Fujifilm X100 vs (new) X-E1 vs (wildcard) Olympus OM-D

If you want to smile with each picture the X-E1 will give you bright film like pictures.  m4/3 has too much contrast, dark digital look.  X100 will not do clean ISO 3200 or 6400, X-E1 will.  Always still had focus issues with X100, pictures not as bright.

Here is a X-E1 picture



I have my X100 set to auto ISO with 3200 as the top value and have never been disappointed with the image quality at 3200 when needs to go there.

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Prentis
http://prentis.smugmug.com

The price difference between the X-E1 and the X100 is nearly $400. Are the improvements justifiable at that cost?

This WAS true for a while in November, when the X100 was selling at a few top retailers for $999. Now it seems back to $1199 everywhere, so the question becomes: Is the XE-1 kit with its superb zoom lens and various improvements over the X100 (most notably AF speed in low light) worth $200 more? That's a much tougher call.

If the OP truly is interested ONLY in a 35mm lens--and especially if having an OVF is a significant plus for him--I'd wait for the X100 to drop to $999 again, and jump on it at that price.

I also have the ricoh GRDlll and the GRDlV so I understand about the UI. I just sold my GXR as to the fact that future lenses are not really in the pipeline.

So when you say 35mm lens do you mean the conversion to 50mm in 35mm terms?

The XE1 does not have this yet, their lens will be a 50mm, so it will not be like the X100, the lens that will be a 35mm will not be out until sometime in2013, there is a road map.

Here is the roadmap which may help you decide

http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/xf_lens/roadmap/

good luck. As much as I like the GXR with the 50mm lens I prefer a 35mm lens as my main lens. That is why I have ordered the XE1 with zoom and am waiting for what I will refer to as the 35mm and 84mm next year.

I have had Ricoh GRD cameras for years and I also have the GXR. I love the GXR, but I was looking for a single solution (35mm as a compromise between taking the GXR 28mm and 50mm) with built-in VF. I bought the X100 and I love it. I think it complements the GRD perfectly! The dynamic range is impressive and the lens is very sharp. Color is fantastic and B&W conversions are gorgeous. There is also a 28mm adapter for the X100. The X100 is of course not as "usable" as the Ricohs. To be honest, it seems that Ricoh could make an X100-like camera and I wish they did.

I have tried the NEX twice and both times moved on. I had the E-M5 and liked it, but ultimately preferred the GXR. I still use the GXR, but right now the GRD4, X100 and Pentax K30/18-135mm are my mainstays.

I can't speak to the X-E1, but the X100 has a standard sensor and you can easily process RAW files whereas the newer Fuji sensor still poses challenges for RAW conversion. The X-E1 provides more options for lenses and as far as I can tell is not all that much bigger than the X100.

I'm not sure what "improvements" you are referring to.  Those two cameras are different animals...hard to compare.  As an owner of an X100 can't speak for the X-E1 or the Olympus.  I can simply say the X100 performs great at elevated ISOs.  The single focal length, manual controls, compactness and the optical finder are what spoke to me. The focusing seems decent enough  I have a D90 system for interchangeable lens applications so didn't want another lens collection.  You have to decide what is important to you.  I am sure all three will yield good images in the right hands.

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Prentis
http://prentis.smugmug.com

Hi Joel, Nice to see you over here! Looks like we both are moving into Fuji cameras. As much as I like the GXR the X100 has better IQ and is a more portable option (with the built-in VF) IQ. I know these are just tools but I wish that Ricoh would step up to the plate with an updated APS system.

I'm still getting used to 35mm, but as a single all-around focal length I see the value.

I don't believe I'll be into collecting lenses (tried twice), I enjoy prime lenses but sense I am mostly into street photography with landscape here and there, I figured 28mm on my Ricoh GR and 35mm on a Fujifilm X would suffice.

In that case, save the difference in money and just get the Fujifilm X100. Would I be loosing out to various improvements between the two cameras?

Sidenote: Bought a Sony NEX two mouths ago... which is now for sale. Coming from Ricoh, it had horrible UI (menus, no exterior controls/dials) and color profile. With my Ricoh, i bring the pictures into Lightroom and I never want to change the characteristics. With Sony, I was doing everything I could to get the photos "life" through clarity, contrast, vividness...etc. Ultimately the Sony NEX (and majority of camera systems/compacts) seemed more like a gadget than a photography tool.

Refreshing to hear from Ricoh GR users that go for Fujifilm.

I see a lot of love for the X100.  Not me.  I tried it many times.  Focus often ignored th esubject and went for the wall behind.  Colors are not as bright as the X-E1.  ISO 3200 shows noise on the X100 and not on the X-E1.

The X100 is now 2 years behind the X-E1 sensor.  I see a lot of difference.  Focus is faster on the X-E1 and much more accurate.  Also, zoom 18-55, the 1.4 of the 35mm and the zoom in 2012 make it a complete system.  The X-E1 with the 18mm 2.0 is the same weight as the X100 and only 1/4" longer on the snout.  There will be a pancake too.

I bought my X100 (and I'm loving it!) two weeks ago for $850 (from DigitalRev). That's a huge price difference compared to the X-E1. Aside from the huge gap in price, I decided on the X100 because I didn't want another collection of lenses (I have a Nikon V1 that is great and much better for action). ISO at 3200 may not be as good on the X100 compared to the X-E1 but it's by no means horrible.

The V1 is down to $299 with kit 10-30mm lens!

Wow, where did you see this price? Nikon must not doing very well in mirrorless world

For $300 it is steal. Better then P&S.

I am hardcore Nikon user but I would never get their mirrorless cameras. I was more then disappointed. Especially when they had time to study what Sony has done and how stressful is the NEX line

If they can sell it for $300 that is indication that it is in fact overprice junk. Only fuji relized that most of the customers are (or will be) in fact original SLR or DSLR users

Not to many P&S shooter will go for mirrorless system - their first step is to get entry level DSLR if they want to make the move

Anyway fiji rocks - love the IQ, hate the AF

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Georgino
http://georgino.smugmug.com/

For action maybe, but IQ???

Nikon V1 Sensor: 13,2 x 8,8 mm

Fuji X-E1 Sensor: 23,6 x 15,6 mm

Fuji X100 Sensor: 23,6 x 15,8 mm

Brgds

Michael (Vienna)

Photo Perzon,

if you believe it or not, the person BEHIND the camera makes the photo !

I have also a X100, but my focus is where I want it !

Griddi......

( Panasonic G1, G2, GF1, LX3, Fuji X100, Olympus E-M5 )

Set the X100 on centre focus,no problem,colours can be adjusted to be "brighter",noise control on the X100 is excellent,focus compared to the 35mm f1.4,nothing in it at all.

That all being said,i have just picked up the X-E1 + 35mm f1.4 lens and could'nt be happier,but if 35mm fov is your thing ,i would'nt hestitate getting the X100 ltd edition in black,silly cheap now here in the UK at least,me personally, i always found myself cropping the X100,hence the 50mm fov is maybe better for me at least.

Good luck

I , too, find ISO 3200 usable.  The 5th image taken with my X100 was this.

I know some will find it noisy.  It is perfectly acceptable to me.   Here's a 100% crop for the pixel peepers.

I rarely crop an image to that extent.  When I do it's a reminder that I should have taken a few steps to get closer to my subject.

Yeah I've been looking at it as well - strictly for the price. and Nikon has a 50mm f/1.7 lens coming soon.

Most would say that is unacceptable for a modern digital camera. But to my eyes it looks like you scanned a 35mm slide at high resolution and uploaded it. Consider that the greatest comment for a digital camera, in my opinion.