Fuji X100s vs OMD decisions

I've been waiting for Fuji to deliver the camera of my dreams and the XE-1 was almost it but I am still waiting, researching, and undecided on this big purchase. The X100s is once again throwing me off course and as I am missing golden moments with my young child every day.

So It has to deliver great shots of my kids as she grows up. She moves quick, is in school plays and lights up when she's running in the park. At night I need to be able to take a discreet camera out to clubs to shoot bands.

I've never gotten control of Flash photography and prefer low light.

So the OMD seems the best solution to cover these areas although I wish the EP-5 or whatever is coming next looked like a professional camera. All of this though is rationalization because I LOVE Fuji IQ. The X100s is soooo sexy and seems to have the autofocus and low light abilities I need. It's bigger than the OMD with a pancake and fixed lens is somewhat limiting. the XE-1 is just too bulky. I might as well have a DSLR at that point or go for the GH3.

My question I guess is could I just carry the X100s and get enough great shots in these environments to be satisfied? Do the m43 cameras really get taken out as often as an x100s would?

I'm always waiting on the next phase and now I have to wait until the end of March to make a decision. Then of course Panasonic is announcing in April I hear so I'll have to wait even longer.

Help!!! I know you all are going through the same things. Any soccer moms using an X100? Is the OMD really a compact camera that's not overly complicated? Do I need three primes or a kit lens and one prime? What does the digital zoom look like on the X100s? Is that as useful as having an RX100?

In the limited time I've had it, I've found the X-E1 + 35mm lens (with firmware updates) to do fine in capturing my 6 month old, but there obviously is no running/jumping involved. I did, however, use it to shoot a high school musical and found the AF to perform admirably and the fast aperture of the lens helped keep the shutter speed up enough that I could capture the action (though not 100% of the time). It definitely wasn't a point and shoot affair though and required some finessing to get the shots I wanted.

In my opinion an X100S, while indeed sexy, wouldn't be versatile enough to do all the things you mention - namely school plays (since you're limited to a relatively wide focal length) unless you're very close to the performers. A digital zoom is essentially the same thing as cropping the photo after you've taken it. As such, I wouldn't consider that a viable compensation for lack of longer focal lengths.

The OM-D E-M5 with a selection of a few m43 lenses is indeed a more versatile camera, and the Olympus menus, while they can seem daunting, are just as easy to get around using the Super Control Panel as Fuji's Q menu. An E-M5 even with a pancake isn't going to be quite as compact as an X100/X100S though, but its close. If you can do without the EVF, the E-PM2 could be a decent compromise.

Only you can decide what your priorities are, but I don't know that I could live with an X100S as my only camera.

I'd wait for Olympus to bring out the model that has been discussed on the Internet for quite awhile now and that is probably just two versions away. Based on what I've seen, often in discussions that have nothing to do with photography, the real superlative will be the OMG!

optigan, it seems like you need some slap-in-the-face sort of advice. Here is what I think you should do: Find a used X100 tonight. Check fredmiranda.com classifieds. Usually a few there. Then take some deep breaths. Then start not missing those "golden moments". With a very good camera in hand you will be able to make a patient and informed decision on what to buy next, and you'll gain a better idea of what you need. When you are ready to upgrade you shouldn't be out more than $100 if you re-sell the X100. I think that would be money very well spent.

OK, I'm going to put the cat amongst the pigeons here. First off, I love demrio's advice -- you don't want to be missing those "golden moments", so take quick action on an X100

Here's my take on it as a complete beginner when it comes to photography and a bit of a gear head. I went from DSLR to M43 because I didn't like the size of DSLRs. Then after M43 (which I still have), I wanted a bit more IQ, and settled on Fujifilm for those great colo(u)rs and ergonomics. I felt the other APS-C mirrorless systems had bodies too small for the lenses. The Fujifilm bodies tend to get it right in terms of size and ergonomics.

M43 is great -- I love it's compactness and its extremely respectable IQ, but started to come to the conclusion that it's not all that compact with the majority of the lenses the system has. If you don't have a pancake lens on the M43 body it's not really pocketable. So in my eyes, I wouldn't be choosing M43 for reasons of compactness.

