Usually here at Fujirumors you are used to read reviews about the Fuji X-series. But I thought it’s worth to make an exception for the [shoplink 14383]Fuji HS50EXR[/shoplink], according to some reviews I’ve read one of the best superzoom bridge camera currently available.

Here is a comprehensive review about this camera. You can read it here in the original language or go to the translated version. The reviewer says that it’s worth every cent. Of course there are some CONS, as the small ½” sensor… and while the X-series spoils us with an awesome high ISO performance, the HS50EXR noise is clearly visible at more than ISO 1600. But an excellent macro, fast focussing (hybrid autofocus) and good build quality make the HS50EXR interesting for all those looking for a bridge camera.

Fuji HS50EXR: [shopcountry 14383]

The long awaited DPR review of the X100S is finally online. Take your time go through the 20 pages here. The overall score is of 81%… but don’t worry, the image quality is excellent, the lens is very sharp, the viewfinder rocks, the JPEG’s are amazing, the built-in ND filter has little or no negative impact on image quality… but it has an “unexciting video mode, clunky ergonomics, so-so audio and occasional moiré issues“, “only one-step magnification option in EVF/LCD live view mode” no face-detectionAF and some more CONS you can read at the conclusions here. But as the reviewer said at the end:

“The only thing about it which feels wrong, and outmoded is the video feature, but let’s be honest – that’s not why you’re reading this review. Despite some minor annoyances, the X100S wins our coveted gold award. Sorry it took so long!”

Some of the CONS could be fixed in future firmware updates. Wouldn’t it be nice, for example, to have face-detectionAF? So let’s address to Fuji our suggestions for further improvements on the X100S in the comments!

have a great day
Patrick

Fuji X100S: [shopcountry 12883]

Camberalabs posted a comprehensive X-M1 review. They compared also the AF (“the X-M1 AF is responsive and accurate. In terms of speed it’s not quite up to the standards of the PEN E-P5 or the Lumix G6, both of which where marginally quicker“) resolution, noise, RAW’s etc. to that of the [shoplink 13800]Olympus PEN E-P5[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 14918]Panasonic GF6[/shoplink]. So there is a lot to read and to see at the Cameralabs review here. From the final verdict:

“[…] if Fujifilm wants to widen the appeal of its X-series to consumers I think it has a bit more work to do if it’s to compete with the likes of Olympus and Panasonic, not to mention Sony, Nikon, Samsung and even Canon. Once again there’s no touchscreen, no auto-panoramas, no built-in timelapse shooting, and you can’t apply effects, like the miniature mode, to movies. And while the built-in Wifi may let you transfer images to your phone, you won’t be remote controlling the camera with it and the geo-tagging implementation is odd to say the least. The absence of these features may or may not be deal-breakers for you personally, but it is unusual not to have them on a camera aimed at consumers.

Basic feature-set aside though, the X-M1 is a solid performer that remains fun to shoot with and won’t let you down – it’s also the cheapest way to enjoy the superb X-Trans sensor and the small but high quality range of X-mount lenses. But aside from picture quality there isn’t really any one area in which it sparkles, no one feature that’s new and innovative. More than anything, the X-M1 leaves me wondering what Fujifilm has lined up for its second mid-range X-Series system camera. In the meantime, purely on the grounds of its excellent image quality and high ISO noise performance and not forgetting its excellent handling, the Fujifilm X-M1 is a model Cameralabs is happy to recommend, but for the reasons noted above it falls short of our highest award.”

PRE-ORDER

X-M1 (body only or with 16-50mm) – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline EUROPE: DigitalRev / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA / AmazonDE

XF 27mm – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline EUROPE: AmazonDE / DigitalRev / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA XC 16-50: WexUK / PCHstore