Did you questioned the power of marketing...

Last Updated:- 11th March 2024

My wife showed me the following meme over breakfast. I enjoy the blog and the subjects we cover. I am also grateful for all the comments and emails. My blog views averaged record highs in 2023, and this year is a surprising WOW. Thank you all. I have no reason to complain. So why the notion to walk away from this blog? My wife and I received news about a healthy young mother having a sudden stroke. We saw what was coming in 2021/22 and said no, while many accepted everything without questions. I have a good feel for marketing and the power of repetition. I also studied various papers about mass formation (hypnosis) and how people are tricked into absurdity. The urge to walk away surges each time I see YouTube presenters repeating the same digital camera lines...

Paper straws or bags are part of an ongoing market survey. Why, many would say? How much does it take to survey large samples of the population? A short documentary is enough to highlight the plastic crisis in the ocean. Marketers know the population trusts their social media or TV talking heads when they accept absurdity. Self-appointed enforcers are also critical when measuring these surveys..?

The new Fuji X100VI compact camera

Last updated:- 23rd February 2024

Introduction.

Fujifilm's CEO, Teiichi Goto, announced the new X100VI high-end compact digital camera at a live X-Summit event in Tokyo on 20 February 2024. The Fuji X100VI is the 6th variation of the original X100 introduced in December 2010. The Fuji X100 series has a rich history as a high-end camera for those enthusiasts looking for a compact camera with film simulations and good image quality.

The new Fuji X100VI with IBIS and 40MP BSI sensor. The X100VI product page...

The new Fuji X100VI high-end compact camera

The Fuji X100 family of high-end compacts shares the unique X-Series look and feel and incremental improvements between models. The success of the X100 series is probably a result of consistency. Fuji X100V photographers know what can be expected from the new Fuji X100VI... 

Here is a short overview of the Fuji X100 family:

The X100 family is a range of high-end compact cameras. Many fine details like the viewfinder, ND filters, digital converters, Fuji film simulations, and many more made them a sought-after family of high-end compact cameras. Fujifilm also continues to deliver the augmented value photographers expect from a manufacturer with a history of designing and making photography equipment.

There's no reason why the X100VI should fail. It will be fun to follow this new high-end camera from Fuji. The Fuji marketing department is also respected for its consistent track record. Olympus and Fuji enjoy customer loyalty for their quality products and regular firmware updates. For example, the original X100 received significant firmware and AF updates months after the newer model.

The new Fuji X100VI (40MP) high-end compact camera.

The evolving macro environment and events of the past 3 years impacted consumer confidence and people queuing for the latest product releases. The photography segment also experienced subtle changes in the past 3 years. One of the most exciting changes is a young generation of photographers discovering used cameras like the original Fuji X100. Used cameras were never this popular.

Should one buy the X100VI? For example, does it offer enough improvements to prevent consumers from getting the more competitively priced and used X100V? Marketers are working hard to make people believe all photographers crop their photos. They won't say the older 26MP BSI sensor of the XT-4 and X100V has better low light and shadow performance than the new 40MP sensor.

The Olympus Pen-F with the 17mm f1.8 MZuiko lens.

Those who know sensor size and cropping are less critical than we're told evaluate more about the camera. One of the aspects experienced photographers evaluate is the manufacture of a camera. Fuji is an example of what photographers could expect when buying a camera. See this short video of a photographer upgrading to a new or "better" camera. He lists several good points to consider.

Most IQ differences are linked to the manufacturer's image processing preferences. Any measurable differences are often more distinct than the visual differences. The DxOMark image quality database is an example of measured differences. Any preference for a unique image look or supporting camera features is mostly manufacturer or brand-specific. It's best to first spend time with a camera...

Olympus launched the Pen-F in January 2016. It competed with the 16MP Fuji X100T. One shouldn't compare the X100 series with the Pen-F because the Pen-F is an interchangeable lens camera. The link to the Pen F is the creative, color, and high-end aspects of the Fuji X100 family. Although two radically different cameras, the Pen F and EP-7 are surprisingly competitive alternatives.

Conclusion

I have been playing with the idea of focusing on used cameras. I am also a long-term Olympus fanboy and have much joy with my aging Olympus collection. I bought my new Fuji X-T5 in January 2023 because Fuji is the closest to everything I value about my Olympus gear. Would you sell all your M43 equipment to buy a Fuji XT-5, or would you prefer to exclusively focus on the new X100VI?

I wrote an article in 2019 reviewing the EM5 III, the Olympus financial scandal, and the turnaround. Go read this short overview of Olympus from 2012 to 2020. The article raises several interesting facts and questions, like what moved Olympus to ignore a rich history of developing and manufacturing top-quality, innovative cameras and successfully manage a challenging turnaround?

The OMD EM5 III and Olympus Financial Scandal - link.

Best

Siegfried

A new OM-System Pen F II

Last Update:- 17th February 2023

Introduction.

I invite all Olympus photographers who enjoy creative, color, and monochrome profiles to come and dream with me about an OM-System Pen F II. I discussed my preliminary reasons for a real OM-System camera in my OM-1 II overview. OMS has a unique opportunity to design a Pen F II with an Advanced User Interface following the visionary design achievements of Olympus. While manufacturers did a great job of letting digital cameras feel more analog, the camera's user interface stagnated in the past 15 years. We mainly saw higher resolutions, flippy displays, and different menus.

Digital cameras use a basic display format with numerical Aperture, Shutter, and ISO values. This led to photographers accepting analog exposure techniques like the Exposure Triangle. For example, many digital photographers were told the ISO function adjusts sensor sensitivity. The key points of having a "new" electronic image sensor were never fully explained to digital photographers.

