There is still hope: X100 firmware update could come!

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130,000! That’s the number of photographers who purchased the [shoplink 15293 ebay]Fujifilm X100[/shoplink]. As you know, the other X-series cameras are constantly improved via firmware update, getting faster autofocus, focus peaking and much more (read the “amazing evolution of the X-PRO1” article here), but X100 owners were not that lucky lately. Well, it seems that there is still hope…

At dpreview user Mistur said: “There will be an update for the X100 that will add approximately 50% of the 72 new features found in the X100s. While there has been no official announcement yet, I heard about it at a recent Fuji event for the X-M1.”

Now, take this rumor cum grano salis ;).

No FR-source could confirm these rumors until now, but I suppose that an update for the good old X100 is nothing like improbable. But will there be really so many improvements as suggested by Mistur on dpreview?

As a reminder, here is the list of the actually 70 improvements of the X100S over the X100 (read also this post here). Choose the top improvements you’d like to see on your X100.

thanks for giving me these hints, Lukas
cheers
Patrick

Fuji X100: [shopcountry 15293]

1. 16-megapixel sensor, up from 12-megapixel
2. X-Trans CMOS II sensor eliminates the need for an Optical Low Pass Filter.
3. The resolution has improved.
4. S/N ratio has improved by over 30%.
5. Phase detection pixels allow 0.08 sec Auto focus
6. 1080p 60fps/30fps full HD movie
7. Improved start-up time. From 2.0sec to 0.5sec
8. Continuous Shooting from 5fps up to 6fps
9. Number of consecutive frames while using Continuous Shooting from 10 frames to 31 frames
10. Improved Shooting Interval from 0.9 seconds down to 0.5 seconds.
11. EXR Processor II Lens Modulation Optimiser reduces diffraction phenomenon and peripheral aberrations.
12. EXR Processor II features X-Trans processing & new noise reduction.
13. Outputs 14bit RAW files.
14. EVF has a 2.35 mil dot LCD.
15. A new protective coating on the surface of the viewfinder window prevents fingerprints and smudging.
16. The handling and response on focus ring has been improved.
17. The shooting range of the OVF has been expanded from 80cm to infinity, to 50cm to infinity.
18. The world’s first Digital Split Image Manual Focus system. It uses the phase detection to show assist accurate focussing.
19. Focus Peak Highlight function helps you to check the focal plane.
20. In Movie Shooting, it is possible to choose 3 kinds of focusing modes MF/ AF-C and AF-S.
21. Expanded AF shooting range from  40cm – infinity (X100) to 21cm – infinity (X100S). (not on Macro mode)
22. Quick (Q) Button for speed and instant access to shooting menus.
23. Multi Tab Menu easy and fast navigation.
24. Two new Film simulation functions added: Pro Neg.Std and Pro Neg. Hi.
25. F-simulation bracketing function – one shot can produce 3 different Film Simulation effects which can be pre-set.
26. ‘Advanced filter’ mode has been installed as standard.
27. Multi Exposure function. While viewing your first shot on the EVF or LCD as an overlay, you can shoot a second shot.
28. Shutter Counter counts every 100 times the shutter closes. (This not only counts shots taken, but also when the camera is turned on/off and put into playback mode)
29. The shape of the viewfinder window has been changed to help prevent dust build-up.
30. Strap attachment rings are reinforced with an inside stainless-steel layer.
31. Improved the shape of the Viewfinder lever.
32. Improved the layout of the Focus lever (goes MF > AF-C > AF-S now)
33. Improved the operability of the MENU/OK button.
34. Improved shape of the Q button.(was previously the RAW button)
35. Improved the shape of the Front Ring.
36. Improved the torque of the exposure dial.
37. Improved layout of the shutter speed dial.
38. Improved the design of the Battery-chamber.
39. Improved the shape of the Hot shoe.
40. Max ISO from 3200 to 6400 (ISO AUTO Mode)
41. WB shift available in any mode.
42. Variation of aspect ratio 3:2, 16:9, and 1:1.
43. Improved live view with wide aperture in MF shooting
44. Ability to reset the shooting menu and set-up separately.
45. No formatting on the setting when updating firmware.
46. Change the default LCD information setting -> standard.
47. Reset function added for every custom mode.
48. Added information on all F-simulation modes.
49. Added functionality allowing ‘MARK FOR UPLOAD TO’ MyFinePix.com.
50. Supports Eye-fi memory cards.
51. When you hold down the Q-button in the Q-menu it’s a short-cut function to edit and save.
52. Ability to set ISO-AUTO with Base and Limit ISO and Min. shutter speed in ISO menu.
53. Change the location of AF area select button.
54. Change the sub-function of  AF area select button.
55. Change the sub-function of AE button.
56. Add the sub-function of Fn button.
57. In low light scenes the LCD display is smooth.
58. After releasing the shutter button, the camera will immediately switch to playback mode.
59. After releasing the shutter button you can now immediately use some keys.
60. When holding shutter button, the LCD doesn’t freeze.
61. In Post-viewing after OVF shooting, the eye sensor works.
62. Supports external microphone.
63. Changed Flash settings including External Flash in right key.
64. The ND filter is now available in panorama mode.
65. Faster writing speed to SD memory cards.
66. Phase detection Autofocus now works during movie recording.
67. Added ‘ MF distance indicator ‘ in Display custom setting.
68. After half-pressing the shutter release in manual exposure mode, the live view displays the actual exposure level
69. Hot shoe shape was changed for easy connection to external flash.
70. The “S” badge has been added.

you can read the “Kaizen” posts 1, 2, 3 on FR

 photo neukai_zpsdd2d4b62.png

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Gold Award: X100S review at dpreview

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 photo goldaward_zps937e23f8.png

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]

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REVIEW: Samyang 300mm f/6.3 mirror lens for Fuji X + IN STOCK: X-M1 at AmazonDE/ITA

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A FR-reader shared with us via rumor box the link to a short review and some sample shots of the Samyang 300 mirror lens for Fuji X. The lens is a bit smaller than the [shoplink 12887]XF 18-55mm[/shoplink], built mostly out of high quality plastic and the focus ring rotation is very smooth and well-damped. “Close focus performance is pretty good, without a trace of chromatic distortion and good clarity edge-to-edge. […] Overall image contrast is slightly low compared to the excellent Fuji 18-55 zoom, but this is easily corrected during post processing.” Check it out at dpreview.

Samyang / Rokinon 300 mirror lens for Fuji X: AmazonUS / BHphoto

_ _ _

There are right now only 2 X-M1 (body only) available at AmazonDE via third party for €14 more than the regular price. Here is the AmazonDE link. A limited number of X-M1 bodies is available also at AmazonITA. In the meantime AmazonUS changed the status for the X-M1 from “will be released on July 29” to “temporarily out of stock”. BHphoto expects to have them in stock on July 31.

IN STOCK STATUS CHECK

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

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83%: X-M1 overall score at the Cameralabs review

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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

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