Fujifilm X-T100 - Experience and Pics

[markgv]

I've had the X-T100 for a couple months now. I'm a long time Pentax DSLR user, so there have been some things to get used to, but overall it's been a very positive experience. I got the X-T100 mainly for something smaller to use as a backup to my Pentax gear, because of the reputation of the Fuji X line, because I didn't want to have anything less than APS-C and ~24MP, and because it would be easy to use adaptors for my collection of M42 and K-mount glass.

Things I like:

• I love the size. I didn't realize how accustomed I had become to the size of my Pentax K-3 until I put them side by side.
• The 15-45mm kit lens! I am quite impressed with this lens. Mine is great at the wide end (where I do a lot of my shooting), but it's still quite good, especially in the center at the long end shooting at f5.6.
• For a part of my work, I need geotagging. Using the X-T100 with my Android phone via Bluetooth, the geotagging has been excellent. It's very accurate and is updating almost continuously without much affect on battery of either the phone or the camera.
• SOOC JPGs are very good, though I have found I can get even better results touching up the RAF files in Lightroom.
• I really like the ability to zoom in when focusing. Using adapted lenses and focus peaking makes things pretty easy.
• I love the different ways the screen can be turned. It really is a benefit for macros, low or high shots...
• The image quality is excellent. It's as good as or better than my Pentax K-3.
• I haven't used it much, but the camera remote app on my phone is usable. I do appreciate having the option of transferring JPGs to my phone without much effort.

Things that are meh...

• The EVF is quite good, and I've become accustomed to using it, but when I go back to my OVF on the Pentax, I notice just how much superior the OVF is. Also, when using adapted lenses, there is no image stabilization, so it can be hard sometimes to focus when using longer lenses. (Handheld, 135mm is about the best I can do.) Yeah, I know, just plan on getting the 50-230 some day...
• The power zoom on the 15-45mm is quirky, but I usually just use AF-S and have things set so that I can use the front ring for zooming. No problem.
• I like the idea of the electronic shutter since it is so quiet, and it works pretty well with the 15-45 lens, but it took me a while to figure out that it was causing major problems of distortion with adapted lenses.
• I have attached the grip, and I use a wrist strap, and this is a pretty good combination for carrying it around.
• I'm still trying to figure out how best to deal with noise in low light situations. It's different than the noise on my Pentax. More luminance, but finer. The SOOC JPGs handle it pretty well, but I'm still trying to find the best way to treat the RAFs in LR.
• I usually have to dial down the EV to avoid highlight blowouts. In full sunlight, I turn it down to -1 or -2/3. It's less an issue in other situations.
• I haven't really done much with video or action photography.
• It's nice to have some of the 'popular' features with different effects and panorama shots, but I don't make much use of those.

Things I don't like:

• That touch screen drives me crazy. I've turned it off as much as I can, but I seem to be able to need it to switch between AF and MF. Even with the touch screen off, I don't know how many times I've somehow managed to move the focus point from the center (I prefer AF-S) to some strange location. I am almost totally unable to do anything with the swipe gestures on the screen to access functions. I just can't make it do anything.
• The camera does feel sloooowwww. Part of it may be the 15-45 and it's power zoom, but it takes a while to power up. It takes a while to write files to the card. It takes a moment to view a photo. It takes even longer to turn off. (And I am not sending any files to my phone.)
• In comparison to my Pentax, the menu system on the X-T100 takes a lot of fiddling and scrolling to get to common things I want to adjust. I wish more options were available with the Q menu.
• I still haven't figured out good ways to use the 'default' knob there on the top left.
• I could so much more use from this camera if it had internal image stabilization...
• It's not weather resistant.

That's the main stuff... Now for some pics:


15-45mm at 45mm f5.6. View at 100% to see the outstanding detail.


Image on the left is the RAF processed in Lightroom. On right is SOOC JPG. You can see that the SOOC JPG is quite good, but better results can be obtained with some processing of the RAF.


