Fujifilm X100S
Thanks to B&H Photo, the about $1299 Fujifilm X100S is due in today. In field of view, the 23mm f/2 lens is equivalent to a 35mm f/2 on full frame.
I still have my original X100, so I suppose the first and best test is to compare image quality with its predecessor.
The main difference of interest (besides improvements to usability) is the use of the new 16-megapixel X-Trans CMOS II sensor, as compared with the 12-megapixel conventional Bayer matrix sensor of the original X100. Will the X100S net out better in spite of the sensor artifacts issues? I expect so, except perhaps with certain troublesome types of subject matter.
With Adobe Camera Raw (ACR), Aperture and Capture One Pro all supporting the X-Trans sensor in the X-E1 and X-Pro1, there is also some choice on raw converters. However, I am loathe to change workflow as this introduces yet another set of variables into camera to camera comparisons so I intend to use ACR for starters.
Larry J writes:
Lloyd, your topic this morning was timely in that I have been researching the X-Pro1 and comparing it to the X100s, looking for the "edge."
Last night I found some reports that Fuji was discontinuing the "prosumer" X-Pro1. Have you heard about this? What do you make of the news? Is there a successor waiting in the wings that might consolidate the key attributes of some of the models, including the X-Pro1?
DIGLLOYD: I would think that Fuji ought to be moving to a 24-megapixe X-Pro2 soon given that Sony NEX has been at 24MP for almost a year and at a lower price.
The already first rate sensor noise behavior ought to allow 32MP from what I see.