Fujifilm X100s Review
Highlights and Specifications
Before presenting the technical specifications we will highlight some special features of the Fujifilm X100s.
X-Trans APS-C Sensor
The X100s has a 16.3 MP APS-C sized sensor.
The sensor doesn't have the traditional Bayer pattern layout of the color pixels but has a layout of Fuji's own design called X-Trans where some of the green pixels are clustered together.
The X100s sensor also has autofocus phase detection pixels built-in (marked with (1)), which should allow for faster autofocus operation.
There is no low-pass filter in front of the sensor. This results in increased resolution, but carries with it the risk of moiré (false colors when photographing fine, repetitive patterns). Fuji claims that their X-Trans layout of the color pattern of the pixels reduces the risk of moiré.
Hybrid Optical Viewfinder and Electronic Viewfinder
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| Hybrid Optical Viewfinder | |
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| Electronic Viewfinder |
A key feature of the X100s is its viewfinder. With a flick of a switch you can shift between a big and bright optical viewfinder (OVF) and a high resolution 2.3 MP electronic viewfinder (EVF).
The optical viewfinder shows about 90% of the scene being captured and has an LCD information overlay, hence the term hybrid. The information presented can be customized. Among the features that can be shown are an electronic level, the histogram, the AF area, the shooting frame, focusing scale, exposure data, and much more.
The shooting frame moves down and to the right when focusing closer thereby compensating for the parallax error.
The shutter speed or aperture indication in the OVF turns red if you're outside of the camera's exposure range.
The EVF shows 100% of the image being captured. For fast moving subjects the optical viewfinder is preferable, but for other subjects the EVF is perfectly usable with its fast refresh rate.
The EVF like the OVF shows all important shooting information and the focusing scale. A grid and the electronic level can also be displayed. The EVF turns black when you half-press the shutter if correct exposure cannot be obtained. This is a bit surprising at first, but it is an effective message that you better check your settings!
Captured images and movies can be played back in the viewfinder. You can even operate the menus in the viewfinder since the EVF can display whatever the LCD monitor can display. This is a great feature that comes in handy in strong light.
Specifications
The table below presents the key specifications of the Fujifilm X100s.
| Sensor | 16.3 MP (effective), 4,896 x 3,264 pixels |
| Sensor Type | APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) X-Trans CMOS II, no low-pass filter |
| ISO Range | JPG: Auto and manual, 200 - 6,400 (100-25,600 extended) RAW: Auto and manual, 200 - 6,400 |
| Aspect Ratios | 3:2, 1:1, 16:9 |
| Shake Reduction | None |
| Shutter Speeds | 30 s - 1/4000s * (mechanical shutter in lens) |
| Shutter Lag | 0.01 s (not including time for autofocus) |
| Drive Modes | One shot Self timer (2 s and 10 s) 6 and 3 FPS for up to 31 and 44 frames respectively (JPEG) Exposure bracketing and various other bracketing modes |
| Lens | 23 mm F2.0 prime lens (35 mm eqv. in the 24 x 36 mm format) |
| Optics | 8 elements in 6 groups (1 aspherical element), 9 aperture blades |
| Digital Zoom | None |
| Focusing | Hybrid contrast detect/phase detect autofocus Manual focus with focusing ring Normal range: 50 cm (2.6 ft.) to infinity Macro mode (10 cm (3.9 in.) cm to 2 m (6.6 ft.) |
| Viewfinder | Hybrid optical viewfinder, 0.5 x magnification, 90% coverage Electronic Viewfinder, 2,360,000 dots, 100% coverage Diopter adjustment -2 to +1 |
| Live View | Yes, with focus peaking and split image focusing |
| Flash | Built-in, guide number 4.6/15 (ISO 100, m/ft.) Supports red-eye, slow-speed sync Hot shoe for dedicated external flash |
| Movie Mode | Full HD (1080p): 60 and 30 FPS, maximum length 10 minutes Built-in stereo microphone Provision for a dedicated external stereo microphone |
| LCD Monitor | 2.8-inch LCD, 460,000 dots |
| Startup Time | 0.9 s (0.5 s with quick start enabled) |
| Storage Media | SD, SDHC, SDXC, Eye-Fi |
| File Format | Still: JPEG and RAF (Fujifilm proprietary RAW format) Movie: H.264 (MOV) |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0 Mini HDMI Out |
| Battery | NP-95 rechargeable Capacity approx. 330 recorded images |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 126.5 x 74.4 x 53.9 mm (5.0 x 2.9 x 2.1") |
| Weight | 445 g (15.7 oz) w/battery |
| Price | $1299 |
| Available Colors | Silver |
* Fastest shutter speed available depends on the F-stop set on the lens. At F2 for example the fastest speed available is 1/1000 s. 1/4000 s is not available until you reach F8. This is a typical behavior of a mechanical leaf shutter. The slowest shutter speed available depends on the shooting mode. In bulb mode the shutter can remain open up to 60 minutes.
