Fujifilm X70

A long time thinking about X100 series Fuji, hem I know it’s a great machine, yet did not find sufficient grounds to get one in the presence of lenses and bodies from the X Series. Separately, 35 mm equivalent is not my favorite right length. With the release of X-Pro2, Fuji quietly scored something completely new and different, under the name Fuji X70. I’ll admit that sucked the information about X-Pro2, did not pay particular attention while not accidentally I came review of Jonas Rask. I looked one ton more information and pictures, and added to the fact that the pancake XF18mmF2 R I miss, eventually decided to take the baby born of the X100T and XT-10, called Fujifilm X70. In this article, I aim to do product reviews and share their personal observations.

Why?
After 10 years of shooting, I have a huge problem with carrying cameras with me. I want to have a camera everywhere I go, but even the small XT-10 with a 35mm lens is “too much” for taking it with me everyday. I read at length about specifications and especially the size of the unit and really abnormal compact size made me WANT it.

First impressions
Thanks to Photo Pavilion and the exceptional harassment by me, I managed to get one of the first X70, introduced in Bulgaria. That same evening I did some test shots in dim Sofia and even though I know exactly what X-Trans sensor is capable of, I approach the max aperture of 2.8 with distrust. For nearly two weeks shooting, I have not experienced any problem, on the contrary … the camera is performing in all conditions and the fact that the lens is wide gives me an advantage in low speeds.

Getting used to the lack of viewfinder takes some time and indeed for some it will be a complete showstopper to buy, but I like to experiment. Fuji has done a great job on the touchscreen of X70. I originally used only familiar navigation buttons, but gradually switched entirely to touch focus option for selecting the focal point. Touch to shoot for me does not work well enough because in this situation, you can’t confirm the focus so the result is always questionable. This function can be well used in stealth mode thou, because normally one can not assume that a picture with touch.

For several months I discovered the pleasure of shooting to JPG simulations of Fuji, which are unique and quickly I set my two favorite simulations Classic Chrome and B & W Green Filter. It is a little disappointing that fuji did not include new Acros simulation of X-Pro2, but it probably It will happen in another generation X70.

For me the additional viewfinder, which can be ordered separately is a complete loss of funds and ultimately loss of compact dimensions.

The new 18.5mm lens is great in every respect, and its dimensions are absolutely tiny. fujifilm-x.com have a great article on the subject of this lens and visual comparison with the size of XF18 (Spoiler: Pancake XF18 seems gigantic).

Taking pictures with the camera is a real pleasure because no one takes it seriously and is fully unaware that you shoot with it, which make it the ultimate street camera. Take a DSLR or even a phone and immediately people who you are trying to shoot will put “the mask”, but if you pull out a small compact “point and shoot” camera, no one will really pay attention. This is the secret of x70, behind frivolous size lies real, full-fledged representative of the X series.

Below I share pros and cons, that are important to me.

Pros:

• + Really terrific new 18.5mm lens
• + Size, size, size – Fujifilm X70 can be easily carried in your pocket
• + X-Trans APS-C sensor
• + Tilt display with touch function
• + Long battery life
• + Great design and aesthetics

Минуси:

• – Touch to Shoot is not usable because it can not confirm focus before you take the picture.
• –  The LCD have a problem in strong sunlight, because one can not see well what was happening on the screen, especially if it is rotated upward
• – Settings for Shadow, Highlights, Color have only 2 settings +-, while normally you have 3 in other X cameras
• – If the camera was build as WR, the deal was about to be a killer
• – Price for now is high
• – My unit is build in China

UPDATE:
I shared some thoughts witha a fuji.co.uk representative, so I hope it will be taken as a note to future updates – fngers crossed

Currently “Focus” on touch screen only selects focus point, while “Shoot” function is useless. It should be something like:
1. Focus = shutter half pressed
and
2. Have button on screen, for shutter release

With this you will have ability to focus (shutter half press + (in dreams you may have also tab and hold for subject tracking and unhold for release shutter)), while you will have also shutter release button on screen
So in this way you tab to actually do focus and confirm it + only tab on new screen shutter release button to take the picture. This will make real use of the touchscreen, eliminate lag and the need to use physical shutter release (pervert mode)

Photos (click to enlarge)