Back in November 2015 I was given the distinct pleasure of shooting samples and some product images for the promotional material for a new Fujifilm camera which had yet to be released. The sparse description notes read:
New camera type
New 28mm eq. lens
New touch screen interface
What was delivered to me was the new beautiful little Fujifilm X70. Immediately after unboxing I was struck by how damn gorgeous this little camera is. So small, yet feeling so solid. It really has some heft to it. The design lines closely resembling its “bigger brother”, the x100, it sure does look its part. But it is quite different. It really is.
For me to best describe the new X70, I would have you imagine “the child of the X100 and the X-A2 being raised by the XT10 firmware.”
The X70 is meant for people who needs a high quality compact snapshot camera, and (much more importantly for me) for street photographers who needs something small and inconspicuous for capturing candid moments of streetlife.
Below I will try to give you my impressions after having handled this camera extensively and intensively over the course of the last 2 months.
DISCLAIMER: The camera I used during the test period is a pre-production unit. Image quality and camerafeatures might not be final at time of the release. (but it probably is)
Build and Design
The X70 is true to Fujifilms X-series retro styling. You can see they went to great lengths in order for it to fit into the X100 scheme. The built-in flash is in the same place as the OVF window of the X100, keeping the pseudo-rangefinder look. Whether or not you like this is entirely subjective. I know I like this styling a lot!
Before I get deeper into the fantastic build and layout of the X70, let me start by addressing the elephant in the room.
The viewfinder. Where is it?
Well, it’s not there.
As an avid hybrid viewfinder user I didn’t know what to think at first. Would I now have to use the camera in “tourist-mode” at arms length, while getting shots that was ridden by motion-blur?
But then I started using the camera, and I found that what Fujifilm has done is implement the LCD panel in a very clever way. The touch and tilt display really gives me a TOTALLY different way of shooting street photography. Did I in the heat of the moment place the X70 to my eye only to go “argh!”? you bet! Did I break that habit within the first 48h? Indeed I did!
Fujifilm offers an accessory optical viewfinder for the hotshoe. I had an old Voigtländer one lying around that I put on there. It’s not electronic, it doesn’t give you focus feedback, but it gets the framing done if you simply cannot live without the viewfinder. But I’m telling you, if you decide to buy this camera, use it as intended. Try the “Tilt and Touch” and you will be amazed at how different and fun your shooting experience AND your images will be.
One thing I’m fairly sure about is that building in an EVF/OVF would have made the camera bigger. And as is, it is an impressively small APS-C sensor camera.
The body is made of aluminum. and you can really feel the quality. Much more so than on the X100 since the X70 is much more compact. It comes in black and silver variants. It has aperture dial on the lens, the shutter speed- and the exposure compensation dials on the top plate as well as the “autoswitch” as seen on the XT10. The autoswitch really emphasizes that this camera is also meant as a compact point and shoot. Just like on the XT10 I like this feature, since it’s there if someone with less photographic experience needs it, and if you’re an experienced user you can just leave it as is.
The movie button can be assigned as an Fn button to your liking, and fujifilm also placed the drive button up there. On the left hand side of the camera you have another function button. It sits flush and is quite well hidden. Useful none the less. I have assigned it to shutter type selection.
On the back you have the play and delete buttons located on the tilt display itself. It has a 4 way directional pad and the usual Q menu button, the AF-L/AE-L button and an Fn/wifi button.
All in all pretty familiar layout and functions.
I will get into the Touch Screen LCD panel a little further on 🙂
With the X70 you also get the leaf shutter, so you will have the same amazing advantages in regards to flash and silent shutter operation as you would in the X100 series. It’s one of the best features of the X100 and I LOVE that it’s being used in the X70 as well.
The new 18.5mm f/2.8 lens
Yet again, I’m tempted to ask….what kind of Kool-aid are the optical engineers at Fujifilm drinking? Seriously! They just seem to pump out one great lens after another.
The new 18.5mm f/2.8 lens in the X70 is a STELLAR performer. Nothing less. The quality of this pancake design lens is phenomenal.
It’s an entirely new design developed from the 23mm f/2 lens in the X100. It consists of 7 elements in 5 groups with 2 aspherical elements. It’s constructed in a very compact manner, so there is no collapsing necessary when turning on/off the camera. This means much faster startup times.
Maximum aperture is f/2.8 and the diaphragm consists of 9 rounded blades. I could actually achieve quite decent bokeh quality. Especially when focusing near. The close-focusing limit being just 10cm, you can really do some fun close up/macro work.
With a full frame equivalent of 28mm this lens is at the wider end of the spectrum. The 28mm angle of view is great for street photography if you’re willing to move in close. It gives you a subject intimacy as well as great contextual meaning in your pictures by including a lot of the environment.
Sharpness from this lens is ridiculous! – unlike the 23mm f/2 in the x100 series, this new 18.5mm doesn’t soften up when shot wide open at closest focusing distances. And it’s insanely sharp from edge to edge. It REALLY delivers.
When comparing it to the XF18mm f/2 it easily beats it in resolving power and sharpness, and likewise I observed the same thing when comparing it to the WCL-x100 shot on the x100t. So of all the 18mm (28mm eq) prime options offered by Fujifilm, THIS is by far the best. The amazing thing is that it’s so small as well. I am so impressed with it!
A fun little feature in the X70 is the digital crop feature or “digital tele converter” as Fujifilm labels it. When shooting jpeg mode you can chose to use either a 28mm, 35mm or 50mm crop mode. (35mm eq.) The camera does some clever interpolation and wizardry so you actually get a full 16mp output file. Of course you can see the compression when you look closer, but for snapshots this feature is really cool.
Fujifilm is releasing the WCL-X70 as an add-on accessory. It will turn the lens into a 14mm (21mm ff eq.). Although Fujifilm doesn’t officially support it, I tried on the WCL-X100 and the TCL-X100. They fit fine, and I was able to shoot with them using their corresponding magnification factors.
The new touch screen
In addition to the extremely small size of the camera, the other major feature of the X70 is the new touchpanel. It marks a first for the Fujifilm X-series that we now get a touch LCD panel.
The panel is a 3.0 inch 1.04 million dot LCD that features a 180 degree rotation angle so you can flip it over for selfies if thats your thing. Much like the X-A2.
The touch panel functions in shooting mode and in preview mode.
In shooting mode you will have acces to:
- Focus Area Selection: Move the focus point to the chosen position by tapping the touchscreen.
- Touch Shot: Touch to focus and shoot on a specific point.
There is a small icon in the top right corner of the screen where you can switch between the two modes as well as turn the touch function off.
In playback mode you can use the following gestures, very much like on your regular smartphone:
- Swipe: Swiping a finger across the screen scrolls through the images, one after another.
- Double-Tap: Tapping the screen twice will enlarge the image, centering on the active focus point when the images was taken.
- Dragging: Moving a finger across the screen when an image is enlarged will move it around the frame.
- Pinch in/out zoom: Placing two fingers on the screen and widening or shortening the distance between them zooms in/out of the image.
So indeed a very cool and well implemented new feature. What I find is that it actually defines the way I use this camera.
