It definitely gets the job done
I love to take pictures. Since grade school days, I would have a camera along with me to capture moments as I see them through my viewfinder. During the early part of college and up to now, I have been using a DSLR for a big chunk of my photography work.
10 years since using a DSLR, I have been relatively stubborn in using a compact camera. Even during the rise of mirrorless cameras, I have been stuck to believe that nothing can match a DSLR in terms of features and capabilities.
Which is why when Fujifilm lent me the X100F, their fourth-generation digital rangefinder, I decided to try things differently. This time around, I used a compact camera as my photography companion for my recent trip to Bangkok, Thailand.
There were a few challenges along the way: Aside from the size, I had to adjust with the Fuji’s UI and the fact that I’m stuck with using only one lens for the whole trip. In spite of the challenges, I realized at the end of my Thailand trip that even if the X100F is a compact camera—specifically a digital rangefinder—it met my expectations as a DSLR user.
Here are my learnings from using the X100F as my travel camera:
It is easier to lug around
While the size difference is significant (the X100F is several sizes smaller than the EOS 7D I use for my photography work), one thing I appreciate with compact cameras is that they are really light and easy to lug around while you are on the go.
By going for a lightweight setup, I did not feel any shoulder or neck fatigue while exploring different temples in Thailand. It is a big deal, as most temples involve long walks and several steps to go up into the temple proper.
Â
It is more discrete
From the many years I have been doing street and travel photography, I came to realize that you only need to use a single lens—one that is close to 35mm—to take almost any shot. In the case of the X100F, it’s 23mm f/2.0 lens is equivalent to 35mm (since the X100F uses an APS-C sensor).
The X100F’s focal length, along with its bright f/2.0 aperture, is just enough to take amazing travel shots from day to night. In addition, the X100F’s simple setup is very helpful in taking photos discreetly—without attracting any attention from people passing by as you capture the moment.
It is a highly capable camera
Now on its fourth generation, the X100F has improved since the first X100 back in 2010. Advancements on its image processor and sensor, along with the addition of new features, made it capable to match the features set of typical DSLRs of today.
With the X100F, I appreciated its full manual control—from the aperture opening, shutter speed, ISO, to minor tweaks like white balance—in giving me all the creative freedom I need to get that shot. It is definitely a camera that is packed with features while having a small footprint.
Can digital rangefinders like the X100F substitute for a DSLR? Based on my three-day sojourn to Thailand, I definitely say yes. Technology has come a long way, and most features I love in my DSLR are now trickling down to smaller cameras.
Speaking of photography, check out some of our shots using the smartphones we have reviewed here in Unbox:
