In that location'south a mic input, which is a plus for using the X100F for more serious video projects, but the lens lacks paradigm stabilization. This gives handheld footage a jittery look, and so you'll desire to utilize a tripod if possible.

Conclusions

The Fujifilm X100F is the best entry in the serial even so cheers to refined controls and a big upgrade in image quality with a 24MP image sensor that delivers improve autofocus and high ISO performance. The unique hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder set up it apart from others in its class, including premium full-frame models that but sport EVFs.

Couple the image quality and speedy focus system with a highly customizable control layout with enough of physical and on-screen control options, and you have a camera that's easy to recommend. Photographers who want a compact culling to schlepping an SLR around should wait at the X100F closely, and it's a natural fit for fans of analog rangefinders, every bit the shooting experience isn't far off from using one, only with autofocus.

The Ricoh GR II, another winner, is withal available, and remains a solid choice if you don't mind losing the viewfinder and prefer a wider field of view, but its 16MP image sensor is beginning to bear witness its age. In that location are are also premium full-frame models to consider. The 42MP Sony RX1R Two gives you lot more than cropping capability and includes an EVF and a like 35mm f/2 lens, while the Leica Q matches the X100F in sensor resolution but sports a wider, brighter 28mm f/1.7 lens. But yous'll need to spend a few thousand dollars. That makes the X100F an easy choice equally Editors' Pick. It stands apart from others in its class, delivering just near as much image quality every bit y'all can want in a camera of this size.

Source: https://sea.pcmag.com/consumer-electronics-reviews-ratings-comparisons/14955/fujifilm-x100f

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