Camera test 30
Photography News | Issue 58 | photographynews.co.uk
FujifilmX-T100 Fujifilm’s X-series system goes from strength to strength and its latest launch tackles the important entry-level market
Specs
Price £619 with 15-45mmXC lens. X-T100 is available in dark silver, black and champagne gold Sensor 24.2-megapixel CMOS Sensor format APS-C 23.5x15.7mm, 6000x4000pixels ISO range 200-12,800 (100, up to 25,600 and 51,200 extended, JPEGs only) Shutter range 30secs to 1/32,000sec with electronic shutter, up to 1/4000sec withmechanical shutter, flash sync at 1/180sec Drivemodes Up to 6fps (H), 3ps (L) Metering system Multi-zone, average, spot Exposuremodes PASM Exposure compensation +/-5EV, AEB available up to nine frames and +/-3EV Monitor 3in, 1040K pixels. Touchscreen, tiltable Viewfinder EVF, 2360K pixels Focusing Contrast and phase detect with multi-area and single zone select, tracking, face detect and eye detect Focus points 91, selectable singly, also in 3x3, 5x5 and 7x7 zones Video 3840x2160 at 15p, 1920x1080 at 60p, 24p and 23.98p Connectivity Micro HDMI, USB 2.0, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Other key features Timelapse, multi focus mode, 4k burst, integral flash, USB charging Storagemedia 1xSD card Dimensions (wxhxd) 121x83x47mm Weight 446g Contact Fujifilm.eu
Words and images byWill Cheung
Fujifilm’s X-system has gained good traction in the camera market among enthusiasts and pros alike, but perhaps where the system has enjoyed less success is in the entry- level sector. That is very likely going to change with the Fujifilm X-T100, the first in the X-series with an electronic viewfinder at a budget price level. It is priced complete with a powerzoom 15-45mm XC lens for £619. The price is impressive in its own right butwhat youget foryourmoney is even more eye-catching. The X-T100 is a feature-packed camera that also gives full compatibility with Fujifilm’s ever-growing lens system. It is is a 24.2-megapixel camera using a conventional Bayer sensor, not the X-Trans CMOS III version found on the more expensive X-T20 and X-T2. That probably keeps the camera’s price down but it doesn’t compromise image quality, which is of a very high order. Plus, you still have the option of shooting JPEGs and enjoying Fujifilm’s FilmSimulationmodes (11 modes are available including Classic Chrome but not the recent ETERNA) and of using 14-bit Raw for the ultimate editing flexibility. The X-T camera series is characterised by the DSLR look with the raised viewfinder ‘pentaprism’ housing and that’s what you get with the X-T100, but the camera is still very compact. The body isn’t dust or weather-sealed but it is well built. It has a robust, reassuring feel in a way that often entry-level cameras don’t. The rear monitor folds out to face forward, enabling easy selfie
shooting, and also tilts up or down so low-down or waist-level and overhead shooting is dead easy. However, should you go for the combination of the monitor folded out to the camera’s side and then tilt the screen for waist-level shooting, the image is upside down. The monitor has touchscreen functionality and you can set focus modeandFilmSimulationsettingson screen as well as focus and take shots by touch. You can enjoy playback, too, with slide and pinch and spread gestures. There are options as well in terms of what section of the monitor youwant active. Or it can be switched off entirely. The image provided by the EVF is bright, contrasty and there is ample camera information on show too. On the camera top-plate are three relatively large control dials. Only one ismarkedand this is theexposure mode dial with its PASM options as well as panorama, advanced filter and subject oriented modes. There is also the Advanced SRAuto setting. The unmarked dial close to the exposuremode dial is called theMain Command Dial in the instruction manual but it is primarily used for exposure compensation. It does also change shutter speed in manual exposure mode, adjust settings when using the quick (Q) menu and lets you go from image to image during playback, but this command dial can’t be reassigned toother functions. One big benefit is that if it is unintentionally adjusted while the
camera is turned off it has no effect on the exposure compensation value set. On other Fujifilm cameras with marked exposure compensation values, if +3EV is set as the camera is pulled out from the bag, that is the value you shoot at – unless you spot it first, of course. The downside with the X-T100’s dial is that you can’t see what is set by looking down at the camera so you need to the check the monitor or EVF. The second anonymous dial on the far left of the body is the Function Dial, as labelled in the manual. In PASM modes its default function is to alter Film Simulation modes, but you can reassign it to 31 functions including none. The same 31 options are also available on the Function button, which sits next to the exposure mode dial. Rounding off the custom function options are the 28 choices available for the four swipe directions (up, down, left and right) of the touch monitor, so given the X-T100’s entry-level price tag, the potential to tailor the camera to your preferred way of working is very good. There is a third unmarked dial and this sits on the rear of the camera and is called the Sub Command Dial. Its orientation is unusual in that it is almost upright not horizontal as we are used to. It can be rotated or pressed to achieve a variety of shooting and playback functions. So, for example, it can be used to adjust aperture in aperture-priority mode or zoom in or out during playback.
The X-T100 is a feature-packed camera that gives full compatibility with Fujifilm’s ever-growing lens system
Left The innovative monitor can not only be set for waist-level or above-head shooting, but also folds out to face forward for easy- peasy selfies.
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