There are a lot of different scenarios where this feature is very useful.
What I found myself doing on the streets after just a few days use was lowering the shooting angle to waist level, holding the camera with 2 hands, screen tilted slightly out, and then moving focus with my left thumb, and taking the picture using the shutter release. It makes for different angles as well as much more unobtrusive shooting. For candid street shots this camera is amazing. End of story.
Another way I use the camera a lot is to place it on the ground or on my micro tripod, tilt out the screen and use touch shooting with long exposures. This way I get minimal camera shake from depressing the regular mechanical shutter release.
A third way this camera is being used heavily is by my kids around the house. They are so used to smartphone functionality, so taking a picture by touching the screen feels much more natural to them (go figure! – Daddy-photog is NOT too pleased about that!).
Indeed the touchscreen really changes the way this camera is being used, and it’s all for the better. I realy hope the Fujifilm will implement this touchpanel in future models. It really gives the camera some great flexibillity.
Usage and Image Quality
The entire AF system from the XT1/XT10 has been ported to the X70. Complete with 77 AF points, the 3 focus modes and the predictive focusing engine. For a closer look at those features you can read my XT10 writeup here. It’s fast. It’s accurate. It’s a joy to use especially in street photography, just like on the XT1/XT10.
The sensor is the X-Trans 2 sensor present in most of Fujifilms current models – It’s the 16 MP sensor that you either love or hate. I will not go into details about the sensor, as theres nothing much new to report back on.
The shutter is mechanical up to 1/4000 and Electronic up to 1/32.000 – just like on the X100T, XT10 and XT1.
Let me address the whole Ricoh GR competitor thing. If you compare the two side by side the X70 is a little bigger. This is mainly because the Ricoh uses the collapsible lens. This increases the startup time for the Ricoh. The X70 cicumvents this with its non collapsible pancake design.
Ricoh GR has a snap-focus mode. It’s basically a semi zone focus mode where you set your distance, full press the shutter to snap the picture at that focus distance, regardless of AF setting. This is because the Ricoh does not have a proper manual focus mode. On the X70 you simply put your camera in MF mode, rotate the focusring to the desired distance and snap. and YES the X70 remembers the set distance when turing it off/on. So for all the snap-focus afficionados, the X70 will do the same just a little differently.
So if you like the GR, I think you will definitely like the X70
Image quality is amazing. This is of course largely because of the lens, but also the X-Trans 2 sensor just deliver rich and crisp files as usual. The fact that the 2 elements has been meticulously paired just brings IQ up another nudge just like in the X100.
So who will end up using this camera? – I don’t know, but let me tell you this: If you’re into wideangle streetphotography you cannot ignore the X70. It’s a direct competitor to the Ricoh GR which is widely praised in the streetphotography world. The X70 is so compact that you can easily just carry it in your pocket. The size makes it very inconspicuous, so candid photography is much more obtainable. The AF speed from the firmware also makes it hard to miss those fast paced moments.
For the more casual user this will be a great point-and-shoot. It has the same FOV as most smartphone cameras today so framing should feel quite natural for these users.
Conclusion
The Fujifilm X70 camera is a bloody fantastic camera for the street photography crowd. It’s small, inconspicuous, fast and silent. The newly developed 18.5mm f/2.8 (28mm eq ff) lens is nothing less than fantastic. Incredible sharpness from edge to edge, even at close focus distances.
The new touchscreen gives you entirely new shooting possibilities, that I’ve come to appreciate so much that I now wish the entire X-series range would get the feature. For some people the lack of OVF/EVF will be the dealbreaker, others will seek comfort in the external accesory OVF.
Some people might just embrace the camera as it was probably meant to be used; Differently!
Whatever the case, this little camera is now ALWAYS with me in my pocket.
Samples
Samples are converted from RAW files using Lightroom 6. I tweaked them to my liking as usual. So no straight out of camera files here. If you want to see my SOOC jpegs you should go to the promo site on fujifilm.com where I’m guessing they used some of them.
The camera I used was a pre-production unit, so image quality might not represent what is in the retail version, but judging from the quality of these files everything seems to be very close to final IQ
70 samples shot with the X70 – exif data in the files
Thanks for the preview of the X70. I like the idea of it, but I think you are throwing the Ricoh GR under the bus a bit. Snap focus is more than what you described- it allows you to use normal AF and on a whim of a moment use the pre-focal distance- it’s not because the Ricoh GR is missing a “proper way to AF” which it can btw.
Another example- the Ricoh GR has a built in ND filter that can auto-kick in to extend the exposure while keeping the leaf shutter. On the X70 if you want to use F2.8 in daylight you could resort to the electronic shutter- but good luck avoiding rolling shutter if you are panning around. You don’t have that problem on the GR.
Another thing to ask- does the Fuji X70 does the crop modes in RAW? Because the Ricoh GR does. And while I am the first to agree and promote Fuji’s fantastic JPEG engine, it would be nice if the RAW stored went with the crop mode.
I really think the Ricoh GR keeps its certain edge by being smaller. It’s really a stealthier camera. I do like the idea of an articulated LCD option and Fuji’s fantastic color/jpeg engine, but I really rather have Fuji gone after a 50mm lens design instead of going after what Ricoh GR and Nikon Cool Pix A already did.
My main issue for both cameras is that I am not a 28mm street photographer, but 50mm, 90 and even 150. I would have totally bought this Fuji if they had pursued a 50mm lens, and maybe add a teleconverter for 70 and for 24mm or 28mm. But being 28mm? Meh. I am sure is good. So is the Ricoh GR.
Hi Ricardo. Thank you for reading. By no means do I want to bash the Ricoh GR. Its a fantastic camera. PERIOD.
I didn’t write that it couldn’t AF, I wrote that it didn’t have proper MF. You have to use the thumbwheel on the GR to adjust MF. The X70 has the MF on the focusring on the lens. And thats really the only difference.
I agree that the snap focus is clever cause it overrides the AF. – As I said. The Ricoh GR is a great camera!
Thanks for reading 🙂
/J
Thanks for your reply. I think the main differences between X70 and GR are pretty much – articulated LCD (I like that), Fuji JPEG/color (I also like that), and perhaps most importantly the Fuji “UI/usability ethos” of the shutter dial, aperture dial, etc.
Still honestly…. if I had a GR I wouldn’t go for this. If I had this first I wouldn’t go for a GR (probably)- though I prefer small. I still wish Fuji had done something.. well.. more essentially different 🙂 I would have totally gone for a 50mm.
Since Ricoh doesn’t seem interested in doing a 50mm GR, i would have loved Fuji to fill that void.
After all, there are many street photographers that prefer that focal length over 28mm or 35mm.
Great review, and looks like a great compact!
I got to tell and ask; I’ve used Canons compact G-series, went to Nikon DSLR, back to new G-series (up until G1X mark II) before I took the leap to X-T1, which is just fantastic – my all time favourite cam to date!
But I got to ask, is there already, or do you think in the future, that there’s a Fujifilm compact equivalent to the e.g. G1X mark II? (or maybe you’re not very familiar with it!?)
