The Fujifilm X100, which was announced at last year’s Photokina trade show, has had its full specs confirmed ahead of its March release. Most importantly the sensor, a 12MP APS-C, now includes EXR processing technology, coupled with the fixed f/2.0 23mm lens for utmost quality. As far as new information is concerned: the addition of a 720p HD movie mode and a high end sensitivity of up to ISO 12,800 are are the most significant new headlines.

The most eye-catching feature is still the innovative dual (reverse Galilean) viewfinder, which offers both optical and EVF varieties in a single eye piece. The result is the ‘best of both worlds’, giving the user a real world impression and through the sensor preview prior to taking the shot. As What Digital Camera can attest after previewing the camera at last year’s Photokina trade show the X100’s results are impressive.

In terms of the X100’s optics and the lens is a fixed wideangle 23mm, equating to a 35mm equivalent in full frame/35mm terms. With an f/stop of f/2.0 the images returned should be impressively bright, with the ability for some superb bokeh and shallow depth of field effects. The lens also bears the Fujinon name and has a built-in NDA filter to allow up to a three stop reduction in light when needed.

The 12.3MP CMOS sensor is of the larger APS-C format, as found in most enthusiast DSLRs. This has been paired with the lens to aim to give the best possible end product. The EXR technology, first seen in the Finepix F70 EXR compact camera, is actually an entirely different concept as the sensor is not of an EXR construction. Instead the EXR processing will, so Fuji claims, produce the same kind of results as the EXR sensor utilising processing from the sensor read out. In combination with the maximum ISO 12,800 rating the X100 should be capable of some highly impressive low light performance.

The X100’s design is also something to be lauded, looking more like a throwback to the mid-century rangefinder models rather than a cutting edge compact. With die-cast magnesium alloy providing the upper and bottom portions of the camera there should be plenty of weight to the Fujifilm X100, as well as a number of DSLR-style manual control dials. ISO is also sat on top of the camera in dial form allowing for instant alterations.

Raw shooting makes an appearance and can be accessed via a dedicated button, as does a number of classic Fuji film simulation modes including Velvia and Provia. Finally the built-in Panorama mode can stitch together images from up to a half rotation (180degrees), and the Fujifilm X100 can also bracket AE, ISO and Dynamic Range for HDR shots.

The Fujifilm X100 will be £999 when on the shelves next month. More info as and when we have it.