Last week we test and wrote a little Review on Fujifilm first and true 3D Camera, the W1, and just less than 24h we publish our review, Fujifilm Japan contacted us in order to find out why we were so disappointed with this camera, and invited us to talk about it face to face in order that both Fujifilm and the Akihabara News team could discuss this matter.

First of all I would like to stress how surprise I was to meet such an open-minded staff during this meeting over at Fujifilm, something quite rare in Japan…

So what was all the fuzz about?

First let’s summarize the different point on this W1 which disappointed us and we discuss with Fujifilm.
1) GUI, or Graphic User Interface.
2) Poor Quality photo in General (2D) for a camera sold in Japan for 50000 - 60000yen (370€ - 441€).
3) Limited use of the 3D with the Camera Alone.

We are not going to go too much in details here of what has been discuss, Fujifilm gave us many information in order to better “understand” their W1 concept that we cannot share with you, however, it is very important to understand that what you are going to read includes the information Fujifilm provided us during the meeting.
There are no doubts that this W1, a first generation 3D camera cannot be 100% perfect. Although Fujifilm says it will work hard to come up with even superior products in the future, Fujifilm is confident that W1, as it is, is a revolutionary product that expands consumer enjoyment of photography.

GUI
The GUI, or Graphic User Interface, is has far has we are concerned, rough and complicated, once again who is always going to carry with him his user manual in order to be able to change the ISO speed of his camera? How many picture who may miss if you have to first understand and have to go so many different menus in order to get the correct setting for the correct pictures?
This is what we are talking about here, I am not looking for a fancy looking GUI, but something quick and efficient enough in order to get what I want easily and quickly.
On this point Fujifilm understood our frustration and told us that GUI is for them something important and that like many things it can be improved, it is very possible that in the future, Fujifilm will proposer better GUI generation after Generation in order to offer the best experience possible ever.

Poor Quality Photo in 2D
Yes we were disappointed with the results of the picture we took and yes we are still disappointed with them even now, and even after check photo taken by Fujilfim… Several examples that Fujifilm showed us during this meeting were printed on photo paper. Granted the W1 thanks to its newly tweak image processor is better in low noise than other 10Mpix Point and Shoot, there are still some “area” which needs to be improved. Yes, compared to the latest EXR series, the W1 and its 10Mpix censors still does not give us the quality were could expect from a 60 000 Yen worth Camera (441€).
Fujifilm implies that some improvement could be done in the future products to make it even better, however, and after some careful comparison, the W1 is in the good average, and possibly a little better than other Point and Shoot… The W1 will in 2D mode surely please many causal photographers, but, once again there is here also room for improvement for the “advance” user looking for better picture. And this improvement may come with the possible adoption of the EXR technology in a future…

Limited use of the 3D with the Camera Alone.
Yes the W1 is a Real 3D camera YES the 3D Result is stunning and I have proof just in front of me for that… However, it seems that many people did not understood what we wanted to say here…
Let’s imagine for ma minute that you bought a W1, you are very happy with it and shoot a lot of 3D photos and videos with it… Now that your camera is full of 3D wonder, you are eager to share them with your friend and family, you plug your camera to your PC and then send the 3D file to grandma or your friends or lover, who will discover that they have no way what so ever to enjoy your photo… And this is all want is matter here…

Yes the W1 can make stunning photo in 3D, and we saw amazing one at Fujifilm HQ shut at Okinawa undersea, but alone, and even for yourself the W1 is pretty much useless… Want to enjoy your art? You will have only 3 solution at your disposal with either your W1 screen, the 40 000 Yen (297€) 3D Frame from Fujifilm or thanks to special 3D LCDs with special glasses, as well as being capable to print your photo thanks to Fujifilm online 3D printing solution which will later send you’re your pictures, like the one here below.
And this is right here the major problem… As for today if you happen to purchase a W1 alone you will have a lot of difficulties to appreciate your 3D photo.
Never we complained about the 3D quality of the pictures taken on the W1, we just complained that Fujifilm did not gave with the W1 a software capable to enjoy 3D pictures on a PC or Mac.

Now after spending quite sometimes to discuss this matter with Fujifilm Staff, and all agreed that YES the 3D pictures are wonderful, Fujifilm realized the needs for them to give alternate solution to enjoy 3D photos to anyone… like a little Software you could install on your PC or grandma PC who will now be capable to enjoy each pictures in 3D you are sending her…. And on this final point, even if we cannot promise you anything at this point, Fujifilm has already technically the solution for all of us… Now it is just a matter of whether or not Fujifilm will give this solution to their actual customers or future one.

Fujifilm’s idea behind the W1
Fujifilm understood from the beginning that 3D photography was targeted to a limited niche of enthusiasts, but they are also working on improving their technology as well as working with other manufacturer to make their technology a standard and as compatible as possible with other devices… It is a long road for them, but they have the will and their 3D photo, once you are capable to fully enjoy them, are really breathtaking… So let’s be patient and let’s see what the future will offer us.

Conclusion
Now we hope that you have a better understanding of what our first article was all about as well as the W1 from Fujifilm, and if you still have doubts, just wait for the W1 to reach your country and test the beast by yourself, after all, who can be better judge of what you like or not that yourself?…

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