Photography News Issue 41

Photography News | Issue 41 | absolutephoto.com

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Pocket rocket The X100F is the fourth generation model in Fujifilm’s series of premium compacts and it is by far the most powerful yet, making it the perfect take-everywhere camera

A lot of people use their smartphone as their everyday snapshot camera and that is fine, but if you want superior picture quality in a device that has all the creative functionality of an advanced camera, then you need a premium compact like the FujifilmX100F. The X100F is the fourth generation in Fujifilm’s X100 series and it is the most powerful and versatile to date. At the heart of the camera is a 24.3-megapixel X-Trans CMOS III sensor, the same as that found on Fujifilm’s professional cameras. This advanced, highly capable sensor that is free of an optical low-pass filter will let you shoot very high-quality, detail- rich pictures and Full HD video footage even at high ISO settings. Its native range is 200 to 12,800 and that is enough to deal successfully with the very low light levels but if you need even more speed the range is expandable to 51,200. Even pictures taken at the high ISO settings, the results are low in noise, well saturated, show very fine detail and shadow details remain deep. The sensor works with the Fujifilm X-Processor Pro to deliver rich, lifelike colour pictures aswell as a fast camera performance. The X100F has plenty of creative potential to enjoy too so if you want to exploit the X-Processor Pro fully there is a complete range of Fujifilm Film Simulation modes on offer. These can be applied to still and video images, with Classic Chrome for a more subdued colour rendition and Acros monochrome for smooth, toned shots with rich shadows two popular options. In the

Film Simulation settings there is the further option of adding a distinctive grain look with the choice of two strengths, Strong andWeak. There also is a set of Advanced filters including Toy Camera, Dynamic Tone and Miniature; they are also fun to use and give your shots a very individual look. Fast performance is one of the X100F’s many strengths. The X-Processor Pro enables a very fast start-up time of 0.5sec, shooting interval time of 0.2sec and shutter lag of a mere 0.01sec that means the decisive moment will not be missed by the camera. Autofocus is incredibly swift too with a tested time of 0.08secs. The camera’s AF system is super-quick and it is very versatile too. It features 91 AF points arranged in a 13x7 grid and it can be set to show325 smaller points across the same 85% of the image area. About 40% of the central area is covered by 49 points and phase detection pixels to give accurate AF in a wide variety of situations including low-contrast, low-light scenes. Sixmodesareprovidedtosuccessfullydeal with static and moving subjects and there’s a selection of AF zone options available, whether you want to leave it to the camera in Wide/Tracking mode or if you want to take control and use a single AF point. A thumb- operated joystick is provided on the camera back and this let you intuitively move the AF point around the image area to ensure correct focus on the right part of the scene. For a great photographic experience, the X100Fuses anAdvancedHybridViewfinder that gives theoptionof anoptical finder (OVF)

or an electronic viewfinder (EVF). A handily positioned switch on the front of the camera lets you switch between the two options at will depending how you like to work. The OVF gives a crisp image and with no time lag while in Electronic Rangefinder mode a small window helps with focus checking. The EVF gives a 100% field of view and a frame rate of 60fps means a minimal time lag when panning with a subject. Making the most of the sensor and AF system is the integral Fujinon 23mm f/2 lens. This is equivalent to a moderate 35mm wide-angle lens in the 35mm format so ideal for photographing people and scenes giving an image which is not too dissimilar to the field of view of the human eye. The lens’s construction comprises eight glass elements including one aspheric lens arranged in six groups to give sharp, high resolution images free of flare and ghosting. The lens barrel features an innovative Control Ring in addition to the aperture ring. A frequently used function such as ISO or Film Simulation mode can be assigned to the Control Ring for quick selection. There’s also a 3EV neutral density filter built into the lens when you want to use a longer shutter speed or a wider aperture in bright lighting. We’ve only space here to scratch the surface of the Fujifilm X100F compact and there is plenty more to appreciate and enjoy, so with stocks available in-store from later this month, visit your local dealer to see this premium camera for yourself.

The Fujifilm X100F at a glance

FujifilmX100F £1249, available in black or silver from16 February 24.3-megapixel, APS-CX-Trans CMOS III sensor Fujinon 23mmf/2 lens (35mm equivalent in 35mmformat) ISO200-12,800, expandable to ISO 100-51,200 Mechanical shutter 30secs- 1/4000sec, electronic shutter up to 1/32,000sec

Shutter lag of 0.01sec 3inmonitor, 1040k LCD

0.48in EVF 2360k-dot LCD showing 100%, optical finder shows 92%with electronic bright frame display