Fujifilm had system cameras like the GX680 with interchangeable everything, but they have also released many fixed-lens cameras like the raft of MF RFs with formats spanning 6x7, 6x8, 6x9 with standard and wide primes. The same applies to their new(!) MF folders. Given the attention they gave to the microlens array for this new digicam, I can imagine separate cameras for each FL released. Hey, it's just money.
EOS20 wrote:
I wonder if this camera will eventually evolve into a new camera system for Fuji in the future. How good would it be to have this camera with a interchangeable lens mount and a nice set of Fujinon lenses!
Maybe Fuji thought they would see how well this camera sells before investing in a entire camera system.
The X100 does look very interesting, and I'm sure it will sell well. Shame it won't be available till early next year though.
I just don't see that happening. Fuji's MO has been to produce high-quality fixed- FL lens cameras, and make several models of them- see the 690 and 670 series, having versions with a 65 and a 90 mm lens. They are much more likely to come out with a 35mm (50mm FF) version of this camera.
Looks fantastic, but I think the chances of it being under $1000 (or even $1200) are very slim.
I particularly like the fact that the lens doesn't collapse. I just hope this doesn't get delayed and delayed or end up having some Sigma-DP-esque showstopping problems.
Sam N wrote:
Looks fantastic, but I think the chances of it being under $1000 (or even $1200) are very slim.
Given that it is likely Panasonic and Olympus release m4/3 camera with built-in EVF, and that both Canon and Nikon are coming up with EVIL class camera as well, they would be crazy to sell it over $1000...
This thing has me wetting my pants with Glee. The camera is very close to what I've been waiting for. I'd have preferred interchangeable lenses, but 35mm is where it's at FL-wise for me in a camera like this. Interested to see the hybrid viewfinder in action - it's something I'm waiting to see before I feel like I have a handle on it fully although strangely enough I find it reminds me of the Minolta Z1which was my first digital camera:
It's a pitty I already have a Olympus E-P1 + Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 combo.
I may consider getting one and selling the Oly if it has:
- better ergonomics (not that difficult)
- better sensor - it's bigger witch is usually better but it has to be good at iso 1600 (I find the iso 800 on the E-P1 hardly usable)
- better lens than the panasonic 20/1.7 (witch is excellent)
- silent shutter
I like the idea of the fixed lens, I use the panasonic 20/1.7 95% of the time using the kit zoom only for wide-angle, but I admit it would have been a lot more interesting if it had a interchangeable lens solution (but I understand it may be too risky to invest in one more camera-lens system).
I agree that, considering the current options, there's no reason to buy the overly-expensive Leica X1 apart from brand-fetischism (if there were ever a reason to start with IMHO). If only Leica would have made the X1 a actualized version of it's digital-classic Digilux2 with that wonderful f/2 zoom...
PS: can it be considered a rangefinder only because it looks like one and has a viewfinder don't having rangefinder technology by itself ?
According to nikkei.com, the price is expected to be around 150,000 yen (around $1700) which is almost the price of a Leica X1. Availability: Spring 2011.
Spyro P. wrote:
For a fixed lens digital this is actually a rather large camera. Almost as large as a Leica M with pancake lens and certainly much larger than the likes of Sigma DP, Leica X1 etc. That puts it in a different category I think, def not a pocket camera.
edit: Douglas beat me to it.
I disagree that the Leica X1 is a truly pocketable camera, maybe a large jacket pocket, but then hey, my Olympus 35SP has always fit in my jacket pockets too.
Fred Relaix wrote:
Given that it is likely Panasonic and Olympus release m4/3 camera with built-in EVF, and that both Canon and Nikon are coming up with EVIL class camera as well, they would be crazy to sell it over $1000...
Yep, I think the competition is about to really heat up in this segment...and the ultimate winners are us! Thank goodness Sony released the NEX models as that really set a price/performance/size stake in the ground.
philber wrote:
At that price, it will be a restricted niche item...
Well, I think a camera like this IS a niche item, regardless of price. The US price is going to be affected by the recent run up in the value of the yen, currently around 85.7, but only a few days ago is was 83.4 causing the intervention. At a 100 yen to the dollar, a common rate over the past few years, this would be $1500, a price that most of would have expected. It will be interesting to see how Fuji sets the US price. I would not be surprised if Fuji sets the US price a little lower, say around $1500-1600, becuase 1) they might have accounted for this product in their currency hedging plan a year ago, 2) they might want the volume, 3) they expect a currency correction back towards normal levels.
