The Fujifilm FinePix X100 is a truly amazing 'retro-hybrid' camera and YES, in my opinion, it's well worth the price...
Along with the cool and robust retro-rangefinder looks and body come manual controls for shutter speed, aperture and exposure compensation. The precision milled metal shutter speed dial sits on the magnesium alloy top plate of the X100 next to the shutter release button with speeds of 1/4 second to 1/4000 second in program mode and 30 seconds to 1/4000 second in all other modes.
The Fujifilm X100 features a large APS-C size CMOS 12.3 megapixel sensor that has been optimized to work efficiently as part of the whole. Three important elements come into play when it comes to producing the excellent image quality created by the X100. It’s the culmination of the 23mm (35mm equivalent) fixed focal length lens, large APS-C sized high-sensitivity sensor and a high-performance EXR image processor that produces extremely high quality images from low sensitivity to high sensitivity. With this perfect collaboration between elements, light is effectively gathered to the perimeter of the sensor resulting in sharper images with exceptional clarity. The strength of the large sensor is particularly relevant in low-light photography where little to no image noise will be found. This is a camera that is prepared to shoot anything at anytime optimized for edge-to-edge brilliance.
The Fujifilm X100's nearest rival is the Leica X1. However, in appearance, the X100 resembles a Leica M series camera... about the Leica X1: http://iluvcoolstuff.com/coolest-compact-digital-camera-leica-x1/
The Fuji X100 beats the Leica X1 in price (X1 = $1995) but mostly with its unique, newly innovated hybrid viewfinder providing both an optical viewfinder and electronic viewfinder mode at the flip of the switch mounted on the front of the camera body.Through the viewfinder window, you have a bright optical view of your subject providing a realistic and intimate feel, while at the same time, you can utilize the benefit of technology given a digital information overlay. With the flip of a switch, you can go to electronic viewfinder mode for the same view you would see on the LCD display including the ability to playback prior shots within the viewfinder itself.
Is it worth the price? That depends on what price you can get it for. The X100 is in extremely high demand and rarely in stock anywhere. I've read reviews from people that paid double the MSRP and are still very satisfied with the FinePix X100. Hopefully, at some point, supply will catch up with demand.
*Battery life approximately 300 frames