X-T100 using a Fotasy PK-A to Fuji X adaptor with the Pentax DA 10-17mm Fisheye.

Bottom line: I had planned to use this as my backup, but I'm thinking it will become my primary camera using the 15-45mm lens where I do a lot of my shooting. I'll bring my Pentax gear to use in inclement weather and because it has image stabilization for my longer lenses.

Considering the price (and I bought my kit used), I am very happy with the X-T100 and would happily and confidently recommend it to others.

 

[beespeckled]

I enjoyed your experiences and agree. Some things I haven't used much. Like the touch screen, I think I turned it off after the first outing of test shots because the camera was shooting photos as it was bouncing on my hip lol

I just have the 15-45 lens, using it as a fixed lens kit travel camera.

My only quibble with the camera so far is the flip out LCD. I like having it, since my a77 and previous a33 had it, but I would like the Fuji one to be a bit more sturdy, it seems finicky after using the Sony style one, I'm used to being able to just snap it out on the side and swiveling, then swiveling the screen back against the camera body to protect the LCD when not in use. I haven't acquired the knack of easily extending the X-t100 screen like I can with my Sony's.

I'm enjoying this camera very much, despite the implementation of the LCD.

 

[Miguel-C]

Nice shots! Hows the AF after the latest firmware update? I know it will never be great for sports, but how about portraits?

 

[markgv]

Nice shots! Hows the AF after the latest firmware update? I know it will never be great for sports, but how about portraits?

I did update the firmware. I haven't done much with portraits, but when I have, it's been rather fast and quite accurate.

I haven't tried action or AF-C, so I can't report on that.

 

[Fezhat]

Clumsy is probably a good term to describe the camera

 

[Advent1sam]

Mark, The general range of lenses start-up and shutdown very fast with performance boost on, typically they are 1.5-2 secs, switch off even with sensor clean on, which is what I have set is also very swift. I just timed the 10-24 f4 and it was around 1.5 secs, very fast start-up. I have the top left dial set for iso, works great and the touch screen for me is a joy, double tap on image review to full mag and the image is fluid to scroll around. For swipe use the index finger, brilliant. The whole camera is so quick and fluid, I don’t find the 15-45 that sluggish, maybe a bit. All things considered though the sensor is incredibly good, like I say, it’s up there with the best around! Happy shooting

I've had the X-T100 for a couple months now. I'm a long time Pentax DSLR user, so there have been some things to get used to, but overall it's been a very positive experience. I got the X-T100 mainly for something smaller to use as a backup to my Pentax gear, because of the reputation of the Fuji X line, because I didn't want to have anything less than APS-C and ~24MP, and because it would be easy to use adaptors for my collection of M42 and K-mount glass.

Things I like:

• I love the size. I didn't realize how accustomed I had become to the size of my Pentax K-3 until I put them side by side.
• The 15-45mm kit lens! I am quite impressed with this lens. Mine is great at the wide end (where I do a lot of my shooting), but it's still quite good, especially in the center at the long end shooting at f5.6.
• For a part of my work, I need geotagging. Using the X-T100 with my Android phone via Bluetooth, the geotagging has been excellent. It's very accurate and is updating almost continuously without much affect on battery of either the phone or the camera.
• SOOC JPGs are very good, though I have found I can get even better results touching up the RAF files in Lightroom.
• I really like the ability to zoom in when focusing. Using adapted lenses and focus peaking makes things pretty easy.
• I love the different ways the screen can be turned. It really is a benefit for macros, low or high shots...
• The image quality is excellent. It's as good as or better than my Pentax K-3.
• I haven't used it much, but the camera remote app on my phone is usable. I do appreciate having the option of transferring JPGs to my phone without much effort.

Things that are meh...

