X100 impression from an E-P2 user

[shadowfox]

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.

 

[Harry S.]

That was fun to read. In a voyueristic sort of way. 🙂

 

[gekopaca]

Thanks for your "review" (as E-P2 user it reinforces me to keep my gear)

 

[gavinlg]

Will, do you use the EVF on your e-p2?

 

[_larky]

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.

 

[gavinlg]

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.

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]

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.

*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]

Will, do you use the EVF on your e-p2?

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.

 

[jsrockit]

So, to sum this up, your wife is a very smart woman (except the thumb dial part)? 🙂

 

[shadowfox]

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]

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. 🙂

 

[Leigh Youdale]

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 ?