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Big test

FUJIFILMX100V

PRICE: £1299

FUJIFILM.EU/UK

With a redesigned lens, flipmonitor and an impressive array of design tweaks, the X100V takes Fujifilm’s family of premium compact cameras to the next level

SPECS

›  Prices £1299 ›  In the box X100V,NP-W126SLi-ion battery,USBcable (typeAtoC), lens cap,hot shoecover,shoulder strap ›  Sensor 26.1 megapixels ›  Sensor format 23.5x15.6 X-Trans CMOS 4,APS-C format, 6240x4160 pixels ›  Lens mount Fixed23mmf/2 (35mmfocal length in35mm format)with f/2 to16aperture rangeand4EVNDfilter built in. Focus range 10cmto infinity.Digital teleconverter,50mmand70mmin 35mmequivalent,JPEGshooting ›  ISO range 160-12,800, expansion to ISO 80, 100, 125, 25,600, 51,200 (Raw and JPEGs) ›  Shutter range Manual: 15mins to 1/4000sec,A: 30secs to 1/4000sec, electronic shutter: 30secs to 1/32,000sec, bulb: up to 60mins ›  Drive modes High continuous 11fps – up to 38 JPEGs, 17 Raws ›  Exposure system PASMmodes, TTL256 zonewithmulti, centre- weighted, average and spot options ›  Exposure compensation +/-5EV in 0.3EV ›  Monitor 3in tilting touchscreen, 1.62mdots ›  Viewfinder 0.5in, 3.69mdots, 100%coverage approx, built-in switchover sensor ›  Focusing system Single, continuous,manual with intelligent hybrid (phase and contrast detect). Low-light performance: contrast -2EV, phase -5EV ›  Focus points 117 points in 13x9 grid in single/ zone in 3x3, 5x5 and 7x7/wide 117 or 425 points (25x17 grid} in single zone (six sizes) ›  Image stabiliser None ›  Video 4K (3840x2160, 29.97/25p/24p/23.98p), C4K (4096x2160), Full HD (2048x1080) ›  Movie format MOV,MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 compression ›  Connectivity USB3.1, HDMI type C,microphone jack,Wi-Fi, Bluetooth ›  Other key features Advanced filters, HDRmode, grain effect, 4EV ND filter, dynamic range setting, 17 filmsimulationmodes, flash built in with GN 4.4 (ISO100/m), multiple exposure (up to 9 shots) ›  Storage media 1xSD/SDHC/ SDXCUHS-1 ›  Battery NP-W126S, up to 350 shots (EVF) ›  Dimensions (wxhxd) 128x74.8x53.3mm ›  Weight 478g with battery and card ›  Contact fujifilm.eu/uk

WORDS AND IMAGES BY WILL CHEUNG

THANKS TO THE camera phone, the compact camera market is barely a shadow of its former self. Despite that, there remains a demand for premium large-sensor compacts that can deliver pro-level picture quality with the controls and features of interchangeable lens cameras. The X100V is the fifth model in Fujifilm’s premium compact line-up and it is blessed with a feature set that will appeal to photographers of all levels. At its heart is the highly capable pairing of Fujifilm’s X-Trans 4 CMOS 26.1-megapixel optical low-pass filter-free sensor and X-Processor 4. This back-side illuminated sensor and processing engine combination is seen on several current X Series cameras so is a known quantity in terms of image quality, dynamic range, ISO performance and speed. Also known quantities are the X100V’s exposure and phase- detection focus systems, although there is a new algorithm for faster, more precise face/eye detect AF and a low-light performance down to -5EV. The AF system has 117 points in a 13x9 grid or 425 single points in a 25x17 grid in single-point AF mode and 117 points in zone or wide AF use. AF performance can be refined further with the new Focus Limiter function. One major new feature, although that’s not apparent from a quick look, is the X100V’s new lens. It is still a 23mm f/2 (equivalent to a 35mm wide-angle in the 35mm format) and the same physical size as its predecessor – so compatible with the WCL/TCL conversion lenses – but two of its eight elements are aspherical lenses to give improved across-the-frame resolution and lower distortion. It can also focus as close as 10cm. The internal neutral density filter is 4EV – 3EV in the X100F.

LEFT The FujifilmX100V looks great, with the top and bottom plates milled from single pieces of aluminium and finished in an aluminate satin coating

The redesigned lens brings with it an important new feature, although it comes at a cost. Buy and fit the optional weather-resistant kit that comprises the AR-X100 filter adapter and PRF-49 filter for £99 (it’s available for £50 when bought with the camera) and you have a weather-resistant camera; the first X100 model to have that ability. I didn’t have these items for my test, but I had no reliability issues when the camera got very wet during a stormy Dartmoor walk. The X100V sports another first with its tilting 1.62m dot touchscreen, and this comes at barely any penalty in terms of body size. Looking at the stats, the X100V is a 1mm longer and 1mm deeper than the X100F. I like using tilting monitors and the X100V’s is very good, providing a contrasty viewing image during above-the- head, or waist- or low-level viewing. The touchscreen functionality can be turned off completely and when the screen is active it has the options of touch AF, touch shooting and off. In image review, swiping moves from

shot to shot, pinching zooms in and a double tap zooms the image to 100%. The tilting monitor is just one of three viewing options. Look though the eyepiece and the advanced hybrid viewfinder gives the choice of an optical or electronic viewfinder, switching between the two with a lever on the front of the camera. With all three viewing options, you have plenty of choice in terms of what camera features and settings you have on view. The hybrid finder means you have the choice of an optical rangefinder- style view (a brightline frame showing the image area and the border surround means you can see what is about to enter into the picture), and the electronic viewfinder, which gives a full-frame image with live exposure and white-balance preview. The optical finder has the option of an inset of a magnified electronic image in single-point AF mode. It is worth saying how good the EVF is, and the viewing image it provides is first-class. I’ve grown to

appreciate EVFs from early doors and the X100V’s is a very fine example of the genre and great to use, and I preferred it to the optical version in every lighting situation. That said, I wouldn’t have been disappointed if the only option was the optical finder. Fujifilm has not stinted when it come to the X100V’s looks and finish. The top and bottom plates are each milled from single pieces of aluminium and finished in aluminate satin coating, and there’s no denying that this camera has a luxurious feel. There’s a lovely touch in the lift- and-drop collar of the ISO control, too. Pull up this collar and it stays up and rotates sweetly to the required setting and then it returns to its parked position with a soft press. The ISO dial has values from 160 up to 12,800 in 0.3EV steps, plus there are A and C settings. A is for auto ISO and there are three ranges available, the parameters of which can be set within the menu. Having the ISO dial set to C means the ISO value can be quickly adjusted by using the front input dial

24 Photography News | Issue 77

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