Fuji X100 available for pre-order at Amazon

10 Comments

1. Mandrake
   Posted February 18, 2011 at 8:21 pm | Permalink

   I’ve had an Amazon pre-order since the 8th. Looks like they finally put the option back up.

2. broxibear
   Posted February 19, 2011 at 10:27 am | Permalink

   I know there’s always been a price difference between the US and UK but it’s almost a third more expensive in the UK ?…it’s £1000 to pre order in the UK, which is $1625 at todays rates.
   Ouch!

3. Mark
   Posted February 19, 2011 at 10:45 am | Permalink

   Is it just me? I think this a cool and intriguing camera but over priced. I do not doubt the quality will be good and that the viewfinder is a step toward what is needed in more rangefinder digital cameras but still…. $1200US seems a bit steep.

   • hiplnsdrftr
     Posted February 19, 2011 at 9:19 pm | Permalink

     Considering that a Leica X1 is $2,000 I would say that the X100 is rather a steel at $1200.

     • grumps
       Posted February 19, 2011 at 9:28 pm | Permalink

       Perhaps that’s the problem, I don’t think it should be a relative thing here. Saying Fuji optics is as good as a Leica, and while I’m am making an assumption here that it isn’t. I feel with this being a fixed lens, I think the Samsung NX100 or Sony Alpha Nex5 with lens is more comparable in price. I agree with others that it is overpriced and not even interchangable. Whereas everything Leica has always been expensive!

       • Wadcha
         Posted February 20, 2011 at 12:06 pm | Permalink

         Completely disagree that the X100 vs X1 is not relative. It is more relative than any other current digital compact.

         We are comparing the complete package starting with the overall base configuration. One camera might have better optics while another has better high ISO or handling. That is what the whole exercise of comparing relative items is about!

         Please name another fixed lens APS-C sensor compact with a fixed 35mm lens?

         If the X1′s lens turns out to be worlds better than the X100′s then perhaps it is worth its price tag. But I am doubtful it will be and am confident that the X100 will trounce it in high ISO and overall handling performance. Not to mention it has a real optical viewfinder and EVF.

         • grumps
           Posted February 21, 2011 at 11:48 pm | Permalink

           I am saying you cannot justify it for price against a Leica not the camera spec itself. I am merely saying Leicas are just known for being expensive.

           Ulitmately, you maybe right, the X100 could be setting the bar, however, there is no way I can justify the price of the lens having not used it. However, despite not owning the X1 the Leica glass is known to be great optics and great optics cost, which might justify the price. I hope the optics of the X100 is worth the price!

   • Wadcha
     Posted February 19, 2011 at 9:25 pm | Permalink

     @Mark

     I believe it is fairly priced, and perhaps a bit of a steal but it may depend on how important an interchangeable lens system camera is to you. Certainly when compared to the $2000 Leica X1, on paper at least, the Fuji is a clear bargain.

     You can also compare the X100 to the m4/3 system cameras.
     Compare to the Olympus E-P2 ($670 for the zoom kit, credit $120 if you can sell the zoom, so a body only price of $550) with the Panny 20mm 1.7 ($350) and the Olympus VF-2 EVF ($270). Total Olympus price – $1150.

     I compared the E-P2 based on the similar overall form factor (w/EVF) the build quality and the performance of the 20mm 1.7 which is recognized by many to be the best and fastest m4/3 prime. The 20mm 1.7 lens is a little faster than the Fuji and the E-P2 has in-camera stabilization, but high ISO performance should more than make up the difference on the X100 (TBD). I have this exact E-P2 configuration and dread shooting anything over 800 ISO. I’ve seen X100 sample images that look amazing at 6400!

     If there is a value you assign to interchangeable lenses than factor in what you think that is worth. I’m perfectly happy with a single 35mm f/2.0 fixed lens so I give it a big fat $0 but ymmv.

     So if purchased new, there is a cost difference of $50 between the two systems and the following pros for each system.

     X100 Pro
     New hybrid optical and high resolution EVF viewfinder (No external viewfinder to keep track of)
     Larger sensor
     Solid Magnesium Alloy body compared with the E-P2′s Metal wrapped enclosure
     Higher resolution LCD screen
     Full manual on camera controls (if that is a positive for you)
     Better high ISO performance (expected based on sensor size and early high ISO image samples)
     Reported faster AF but TBD when we see the final product

     Olympus Pro
     In-camera stabilization
     Smaller size without the EVF
     Interchangeable lenses – ability to use legacy glass.
     Better video implementation – both resolution and ease of use (direct record button)

     I’m sure that for people who are looking for a system camera or want to compare it to a budget DSLR, the X100 may look expensive but when compared to fixed lens compacts like the X1 and the Sigma DP2, it looks pretty damn good.

   • hiplnsdrftr
     Posted February 19, 2011 at 9:25 pm | Permalink

     And the titanium M9 is $26,500. I’ll settle for the magnesium X100 for $1200.

4. zeejay
   Posted February 20, 2011 at 12:46 am | Permalink

   Why does Amazon changed ‘pre-order’ of Fujifilm Finepix X100 to ‘add to cart’. What does this mean? Shipping soon?