Hey! No such camera in the pipeline that I’m aware of, no. Thank you for stopping by /j
The G1X Mark II takes beautiful shots and is easy to work with. But the only way I found I could effectively use it for street photography is by taking really dark RAW pix (i.e., at super high shutter speeds) and boost the exposure and reduce the shadows in Lightroom. Otherwise the G1X II is just too sluggish. Added to that, the screen has now stopped working for me three times in the space of two years, and the lens cover twice. Canon after service is great, but I’d rather have a camera that can handle street life in the first place. I’m about to get a Fujifilm X70 and am looking forward to seeing how it does.
In the image quality section you say that the Ricoh’s startup time is reduced by the collapsible lens, I think you meant increased. Great review, if I didn’t already have the WCL-X100 I’d be seriously considering it.
You’re absolutely right! Thank you. I’ll fix that straight away. And thank you for reading! /j
Thank You
fantastic Blog
Good Louck
&^&^&^
Thank you very much 🙂 /J
With auto ISO in Aperture Priority mode, what is the fastest minimum shutter speed you can select? Is it 1/500 as on the XT1 and XE2 (and presumably the XT10), or is it the relatively useless 1/125 like on the X100T? Or maybe something completely different?
I second that question.
BTW : Ricoh GR II (direct competitor) does shutter/aperture shift and can limit upper iso in auto-iso so it’s great to use it in Tav mode (iso priority); for street use, these are fantastic features
And the Coolpix A allowed for a minimum shutter speed in auto-ISO (A mode) of up to 1/1000. That’s overkill for me, but Ricoh’s 1/250 wasn’t high enough and Fuji’s 1/125 may as well not be there. For street shooting, where both my subjects and I are often moving, 1/500 seems to be where I almost never get any blur, either from camera movement or subject movement. I like shooting that way more than in TaV, although TaV is a pretty good workaround. I really like the camera to balance the shutter speed and ISO per my instructions, but without my having to constantly monitor and often change shutter speed…
WOW!!! Thanks for that good review and all the beautiful pics you took!!! Sooo great!!
Thank you very much! Thank you for stopping by!
Thank you Jonas for an excellent review!
I wonder, what is the fastest shutter speed you can use wide open at f/2.8?
Best regards!
Axel
Hi Axel. Mechanical is 1/4000th sec. Electronic is 1/32.000th
Thank you for the kind words 🙂
Hi Axel. I am probably mistaken on the fastest mechanical shutter speed wide open. Everything above 1/1000th seems to activate the electronic shutter. This is because of the leaf shutter I think. Sorry for misinforming you.
Thank you very much for getting back to me on that! 🙂
I must have this camera, been shooting with the X30 on 28mm mostly but that added sensor size and ergonomics seem to raise the street photography possibilities even more.
With 1/125 being the faster shutter speed allowed for auto ISO minimum and an inability to easily toggle focus to preset zone/hyperfocal settings when switching apertures — this camera a no go for street photographers.
The manual focus suffers the same issue as the X100 series in that you have to turn on the LCD screen and adjust focus distance on a cumbersome electronic focus scale every time you change aperture. When shooting street, I’m constantly moving between f/4 and f/11 with varying light conditions.
In addition to the regular snap focus toggle, the Ricoh GR allows me to link three different aperture values with a preset zone focus using the MY1-3 settings. This means all I have to do is switch between MY1, MY2 and MY3 as the light changes. Each My setting has a different aperture with the focal length already pre-assigned.
I’ll update this and note that latest minimum auto-ISO shutter speed can be set up to 1/500, which is better than the 1/250 for the Ricoh GR. So that’s an advantage at least.
but could be whatever user wants and manufacturer included; why limit this value anyway ?
Wow. Want it! I did not know about this fantastic feature…
Would you recommend GR2 over X70? Can X70 turn off the LCD? Thank you. victor
I think its probably a great camera. Being a owner of both X-30 and an X-E1, i love fuji colors and lenses…BUT…i was hoping for a cheaper x100 version. The 28mm (eq) route was a big mistake IMO. We already have two options here. Both cheaper, both great. both reaaly pocktable. If you go to dpreview forums for instance, there is almost zero threads about the camera…too bad. A missing opportunity IMO.
Does the X100 TCL work with this?
Also, does it have the new menus ala the X Pro 2?
It does work with the TCLx100 and WCLx100 even though Fujifilm doesn’t support it, it does work just fine 🙂
It doesn’t have the X-Pro2 menu no.
Thanks for reading /J
Hi Jonas, what is the edge quality like with the converters? I already have both so if the WCL-X100 performs well on this camera it may be worthwhile getting for me. Also, does the “T” setting work for selection of all shutter speeds (like the X-T1) or is it still dumb (like the X100T)
Great review, you’ve addressed many practical details that are usually overlooked by those gear sites.
I have the Ricoh GR and will be getting this camera to replace it. While the Ricoh has served me well, the sensor is getting really long in the tooth and it’s high iso leaves much to be desired especially when compared with my XT1. The startup time, exposure comp button with a mind of its own, and lack of swivel screen were minor gripes in the Ricoh which weren’t deal-breakers but is nice to see an improvement in the Fuji.
Many times I’ve shot something with auto iso and without the ability to limit it in TAV mode, I end up with some crazy 25k iso file that’s virtually unusable. I’ve been looking for something that I can take around with me that’s pocketable (to a degree) and handle situations similarly to the XT1 but in a more compact size.
The Ricoh in Canada is going for $799 and the X70 $899 while the original GR (non II) can be found used for $400-$450. I’d say it’s worth the price difference. Don’t get me wrong, the Ricoh is excellent but to me I think its great handling is overshadowed by the aging quality output.
My question is if the raw files are the same size as the XT1 (approx 33mb)? I liked the DNG files of the Ricoh since they were sometimes easily half that.
Hi Ryan. Thank you for reading and taking the time to elaborate on your time with the GR.
The RAF files are exactly the same as those from your XT1 so yes, approx. 33MB in size.
/J
Small price to pay for what you get overall. Thanks for the clarification!
I have the Fuji XT10 and honestly, I am not seeing a big difference between the GR high ISO and the Fuji XT10. The Fuji sensor in the X70/Xt10/XT1 is most likely the same base sensor the GR is using (but different color filter array- Xtrans vs Bayer and the PDAF points).
Yeah.. I dunno, I’m no pixel peeper but without zooming in I can see that I’m not comfortable with what the ricoh outputs at 1600iso, whereas at 3200 on the xt1, I’m still happy with the results. To each their own I suppose.
Jonas, nice write up. Question about how the CROP mode works: Can the 35mm “crop mode” be stored as a RAW file in addition to the interpolation you mentioned? I had the GR, and despite disliking many things about the camera, I loved that a 35mm or 50mm crop could be stored in RAW in those sizes. If this camera only functions in JPEG, that would not work. Thanks!
Hi there. Thank you for reading. The crop mode only works in jpeg. So I’m afraid you don’t get the cropped RAW.
/J
That makes me sad though I was expecting that. I really wish they did it like Ricoh.
