shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Today, my wife and I get to play with the X100 at the store.
Since my wife is the opposite of me in evaluating cameras, we make a pretty interesting comparison. Here's an abbreviated (and paraphrased) summary of our take on the X100:
Me: It's small!
My wife: yes, it is. Is the lens any good?
Store clerk: Fuji makes some of the best lenses out there, and they sure didn't put a dog on this one.
Me: (nodding begrudgingly) yeah, even Hasselblad selected them. But don't you think it feels a bit flimsy compared to E-P2 ?
My wife: So? your E-P2 feels heavy when I lug it all day long in my purse.
Me: (giving her the hurt look) yeah, but it's quality, you see... that's class.
My wife: I wonder how does this focus.
Store clerk: Y'know, a guy bought one the other day then returned it because he said it doesn't focus as fast as his 5D Mark II.
My wife: (chuckle) Now that's a prime case of wrong expectation.
Me: (nodding in agreement), it is rather noisy when trying to focus, though.
Me: Look, the built-in viewfinder shows a frameline, like the Leica. Too bad it doesn't have a rangefinder patch.
My wife: I can't use your Leica *because* I have to use the patch to focus. Why not just use AF all the time.
Me: Because... (sigh), never mind. So, do you like the manual dials?
My wife: Not as intuitive as the thumb aperture dials on my 5D, but since the camera is light, I think I can get used to using my left fingers to adjust the aperture.
Me: So you like it already, huh? I still think this won't hold up as well as a Leica or E-P2 after a lot of usage.
My wife: Maybe, but I can see this camera replacing the E-P2 in my uses.
Me: I see... but not your 5D?
My wife: Nope, my 5D stays.
So as you can see, in the eyes of E-P2 nut like myself, the X100 is a nice camera with lower build-quality, and a lot of potential for improvements. But if you're not a gearhead, you probably share my wife's take on its versatile features and ease of handling.
Either way, even I had to admit that if Olympus didn't launch something that competes with this camera in terms of manual controls and built-in viewfinder, I think they are done competing in this arena.
Or done, period.
Since my wife is the opposite of me in evaluating cameras, we make a pretty interesting comparison. Here's an abbreviated (and paraphrased) summary of our take on the X100:
Me: It's small!
My wife: yes, it is. Is the lens any good?
Store clerk: Fuji makes some of the best lenses out there, and they sure didn't put a dog on this one.
Me: (nodding begrudgingly) yeah, even Hasselblad selected them. But don't you think it feels a bit flimsy compared to E-P2 ?
My wife: So? your E-P2 feels heavy when I lug it all day long in my purse.
Me: (giving her the hurt look) yeah, but it's quality, you see... that's class.
My wife: I wonder how does this focus.
Store clerk: Y'know, a guy bought one the other day then returned it because he said it doesn't focus as fast as his 5D Mark II.
My wife: (chuckle) Now that's a prime case of wrong expectation.
Me: (nodding in agreement), it is rather noisy when trying to focus, though.
Me: Look, the built-in viewfinder shows a frameline, like the Leica. Too bad it doesn't have a rangefinder patch.
My wife: I can't use your Leica *because* I have to use the patch to focus. Why not just use AF all the time.
Me: Because... (sigh), never mind. So, do you like the manual dials?
My wife: Not as intuitive as the thumb aperture dials on my 5D, but since the camera is light, I think I can get used to using my left fingers to adjust the aperture.
Me: So you like it already, huh? I still think this won't hold up as well as a Leica or E-P2 after a lot of usage.
My wife: Maybe, but I can see this camera replacing the E-P2 in my uses.
Me: I see... but not your 5D?
My wife: Nope, my 5D stays.
So as you can see, in the eyes of E-P2 nut like myself, the X100 is a nice camera with lower build-quality, and a lot of potential for improvements. But if you're not a gearhead, you probably share my wife's take on its versatile features and ease of handling.
