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Fujifilm X100T 

Pros & Cons  

The Fujifilm X100T line has had devotees from the beginning, and it's easy to see why. It's simple to learn, takes consistently high-quality photos, and is easy to carry. The Hybrid Viewfinder makes it easy to frame the perfect shot and see just what the camera sees. The manual controls feel good under the fingers and are intuitive to use too.

Pros

  • Optical Design with a Priority on Performance
  • Real-time parallax correction
  • highly accurate manual focusing in an optical viewfinder

Cons

  • Low light performance
  • Price
  • Dials are not lockable

Fujifilm X100T 


Fujifilm X100T 16 MP Digital Camera (Black)

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What is the Fujifilm X100T?

This stunningly styled point-and-shoot camera is designed for professional photographers and avid amateurs alike. Its small, compact design is much less bulky than a DSLR, but it is capable of delivering DSLR quality photos. It is also the third generation in the Fujifilm X100 line, and it is knocking down the competition right and left as photographers opt for ease and good looks over heavy bags of gear. It is the Fujifilm X100T.

In addition, part of the great appeal of this camera is its ability to take fantastic street shots. It can operate silently and is extremely portable and light-weight, which means it has a high stealth factor. You can also get right into the thick of things and snap away, with no one the wiser. This can be an important detail for photojournalists or anyone who likes to shoot candid. This is not only the perfect camera to grab but also when you are looking for that spontaneous moment that will never come again.

What Makes it Unique?

This camera has an Advanced Hybrid Viewfinder which allows users to display an electronic panel in the field of view. This panel is also used to preview images and to check exposure and focus, a feature that is quite useful for photographers operating in manual mode. It also has a new processor that makes it possible to focus more quickly.

Other outstanding features:

  • An electronic rangefinder enables the Hybrid Viewfinder to function as a mechanical rangefinder with images overlaid electronically.
  • Real-time parallax correction means reframing after focusing is no longer necessary when shooting close up.
  • Classic Chrome mode reproduces vintage photo colors.
  • Eight filters, High Key, Low Key, Toy Camera, Pop Color, Soft Focus, Miniature, Partial Color, and Dynamic Tone, provide artistic effects.
  • Wi-Fi compatibility means you can send images to your smartphone or computer and use your smartphone for remote capture.
  • Automatically focusing real-time facial recognition for faster shooting without manually redrawing AF areas.
  • A perfectly silent electronic shutter allows for photography during concerts and other occasions where the click of a shutter may be intrusive.

As if this camera were not already impressive enough, it is designed to look like a vintage 35mm Leica, turning heads everywhere you take it. Its small size (0.5 inches wide, 2.1 inches deep, and 2.9 inches tall) makes it easy to carry and unobtrusive on photo outings.

Pricing

Before purchasing a Fujifilm X100T, you definitely want to do some comparison shopping first. Prices also range anywhere from $650 for used models to $1300 for a brand-new camera at major retailers. For the difference in price, it's worth considering a used camera in excellent condition from a certified reseller. New cameras should come standard with a battery charger, lens cap, USB cable, and shoulder strap as well. Not to mention an optional brown leather case adds an additional $79.

How the Fujifilm X100T Compares

It can be a little tough to compare this camera to its competitors. There are many point-and-shoot cameras that are half the price but don't come close in features and photo quality. Also, the Fujifilm X100T shoots a bit more like a DSLR, but has a fixed lens and doesn't zoom. It occupies a bit of a niche between the two types as well.

First, a comparison with other popular point-and-shoot cameras.


Fujifilm X100T

  • Megapixels – 16
  • Maximum ISO – 51200
  • Viewfinder type – Hybrid
  • Sensor Size – 23.6 x 15.6mm (APS-C)
  • LCD size – 3 inches
  • Video Resolution – 720p, 1080p
  • Manufacturer's suggested retail price - $1300

Ricoh GR II

  •  Megapixels - 16
  • Maximum ISO – 25600
  • Viewfinder type – none
  • Sensor size – 23.6 x 15.6mm (APS-C)
  • LCD size – 3 inches
  • Video resolution – 720p, 1080p
  • Manufacturer's suggested retail price - $700

 Canon PowerShot

  • Megapixels – 20
  • Maximum ISO – 1600
  • Viewfinder type – none
  • Sensor size – 6.2 x 4.6mm
  • LCD size – 2.7 inches
  • Video resolution – 720p
  • Manufacturer's suggested retail price - $160

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX III

  •  Megapixels – 20
  • Maximum ISO – 12800
  • Viewfinder type – EVF
  • Sensor size – 13.2 x 8.8 mm
  • LCD size – 3 inches
  • Video resolution – 720p, 1080p
  • Manufacturer's suggested retail price - $800

As you can see, the Fujifilm X100T offers a larger sensor and a nice maximum ISO plus all the little extras mentioned above. However, the cost is substantially higher than an average point-and-shoot camera. So if you're not interested in all the bells and whistles and are just looking for a cheap camera for vacation shots, something simple and budget-priced like the Sony Cyber-shot will probably do the job just fine.