• The EVF is quite good, and I've become accustomed to using it, but when I go back to my OVF on the Pentax, I notice just how much superior the OVF is. Also, when using adapted lenses, there is no image stabilization, so it can be hard sometimes to focus when using longer lenses. (Handheld, 135mm is about the best I can do.) Yeah, I know, just plan on getting the 50-230 some day...
• The power zoom on the 15-45mm is quirky, but I usually just use AF-S and have things set so that I can use the front ring for zooming. No problem.
• I like the idea of the electronic shutter since it is so quiet, and it works pretty well with the 15-45 lens, but it took me a while to figure out that it was causing major problems of distortion with adapted lenses.
• I have attached the grip, and I use a wrist strap, and this is a pretty good combination for carrying it around.
• I'm still trying to figure out how best to deal with noise in low light situations. It's different than the noise on my Pentax. More luminance, but finer. The SOOC JPGs handle it pretty well, but I'm still trying to find the best way to treat the RAFs in LR.
• I usually have to dial down the EV to avoid highlight blowouts. In full sunlight, I turn it down to -1 or -2/3. It's less an issue in other situations.
• I haven't really done much with video or action photography.
• It's nice to have some of the 'popular' features with different effects and panorama shots, but I don't make much use of those.

Things I don't like:

• That touch screen drives me crazy. I've turned it off as much as I can, but I seem to be able to need it to switch between AF and MF. Even with the touch screen off, I don't know how many times I've somehow managed to move the focus point from the center (I prefer AF-S) to some strange location. I am almost totally unable to do anything with the swipe gestures on the screen to access functions. I just can't make it do anything.
• The camera does feel sloooowwww. Part of it may be the 15-45 and it's power zoom, but it takes a while to power up. It takes a while to write files to the card. It takes a moment to view a photo. It takes even longer to turn off. (And I am not sending any files to my phone.)
• In comparison to my Pentax, the menu system on the X-T100 takes a lot of fiddling and scrolling to get to common things I want to adjust. I wish more options were available with the Q menu.
• I still haven't figured out good ways to use the 'default' knob there on the top left.
• I could so much more use from this camera if it had internal image stabilization...
• It's not weather resistant.

That's the main stuff... Now for some pics:


15-45mm at 45mm f5.6. View at 100% to see the outstanding detail.


Image on the left is the RAF processed in Lightroom. On right is SOOC JPG. You can see that the SOOC JPG is quite good, but better results can be obtained with some processing of the RAF.


X-T100 using a Fotasy PK-A to Fuji X adaptor with the Pentax DA 10-17mm Fisheye.

Bottom line: I had planned to use this as my backup, but I'm thinking it will become my primary camera using the 15-45mm lens where I do a lot of my shooting. I'll bring my Pentax gear to use in inclement weather and because it has image stabilization for my longer lenses.

Considering the price (and I bought my kit used), I am very happy with the X-T100 and would happily and confidently recommend it to others.

 

[Advent1sam]

Nice shots! Hows the AF after the latest firmware update? I know it will never be great for sports, but how about portraits?

The c-af is superb, what sort of sports do you do? For portraits the face detect is very good, incl eye detect. Be nice be able to switch around faces though if there’s more than one, I don’t think you can do that.

 

[Advent1sam]

Clumsy is probably a good term to describe the camera

Couldn’t disagree more, the camera is a fine tool, intuitive, fluid and thoroughly functional, it’s a truly class product, compared to the a6500 it’s in another league, and it feels far more solid. I thought the x-t20 felt very cheap and plasticky in comparison and the x-t2 a bit bulky and clunky to give some perspective, in some respects the x-t100 has the feel and function of the x-pro2 but with the obvious differences but nevertheless a thoroughly quality product.

 

[markgv]

I just tried some on/off timing:

Startup is 2.8-2.95 seconds

Shutdown is 5.8-5.95 seconds. I have sensor cleaning set to run when I shut down.

 

[Sal Baker]

Clumsy is probably a good term to describe the camera

Couldn’t disagree more, the camera is a fine tool, intuitive, fluid and thoroughly functional, it’s a truly class product, compared to the a6500 it’s in another league, and it feels far more solid. I thought the x-t20 felt very cheap and plasticky in comparison and the x-t2 a bit bulky and clunky to give some perspective, in some respects the x-t100 has the feel and function of the x-pro2 but with the obvious differences but nevertheless a thoroughly quality product.

