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Fujifilm X100S Comparison Review

The Fujifilm X100S is a fixed lens compact camera that was officially introduced in January 2013 and is equipped with an APS-C sensor. It offers a resolution of 16 megapixel.

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Is the Fujifilm X100S a good camera? The X100S has a Camera Elo of 1623. This rating puts the X100S below average of all prime lens compact cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (APS cameras), the X100S also ranks below average. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 2.5-star performance rating. – Well, the Fujifilm X100S is more than 11 years old, and there have been many other good digital cameras released since 2013.

Headline Specifications
Fujifilm X100S
Fixed lens compact camera
35mm f/2.0
16 MP, APS-C Sensor
1080/60p Video
ISO 200 - 6 400 (100 - 25 600)
Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)
2.8 LCD, 460k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
6 shutter flaps per second
330 shots per battery charge
127 x 74 x 54 mm, 445 g

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

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Body comparison with a credit card

The physical dimensions of the Fujifilm X100S relative to a credit card are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are presented. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Fujifilm X100S vs credit card front
X100S versus credit card top view
X100S and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Fujifilm X100S alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
#   Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Fujifilm X100S 127 mm 74 mm 54 mm 445 g 330 n Jan 2013 1,299ebay.com
2.
 
Canon G1 X 117 mm 81 mm 65 mm 534 g 250 n Jan 2012 799ebay.com
3.
 
Fujifilm X100F 127 mm 75 mm 52 mm 469 g 390 n Jan 2017 1,299ebay.com
4.
 
Fujifilm X-T10 118 mm 83 mm 41 mm 381 g 350 n May 2015 799ebay.com
5.
 
Fujifilm X30 119 mm 72 mm 60 mm 423 g 470 n Aug 2014 599ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm X100T 127 mm 74 mm 52 mm 440 g 330 n Sep 2014 1,299ebay.com
7.
 
Fujifilm X-T1 129 mm 90 mm 47 mm 440 g 350 Y Jan 2014 1,299ebay.com
8.
 
Fujifilm X-Pro1 140 mm 82 mm 43 mm 450 g 300 n Jan 2012 1,699ebay.com
9.
 
Fujifilm X100 126 mm 75 mm 54 mm 445 g 300 n Sep 2010 1,199ebay.com
10.
 
Leica X Typ 113 133 mm 73 mm 78 mm 486 g 350 n Sep 2014 2,295ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon Coolpix A 111 mm 64 mm 40 mm 299 g 230 n Mar 2013 1,099ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Fujifilm X100S was launched in the US market at a price of $1,299. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

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Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tent to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

The Fujifilm X100S features an APS-C sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.5. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Fujifilm X100S among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability.

Fujifilm X100S sensor measures

For most cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of alternative cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
#   Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Fujifilm X100S APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.312.5132975
2.
 
Canon G1 X 1.5-inch 14.2 4352 32641080/24p21.710.864460
3.
 
Fujifilm X100F APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.913.2170481
4.
 
Fujifilm X-T10 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.712.9154679
5.
 
Fujifilm X30 2/3 12.0 4000 30001080/60p20.411.2-31249
6.
 
Fujifilm X100T APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.612.8148378
7.
 
Fujifilm X-T1 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.512.7142677
8.
 
Fujifilm X-Pro1 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/24p23.112.3123874
9.
 
Fujifilm X100 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/30p22.912.4100173
10.
 
Leica X Typ 113 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.612.8149178
11.
 
Nikon Coolpix A APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.413.8116480
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The X100S indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the X100S can use is 1080/60p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the X100S has an electronic viewfinder with a resolution of 2360k dots. The viewfinder offers a field of view of 100% and a magnification of 0.43x. The adjacent tables list some of the other core features of the Fujifilm X100S along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
#   Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Fujifilm X100S2360 n2.8 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
2.
 
Canon G1 Xoptical n3.0 / 922 swivel n 1/4000s 1.9/s Y Y
3.
 
Fujifilm X100F2360 n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 8.0/s Y n
4.
 
Fujifilm X-T102360 n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 8.0/s Y n
5.
 
Fujifilm X302360 n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
6.
 
Fujifilm X100T2360 n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
7.
 
Fujifilm X-T12360 n3.0 / 1040 tilting n 1/4000s 8.0/s n n
8.
 
Fujifilm X-Pro11440 n3.0 / 1230 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s n n
9.
 