The Olympus SCP was a great idea from the 4/3 DSLR days. Picture source.

It's fascinating how manufacturers never applied the camera's sensor and CPU to assist photographers with advanced Graphical Displays and information like hyperfocal points, Aperture & Shutter speed effects, focus stacking, and flash photography. Modern motorcars are a great example of displaying relevant and processed data to the driver. For example, how often do we increase our ISO without realizing it's possible to gain +1EV by changing the focus and aperture combination? 

The new User Interface should display more processed info from the sensor and TruePix CPU. The Sensor Performance Meter and advanced features, like hyperfocal focus points and a DOF meter, are examples of a future User Interface. It should offer photographers more options for preparing their cameras. Study the article for more about the next generation of OM-System cameras.

The Sensor Performance Meter is based on the following:-

• Redesign the camera display but keep the aperture, shutter, and ISO dials.
• All image sensors have a Noise Floor that is independent of sensor size.
• We have some control over the SNR or the visibility of the Noise Floor.
• Shutter Speed, Aperture, and ISO are part of the Exposure Formula, BUT:
• The Aperture and Shutter control the light reaching (exposing) the sensor.
• The ISO amplifies the image signal, and sensor sensitivity is factory set. 
• We can improve our SNR (Sensor Saturation) by adding more light to the sensor.
• The reverse happens (more image noise) when the sensor receives less light...
• The camera's Auto Exposure (default) settings give us Good Image Quality. (D)
• The synergy between Enhanced Raw Files, OMS cameras, and WS is unbeatable.

Study this article for a more detailed explanation of the DxO "Image Quality Database."

Study this article for more on exposure and how to apply the ISO "Image Brightness."

Olympus photographers benefit most from a new Sensor Performance Meter because it improves the understanding of sensor saturation and image noise. It will also help OM-System to establish a new dynamic amongst photographers and exit the sensor size and autofocus cycle repeating itself with each new camera. See my OM-System OM-1 II overview for more about a new OMS camera...

How do we benefit from working with Sensor Saturation and ISO amplification? Because it's possible to manage the sensor separately from the ISO. This lets us think differently about the ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed. It opens new options, like using a saturated sensor to lower the ISO (image brightness) for more control over highlights. The ISO and Workspace EC slider are basically the same thing. That means we can set our final image brightness in Workspace. This is why the Sensor Performance Meter has an A/B display option for the camera. See this article for more...

What could the new OM-System camera be like?

The new OMS camera could be like the Pen F, EP-7, or Fuji X100V with the new User Interface and a low noise, high sensitivity 24MP BSI MOS sensor. The target segment should be street, family, travel, event, and hobby photographers. Focus on creative AI features versus AF AI solutions. The new camera's AF system should be a clever derivative of the EM1 III (OM-5) AF technology.

The focus should be creativity, flexibility, IQ, profiles, and a Workspace App for tablets and Mobiles. Study the unique needs of the target segment with new AI, computational, and creative features.

Here are some suggestions for the new camera:-

• Go back to high-quality metal camera bodies. Pls not like the Pen EP-7.
• Hue and Luminance options for the Color Adjust function in the camera.
• Add the Clarity and Dehaze sliders of Workspace to the camera's menu.
• Create a function that will copy and paste color information in Workspace.
• Rethink the ISO function by expanding its link to the Workspace EC slider.
• This camera should have a high-res EVF and display plus related features.
• The new Sensor Performance Meter simplifies sensor saturation and the ISO.
• A graphical DOF slider and AI focus options to optimize aperture selections.
• Flexible Tonal options (profiles) & AI options to tweak the Gamma Curve.
• Consider the following new AI options:-
• Landscape DOF automation (AI) plus control.
• Unique AI features for street photographers.
• People, family events, and children AI features.
• I am no macro guy. Do they have any AI ideas..?
• Focus AI on applications and NOT autofocusing.
• Build new creative communities to discuss and share info and color profiles.
• The focus should be flexibility, image quality, color, and communication.
• 8EV IBIS, Multi-Aspect Ratios, and super quick handheld 50MP High Ress.
• The TruePic IX or X image processor with social media vertical videos. 
• Design selective improvements for the Workspace video editing function.
• The video capabilities of this camera should be tailored for this segment.
• This is NOT a high-speed Pro Camera for bird and wildlife photographers.
• This should not be another "hybrid" camera. A photo camera with video...
• The simplicity of the Pen EP-7 is perfect. We need just a little more...
• Label this new OM-System camera a Pen-F II to accelerate its success...

Why would "size and capture" fanboys NEVER accept this illustration? Because it doesn't support their "size and capture" theory...

Conclusion

Each digital photographer should get the chance to learn more about digital cameras, especially the link between the image sensor, sensor saturation, SNR, exposure formula, and ISO amplification. In fact, it's disappointing when M43 photographers on YouTube say the analog Exposure Triangle is OK for planning your exposure or the ISO function adjusts sensor sensitivity. I can't help but question the seriousness of those ignoring the unique differences of digital cameras...

A helicopter overview of the Image Signal Path, Exposure Controller, and Workspace. Study this link.

Are you aware of the ongoing "grassroots" and social media action against DxOMark? I studied their camera ratings while prepping my recent article on their Image Quality Database. DxO is receiving overwhelmingly biased reactions from "size and capture" fanboys. Why the animosity? Because DxO does not support or promote the "size and capture" theory like many camera review sites. How do I know that? Study how DxO defines image quality (SNR). Is this why we had no test results on newer cameras from OM-System? My only interest in DxOMark is their IQ database. The last Olympus camera they tested was the Olympus EM1 II. It would be great to have more Olympus cameras tested...

Best

Siegfried