Just ordered this camera and can’t wait to get it.
I think adding RAWs for the crops has got to be one of the top items for a firmware update. Any other firmware requests?
Thanks for the review! I will definitely buy one, period!
Thank you for reading Luke. All the best with your purchase. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed./J
Thanks for this great review. One question: Can you completely turn of the LCD (not just the touchscreen) e.g. if you use an external viewfinder?
Hi Herbert. The LCD can’t be turned off. Only, as you state, the touch. /j
Wait. What? The LCD screen can’t be turned off??? This makes it rubbish for street shooters.
Doesn’t the DISP BACK button turn the LCD on and off?
That’s what I was hoping. Not being able to turn off the LCD is a real bummer. I will get the Ricoh then…
Thanks to Jonas for answering 🙂
Great review and comments both of which helped me in cancelling my pre-order on time. The two deal-breakers for me were –
1. Not being able to shoot RAW in use 35mm mode
2. Not being able to turn off the rear LCD display when using a external 35mm viewfinder [Voigtlander 35mm viewfinder would have been perfect].
Hopefully Fujifilm adds these features in a firmware update.
Couple of questions:
1) what is the flash sync speed, is it like the x100 series with its leaf shutter or same as the XT1?
2) what is the cycle time for the flash between uses?
1) Its like the x100 series yes. So flash sync speeds are the same as the X100
2) I don’t know. I havn’t tested that 🙂
Finally normal review and awesome picture samples! thank you for that!
Thank you Jan! Thanks for reading /J
sorry if I missed it …but is the plastic skin effect gone from the JPEGs shot at 1600 and above?[I m hoping u’d say yes]
Hey. This sensor is the same as in the XT1, XT10, X100T, X-E2 etc.
The waxy skin tones in jpegs are stille there, unfortunately. On the Trans 2 sensors I always use RAW files for high ISO images because of this. /J
Thanks a ton for responding and clarifying ..:)
Thanks for the review!
Does the lens have inner focus or does it move in and out when focusing?
Made in Japan?
Yes it does move in and out when focusing and no it’s made in China.
Thanks for the great review. May I ask how did you convert the BW photos ?
Regards,
Yoram
HI Yoram. Thank you very much. I used Lightroom 🙂
Very nice review, how did you post process all your pictures? Did you use lightroom?
Sorry my name is Seby, the computer corrented it automatically. 🙂
Haha. Hi Seby! Yes I used lightroom. I do my usual curves, contrast and color adjustment
This is a great review and you’ve posted wonderful images.
As a long time Ricoh GR user I have to say, the X70 camera has great appeal for me.
While I love the Ricoh GR’s image quality, ergonomics and small size, I must say that it is not the sturdiest beast around and my first copy got a stuck shutter button a year in (fixed but broken again), my second copy has somehow gotten dust on its sensor, and I now have the GR II which so far is working perfectly, but I’m babying it.
I’m not hard on my cameras at all and I’m not alone in finding the GR fragile. The Nikon Coolpix A and the GR both have sensor dust issues for some reason and numerous people have had durability issues with them.
All of that said, the GR is so special it’s well worth putting up with this stuff.
However, I’d love a smaller camera that retains the 28mm angle of view with decent ergonomics with an APS-C sensor and with a better build. The X70 might be just the thing.
Thanks.
Thank you very much for reading, and for sharing your thoughts. /J
Jonas, what an excellent review and really great pictures. The images from both the XPro-2 review and this one are really impressive for a 2 month time period shared between two cameras! Great work.
Quick question; I just purchased the 50mm converter for my X100, still in it’s unopened box. I’m debating returning it and applying the money to an X lens for my pre-ordered XPro-2. Long question short, how well did this converter work on the X70?
Thanks again, two amazing and eagerly sought reviews.
Dennis
Hi Dennis. Thank you so much! I was VERY busy this month! I also had to deliver the official samples and product shots for the X70 plus do the reviews of both cameras. Phew! – But it was fun as hell! I feel very privileged.
The converter works just fine. Not officially supported, but it works fine. You won’t get the jpeg correction though, but just as on the X100series you have to correct your RAWs manually anyways. /J
That’s great to know. Any idea if the optical finder will have any electronic data connection?
Thanks again, the shot of your daughter with the 90 and hair in her face is stunning, and the shot of the young lady at the train station (with elevated walkways in background) is a gorgeous beautiful shot all around. I get how much work this was, amazing… so again, great job.
d
Actually I just found the finder on the Fuji page, looks like a straight on optical finder with 28 and 21mm bright lines.
Thanks again,
d
Hi Dennis. Yeah. Its Optical only. No electronic passthrough. 🙂
Great review. Must buy one!
I would compare this however to the Sony X100 Mk4 – simply because it is so pocketable and high quality. The Sony has a zoom lens and shoots 4k video, but small sensor (very good, but obviously not the same DOF). My friend has the Sony and it really is amazing, however I think I prefer the Fujifilm X70. Incredible to get X-T1 quality images (I know, fixed lens), but from a shirt pocket camera!
The good thing about the x70 over the GR and coolpix A is the lens is not retractable. I own the GR, but i hate the retractable lens. It sucks dust. Not just that, sometime (at least my copy) it just not function properly.
However, what i like the most in my GR is the snap focus function. For me, it the fastest way and to focus in street shooting. I don’t know if the x70 provided any good pre-focus function.
Thank you for the review. I was so impressed that I went to the camera store and ordered one. Really looking forward to getting it.
Thank you for reading! I hope you will enjoy the camera! /J
Hi
I was so tempted by this camera as i,m a long time fuji owner with a xpro and a x100
however i was being pulled a bit by the ricoh until read this and saw your images…… wonderful stuff
i,m pretty convinced now about getting the x70 it exactly what i,m after for street use
i do have one question i use the WCL-X100 alot on the x100 you mention it will fit on the x70 so it would make it 21mm which would be a great extra ..are there any issue, does it work with out distortion etc
great write up BTW and i love the images
Hi Gavin. Thank you for reading!
I encountered no problems using the WCL-x100, and it will indeed give you a 21mm FF eq FOV.
The distortion is off course not corrected in the jpegs in cam. But you can correct them yourself in post 🙂
I would love to see some images taken on the X70 with the WCL converter. Please post! Thanks.
Hi Jonas
I assume that when Fuji adds the new wide angle converter WCL-X70 that they will issue a firmware update to correct distortion with this lens, and that should also correct distortion if using the WCL-X100 instead?
Thank you for this brilliant review, your shots are fantastic. Well I have an X100T and I’m quite happy with it except for close up… I really like to take this type of shots and I must stop down quite a lot to avoid the hazy effect.
Not considering the focal lenght difference, would you say the X70 lens gives better results then the X100 serie? What about distorsion?
And finally does the tiltable screen feel solid?
Thanks a lot
Hi Ethan. Thank you very much 🙂
As I stressed above in the review, the lens is the absolute best thing about this camera. Its ridiculously sharp edge to center. Even close up wide open its sharp as hell. Not much distortion either.