Fujifilm X1001440 n2.8 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
10.
 
Leica X Typ 113optional n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/2000s 5.0/s Y n
11.
 
Nikon Coolpix Aoptional n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/2000s 4.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One convenient feature of the X100S is the presence of an on-board flash. While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.

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Connection comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Fujifilm X100S and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
#   Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Fujifilm X100SYstereo / mono--micro2.0---
2.
 
Canon G1 XYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
3.
 
Fujifilm X100FYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
4.
 
Fujifilm X-T10Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
5.
 
Fujifilm X30Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
6.
 
Fujifilm X100TYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
7.
 
Fujifilm X-T1Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y--
8.
 
Fujifilm X-Pro1Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
9.
 
Fujifilm X100Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
10.
 
Leica X Typ 113Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
11.
 
Nikon Coolpix AYstereo / mono---2.0---
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The X100S has a prime lens built in (23mm f/2.0), which, in full frame equivalent terms, provides a focal length of 35mm. The camera is, hence, ready to shoot, while remaining more compact in size than an interchangeable lens camera with an optic of similar focal length and aperture specifications.

Further information on the features and operation of the X100S can be found in the free online Fujifilm X100S Manual or on the Fujifilm support site.

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Expert reviews

While the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says nothing about, for example, the handling, responsiveness, and overall imaging quality of the X100S in practical situations. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased. This is where reviews by experts come in. The adjacent table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

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Review Scores
#    Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Fujifilm X100S5/5+ +..81/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2013 1,299ebay.com
2.
 
Canon G1 X5/5+..76/1004/54.5/5 Jan 2012 799ebay.com
3.
 
Fujifilm X100F5/5+3.9/583/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2017 1,299ebay.com
4.
 
Fujifilm X-T104.5/5+ +..80/1005/55/5 May 2015 799ebay.com
5.
 
Fujifilm X304/5....76/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2014 599ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm X100T5/5+..81/1004.5/55/5 Sep 2014 1,299ebay.com
7.
 
Fujifilm X-T15/5+ +..84/1005/55/5 Jan 2014 1,299ebay.com
8.
 
Fujifilm X-Pro15/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2012 1,699ebay.com
9.
 
Fujifilm X1003/5....75/1004/55/5 Sep 2010 1,199ebay.com
10.
 
Leica X Typ 1133.5/5......3.5/54/5 Sep 2014 2,295ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon Coolpix A4/5+..75/1004/54/5 Mar 2013 1,099ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Fujifilm X100S FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the X100S.

What technology is the imaging sensor in the Fujifilm X100S based on?

The camera features a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.

Which image processing chip is used in the Fujifilm X100S to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?

Fujifilm equipped the X100S with the EXR Processor II image processor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Fujifilm X100S?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 6400, which can be extended to ISO 100-25600.

Is it difficult to use manual focus lenses with the Fujifilm X100S?

The X100S offers focus peaking as a manual focus aid. This feature works by placing a colored highlight on in-focus zones within the image.

Does the Fujifilm X100S feature an autofocus assist light?

Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.

Does the Fujifilm X100S support the Ultra High Speed (UHS) bus interface for SD cards?

Yes, the camera can indeed use UHS-I cards (data transfer speed of up to 104 MB/s).

Which battery does the Fujifilm X100S use?

The camera gets its power from the NP-95 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Camera to camera comparisons

If you would like to see a side-by-side review with another camera, just make your choice using the following search menu. An an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Fujifilm X100S
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens 35mm f/2.0
    Launch Date January 2013
    Launch Price USD 1 299
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.6 x 15.6 mm
    Sensor Area 368 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.3 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 16 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4 896 x 3 264 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.80 μm
    Pixel Density 4.34 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60p Video
    ISO Setting 200 - 6 400 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 25 600 ISO
    Image Processor EXR Processor II
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.43x
    Viewfinder Resolution 2360k dots
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View
    LCD Size 2.8 inch
    LCD Resolution 460k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen
    Touch Input No touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System On-Sensor Phase-detect
    Manual Focusing AidFocus Peaking
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 6 shutter flaps/s
    Silent Shootingno E-Shutter
    Time Lapse Photographyno Intervalometer
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi
    Body Specs
    Battery Type NP-95 power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)330 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 127 x 74 x 54 mm
    (5.0 x 2.9 x 2.1 in)
    Camera Weight 445 g (15.7 oz)

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