Either way, even I had to admit that if Olympus didn't launch something that competes with this camera in terms of manual controls and built-in viewfinder, I think they are done competing in this arena.
Or done, period.
Harry S.
Well-known
That was fun to read. In a voyueristic sort of way. 
gekopaca
French photographer
Thanks for your "review" (as E-P2 user it reinforces me to keep my gear)
gavinlg
Veteran
Will, do you use the EVF on your e-p2?
_larky
Well-known
Hmm, from using both I'd say the X100 has far superior build quality, and I've seen both dropped (luckily not mine) and the X100 didn't blink. The E-P2 split open.
They both fell out of a shoulder bag that was open, and at an awkward angle. When the guy lifted it to his shoulder it tipped over, it was on a table. The fall was about 75cm, onto a tiled floor. The X100 hit it's lens, the E-P2 hit on the baseplate.
I used to have a Zenith which would kick anything's arse though. I used to use that to stand on to get a better view. It felt like it was a solid lump of iron.
They both fell out of a shoulder bag that was open, and at an awkward angle. When the guy lifted it to his shoulder it tipped over, it was on a table. The fall was about 75cm, onto a tiled floor. The X100 hit it's lens, the E-P2 hit on the baseplate.
I used to have a Zenith which would kick anything's arse though. I used to use that to stand on to get a better view. It felt like it was a solid lump of iron.
gavinlg
Veteran
My experience echos this somewhat, I had the bottom plate separate from the body on my e-p1 by using it on a tripod.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
*If* you consider being propelled by gravity and smacked against an unyielding hard surface part of using a camera, then yes.
Just joking, I'm not defending the E-P2 in a fanboy-kinda way. If it breaks, it breaks. But it is denser than the X100, feels more substantial. And on mine, 2 years of constant use earned it nicks and marring on the body, sort of like brassing on the Leica.
We'll see how X100 fare in that time frame.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Gavin, I use it when it's too bright to use the screen.
Also when using video.
But I'd be lying if I said I don't expect a built -in viewfinder in the next Pen release.
So, to sum this up, your wife is a very smart woman (except the thumb dial part)?
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
So, to sum this up, your wife is a very smart woman (except the thumb dial part)?
My wife shoots events (high school portraits, kids birthdays, anniversaries, etc.) with her 5D. To make the matter worse, she customized the buttons. If she gave the camera to me, I wouldn't just be frustrated trying to use it
She likes to bring along my E-P2 because it's small and inconspicuous, but I can feel her gravitating towards the X100
sper
Well-known
I wish Olympus or Panasonic had made a camera that operates like the X100 for Micro 4/3rds. I don't even need it to be retro styled, just have a freaking viewfinder and well thought out controls! I would have much preferred to have been shooting with the Panny 20mm for like, what? 2 years now, than have waited for the X100. Plus no there is a Leica 25mm 1.4 and the Panny 14 2.5. Lots of cool lenses that system, except cameras...
That said, I LOVE the X100. I'll buy any further iteration of this camera. I'm totally sold on Fuji. They hit the nail DIRECTLY on the head. Not without a few bugs, but as far as big picture goes, my jaw drops when I see these images.
If they make a Photographer oriented M4/3rds cam, I might pick that up too.
That said, I LOVE the X100. I'll buy any further iteration of this camera. I'm totally sold on Fuji. They hit the nail DIRECTLY on the head. Not without a few bugs, but as far as big picture goes, my jaw drops when I see these images.
If they make a Photographer oriented M4/3rds cam, I might pick that up too.
Leigh Youdale
Well-known
I wish Olympus or Panasonic had made a camera that operates like the X100 for Micro 4/3rds. I don't even need it to be retro styled, just have a freaking viewfinder and well thought out controls!
If they (Fuji) make a Photographer oriented M4/3rds cam, I might pick that up too.
Looks like we're both waiting for the Panasonic GFX - or is it going to be the Fuji X101 ?