X100S
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– FR-reader Olaf worte me that “we continue our coverage of the Fuji X100s with our latest blog entry, which includes a photograph of 20 x 30 prints we made from the X-Trans sensor files. We are sending you a link in case your readers would be interested.” Read all here.

“There is plenty of discussion on the Internet about the quality of X-Trans sensor RAW files. There’s no question that some RAW processing programs do better than others and sometimes the files require a little different treatment than usual but in general the quality is superb (more about this in the next posts). We made a few 20 x 30 prints from the Fuji X-Pro1 (the same X-Trans sensor as X100s) and they look simply stunning.”

image courtesy: Olaf and Kasia

2) photofocus posted his X100S review here. From the conclusions:

“The camera’s competition is not the DSLR, it’s the other retro-style, compact cameras. On paper, the X100s does not stand up well to cameras like the [shoplink 12311]Olympus PEN E-P5[/shoplink] (just announced and untested so I said “on-paper.”) But I doubt that will deter many potential buyers. Fuji has done a good job of marketing this camera and while it has its quirks, I am certain it’s the most fun camera I’ve owned in a long time. It’s worth waiting for.

Street and travel photographers will love this camera. It also has a place in landscape, event and automotive photographers’ cases. […] If you can live with the fixed lens, you could conceivably use this as your only camera and do well.

You can find more versatile cameras and cheaper cameras but you’d be hard pressed to find a cooler camera that delivered perfect jpegs without the need for post-processing and stellar image quality.”

image courtesy: Scott Bourne (photofocus)

3) Stockografie posted his personal impressions of the X100S here. The image quality of the X100S according to stockografie? “In one word: Stunning, Awesome, Absolutely amazing. Sorry, one word isn’t enough… focus speed in low light conditions could be better”

image courtesy: stockografie

4) henrysmithscottage (click here): “Probably the most important upgrade for my style of shooting has  to do with the operation of the auto focus.  Finally there is an X-body where selection of the auto focus point can be done with one’s eye to the viewfinder.  This was accomplished by moving the  AF button to the top of the multidirectional control, where he can be easily accessed by your right thumb.  Once selected, you can then use to control to move the square throughout the frame.  This is a huge improvement for those of us who rely on  auto focus.”

image courtesy: henrysmithcottage

X20
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1) ePHOTOzine tested the X20, and highly recommends it! From the verdict: “The Fujifilm X20 delivers high image quality, unique handling and features, as well as an optical viewfinder, in a well built and stylish camera, with full manual controls, raw shooting and flash hot shoe. If these are features you’re looking for, and have the money to invest, then the Fujifilm X20 comes highly recommended.” Read the whole review here.

2) trustedreviews X20 review can be read here (score 8 out of ten). There is a lot to like, but also something to dislike, according to this review, as the exposure compensation dial that is easy to knock, an overly aggressive noise reduction and limited viewfinder. There is the whatdigitalcamera video review to see. The verdict:

“The Fujifilm X20 is clearly more than just a slight improvement on its X10 predecessor. Despite some issues with the viewfinder, noise reduction and exposure compensation dial, on the whole it offers an excellent level of performance. Standout features are an impressively fast AF system, all-round image quality and dependable build quality, and on the whole the X20 is an impressive addition to Fujifilm’s X range and one that’s sure to add to the competition in an admittedly crowded market.”

 X-E1
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1) soundimpageplus X-E1 vs [shoplink 11190]Nikon D7100[/shoplink] ISO comparison here. Now, he owns 4 cameras, and which one is his favorite? It’s the X-E1, the only “non-Nikon”! Read his post “love is blind“.

2) camcrunch X-E1 review here. “Now that I’ve learned the strengths and limitations of the X-E1, I’m very happy with it. The X-E1 is just a joy to use. The Fujifilm X-E1 has gotten me more excited about photography than I have been in a very, very long time. Despite all of it shortcomings, the portability, ergonomics and image quality have made me fall in love with the Fuji X-E1“

image courtesy: luminous landscape

1) – luminous landscape (click here) posted the very first shots and impressions of the 55-200 (in hand, bokeh, stabilization).  Here is his what they say about the image posted above (bokeh):

“This shot surprised me. I normally don’t think too much about bokeh when it comes to long zooms. I’m not sure why; maybe because I’m often disappointed. But in this case when the lens is focused as close as possible and the background is at infinity, I was very pleased with the shape of the diaphragm blades as well as the smoothness of the OOF areas.”

2) – thephoblographer posted his 32mm first impressions here. Fantastic build quality, very sharp, superb bokeh! He also says that:

“This was the first ime that I ever used a lens made by Zeiss that had autofocus. It was decent. It works quickly in well-lit situations but in low light, it was lacking at times. The Zeiss 32mm f1.8 occasionally focus-hunted. When I used the focus assist light of the Fujifilm X Pro 1, it made things better. It was easier to focus the lens manually when in low light. When working with the Touit 32mm f1.8, outside on the terrace of our meeting space and on the High Line, the auto focus was fantastic and precise.”

–  diglloyd posted an portrait shot with the 32mm here and if you want to see the bokeh click here.

3) lifeispixels posted his SLR Magic Noktor 23mm (Adorama) f1.7 review here. For the complete specs click here. From the conclusions:

“I’m surprised to see how well it controls CA and flare. Do NOT expect the same resolving power at wide open like the Fujinon lenses. Wide open, it’s a soft, less contrasty lens. At f1.7, it’s only good for close to medium, while poor to resolve details at far to infinity range. […] For the price at 399 USD including shipping, this is a viable option for any Fuji X user looking for a fast 35mm equivalent MF prime, since Fuji hasn’t released the 23mm f1.4 yet and I expect the price to be at least 2 times more than Noktor 23mm f1.7. There aren’t any alternative for a 23mm lens this fast for the Fuji X users at this point, as far as I know and that will require an adapter. Everyone would agree that the new Fujinon is going to be optically better and I’m eager to see how much better it can be. Until that time comes, I’m having fun with Noktor and will spend more time learning to squeeze the best out of this lens, despite some quirks paring with Fuji X-E1 camera.”

XF 55-200 pre-order: USA: BHphoto / Adorama / AmazonUS / DigitalRev / Uniquephoto / Pictureline / Europe: AmazonUK / AmazonDE / PCHstore Brussel

Zeiss Touit 32mm pre-order: USA: Adorama / BHphoto / Uniquephoto / Pictureline / Europe: AmazonDE / ebayUK / PCHstore Brussel

Zeiss Touit 12mm pre-order: USA: Adorama / BHphoto / Uniquephoto / Pictureline / Europe: AmazonDE / ebayUK / PCHstore Brussel

SLR Magic Noktor 23mm f1.7: Adorama

image courtesy: thenewcamera (via focus-numerique)

Which is the best camera for low light photography between the Ricoh GR, [shoplink 12203]Nikon A[/shoplink], [shoplink 11808 ebay]X100S[/shoplink] and [shoplink 11024]Canon G1 X[/shoplink]? According to thenewcamera you should go for the X100S to get the best results at high ISO. But click here and check this comparison out by yourself. (look for the full size high-ISO samples of these cameras at focus-numerique)