Fujifilm’s new addition to the X-Series—the X100S and the X20—which were initially unveiled in Las Vegas during CES 2013 in January, are about to hit our shores, and here we give you a preview of these awesome devices.
The X100S
The X100S is actually an update to the X100, but compared to the latter, the former has a hybrid autofocus (AF) system, which is able to lock in a subject at only 0.08 of a second at the quickest. We were able to try it out and we were quite impressed at how incredibly fast it took a picture when we hit the shutter button.
Another update to the X100 is an improved sensor and processor. Packed into the X100S is a 16.3-megapixel APS-C-sized X-Trans CMOS II sensor and the EXR Processor II. According to Fujifilm, the upgrade is meant to improve photo quality, reduce image noise, hasten boot time, and minimize shutter lag. The new sensor reduces shooting interval to only 0.5 of a second and is capable of a burst shooting speed of up to 6.0 frames per second (fps). The X100S increases the sensitivity range of the X100 to up to ISO 25600. It also takes a leap from the video recording capabilities of the X100 by boosting the maximum resolution to Full HD.
The X100S features a 2.8-inch LCD screen with a 460K-dot resolution, as well as a hybrid viewfinder that allows the photographer to switch from optical (OVF) to electronic (EVF) mode, like its predecessor. Fixed on the body of the X100S is a Fujinon lens that has the same fixed-focal length as that of the X100: a 23mm (equivalent to 35mm on a 35mm format) lens with a maximum aperture of F2.
What’s interesting about the X100S is its manual focusing system called the Digital Split Image system, which allows users to select their area of focus simply by twisting the focus ring on the lens. This splits the camera’s live view display into four black-and-white stripes. Line-up the stripes using the focus ring, and when they are already properly aligned, it means that the image is in focus.
If you owned (or still own) an analog SLR, this would hardly be new to you, as it is reminiscent of the focusing mechanism of old film SLR cameras.
The X20
We were also able to get our hands on the X20, which turned out to be quite smaller than the X100S and feels incredibly handier. The device is an update to the X10.
The X20 has a 12-megapixel, 2/3-inch-type CMOS sensor, working together with the same image processor in the X100S. It features an “Advanced Optical Viewfinder” that lets users see the shooting mode, the focusing area, shutter speed and aperture values, displayed in bright green LED characters. When the scene is bright, the green rectangle shows up on the grid, but shifts to black when the scene is too dark.
On the body of the X20 is a fixed 4x optical zoom lens with a focal length of 28mm-112mm and a maximum aperture of F2.0 on the wide-angle end and F2.8 on the telephoto end.
Both the X100S and the X20 still carry Fujifilm’s trademark Film Simulation filters, which emulate the colors and effects produced by some of the company’s brands of film, namely Velvia, Astia and Provia.