Fujifilm X100 /// 2010
The only digiTal camera to make the cut here (although there might have been more had we extended the list to 50), it’s a stark reminder that the missing ingredient in camera design these days is so often character. Leica’s digital Ms can claim an exemption here, but as a more or less straight continuation of the 35mm line, they don’t get too many points for originality. Whereas the X100 – while borrowing heavily from the Leica M style manual – is something a little bit different. To be honest, we’d include all the X100 generations here – particularly as, in the digital era, there are improvements in performance to be had from later developments – but the original was such a bombshell when it was launched, it’s now as an important piece of camera history as anything else in this list.
The brilliance of the X100 is its hybrid optical and electronic viewfinder which can either be fully old-skool optical, fully electronic or, best of all, optical with superimposed digital readouts and displays including elements such as a level indicator, grid pattern and realtime histogram. Then there’s the exposure control using a traditional shutter speed dial and lens aperture collar, both with ‘A’ settings which engage the various exposure modes 1970s-style. And, in another film-to-digital crossover, Fujifilm’s ‘Film Simulation’ profiles replicate the look of the muchloved Fujichromes, although there are more options for this on the later versions, including ACROS B&W on the current X100F. Fujifilm’s ‘X-Trans’ sensor employs a unique 6x6 RGB aperiodic colour filter array – as opposed to the standard 2x2 Bayer pattern – which is designed to minimise moiré patterns without the need for an optical low-pass filter… so overall sharpness benefits as a result. While the first X100 has a fairly modest 12 megapixels on tap, it still delivers plenty of definition and detailing – ably assisted by the fixed Fujinon Super EBC 23mm f2.0 lens – and the high-ISO performance is good even by today’s standard.
The original X100 was responsible for quite a number of things. It proved that many of the classical elements of camera design are enduring and have appeal across generations… chief among them the eyelevel viewfinder. Consequently, it persuaded quite a few film diehards to turn finally to digital capture. It also revitalised Fujifilm’s standings in the enthusiast and professional sectors, and it prompted at least two other camera manufacturers to do their own thinking outside the square. It confirmed the validity of pairing a bigger sensor with a high-quality prime lens to create the 21st-century street camera. And, finally, it added some character and charm to what had largely been, thus far, the coldly clinical business of digital capture. If you like more of a challenge, the black version was a limited edition of 10,000 units presented in a special boxed set with matching lens hood and adapter ring, protector filter and leather ever-ready case. Yummy, yummy, yummy.