If you love Fujifilm IQ, then I'd say you need to get a Fujifilm body. I think the X-E1 is a fine camera, and coupled with the XF 18-55mm zoom lens, you can cover many shooting situations. The XF 35mm f/1.4 lens is a stellar performer too.

Good luck, and let us know what you end up getting

Just do it. Do something, holding pat while the world goes by is not a good option.

I agree with Gary. Once you know what your options are, pick one and just go for it. But be clear on what each camera does.

Do you need to take shots of action on the soccer field? The X100S will get you a lot of field and many small players, the OMD will allow lenses to get you close up to the action. What are needs?

Are your shots of school plays going to be of the entire stage or most of it. If so, the Fuji will work wonderfully; if you need close-ups of faces on stages, you'll need the OMD or something else that will take a telephoto. Only you can answer what you need.

But once you've answered a couple of questions, go with your gut. Buying the wrong camera is eminently fixable.

This ultimately boils down to you and how you shoot. I'm sure both cameras are excellent even though I haven't messed with the X100S in person yet. I own the OMD E-M5 in addition to several other cameras and the biggest benefit of the OMD is flexibility from the lens selection and the flash system.

The X100 and new X100S are great but you have to live with the fixed lens ... not a deal breaker for many people and many situations, but it is a limitation.

I've used m4/3 cameras to capture everything for 9mm (18mm equivalent in 35mm film terms) to 200mm (400mm in 35mm film terms). If that range is something you need then the OMD is the obvious choice. If you are content with a normal (35mm equivalent) lens then that lens flexibility isn't a major advantage and you might as well get the X100S.

Or possibly dabble in both worlds?? You could grab a Panny GX1 or G3 (with the Oly 45mm or Panny 20mm), which although not quite the IQ of the OMD, is better than the older 12mp Oly sensor and still has very quick AF, lots of control and the option of external flash if you like. and then add the x100 for super IQ and low light performance. All this would cost less than the XE1 with kit zoom. The GX1/G3 are very cheap right now but still very good cameras and the G3 is really no bigger than the OMD.

the longer you wait to make a decision the more confusing it will become and you will end up "always waiting for the next best thing", I have both Fuji X100 and Mu43 cameras.

The Fuji is a superb camera for landscape, portrait, street, general photography and slower moving objects - it is not and never has been prescribed for sport or fast moving subject matter and I suspect the same will apply to the X100s despite it have both contrast & phase detection AF.

The IQ of the current & new X100s will surpass that of any current (and I suspect future) mu43 camera purely down to sensor size but, unless you are printing larger than A3 it will not be very evident.

I suspect that your needs depict use of an interchangeable lens camera and the OMD does have fast AF as well as good low light capability and with the lens selection is probably a better option for your usage.

Don't procrastinate as you are losing out on valuable images of your childs growing phases and the camera you have in your hands is better than the one you have in your head.

Just Do It (in the words of Nike)!

Thanks everyone. You all have given me great incite. It seems that the OMD or even the GX1 with the lenses I need are more useful but an old X100 that holds most of it's value is something everyone should have. I am going to check fredmiranda. Thanks and I will let you all know how it goes. The XE-1 as much as I like it feels still too big and slow but I should probably hold one before I jump to conclusions.

The Xe-1 and the X100 are basically the same size.If by slowness you are referring to autofocus,the x100 is slower than the Xe-1.

optigan said:

I've been waiting for Fuji to deliver the camera of my dreams and the XE-1 was almost it but I am still waiting, researching, and undecided on this big purchase. The X100s is once again throwing me off course and as I am missing golden moments with my young child every day.

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There is enough gear available today which is better than good enough for your needs. The golden moments you miss photographically will be lost forever. You have to decide what is more important to you: documenting golden moments with your child or waiting for the next camera around the corner.

optigan said:

The X100s is soooo sexy and seems to have the autofocus and low light abilities I need. It's bigger than the OMD with a pancake and fixed lens is somewhat limiting.

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Is it? I have an OM-D and am thinking of returning it for an X100S for portability. I'd hate to be wrong. I tried the X-E1 and it's too big. But I am pretty sure that the OM-D with a pancake like the the Panasonic 20mm/1.7 is bigger than the X100S. If I believe camerasize.com, a pancake would have to be extremely thin to provide the same depth as the X100S (so maybe the 14mm/2.5 would work but it's quite wide), and the hump of the OM-D definitely makes it bigger. I find that the slightly longer width seems less of a problem than the height and hump when putting the camera in a coat pocket.