Overall, how would you compare the X-T100 and x-T20?

Sal

 

[Fezhat]

It's clumsy the tilt screen is a pest to open, touch screen a bit iffy, Bluetooth so so and...... no "happy stick"

the image results are great and easy PP with the room of light

 

[Advent1sam]

It's clumsy the tilt screen is a pest to open, touch screen a bit iffy, Bluetooth so so and...... no "happy stick"

the image results are great and easy PP with the room of light

Fezhat, not sure what your agenda is here, but this is just fake news, something not right here. The tilt screen tilts up perfectly, 99% of the time, that's how I want it, its all many many cameras offer too. I am sorry but the tilt mechanism is far from clumsy, I'd say its beautifully engineered, maybe you have a different camera, not sure!

Sal, you want to play with this camera, just order one, they are so cheap and you can find someone surely who has a return policy if order on the internet. The touch screen works great, maybe I should do some videos of it being operated.

 

[Advent1sam]

I just tried some on/off timing:

Startup is 2.8-2.95 seconds

Shutdown is 5.8-5.95 seconds. I have sensor cleaning set to run when I shut down.

Will check with my 15-45 but never noticed how quickly it switches on/off, seems fast enough for what I would use the 15-45 for? 18-55/10-24/55-200 are very fast to switch on.

 

[Vermont3133]

later

 

[horizont]

Power ON/OFF is faster with "high performance" option on. In general I don't find camera to be sluggish and using it more improves the efficiency.

Top left dial I set to ISO and is very useful. If I could I would change behavior in a way that first "click" would already change ISO value and not just show the ISO selection overlay (to make it 1click is 1/3 of EV change - same as exposure compensation wheel on the right).

About write speed: I discovered this site and bought Sandisk Extreme Pro. Magnificent improvement over previous class 10 card I was using.

Loading…

alikgriffin.com

Note - fast card is beneficial for manual lens usage due to a "EVF magnification bug" - in short: evf magnification doesn't work until there is some data in the internal buffer to be written to the SD card.

In general - your use case and experience with X-T100 is very close to mine. I just had a chance to go with 16-50 lens I love. Looking to buy 35 1.4 and use X-T100 as primary camera.

The thing that I need to get used to is the noise behavior - just like you described. Not unpleasant, but I feel I could do better in the raw processing. With Nikon D7000 default values worked better.

 

[Fezhat]

It's clumsy the tilt screen is a pest to open, touch screen a bit iffy, Bluetooth so so and...... no "happy stick"

the image results are great and easy PP with the room of light

Fezhat, not sure what your agenda is here, but this is just fake news, something not right here. The tilt screen tilts up perfectly, 99% of the time, that's how I want it, its all many many cameras offer too. I am sorry but the tilt mechanism is far from clumsy, I'd say its beautifully engineered, maybe you have a different camera, not sure!

Sal, you want to play with this camera, just order one, they are so cheap and you can find someone surely who has a return policy if order on the internet. The touch screen works great, maybe I should do some videos of it being operated.

Maybe that’s how you want it but the tilt screen on the olympus cameras are far superior like I stated great results from a ordinary camera ergonomically

 

[Advent1sam]

It's clumsy the tilt screen is a pest to open, touch screen a bit iffy, Bluetooth so so and...... no "happy stick"

the image results are great and easy PP with the room of light

Fezhat, not sure what your agenda is here, but this is just fake news, something not right here. The tilt screen tilts up perfectly, 99% of the time, that's how I want it, its all many many cameras offer too. I am sorry but the tilt mechanism is far from clumsy, I'd say its beautifully engineered, maybe you have a different camera, not sure!

Sal, you want to play with this camera, just order one, they are so cheap and you can find someone surely who has a return policy if order on the internet. The touch screen works great, maybe I should do some videos of it being operated.

