Dilemma purchasing the X100

[chiggah]

So these badboys have arrived in some camera shops around Auckland, New Zealand. Can get one for about NZD $1599 (=USD $1181)

This will be my first camera and I will be doing all round shots (street photography, portraits, macro and landscape shots). I was initially looking at a Canon 550D with a prime lens or canon 24-105 L lens. But now I'm leaning towards a smaller camera and easier to carry around but still able to take superb photos. Hence, now my choices are the Panasonic GF2, GF1 + 20mm f1.7 lens, Olympus PEN EPL-2 and Fujifilm Finepix X100.

I am able to get the GF1 + 20mm f1.7 lens kit for about NZD $900 (=USD 664) but thats without the viewfinder though.

I am interested in the X100 because it's newer, comes with large sensor, compact size, reasonable price since it's a competitor to the Leica X1 (or poor man's M9 rather). Given that the GF1 was released in 2009(?), should I be leaning towards newer tech? I am also looking to keep the camera for a long time and not replacing it every year.

Would you top up about USD $300-400 to get the X100 as the price not too significant compared to a GF1 + 20mm + viewfinder which should add up to about USD $800 in total.

GF1 + 20mm f1.7 lens without viewfinder addon = USD $652
GF2 14-45mm kit without viewfinder addon = USD $782
X100 = USD $1171

What are your thoughts?

 

[berlincontemporary]

It doesnt really matter. Get what you want, dont cheap out because of 200$ and worry later.

Personally, I dont like the X100 fake retro look but if you do, go ahead.

 

[Contarama]

$1180 will buy you a lot of camera...have you considered buying a classic film camera?

 

[Thardy]

I would say get the X100. Even with it's limitations it's the hot camera now.

 

[jesse1dog]

I wouldn't but the X100 just now because it is a new model on the market!
Must you buy anything just yet?
Generally I reckon that -'if in doubt, don't' - but I'm very cautious!!
What camera experience have you if this is your first camera?

jesse

 

[chiggah]

My experience is just using a family camera canon IXUS lol

 

[f16sunshine]

Buy the x100 if available. It's a safe bet considering short supply. Try it for a month. If you don't like it surely you can get most if not all your dough back via resale. Not true if the other cameras you mention. Have fun!

 

[urje]

I would suggest getting something a little more versatile than the X100, so something with interchangable lenses. Since you're not really familiar a fixed lens, the viewing angle, etc, I wouldn't be surprised if you end up finding it too limiting. Sure, the x100 is what everybody is talking about, but that doesn't make it the right camera for you.
Also, don't get fooled by 'new technology', especially if you feel like using it for a few years. Imagine yourself holding a camera in 4 years, does it really matter whether the technology is 4 or 5 years old?

 

[RayPA]

If this is your first camera, then buy the MFT camera. The X100 is essentially a p&s and it is better suited to a photographer who has other cameras. The MFT cameras are a hoot with seemingly endless possibilities. You'll be able to do the same things with the MFT camera that you want to do with the X100 + about two dozen other things including shooting with glass in several different mounts.


/

 

[gekopaca]

IMHO fixed lens cameras are a very good way to learn photography because you can't change the lens; so you must "work" on your subject (moving, changing the angle…).
The 35mm eq. on the X-100 is a very "neutral" lens, and the IQ seems to be great; so there's no any risk to buy it.

 

[Leigh Youdale]

Like you, my first digital was an Ixus 60. My second (and current) digital is a GF1 with viewfinder and kit zoom. I have an adaptor to fit my CV M-mount primes. There's no way I'd swap it for the X100 even at the same price.
You'll find eventually that no camera is perfect and any 'new' technology will depreciate rapidly. (My GF1 is now worth about half what I paid for it). You'll also find that EVF's have their limitations over optical viewfinders but they're adequate for most purposes.
Just because the X100 is "hot" isn't a good reason to buy one. A lot of the heat is generated by dialogue between gear-heads who froth at the mouth at each new thing that is announced, but a lot of them never buy, they just salivate.

 

[chiggah]

Like you, my first digital was an Ixus 60. My second (and current) digital is a GF1 with viewfinder and kit zoom. I have an adaptor to fit my CV M-mount primes. There's no way I'd swap it for the X100 even at the same price.
You'll find eventually that no camera is perfect and any 'new' technology will depreciate rapidly. (My GF1 is now worth about half what I paid for it). You'll also find that EVF's have their limitations over optical viewfinders but they're adequate for most purposes.
Just because the X100 is "hot" isn't a good reason to buy one. A lot of the heat is generated by dialogue between gear-heads who froth at the mouth at each new thing that is announced, but a lot of them never buy, they just salivate.

Yes

I am deciding between the GF1 or X100 and it all comes to price point now. These are the prices from where I live:


GF1 + 20mm f1.7 lens with viewfinder addon = approx USD $920
X100 = USD $1171

I do like both and yes I agree with the learning curve for a fixed focal length lens as I will learn to master the lens. Here's a quote from someone on another forum

"Shots taken at 35-50 mm are hard to get right. If you can master this, you will be shooting far better than 95% of the punters on this forum"