Fujifilm X100T

The Fujifilm X100T (aka "Fuji" X100T) is the culmination of three generations of improvements to the same essential camera concept. It is what I would call a "companion camera" as it has a certain sentimental pull combined with relatively light weight and ease of use. The APS-C sensor (same size as found in most DSLRs) is a bonus, as the real joy of this camera is the extremely well-designed control layout and incredibly useful (and I might add, revolutionary) viewfinder.

Buy this camera for the viewfinder. Not the sensor, it's great but not rare. The optical / electronic viewfinder is what makes the Fuji X100T different. It's easy to go a bit crazy reading specifications online for all the different cameras you may be considering as a future purchase. Don't do that with this camera, it won't really give you a proper idea of why it is so good.

The image quality has not changed since the last version, the X100S (or so I've gathered, although I did not own that camera). So don't worry about image quality, it's great. Image quality doesn't mean anything at all if you miss the capture of the image due to fumbling with controls on your camera. That won't happen with this Fuji.

The controls on the Fuji X100T are intuitive and tactile. The dials are especially nice. Autofocus is good. Image playback doesn't lag (at least not with the fast SD card I was using). Image quality is not the standout feature of this camera, in my opinion, because there are many APS-C sensor options out there and most are fairly good. The ability to use both optical and electronic viewfinders (both with information overlays which can be customized) is a very, VERY cool feature. Other than the Leica M, which has the option to add an EVF on the hot shoe in addition to the built-in optical rangefinder, I don't know of many cameras that could be said to have both an optical and an electronic viewfinder option.

Speaking of the Leica M, what has always intrigued me about the Fuji is that everyone likes to compare it to Leica cameras. I work with both Leica rangefinders and compacts on a regular basis at Leica Store Miami (they do not endorse/sponsor my posts here, this is a personal blog). The Fuji and the Leica are very different animals. I will explain.

1. The Leica M series are MANUAL FOCUS. You ought to see the look of surprise some customers give me when I explain this.

2. The Leica M series are optical rangefinder cameras, though they now have Live View and the option to add an EVF on top (Leica M and M-P)

3. The Leica M and a 35mm f/2 Summicron lens will cost you over $10,000 (plus tax) and the new Fuji X100T (with a lens) is $1,299

4. The Leica M is compatible with the full range of M lenses. The Fuji X100T does not have interchangeable lenses (not that the lens it comes with is bad, it's actually great, but you can't change it later on and that's an important consideration).

5. Lots of other reasons. Doesn't mean either camera is good or bad, but they are definitely different. Although I won't deny seeing a certain resemblance, don't forget the M cameras have been around for 60 years and the look of the camera has remained true to its origins ever since.