Tilt screen feels super. It does extend out quite a bit when fully extended, making it vulnerable of course.
Hi, great review!
I was wondering, how does the manual focus scale work? It’s in the display, obviously, but does it show DOF markings based on the current aperture?
Thanks!
Hi Theo-Paul. Thank you!
Yes it works that way. Gives you a DOF indication relevant to the selected aperture
First thank you for the awesome review! Question about the digital zoom and overall quality at 35mm and 50mm. That is a very exciting feature in my book, if the images are decent. Can you comment on quality of digital zoom IQ?
Thanks!
Hi Mike. Thank you very much!
Quality is decent. But not great. But they do some interpolation in camera, so the files are better than if you just crop them in post and then blow them up to full size. I didn’t really use the feature much, since I’m using the full 18.5 mm.
/J
Hi Jonas. Do you recommend the X70 for travel purposes. I mean, if you’re a traveler is it a good camera to capture moments, travelling? Or its only for street photography. And the quality of the images in night photos. Are they good?
Hi Aina. It will be very well suited for travel, if you can live without having a zoom range lens.
Its not weather sealed, so I wouldn’t bring it into the amazon or to the arctics.
Quality at night are spectacular. I think I have a few sample shots at night in this gallery above 🙂
/J
Great review Jonas, I had just ordered the X100S, canceled it and will (im)patiently wait for X70.
Thank you!
Thank you for reading Mo! /J
Interesting camera. I like the articulating screen and wish the GR had it. Otherwise (without handling the camera), I don’t see anything that gives it an advantage over the GR.
This camera requires 2 hands to adjust settings. The GR…I can adjust anything on-the-fly with one hand. For fast, spontaneous shooting in rapidly-changing environments, this is a big deal. For example, shooting at night, wide open…I’m frequently adjusting my snap distance with the GR. I might shoot a subject 2 feet away one moment, and the next I’m shooting at 10 ft. I can change the snap distance in a couple of seconds by pressing a button and counting clicks, without taking my eyes off my surroundings. Can I do that with the Fuji?
I’m no Ricoh fanboy. Every time Fuji releases a new camera, I try to find a reason to justify buying it. So far, I haven’t seen anything that has me reaching for my wallet.
Hi, first up thank you for a concise and well written review. I very much enjoy your X70 product images and the sample photos. The eye crop image is superb.
Some Ricoh GR users note that the GR can have issues with locking AF in low light or that its slow getting accurate AF in low light. For me it hasn’t been a major issue but how did you find the X70 in regards to AF lock in low light, did it have issues?
Many thanks.
Tim
Hi Tim. Thank you so much! Thank you for reading. The AF is like the XT10 so its quite decent in low light. I don’t have an issue with it. /j
The detail in those close ups of your daughter (blue eyes) is simply incredible. I’m so used to the X100S being so soft shooting up close. This is amazing. Well done Fuji. I must admit that X70 in all black for 699 USD….is very tempting.
Thank you. Its my niece, but still the sharpness in that image from the new 18.5 lens is beyond incredible. I remember when I got that onto my computer and saw it 1:1 for the first time. I really just stared for a moment, and shook my head a bit! It’s crazy! /J
Random question. Is it made in Japan?
My pre-production wasn’t. It was made in china. Don’t know if the final versions will be. /J
Do not like the severe shadows of the Trans. Is the world really that dark?
Thats just the way I process my files. Denmark is a dark, dark place 😛 /J
Hi Jonhas. Thank you for the Review! Good work and great Pictures as well.
Am i right , the Display can not be turned off?
Hi Jonhas. Great review and great product shots.
Could you please confirm and clarify an earlier point. You state that the LCD cannot be turned off (only the touch ability can be turned off).
Can you please confirm this is indeed the case. That it is not possible under any circumstances to turn off the LCD (nor to make its display black), cycling through the Disp button modes doesn’t provide this?
Thanks
Hi Jo, like always awesome review up there
Currently i am still on dilemma of getting new x70 new or x100s used. i really really really love the small, the articulated screen and the best thing of x70 is: touch screen which is the one that i miss from EOS-M way back then.
But again a lil bit disappointed about the “F ” i really hope fuji brings up the F2.0 on this not F2.8, i am a bokeh junkie so bokeh is essential to me. I already have the XT1 with some poisonous Bokeh Lens (56 and 90) hoping to get a new toy with smaller package of fuji.
what do you think about the bokeh from x100/s/t vs x70, do you have some example of it? or can you elaborate me with your thought about it?
Thank Jo
Nice GAS station btw, Cheers
Arthur DSP
One more thing JO,
About the FL 35 and FL 50 that you mention above “The camera does some clever interpolation and wizardry so you actually get a full 16mp output file. Of course you can see the compression when you look closer, but for snapshots this feature is really cool.” can you show us the example of the picture?
Thanks
Regards
Arthur DSP
Seriously?
As always an excellent review and an incredible web site. Thanks.
. . . David
Does the Fuji X70 have pixel mapping function for the dead pixels?
No it doesn’t 🙂
Does it have filter threads? If so, what size?
Hi Bryan. you have to use the converter for the lens hood as on the X100 series. Then it takes 49mm filters. /j
Great review and great shots!
Thank you Allan!
hi, thank you for a great review! the images are really stunning! just wondering if you can also adjust the shadow, highlights, color, etc. up until +4 like the xpro2 with this camera or is it still using the same with previous x series which is up to +2 only?
Hi David. No the X70 is just like the previous generation X series, in that you can go to +2. – Thank you for reading. /J
Oh okay.. thank you! 🙂
I’m really thinking which one to go to between xpro2 and x70. Definitely xpro2 is superb but my style of shooting is candid whether at the streets or any events. thought that +4 would help me to do less post processing as i’m always pushing more shadows or colors on my shots, but i think i can live with that. by the way since x70 doesn’t have a view finder, can you clearly use the LCD when shooting outdoors on a sunny day?
Hi David. In direct sunlight of course you can have some difficulty. Its a very bright LCD though. I didn’t really have any issues with it. But then again. It’s wintertime here, so I can’t tell you for sure 🙂
Hi Jonas,
Thank you for your response! I got the chance to try it on the Photoworld event here in Manila just last weekend and I can say that this camera really rocks! I will definitely get one and this will be my buddy everyday. 🙂 Thank you again for the review and keep up the good work! 🙂
Hi Jonas,
Many thanks for the review. I wondered how the X70 operates on bulb for taking long exposures, as I don’t see a thread for a cable release.
Keep up the good work!
Jonas, thanks for a great review. Could you comment on the AF-C performance for tracking moving subjects? How good is the hit rate. Is 8fps available only with locked-on exposure and AF, or camera is able to track a moving subject in AF-C mode? Will pop-up flash fire in 8fps burst? Is there a wireless flash feature available to trigger external flash guns with a pop-up flash? Thank you for providing useful feedback. It’s a pity that a user manual is not available yet.
Hi Jonas; very curious about the digital tele-conversion function thought I heard fuji guys video comment that there’s no loss in resolution in use. What’s the difference between this function and simply cropping to approximate 50mm ‘s also if using it t at 50mm how’s the IQ compared to a 1″ sensor at this focal length or even my old Olympus XZ-1 1/1.7″ sensor.
