Small prime lens camera (eg x100) recommendations

[wyx087]

My 5D2 is simply too big and clumpsy to be carried around all day. It's the summer, I don't want to bring my camera bag and the works to might/possibly take a few snap shots.

I've been looking at the Fuji x100. So I went out with only the 35mm f2 prime on my camera, seems to work out well, after all, it's my favourite focal length.



Is the improvements in x100s worth over double the price? I think I can live with slower AF that is like compact-cameras, what else x100s has improved over non-s that makes it worth the price?

Looking at x100 because I would like to continue to use the optical viewfinder, is x100's OVF any good? or do you (x100 shooters) find yourself use the EVF most of the time?

If I do only use EVF, then why not one of the mirrorless M43 cameras? But which one? the numbering for each line of the mirrorless seems to be quite random. GX1 is similar to GF5 and then there's E-PM1 to E-P3, is there a simple website that explains the mirrorless line up?

 

[magicolor1]

I use the optical viewfinder most of the time with my X100. The EVF is very good, but there's nothing quite like looking at the real world in real time! And the electronic overlays are very helpful.

As for the X100s, the main improvement are the sensor - 16Mpixel instead of 12 on the X100, the EVF is higher res, the AF speed you've mentioned, and the video is higher res as well. I've never shot a video with my X100, I don't find the AF speed a problem, the higher res EVF doesn't bother me as I use the OVF, so that just leaves the "better" sensor. Whether that improvement is worth the money only you can decide, but I'm happy with my X100 for now.

 

[ernesto]

The improvements wouldn't be worth it to me. The IQ from the X100 was great and teh AF speed was good enough for the type of shooting I did with it. I also 100% used the OVF as I just don't like the video game look of EVFs.

You are comparing an old model which has reduced in price greatly against a new one which has not reduced at all. The X100 was also £999 when first released.

 

[ronnus]

I went for the X100 over the S having done the M43 thing and decided it wasn't for me. The OVF with overlays is a work of genius IMHO, I only switch to the EVF in low light, even then very rarely. I always thought I was fine with an EVF but when you can flick between the two the difference is huge

As mentioned by others, the increase in speed and higher resolution of the S didn't do anything for me versus the price drop of the older model, so I picked up a black special edition as I liked the look and found it at a decent price (at that point £100 more than a standard model)

 

[wyx087]

Thanks all. Think I'm going to go ahead with x100.

The AF speed doesn't bother me that much as long as it's not slower than an average compact camera (eg Sony T300 my girlfriend uses).
The improved sensor is just another sensor, it's still APS-C.
Video isn't something I'll be using this for, It's too small to be hold steady for video anyway, that's what the 5D2 is for.

All I really want is a camera that produces images similar to my full frame, but without the weight or anything sticking out that might break off (eg OVF attachments). I've even thought about getting a compact but I NEED a viewfinder and I know I'll be disappointed with the image quality when compared with my 5D2 and end up still taking the big camera.

 

[HoppyUK]

X100s is worth the extra IMHO. It's effectively a different camera.

It may look the same, but the sensor is completely different - as close to FF as APS-C gets with amazing high ISO performance. AF is greatly improved and the whole functionality has been honed with most of the irritating Fuji-isms sorted out.

However, it is a lot more money and the main appeal of the camera - basically that unique and very clever hybrid viewfinder wrapped up in a gorgeous and reasonably pocketable retro package - remains the same.

 

[magicolor1]

...
AF is greatly improved and the whole functionality has been honed with most of the irritating Fuji-isms sorted out...

A lot of those improvements are included in the firmware update for the X100. Not all admittedly, but many of the odd quirks when it first came out have been ironed out since.