Fujifilm Cameras - Are they good? (X100S)?

A few questions about Fujifilm and this X100S camera.

1) So I saw that new X100S. It looked really nice. But, how well of cameras do Fujifilm make? I'm under the impression that Nikon, Canon, Leica, and Hasselblad are top dogs in the field of cameras… But is Fujifilm cameras a good investment too?

2) Don't get me wrong. I looked into the camera myself. And I like what it does and all. But, how is the quality of the camera build itself? The camera goes for about $1200 or so. So I don't really know if that's a high price for this type of camera, or it's cheap compared to other brands of the same type of camera.

3) I noticed that Canon and Nikon do a new update to their top line every 3 years or so. But some, like Canon's Rebel line is about ever 6 month or so. My question here is, will the X100S get an update in a few month, or in a few years? I try to find the release date of the X100, but had no luck.

Fujifilm makes excellent cameras, but the X100s is not an all-purpose tool for a beginner. Your question suggests that you're inexperienced in photography. Before you spend $1, 200 on a sophisticated, specialized tool, perhaps you ought to get a simpler camera and learn more about photography. If I were you, I'd spend $500 on a Canon G-15 or a Nikon P 7000. These are small cameras that take excellent pictures and shoot in RAW. I'd also join a camera club or take some classes.

Later, when your tastes and preferences are developed, you may want a more expensive camera but for now, I think you'll feel limited by the rangefinder design of the X100s. On the other hand, some people prefer rangefinders to SLRs. Here's a site where you can learn more about them:

http://rangefinderforum.com/