Warmest Regards
Hi Bob. They do some image interpolation. You keep the 16mp output file, so it’s not the same as cropping and resizing in Lightroom. I would have to test the images side to side with a 1″ sensor camera. For now, I donøt know 🙂 /J
Thanks Jonas, I’d love to try it if and when I get a chance, wouldn’t need the zoom in a 1″ pocket camera and there’s always the wide conversion lens option if I need to go wide to 21mm, great review by the way
Hi Jonas, thank you for the great review. Fuji’s site is claiming a redesign of ‘the arrangement of components and circuits around the sensor’ has improved high iso performance. I shoot a lot handheld in natural / low light and the one stop aperture drop from the x100t is the only thing holding me back from buying this camera. Can you tell me if you saw improved iso performance over the x100 series and if so how much? Many thanks.
Hey Jonas,
thanks for the review. The X70 is not wheater sealed but you operated this camera in cold winter outside. Did you have any problems while and after shooting the camera?
Thanks for the great review. It’s helped reassure me that I’ve made the right decision to pre-order the X70. I have an X10 which I still love and will hold onto, but I wanted to get a later generation Fuji. I love all of your shots taken with the X70 too – you’ve set a benchmark for me to aim at.
Thank you very much for your kind words Andrew.
Hi Jonas. Sorry to bother you but reading the X70 manual I couldn`t find any hint about a restriction in terms of picture quality when using the digital tele converter (something like JPEG only …). They say that picture quality drops slightly by cropping the image but they don`t write anything like “no RAW possible using the digital converter “.
Do you have any information if the final version provides RAW if the zoom angle is changed ?
Thanks for any information on this.
I got the final version today, and the option to digital crop is only available when you select a jpeg only mode in the image quality menu. So no, no RAW.
FANTASTIC review, and BEAUTIFUL pictures! I’m now going to buy a X70 because of you.
Thank you Nicholas. You won’t be disappointed.
Congratulations: what a fantastic, accurate and readable review!
However, could you please clarify whether the x70 does the 35mm and 50mm crops in RAW as well as JPEG format?
Thank you very much in advance.
Hi Gianfranco. When you use crop mode it’s only available when you don’t record RAW. So the digital crop is a jpeg only feature.
great review. looking forward to using the x70 when it arrives
Thank you Adrian
With the Fuji x70 there’s probably one annoying problem you won’t have to contend with that plagues the Ricoh GR and that’s the crappy seals/sensor dust. Alas.
We’ll have to see. Only time will tell.
HI !
Thanks for the helpful review……Is there any way [any combination of image parameters] to capture high ISO jpegs and not have the ‘waxy skin ‘appearence creep in …I mean I love the fuji jpeg rendering A LOT…..epsecially the skin tones..:)…so can u kindly suggest a way out before I actually take the plunge and acquire one of these bodies…
thanks very much ..:)
Hi Jonas,
I myself have a X100s and was thinking of change to something more portable.
I use my camera mainly for lifestyle shots of surfing and street shooting, but find myself leaving the camera at home.
This camera with the touchscreen and tilting option seams to let you more possibilities for new angles and different kind of shooting on the streets.
So my questions are very simple, if you lose any quality in picture image on the X70 compared to to mine? I tend to shoot in A mode so the dials see pretty much up there with the x100 series so besides the viewfinder do I lose any command? (for instance I use the “fn” button on mine to change ISO, can I use the record button to do the same?) And finally does this camera although with a lens at 2.8 is better for macro pics, does it focus closer the the x100?
Hope you have time to see my questions.
Love you work, and the look of your pics, very very cool.
Regards
Hi Xano. X70 Image quality is the same as on the X100s. Actually a bit sharper because of the new lens on the X70.
ISO can of course be set to the movie button.
Minimum focus distance on the X70 is 10cm. I can’t remember what it is on the X100 series.
HI Jonas, great review. Your images were the things that made me take the plunge though. As a Ricoh GR user for years, I was very sceptical. Especially about shots wide open. But some of these pics, processed or not, are fantastic. I have 2 questions though: 1. When the camera tries to focus is it very noisy? Or is this an issue with my piece. I turned off all the sounds but there is still the perceptible whir as the aperture blades adjust to focus. The GR is almost dead quiet by comparison and for street shooting this can be very offputting. 2. Is there any way in which to separate exposure and focus points by using the touchscreen? Thanks in advance.
Hi jonas.. which is better for newbie x70 or xa2??
Also, could you maybe suggest to Fuji that they allow users to turn off the LCD screen and use the WCL TL 100 through firmware updates in the future. 21mm, 28mm and 40mm would be fantastic.
Hello Jonas. Cool blog. I am an amature thats is looking fore something to travel whit and for everyday use.
But I can’t decide between the x70 and the x100t any advice? Please…
Hi Jonas,
Great blog and pictures. I’m a long time X100 classic user and wanted to upgrade to the X100T but decided to go for the X70. Yesterday I’ve received this little black gem and went out shooting together with my X100. both are set in default for out of the camera comparison. Images are indeed sharp but for the colors it looks different. On the X70 it looks cooler (Blue-ish), on the X100 its warmer. like to see your finding on this but I guess you dont have a X100 to do so.
Also missing out the OVF is a tough one, I need more then 48 ours to get use to :). Build wise it’s quite robust, high quality indeed. For it smale size I don’t recommend this for Photographer with BIG thump, i myself have smale Asian thump and even so it’s feels cramp to reach and press certain button on the back. The greatest feature on the X70 is the customizable manualfocusing ring on the lens, it’s just brilliant!
The X70 is nice but I’m not having that “special” feeling I had and still have with my X100 classic (so not the S or T version). Is it a keeper? not sure, lets play some more, lots of features to discover and Fuji will pop up some nice firmware to make it even better ( they did with the X100).
Sorry for my bad English.
Cheers
Daan
First of all, your pictures are awesome!
Second, I pre-ordered this camera primarily because of your review. In particular, your close-up of the droplets/leaves showed me that this camera has excellent close-up/macro abilities, not to mention excellent color, sharpness, and overall resolution.
Lastly, after receiving the X70 and using it for only a few days, I am in love with it. Been waiting for something like this for some time now. I will now use it as my go-to event/party/travel camera – in addition to my Olympus EM-1 (which I have a macro lens attached to always, and use primarily for product shots).
I am not a pro photographer, but I am a pro blogger, and I have to say, this is the ultimate blogger camera. Furthermore, even if I could justify the price of a Lecia Q, I would opt for this as it fits in a front sports coat pocket and renders beautiful shots right out of the camera, with ease.
When I look at the info of the image with the face of the blond child it says that the camera model is X-T1, and the info of the image with the leaves and waterdrops on it says that the camera model is the X100T. Is that correct?
Back when I tested the X70 Lightroom didn’t support the files. So I had to rename them to a model that Lightroom recognized. – Since the sensor is the same I just renamed to either xt10 xt1 or x100t.
