(Credit: Fujifilm)
The Fujifilm FinePix X100 isn't news. In fact, it's been previewed, twittered and generally overexposed (if you'll pardon the expression) for months now. And yet, until today, we haven't had US pricing or availability for it. The wait is over: It'll be available in March, and you'll be shelling out US$1,195.95 for it.
From a market standpoint, the X100 is a bit of an oddball. In spirit, it seems closest to theLeica X1, another expensive rangefinder-style compact using an APS-C-size sensor. But the X1, while it doesn't seem to be officially discontinued, is out of stock at a lot of outlets and no replacement has been announced. I don't know whether that's a commentary on the X1's US$2,000 price tag or the size of the market for a product like this.
I do think the potential X100 user may also overlap with those attracted to less expensive cameras like the Olympus E-P2 or Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2: They're rangefinderish-style cameras with a relatively large sensor that you can slap a nice prime lens on.
Fujifilm seems to be hoping that people will find the much talked-about hybrid viewfinder, larger sensor and cool design are worth the price premium. The viewfinder toggles between optical (like a point-and-shoot's, but higher quality with an information overlay) and electronic, which is nice to have. The large sensor is definitely an attraction, with its potential for better-than-average low-light quality, especially compared to the smaller Four Thirds sensors. And yes, the design is cool, though many of the controls are laid out like it's just a big 'ol point-and-shoot.
Via Crave CNET
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