682 replies to this topic

[pacman]

The Fuji X-Pro1 promises to be a beauty. Expensive but a bargain compared to its target camera, the Leica M9. Expectations are that it will be priced about 1/4 of the Leica price & will have features the Leica doesn't have.

I have been talking a friend through the whole Point 'n' Shoot debate & he has just purchased the Fuji X10. Initial reports are that he loves it. And he wasn't bothered in the least by the controversy about white orbs appearing in night pictures. Fuji have a firmware update to fix them next month. They haven't promised a complete fix, they will make them less obvious.

It was very interesting playing with these new cameras in the shop. I also went through the forums on dpreview.com, they have 1000's of threads discussing the pros & cons of every P'n'S on the market.

A couple of points that interested me - the two value for money cameras are the Nikon P7100 & the Olympus XZ-1. The Nikon price has dropped 100's of dollars thanks to the P7000's reputation being damaged by its slow write speeds. Even though the 7100 is fine, a really excellent camera, it seems it can't escape the stigma of the first model. When the P7000 was released in Oz, it was $749. The 7100 is now 599 but it can be bought online for a bit over 400. Amazing value. Posted images on dpreview could be taken by a Nikon DSLR, they are that good.

And the XZ-1, the last I checked it was 500+ here in Oz, it is being sold online for mid-300's! That is cheap for an f1.8 lens & excellent performance. Again, the images posted online are those of a very accomplished camera.

But if Petesie likes to wait a few months, Canon has just shown its new G1 X model at the latest CES show in Vegas. This is a slightly bloated G12 but with the Canon 7D sensor. Not all of it, but most of it. And it has really thrown down the gauntlet to every other manufacturer to catch up with them. This has a seriously large sensor in a compact body. It is 8 times larger than the sensor in the XZ-1 & the initial sample pics are mind boggling to my eyes. This thing will quickly become the compact of choice for serious photographers. Until the next technology leap that is.

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[petesie]

Wow! Cheers Paccers...I'm confused even more!

I have the Nikon P7000 and the write speed is an issue as is the flash set up, but I'm unwilling to upgrade to the P7100, mainly due to my GF dropping the fecker, damaging the finish and distorting the lens fascia, still works fine but it means it's not really resell-able...bollocks.


I have the D300s and a few lenses but to be honest I don't use it that often and have to read the bloody book to remember how to use it; my last film camera was an Olympus OM1n which was a breeze to use and had similar dials and features to be found on the Fuji and that somehow appeals to my simple mind.

I'd looked at the Leica, decided that it was way too much for me however desirable it was so the XPro1 is tickling my fancy, thankfully the D300s will fund the change.

[petesie]

I had a look at the Canon here;

http://www.canon.co....PowerShot_G1_X/

While the features are impressive it sure is an ugly bugger.

Looks like Nikon are well behind the drag curve these days and have missed a few opportunities and lost a few long term fans...me for one!

[Brianne]

Maybe you should wait for the new Olympus OM D

http://www.43rumors....-first-picture/

sorely tempted as the OM1n was my fav camera

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[petesie]

Now there's an interesting one Brianne...oddly enough my original OM1n and a fair few lenses are still lurking around somewhere...

I'm in no rush and I'll be busy for the next few weeks so my decision can be put off until late Feb so by then most of the releases should be done...

Now if Nikon releases an F2 retro styled model...

[rxpharm]

Probably a good idea to hold off on an Olympus purchase until we find out if the company will continue on. Recent news reports of massive fraud by former executives definitely make the viability of company a big question mark.

As for buying new gear - keep in mind if your current equipment is producing photos that are making you happy. If so, then don't bother to upgrade until there is a significant improvement in technology.

I think this will happen in the next few years, when auto focus will be combined on the sensor so the cameras will have large sensors without the mirror, DLSR quality, fast accurate auto focus in a compact body with the ability to change lenses.

[petesie]

I hear where you're coming from RX but my name reason for change is the fact that I'm not getting on with my Nikon D300s, brilliant camera but too bulky for me and I want something a bit more user friendly.

[pacman]

I doubt Olympus will go bankrupt from the fraud RX refers to. 1.7 billion dollars lost to the Yakuza & they are still bringing out new models & trading as usual.

The main problem Olympus has is their reliance on 3rd party sensors. I think they are currently using Panasonic sensors, their big rival in the 4/3 market. What chance Panasonic would give them their latest technology? None!

Olympus fans dream of what quality sensor 1.7 billion dollars could have produced.

The OM D will be a competent camera but not groundbreaking. And it won't be pocketable & it won't be "cheap".

If I was to buy another Olympus (I had the OM2 until it was stolen) I would go for the XZ-1 in a heartbeat. It is on eBay for $335 delivered & nothing touches it for value. IMO.

The Canon G1 X is months away from being available & it is expected to be high 800's in price. Still cheaper than the Nikon 1 series which is a camera system that I am sure was a good idea when they thought of it. However, it has all the drawbacks that come from being designed by a committee.

As in "a camel is a horse designed by a committee". Nice idea to start with but too many people have had their 2 cents worth. IMO.

And to address Petesie's latest post, you can do worse than the Fuji X10. It is a very convenient size camera & has the latest dual mode sensor. I don't understand it fully, the articles about it claim it to be the "next thing". Who knows? It seems to do the job. Either that or the XZ-1. Personally it would do me fine.

[petesie]

I'm off to the PI in a couple of weeks so hopefully I'll get a chance to look at the Fuji X10 before I go. I was hoping to have the Nikon swap done fairly soon too as I'm not lugging that around.

The Nikon V1 has yet to make an appearance out here yet though the P7100 has just arrived.

I invested a lot in the D300s and associated lenses and extras alas I never had the time to get to grips with it.

Thanks for all the feedback lads; as usual you are all extremely well informed.

[CL]

Agree with Brianna imagine OMD + the fully compatible Pana/Leica 25mm 1.4 ... And Petesie on XPro1 + 35mm 1.4 ... Reserved both at my local shop... Leica M9 body is overrated, Leica glass is best there is, but not spending 5-15k on it, although both will have a m-mount so that could be ideal combi...

Cant wait to see some portrait sample shot of both OMD and XPro1 both v.interesting. Image quality and ISO performance decides.

Love the OVF on my X100, so that will be a big plus on FF

Specs and samples OMD 8 Feb , XPro1 specs and samples out already although havent seen any portrait samples yet...

No NEX7 in the mix?

Then again if you dont know what ur doing why worry about this stuff get yourself the Canon G1X or G11/12 and you're good to go... Its tried and trusted...

If you want smaller can advice FF X10 love mine, great quality, EXR 6MP for awesome low light (more than enough for screen / forum size) ... And just great fun for PNS. Better yet get the new Oly Pen, awesome and a lot of fun.

Ps i guess if anything olympus will be sold either to sony or fuji both fighting over newly issued stock already, comp should be split up then sold, good synergies with FF wrt optics inc medical imaging...

[CL]

@petesie : what do you shoot? (bar, portrait, fashion, travel) and how do you publish? (raw/jpeg, screen, print)

[petesie]

In a word mate...nothing!

I got all the gear to re-kindle an old hobby in the digital era and progressed over the last few years, I then sold my Nikon D90 thinking that I was moving up in the world, adding lenses and other equipment and so far have done bugger all!

This is mainly down to life and work with most of my spare time being spent on others.

I used my D300s on a few hols etc but once I picked up the P7000 that fulfilled most of the photo opportunities presented to me!

I'm just a hobbyist gone wrong and out here there are no clubs or likewise where I am to inspire me...I don't think they'd really want to see my 10 best nob shots in any case...