But the images are indeed x70. 🙂
Thanks for your reply. That explains it 🙂 Great pictures and great review, by the way!
Wow. I’ve been thinking of getting a new camera for a few weeks now but keep dithering about which one to get. Thanks for helping me finally make up my mind.
It’s been a month or more since its release and your blog has still the best hands-on review for a utility standpoint – especially so from the touch and emotive side of things – which is important for me that’s how I communicate with my equipment. And I need to feel the moment. I loved my X-100S but my aging eyesight, spectacle frames and its power is affecting my joy filled experience with the viewfinder.
X70 as you have described affords a fun and different way of shooting with the quality of the Fuji-X system. I’m looking forward to a test run to match your excellent review of this “touch and shoot” camera! Thanks.
Yewie
Very useful review, thanks. I see you got the final version recently; does that mean you are planning to keep this camera? If so, what are the features that have convinced you to do so?
I sold my X100T a while ago (35mm is just not my preferred FL). I’m intrigued by this beast though since I do like the 28mm perspective but am wondering if it’s going to get enough use to justify the purchase….or, should I just get something pancakey for my X-T1?
Oh you bet. I LOVE this camera. (I even use it more than my X-Pro2….but don’t tell anyone:P) 😀 – Personally I like having two bodies with me, so having the X70 as my 28mm eq makes more sense to me than the standalone lens. 🙂
That’s good to hear. I have the 14mm and the 35mm f/1.4 (as well as the 56mm f/1.2). I rarely use the 14 as it’s not a FOV I’m generally targeting (I do like the lens when I need it though). I also have the 18-55 zoom and find that I’m often shooting at 18 but that combined with the X-T1 is a much larger package. Here in the US the 18mm f/2 is about $200 less than the X70 so that’s the dilemma I’m facing. I do like your thought of carrying 2 bodies and could see myself with the X70 and X-T1 with 35mm in a very small bag. I could even switch the 35 for 56 on occasion when I need the longer focal length….thanks for your insights and great images that are inspiring.
How would you compare X70 to LX100/DLux109 in terms IQ??? Many reviewers prefer Leica Dlux109 IQ. Thanks, victor
Hi Jonas
Well my X70 has arrived but the TCL-X100 doesn’t screw completely on to it, and whilst the WCL-X100 does fit it’s not a smooth fit. As the filter adapter fits perfectly there’s obviously no problem with the camera. Can you confirm if your convertors are perfect fits please?
Hi David. I have no issues with its fit. I even checked with the X70 in ultra close focus mode where the lens element extends at its fullest. There is no hindrance for me in regards to attaching either the TCL or WCL
Hi Jonas
That’s interesting. The WCL does screw on fully but it’s not a smooth movement when connecting. The TCL will fit but it seems to stop halfway and then needs pressure to connect it.
Maybe I’ve got a dud X70?
Hi Jonas,
I’m very unhappy with your review, it’s just cost me £550 😊 Seriously though, great review, it probably helped to finalise my decision to buy. I’m currently shooting an x100s and use the WCL-X100 adaptor but the prospect of the X70’s native 28mm equivalent and adapted 21mm equivalent sounds like an excellent companion to the X100s. I’ll be trying the X70 with the WCL-X100 adaptor before deciding whether to buy the WCL-X70 adaptor I notice the latter has a 67mm filter thread as opposed to the WCL-X100 49mm thread so I’m interested to know beforehand whether you noticed any vignetting when you tried it.
Anyway, thanks for the review, looking forward to playing with my new toy when it arrives 🙂
hahahaha. So sorry Barrie! 😀 – The WCL will give you substatial vigntting on the X70, whereas the TCL will not. The newly designed dedicated WCL-X70 will not give you vignetting.
Hello! Nice review! Can you recommend this camera for action photos? I want to buy a compact camera for personal photos at different events and for my kids when playing basketball… I understood that for the movies is not that great…
Excellent review and Excellent shots! 🙂
Hi mate! Would be possible if you could send me some examples of tele-converter TCL-X100 on Fuji x70? Wich mm do you get with it? 40-45mm?
Thay you, Jan
Great review. I have a X-T1 with some lenses but I’ve kinda drifted into landscapes and am thinking of simplifying. It seems to me this wouldn’t be a bad portable landscape camera with it’s 18mm lens.
Jonas
After about three weeks, i have penned some impressions of the X70. As a long time GR user, I am frankly quite impressed. Thought I might share the same with you. Still finding working with non-DNG files challenging in LR, but hoping to master this soon.
http://spode.zenfolio.com/blog/2016/3/the-fuji-x70-a-somewhat-comparative-review
Jonas,
At the moment I’m an olympus OMD E-M10 user, but are not satisfied with the way it handles.
So I’ve been looking around and the Fuji’s with al their direct accessible controls seem exactly what I’m looking for.
Searching for reviews brought me to your site.
I really like reading your reviews. They are very clear and fun to read.
Also very beautiful photo’s.
The thing now is that I can’t decide which camera to go for.
Doubting between the X70 and the X-T10.
Obvisously different camera’s with different strengths, which can also be considered their respective weaknesses.
X70 has nog viewfinder, but it makes the camera really small.
X-T10 has interchangeable lenses to make it more versatile, but one will have to change lenses.
So the big question for me is:
Which camera would you consider to be the most fun camera to shoot with?
Or in other words: wihch camera did ytou enjoy more shooting with?
Would really love to hear your opinion on this.
Thanks in advance.
Gertjan
Great review, but makes me wonder why Fujifilm hasn’t upgraded the x100t with new firmware. The younger sibling now has better AF and more features than x100t which is x70s bigger brother.
Great detailed post, a question if I may and I accept that some may laugh! As a pure street photographer and removing the obvious flexibility of on interchangeable lenses, how do you think that the X70 would compare to the X-T10 paired with the 27mm pancake lens for street photography?
Regards,
Keith
Love your website! Great product shots. Based on your review I recently got the X70 to supplement my XT-1. Very happy with it but I do miss the viewfinder in very bright sunshine. I had a look at the accessory viewfinder and really struggled with the cost but still feel I need it. Do you have any further views about it?
Now that I have read your review again I am going to answer my own question. If you mostly use the camera in the manner intended, as you described, then you really do not need the viewfinder. This camera is great as a discreet waist level street shooter. If the intention is to use it for landscape photography, the viewfinder only offers an approximate view anyway. Set up on a tripod, you would tend to use the screen. Indoors, bright light of course is not an issue. If you really must have a viewfinder, which costs approximately 30% of the value of the camera (ridiculous), then the X100 would be the way to go. One further point, the lens on the X70 is incredibly sharp, much more so than any of my other X series lenses…I just wish it had image stabilisation as well.
Hi Jonas! Thank you so much for your wonderful review(s), you are doing a great job 🙂 I also enjoy your blog immensely.
The other week I got my little Fujifilm X70 and I am still experimenting with its features (I usually shoot with Canon DSLR). There is one thing about the camera where I am stil uncertain whether it is a general ‘feature’ or whether I received a faulty camera: the touchscreen. It is extremely noisy.