Maybe that’s how you want it but the tilt screen on the olympus cameras are far superior like I stated great results from a ordinary camera ergonomically

Fezhat, I have owned, omd em5, omd em10 mkii, omd em1, omd em1 ii, omd em5 mkii as well as GH1, GH2, (then swithced to Oly as above), then back to GH5 and G9, sometimes I had 3/4 cameras at any one time, I think I know a thing or two about m43, been through the lot just about. So, on what level do you think and which Oly are you referring to has a better tilt than the x-t100 as it just ain't so!

 

[Peter Jonas]

It's clumsy the tilt screen is a pest to open, touch screen a bit iffy, Bluetooth so so and...... no "happy stick"

the image results are great and easy PP with the room of light

Fezhat, not sure what your agenda is here, but this is just fake news, something not right here. The tilt screen tilts up perfectly, 99% of the time, that's how I want it, its all many many cameras offer too. I am sorry but the tilt mechanism is far from clumsy, I'd say its beautifully engineered, maybe you have a different camera, not sure!

I am not sure who's got what agenda here.

But I suspect you'd think that screen is one of the clumsiest ones if the X-T100 had an X-Trans sensor.

 

[Fezhat]

It's clumsy the tilt screen is a pest to open, touch screen a bit iffy, Bluetooth so so and...... no "happy stick"

the image results are great and easy PP with the room of light

Fezhat, not sure what your agenda is here, but this is just fake news, something not right here. The tilt screen tilts up perfectly, 99% of the time, that's how I want it, its all many many cameras offer too. I am sorry but the tilt mechanism is far from clumsy, I'd say its beautifully engineered, maybe you have a different camera, not sure!

Sal, you want to play with this camera, just order one, they are so cheap and you can find someone surely who has a return policy if order on the internet. The touch screen works great, maybe I should do some videos of it being operated.

Maybe that’s how you want it but the tilt screen on the olympus cameras are far superior like I stated great results from a ordinary camera ergonomically

Fezhat, I have owned, omd em5, omd em10 mkii, omd em1, omd em1 ii, omd em5 mkii as well as GH1, GH2, (then swithced to Oly as above), then back to GH5 and G9, sometimes I had 3/4 cameras at any one time, I think I know a thing or two about m43, been through the lot just about. So, on what level do you think and which Oly are you referring to has a better tilt than the x-t100 as it just ain't so!

Your opinion not mine

 

[Advent1sam]

It's clumsy the tilt screen is a pest to open, touch screen a bit iffy, Bluetooth so so and...... no "happy stick"

the image results are great and easy PP with the room of light

Fezhat, not sure what your agenda is here, but this is just fake news, something not right here. The tilt screen tilts up perfectly, 99% of the time, that's how I want it, its all many many cameras offer too. I am sorry but the tilt mechanism is far from clumsy, I'd say its beautifully engineered, maybe you have a different camera, not sure!

Sal, you want to play with this camera, just order one, they are so cheap and you can find someone surely who has a return policy if order on the internet. The touch screen works great, maybe I should do some videos of it being operated.

Maybe that’s how you want it but the tilt screen on the olympus cameras are far superior like I stated great results from a ordinary camera ergonomically

Fezhat, I have owned, omd em5, omd em10 mkii, omd em1, omd em1 ii, omd em5 mkii as well as GH1, GH2, (then swithced to Oly as above), then back to GH5 and G9, sometimes I had 3/4 cameras at any one time, I think I know a thing or two about m43, been through the lot just about. So, on what level do you think and which Oly are you referring to has a better tilt than the x-t100 as it just ain't so!

Your opinion not mine

It was a question, which Oly are you referring to, agreed it is my opinion, but it works absolutely perfectly, so on what level and which Oly are you referring to. Fezhat, a bit of perspective, I chose the x-t100 for a myriad of things, I didn't expect it to be very good, it was a whim, I was curious and sceptical too, if it was garbage, be under no illusion I would say so, it isn't and the tilt screen is as good as any other out there and it is especially better than the Sony a6500, which has no soft buttons and is very sluggish in use, x-t100 is infinitely better than the a6500 in every respect.