Did you get am OM-D with pancake and an X100 (not S but about same size) together and compare?

depscribe said:

I'd wait for Olympus to bring out the model that has been discussed on the Internet for quite awhile now and that is probably just two versions away. Based on what I've seen, often in discussions that have nothing to do with photography, the real superlative will be the OMG!

Click to expand...

Anything you can point us to? When I'm returning my OM-D I definitely will have the option to wait... and borrow my son's E-PL2

^If the camera being referred to is the E-P5, current rumours are that it won't have a built in EVF and I know that was something many people were really hoping for and will be disappointed by. The other rumour I've heard is regarding a successor to the E-M5 that will allow full focusing compatibility with FourThirds Lenses. Here are the related posts on the rumour sites:

(FT5) New E-P5 coming soon and definitely has no viewfinder. Price close to $1,000. - 43 Rumors

New "talked to Olympus rep" rumor :) - 43 Rumors

Here is the OM-D/14mm VS X100.You can see they are very similar in size.The OM-D eyecup makes it a little thicker.Neither would fit in a pocket so I don't think any size difference matters, practically speaking.Btw,this is the lens combo I use the most as I prefer a wide view.

OM-D VS X100 by HIGH CONTRAST1, on Flickr

OM-D VS X100 by HIGH CONTRAST1, on Flickr

pictor said:

There is enough gear available today which is better than good enough for your needs. The golden moments you miss photographically will be lost forever. You have to decide what is more important to you: documenting golden moments with your child or waiting for the next camera around the corner.

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Have to quote for truth. I only have an X10, but the family shots I've gotten with that in the six months I've had it are priceless to me. I'm waiting and trying to decide what to get when I advance further but I don't want to stop shooting now.

spinyman said:

Here is the OM-D/14mm VS X100.You can see they are very similar in size.The OM-D eyecup makes it a little thicker.Neither would fit in a pocket so I don't think any size difference matters, practically speaking.Btw,this is the lens combo I use the most as I prefer a wide view.

OM-D VS X100 by HIGH CONTRAST1, on Flickr

OM-D VS X100 by HIGH CONTRAST1, on Flickr

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Gotta point out, though: the X100 sure is a lot prettier! Just sayin'....

bobbywise said:

OK, I'm going to put the cat amongst the pigeons here. First off, I love demrio's advice -- you don't want to be missing those "golden moments", so take quick action on an X100

Here's my take on it as a complete beginner when it comes to photography and a bit of a gear head. I went from DSLR to M43 because I didn't like the size of DSLRs. Then after M43 (which I still have), I wanted a bit more IQ, and settled on Fujifilm for those great colo(u)rs and ergonomics. I felt the other APS-C mirrorless systems had bodies too small for the lenses. The Fujifilm bodies tend to get it right in terms of size and ergonomics.

M43 is great -- I love it's compactness and its extremely respectable IQ, but started to come to the conclusion that it's not all that compact with the majority of the lenses the system has. If you don't have a pancake lens on the M43 body it's not really pocketable. So in my eyes, I wouldn't be choosing M43 for reasons of compactness.

If you love Fujifilm IQ, then I'd say you need to get a Fujifilm body. I think the X-E1 is a fine camera, and coupled with the XF 18-55mm zoom lens, you can cover many shooting situations. The XF 35mm f/1.4 lens is a stellar performer too.

Good luck, and let us know what you end up getting

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Plus 1, what Bobbywise said. BY the way,the XE1, is not large, in fact your OMD is 4 7/8 wide x 3 1/2 tall x 1 5/8 thick and 15 oz. On the other hand The XE1 is only 1/8" wider but smaller in the other two dimensions, 2.95" tall, ie ,1/2" shorter than OMD, and 1.5" thick, 1/8" thiner than OMD which is 1 5/8" thick, and the XE1 is also 2 3/4 oz lighter that OMD. A Lot of people think the Fuji XE1 is larger and bulkier than OMD., but in reality it is not.!
Enjoy the journey on your quest.
Dennis