Fujifilm X70: Smaller, Wider, Cheaper (But, Alas, Slower) X100

Sam Byford, The Verge:

The X70 keeps the same 16-megapixel APS-C X-Trans II sensor as the current X100T, but the body size has been dramatically reduced. Although the trademark hybrid viewfinder is gone, replaced by an optional hotshoe optical unit that Fujifilm warns is likely to be pretty expensive, the control scheme of an aperture ring around the lens with dials for shutter speed and exposure compensation up top is intact, and the X70 is the first X-Series camera to feature a touchscreen. That screen is capable of rotating 180 degrees for full selfie compatibility.

The defining feature of the X70, though, is its lens, since it’s a non-removable prime without any zoom function. Fujifilm has gone for an 18.5mm f/2.8 here, which is a little slower and wider than the 23mm f/2 found on all the X100 cameras — you lose a stop of light and the field of view widens to 28mm equivalence from 35mm.

I’ve owned the X100S for a little over two years, and I really like it. If Fuji had managed to keep the lens at f/2.0 I’d consider upgrading to this.

★ Friday, 15 January 2016