My first Fujifilm - A review of this great "Instagram" Camera

My wife and I have been looking for a compact camera to document our travels.

Between her and me, we have about 8 DSLRs and 4 Video cameras we use for work. However, when we travel, we have been reluctant to bring any of our gear and end up using our phones for photos. Taking our "usual" set up of 2 bodies (1 with 28-70 and the other with a 80-200 f/2.8), a bag of 6 primes from 24-105, 3 light stands, sandbags, 4 strobes, is just not realistic.

We were looking for the ULTIMATE travel camera on a budget. The purpose was to get a camera we can bring anywhere. It needed to have a usable jpegs (no time for LR/PS when travelling). It also needed to be able to transfer to our phones to post in IG/FB.

After much decision, we ended up with the Fujifilm X100t. For those not wanting to read the rest of the review, here it is in a nutshell - IT IS GREAT.

Now, the review.

Form Factor - 5/5

It is tiny. It is smaller than most decent lenses. It can fit in a jacket pocket or small purse.

If you are looking for a travel camera, this is the form factor you want!

For reference, here are 3 photos. First is beside an unrigged/naked Blackmagic URSA. Second is beside a D800 with a 28-70 f/2.8 lens. The only comparable camera I have is my classic Nikkormat EL.

It's almost only as big as the 1st AC screen. A cine 35mm is larger than the x100t

not even close!

Image Quality - 5/5

Amazing! While I always shoot raw (video and photo), the point of the camera was to use the jpegs. That being said, IQ for the jpegs straight out of the camera was amazing!

The samples below are jpegs straight out of the camera, transferred to my phone and then posted here. My default setting is classic chrome (because it is the best ;-))

Not your typical brick wall photos. I took the camera for a walk around the neighborhood to do some informal tests.

Colors are top notch. Bokeh is clean and wonderful.

If you pixel peep in LR, you will find faults. But the point of the camera is for IG/FB posts. For that purpose, it is perfect 5/5.

Obligatory Cat photo.

Neighborhood park

Great for low light street photography.

Great for people as well!

Ergonomics - 3/5

As great as the form factor is for travel, it is horrible for ergonomics. On a Nikon D4/D800, I can keep my eye on the viewfinder and adjust with my fingers, ISO, SS, Aperture. With the X100t, I have to dive into the menu or take my eye off the viewfinder to change settings.

On a D4/D800, the "grooves" on the camera were designed to fit a human hand. My thumb has a place to go. So does my index finger. My palm rests comfortable. It seems like it was designed to be held. On the x100t, it felt awkward. There were spaces between my hand the camera. My thumb had no where to go.

"q" setting - This is perhaps one of the BEST features of the camera. I have my different "film" profiles set up and quickly go from Velvia to CC easily (these are my 2 most used settings).

The ability to change the function buttons (realistically only 3 because I need to focus points), is also great.

Wifi Transfer - 5/5

This is the BEST feature of the camera (aside from IQ). We bought this as an Instagram camera. This makes life so much easier. Connect phone wifi to camera, open the app, start downloading photos. Not a problem. Used with iOS and Android with no problems.

Can it replace a DSLR?

Trick question. This is like asking if a motorcycle can replace a car. 2 different machines with 2 different purposes. Both are fun for the intended scenario.

For paid shoots, it cannot replace my Nikons for photo or BM URSA/Sony F3 for video. For travel / everyday photos, this is the camera I am bringing.

A lot of people may be coming from a DSLR, so I made a comparison from a shoot last weekend. To be fair to the x100t, it held up on its own. I would post photos from the x100t on my IG right beside a photo from a DSLR and you would be hard pressed to tell the difference.

from x100t

from DSLR

from x100t

from DSLR

from x100t

from DSLR

from x100t

from DSLR

As you can see, I love the output from both cameras equally!

Final Thoughts

This is an amazing camera. For the price (I got mine used from Adorama for $700USD), it is a steal.

The IQ is excellent. Wifi transfer is amazing! This will beat your phone camera hands down for Instagram or Facebook photos.

The ergonomics takes a while to get used to, but is not a deal breaker.

Solid performance. The only regret is waiting this long to get this camera!