Dilemma purchasing the X100

So these badboys have arrived in some camera shops around Auckland, New Zealand. Can get one for about NZD $1599 (=USD $1181)

This will be my first camera and I will be doing all round shots (street photography, portraits, macro and landscape shots). I was initially looking at a Canon 550D with a prime lens or canon 24-105 L lens. But now I'm leaning towards a smaller camera and easier to carry around but still able to take superb photos. Hence, now my choices are the Panasonic GF2, GF1 + 20mm f1.7 lens, Olympus PEN EPL-2 and Fujifilm Finepix X100.

I am able to get the GF1 + 20mm f1.7 lens kit for about NZD $900 (=USD 664) but thats without the viewfinder though.

I am interested in the X100 because it's newer, comes with large sensor, compact size, reasonable price since it's a competitor to the Leica X1 (or poor man's M9 rather). Given that the GF1 was released in 2009(?), should I be leaning towards newer tech? I am also looking to keep the camera for a long time and not replacing it every year.

Would you top up about USD $300-400 to get the X100 as the price not too significant compared to a GF1 + 20mm + viewfinder which should add up to about USD $800 in total.

GF1 + 20mm f1.7 lens without viewfinder addon = USD $652
GF2 14-45mm kit without viewfinder addon = USD $782
X100 = USD $1171

What are your thoughts?

bought mine last Friday from a local Auckland, NZ store

Price was not bad NZD 1600 (=RM 3562)




This post has been edited by Chiggah: Mar 22 2011, 04:44 AM

I have yet to give it a test drive I can tell you this thing rapes for night photography. It handles processing in the high ISO range EXTREMELY WELL compared to my friends Canon 5D Mark II, if not better.. Built in 3 stop ND filter for those long exposure nuts! Most importantly, its a compact with a freaking functioning viewfinder. Lens is razor sharp at F2 as well. I feel the manual focus is a bit slow because it's not a true rangefinder. Macro has to be used in EVF mode, not OVF, which forces you to switch modes.

I have included some test shots with no in-camera editing or post processing like lightroom

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60920738@N08/...in/photostream/

http://img35.imageshack.us/f/19450410150161929352603.jpg/

I'm sure you can find better photo samples on the net though. There's quite a number of user reviews floating around

This post has been edited by Chiggah: Mar 22 2011, 07:53 PM

It has full auto, just doesn't have a one-all-button Auto like a standard digital camera. You have to just switch your aperture ring to (A) and shutter speed to (A).

The focus is very fast. You can see it here..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSP-JpLQlNk

This post has been edited by Chiggah: Mar 23 2011, 07:20 AM

Yes it's a good deal. Who is doing that deal ?

U bought the camera and free leather bag for $3888 ?

So how much did the sample hood and adaptor ring cost u ?

Which shop in PJ/KL got stock lens hood and adapter ring ?

Anyone know who has stock for Adapter ring and Lens hood ? urgently NEED one

anyone know how much is the LH-X100 lens hood + adapter ring ?? Which shop got stock ?