X10 vs X100 - Help me decide

[kbutler84]

I have almost made up my mind to go with the X100. But the price point (not to mention the positive reviews) of the X10 is tempting. To anyone that has used both, which did you prefer and why?

[darktiger]

X100

Big Sensor (APS-C), better skin tones (from examples I have seen), better low light (due to large sensor). POTN and dpreview has somepeople that went from x10 to x100 or have both.. so you can search those sites and read for yourself. Also X100 forum is another good place because they have specific threads for each

X100 Forums

[kbutler84]

Thanks for the link.

From what I've gathered, the X10 is more comparable to the G12 in that it's a great travel/pocket/P&S camera with very good IQ, but it doesn't reach that of the X100. Basically the only major thing the X10 has over the X100 is a zoom lens, and depending on one's preference, that may not be a bad thing.

[JDBish]

I have both. There are some occasions when I really need the zoom on the X10, but I use the X100 when possible. They are both a delight to use. I will be selling all of my D7000 equipment when I get the chance. Got four great lenses, battery pack, GPS etc. Don't plan to ever carry a DSLR again.

[Abel]

not sure if this helps you Kirby but the X100 is now in stock at B&H... They've been very scarce.. just a heads up

Click Here for Fujifilm FinePix X100 Digital Camera In Stock @ B&H Photo Video

[hangdogr]

I also have both - having decided to try them both out and return one - and I'm having a have a hard time deciding between them. So hopefully adding my two-cents will be helpful for someone - while helping me to clarify what I like about the two cameras...

Here is a few of my thoughts so far:

- The X10 is much less quirky (easier) to use. I find the firmware to be just a little easier to navigate on the X10 with most of the options you might want to access while shooting actually on the shooting menu. And while the build quality of both cameras is very solid, the X10 actually feels a little better put together and the dials and switches a little more solid.

- The image quality of the x100 is better (particularly at higher ISOs), but in normal lighting at ISO 800 and below, the x10 IQ is very competitive. If IQ is your only criteria, you can stop right here and get the X100 though.

- I find the autofocus on the X100 to be miserable, even in normal light. (Yes, there are workarounds but bad AF is bad AF)

- Similiarly, the manual controls on the X100 are nice, but quirky. The aperture ring is hard to use without moving the camera from your eye, the exposure compensation dial doesn't stay where you left it, and as many have said, the MF ring is hard to use if you don't have all day to setup your shot. (Yes, there are workarounds here too but a workaround is a workaround and isn't the same as it just working right in the first place.)

- I know a lot of people rave about the street shooting abilities of the X100, but its focus problems necessitate using zone focus techniques, which are actually easier to get right with the x10 as the DOF is greater on the smaller sensor. Also, since you have a greater DOF on the X10, you can use bigger apertures resulting in lower ISOs - making the X10 just as competitive in therms of IQ. And, as people like to point out that the X100 is more unobtrusive than a SLR, the even less serious looking X10 is even more so.

- The whole "Low light IQ" discussion is not something I want to get into, except to say that you would expect, the X100 has natively better IQ. The interesting thing though is that the advanced low-light mode on the X10 (which is NOT the same as the SP/EXR: low light mode) can get very nice quality shots up to ISO 3200. The caveat here being that you get a smaller jpeg as a result. This is actually a great feature though if you want a camera that can get nice candids at social outings. Given the X100s general fussiness, you're much more likely to end up with a high-quality photo of the moment just after the moment you meant to capture while the X10 will have captured the moment with very nice IQ - but you won't be able to make a poster sized print of it.

- On the other hand, the X10's advanced pro-focus mode (which is designed to give you nicely blurred backgrounds) barely does better than what an even a novice photographer (like me!) should know how to do with manual settings, proper use of the zoom, and their feet (while using the X10). Neither method can hold a candle to the smooth goodness that you can get out of the X100.

- I don't personally find the lack of zoom on the X100 a problem, but I prefer to shoot primes on my DSLR anyway. I usually just pick a focal length and stick with it on the X10, my preferred mode being 50mm for no particular reason other than I am used to it.

- Both cameras offer near silent operation.
- The X100 is missing all of the usual point and shoot auto modes, so you won't ever hand it to someone who is not a photographer and expect them to take a nice snapshot of you.
- The X100 is missing all the usual PAS auto modes so you will never have to hand it over to someone who is not a photogrpaher :P
- The X10 has faster startup and write times than the X100.
- Neither camera is particularly usefull when it comes to action shots, but the faster write times of the X10 can ease the pain a little.
- While the X100 is a little thinner than the X10, the X10 fits more easily into a pocket as its overall size is smaller.

- And last but not neccesarily least, the rangefinder look of the X100 is freaking cool! The next closest thing (not film) are the Leica M8/9s.

I think that the two main reasons for having one of these cameras (maybe showing my own bias) are:
1. A portable but all around capable camera that you can take Everywhere with you. Work, social gatherings, etc.
2. A quality camera that you could take Anywhere to shoot and still be pleased with it's capability as compared to an SLR - especially where an SLR might be inappropriate or too invasive.

[Take Anywhere]
The X100 is a beautiful camera with great IQ - but you're going to need to fiddle with the camera whenever you use it. This can be frustrating at times and combined with it's larger size makes it a poorer choice as a take Everywhere camera. However, if you're taking the time to use it properly, it will deliver great quality photos in most situations except for sports/action.

[Take Everywhere]
On the other hand, the X10 is a much more finished product (to my mind) that is more portable and is much easier to use overall, with some nice point and shoot functionality thrown in. I think it's a better choice if you need a camera to actually take Everywhere as the ease of use and more reliable AF mean that you will get the shot while still having the ability for completely artistic control. However, while it [the X10] could compete with the X100 in certain areas (candid photography in particular) you would never be in a situation where you wouldn't rather have the X100 - if you have the time to get the camera setup right.

None of this helped me though. Maybe I should sell my last zoom and keep both?

[kbutler84]

Thanks Scott, and welcome to the forum.

I appreciate the breakdown. I did end up going with the X100 and have loved using it for the short time I've had it. I appreciate the info you gave, and still feel that I made the right choice.

[hangdogr]

Thanks! And I'm glad you were able to be more decisive than me.