The liquid crystals float around very visibly which makes it difficult to actually notice whether I focused correctly before the shot and I find them rather huge/grainy (but I am picky with that and do not experience anything like that with my other touchscreen gadgets). When reviewing the image it takes about 1-2 seconds to load the ‘calm’ picture. So I am just curious how your X70 is treating you screenwise? 🙂
Maybe you have it set on peak focus in manual focusing mode. I have a X70 and the condition you describe sounds like that, which of course is intentional. If it is not that, I would suggest you take it back to the retailer.
Hi Paul, thank you so much for your reply. I guess I will have to return it to the retailer then. Unfortunately it is not the peak focusing, I wish it was. You know the crystals (in white and red) you see floating around on the ‘black/lightless’ touchscreen when you turn the camera on while the cap is still on? I see them moving around like that all the time, in all settings. I took a sample picture of a jeans and on the screen you can see a pattern like tree-rings on the jeans (which is not on the jeans), the effect only gets lighter when zooming in and it is not on the real picture. Quite sad really, but I am glad I found it just in time to return it. Thank you again 🙂
Hi Keri!
Definitely sounds like a broken unit!
Regards, Jonas
Hi Jonas, a question for you. If you had to choose between an X70 and an X100t as your second camera, which would you choose. I ask because I’ve recently changed my XT1 for an XPro2, and for some reason (maybe styling) the overlap between the two is more noticeable, especially if you have a small lens like the 18mm or the 35mm f2 on it. I’m thinking that an X70 might make a better complement, and be used more in situations where I wouldn’t carry a bigger camera. Which would you have?
Your pragmatic review of the Fuji X 70 is “Bankable”!
The Leica Q Typ 116 is totally out of my league but I’ll be just fine with the 28-35-50 [OK, F 2.8) option offered by the X 70. Highly practical and intriguing at the same time.
“…shooting at 35 or 50 mm preserves 16 Mp output file” [unlike the Leica Q Typ 116].
“Of course you can see the compression when you look closer”
I think, a lot of your regular readers would appreciate a link to such an image.
This is exactly why you should never believe any “review” where the “reviewer” did not buy the product with their own money. They will ONLY say good things about the product and only bad things about the competition. Why? Because otherwise the company won’t send them any more products in the future.
This guy says shit about the GR that aren’t true at all. All the bad things about the X70 gets sugarcoated with lame excuses.
Speak the truth. Otherwise, call articles like this a “blog” instead of “review”. I foresee your site dying soon.
Are you alright buddy?
Hi Jonas,
Great review and really stunning pictures! I got my X70 a couple of days ago and I’m really enjoying it so far. Really pocketable!
I’ve read a number of blogs that show how RAW files from Fuji XTrans sensors lose some sharpness when processed in Lightroom, giving it a bit of a “smeary” look. This is comparing against JPEG SOOC or images converted using different software like Iridient/Capture One, where the converted images retain their sharpness. It certainly doesn’t look like it from your images processed in Lightroom (looks super sharp!). Have you noticed this and do you have any tips on how to circumvent this?
Unless you have a spectacular copy of the X-70, what you have said about the lens in not true. I have examined images from the XF-18mm and the XF 18-55 and both are sharper than the X-70 throughout. These findings concur with other reviews. Apart from that important point, I liked your review even though you work for Fuji!
Absolutely agree. Ricoh GR2 is far sharper…can’t compare. Nice camera with nice colours (also plasticky) but without good dynamics. Try Lumix and Leica…..Yes, the review is very good otherwise.
Nice review and fantastic pics (as always, you have an amazing affinity with light)
If the wclx100 can fit on the x70, I wonder if the wclx70 would work on the x100? I’ve always been tempted to add the wcl to my x100s but it doens’t seem like it goes quite wide enough…
Hi Jonas,
For portrait stuffs, maybe it’s better to use TCL-X100, instead of the built-in digital converter?
Can I ask how to do a close up with my fuji x70? I can´t find how to do it!!! heeeeelp me please
Great review, thank you!
Yesterday I went to play with the X70 at my local dealer and loved how it feels and functions. A solid little camera. I will be going back this week to see how much they would give me for my Fuji X-E1 + 35mm f/1.4 in return for one of these bad boys. Nice to get excellent image quality in a compact package and the touch tilt screen, wifi, and wide angle lens are nice additions (compared to X-E1) and I think they overweight the lack of viewfinder.
Cheers!
Dear Jonas
I love your review. It’s a pleasure to see how vibrant your simple, clear and graphic pics feels to me!
Are all of the pictures in these review RAW files edited in Lightroom 6? Even the one from the Girl with the blue eyes on the top of the review?
Best regards, a happy follower of your blog
Really like this camera now would they have any plans for an EVF?
The EVF is in the X100 series. The X70 would get much bigger is they added an EVF I think. Put a pop-up one like on Sony RX100 mk3 would be cool!
Great review and beautiful photos that helped me decide the X70 is a good match for what I need, so I just bought it. So far very happy with the purchase.
Actually just read through all the comments here as well, many useful questions… 🙂
I’m vety pleased to discover this site. I need
to to thank you for your time due to this wonderful read!!
I definitly loved every little bit of it and i also have you book-marked to see new things
on your blog.
I can always count on your reviews to make me NEED a new camera or lens. Beautiful review, beautiful photos, thanks man.
It’s obviously a bit smaller than the X100 series. However, I’m conflicted because the 35mm equiv. on the X100 seems more versatile and well rounded for everything from portraits to street. I wonder if an X100S is a better bet for people that only can choose one camera?
Great review, and one of the reasons for which i ended getting the x70. Love the colors you got out of the camera and the images, helped me make the decision between the ricoh and the fuji.
Hi
Thank you for a fantastic review, I have been a fan of Fuji ever since I bought the weather proof bridge S1, this was my first foray with a “proper” camera,soon to discover that its great for family snaps and allowing a little creativity with all the filters and special effects but lacking full creativity that a “professiona”l camera allows and being a total novice I was looking to get the Ricoh GR or X 100 t, but budget kind of forced it out of my price list so I was looking to buy second hand, that is until this camera came out and thanks to your review and looking at the images you achieved I bought the camera, and love it, with my limited camera skills I’m producing fantastic shots, so much so that I’m looking to join a camera club to exploit more from this little gem.
keep up the blogging
Best wishes
Great review.
Better search in a relevant review of the site and can understand much better if the reviews are like this. So, informative and gets ideas before buying camera that fits the needs of people who will use. Thank you for sharing great things!
Hello,
I hope not to make a “copy” question…
I apologize for my poor english.
Please, because I just bought an x70, and I wish I could add to it a teleconverter lens, but I can’t see anyone for the x70…
did you try the teleconverter of the x100 without any problems?
Does I need some special accessories in order to fit TCL-x100?
Because x70 seems to have no menu options for the TCL-x100, may be that its software does not correct the new focal images, and so I will get deformated images?
Best regards,
Andrea.
Mr Rask,
fantastic photogallery! I cannot stop looking at it
Kind regards, Juraj
Want to sell your X70? I’m searching for one, and they’re getting pretty hard to find!