Fuji X100T Review — Actually, it’s a list of pros and cons.

Today was really the first day that I had a chance to take the X100T out for a spin.

Pros:

1. Small and lightweight — I actually kept it around my neck and under my jacket while going for a bike ride.
2. Looks cool — it’s retro looking and looks great. It’s a silly thing to buy the camera for, but it is stylish.
3. Nice EVF — I rarely ever use the EVF or viewfinder when I shoot mirrorless, but the EVF here is a good one. Also, the picture in picture effect is neat, and so is having the overlays on the optical viewfinder.
4. f/2 aperture and a dedicated aperture ring.
5. Plenty of controls and a nice layout.
6. Fuji colors — plenty of creative options within camera.
7. Facial autofocus — This was the Achilles heel of the X100s (I can’t believe they left it out).
8. Built in flash.
9. Seems durable and not plasticky.
10. Macro mode.
11. Decent performance at higher ISOs.
12. Manual controls in video mode, although I really do need more hands on experience with using it for video.

Cons:

1. The autofocus is slower than I would like. In comparison to my Olympus E-M1 with a 17mm (same 35mm full frame equivalent focal length as the X100T), the X100T’s AF is much slower.
2. No touch screen. Again, I’m comparing it to the Olympus, but it’s such a GREAT feature for focusing and shooting.
3. f/2 aperture is a tad soft.
4. I’d actually like a few more buttons and nobs — a wheel for my right index finger (up front), and a dedicated ISO wheel like my Fuji X-T1.
5. The optical viewfinder actually seems somewhat darker to me, and I prefer the EVF.
6. Paint — silly complaint, but the black painted mark indicated the aperture on the dial isn’t completely centered and is slightly off. It’s just an OCD attnetion to detail thing, but still it’s noticeable.
7. No tilting / flipping screen. The cheaper Fuji X30 has it, Fuji should have had it on this camera as well.
8. 2.5mm microphone jack as opposed to a standard 3.5mm jack.

It’s a good portable camera. If you need something lightweight, compact, and want it all in one package, this is a great camera. It’s a great second, third, or fourth camera to have with your gear. It’s fun, you’ll use it, but not for really serious stuff. Fun / casual / quick outings without being too serious, it’s great for that. If it’s action, something where sharpness and image quality matter, or really low light, I’ll choose one of my other camera and lens combos.

Samples:

12/8/2014 Update — The X100T is being returned:

****Compared to other cameras that I have owned around the same price point (albeit a little more expensive), the X100T is not up to par with the E-M1 and 17mm f/1.8 combo, nor is it as good as the X-T1 with a 23mm f/1.4 lens. Now to many readers, this might be a “no-duh” conclusion — still, the camera isn’t for me. If the focusing speed of the X100T was faster and if the lens was a tad sharper at f/2, I’d be there.