Now for a comparison with popular entry-level DSLR cameras.


Canon T7i

  •  Megapixels – 24
  • Maximum ISO – 51200
  • Viewfinder type – optical (pentamirror)
  • Sensor size – 22.3 x 14.9mm
  • Video Resolution – 1920 x 1080
  • Manufacturer's suggested retail price - $750

Nikon D3400

  •  Megapixels – 24
  • Maximum ISO – 25600
  • Viewfinder type – optical (pentamirror)
  • Sensor size – 22.3 x 14.9mm
  • Video resolution – 1920 x 1080
  • Manufacturer's suggested retail price - $500

Similarly, it's hard to beat a DSLR camera for general photography. While the Fujifilm X100T is great for street photography and daily use, the Canon T7i and Nikon D3400 are both better for portraits, landscape, and sports photography too due to their high-resolution sensors and excellent ergonomics and handling. At significantly less cost than the Fujifilm camera, they are both good choices for photographers who want an all-around camera.

Some additional strengths are:

  1. The 23 mm F/2 fixed lens offers great bokeh.
  2. A micro USB socket can be used for recharging the battery.
  3. The aperture ring has 1/3 of a stop increments for finer control.
  4. Seven buttons can be customized according to your design.
  5. The X-Trans sensor allows the famous Fuji colors to really pop.

While this camera is great for still photography, it is disappointing with video too. The quality is poor compared to competitors. The autofocus is also a little slow. If you want to photograph sports events or action scenes, this is not the camera for you.

Other cons associated with this camera are:

  1. The battery life is short.
  2. There's a bit of edge softness in the lens.
  3. It lacks image stabilization for landscape, sporting, or action shots.
  4. Wide apertures give macro shots a soft focus.
  5. No ability to zoom.

Specs for the Fujifilm X100T

Lens

Fujifilm X100T 16 MP Digital Camera (Black)
  • APS-C 16.3MP X-Trans CMOS II Sensor w/ EXR Processor II
  • Newly developed Electronic Viewfinder allows for highly accurate manual focus (ERF)
  • NEW Electronic Shutter 1/32000 sec.

Funjinon Single focal length lens

focal length f = 23 mm

constitution 6 groups, 8 lenses

Aperture

F2 – F16 1/3EV step

Controlled with 9 – blade aperture diaphragm

Sensitivity

Equivalent to ISO 200 – 6400

Extended output sensitivity equivalent to ISO 100, 12800, 25600, and 51200

Shutter Speed

Mechanical Shutter – 4 seconds to 1/4000 second (P mode). 3 seconds to 1/4000 second (All other modes)

Electronic Shutter – 1 second to 1/32000 second (P/A/S/M mode)

Continuous Shooting

Top – High: approximately 6.0 fps (max. 25 frames)

Low: approximately 3.0 fps (up to the capacity of the card)

Viewfinder

OVF – Reverse Galilean viewfinder with electronic bright frame display. Coverage of frame area vs. capturing area, 92%

EVF - .48 inch, 2,360K – dot color LCD viewfinder. Coverage of viewing area vs. capturing area, 100%

The Bottom Line

We are in love with the Fujifilm X100T camera, although it's not the right choice for everyone. Before you commit a major wad of your hard-earned dough, consider the reasons you want a camera and the types of photos you like to take. If you want to photograph weddings and other special occasions as well, you're better off with an entry-level DSLR that gives you more control over each shot. Likewise, if you are interested in sports photography, you'll need a fast camera with a great burst speed and a zoom lens. A mid-level DSLR would be best for this application.

Other Features

Additionally, for photographers who like to carry a great camera with them wherever they go to take advantage of shots on the fly, traditionally, the only choices have been pocket cameras with limited options and poor image quality. The Fujifilm X100T also solves this problem nicely by providing the ease of a point-and-shoot fixed lens with a high-quality sensor and outstanding features. It's hard to beat the ease of the manual controls, the functionality of the Hybrid Viewfinder, and the portability too.

Advantages

This camera fills a nice need between the convenience of a small pocket camera and the photographic capabilities of a DSLR too. The photo quality approaches the higher-end DSLRs, while not requiring bags of lenses and extra gear. Also, the price is lower than all but entry-level DSLRs, and if you're willing to hunt down a good used one, the difference becomes negligible. To go running out the front door, start snapping photos, adding filters, sending them to your phone, and getting professional results is appealing on so many levels as well. It's no wonder that many claim users claim the Fujifilm X100T camera has made them fall in love with photography all over again.

Quality

Price

Our Rating

$$$

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