Fujifilm X-Pro1

Review based on a production X-Pro1 with firmware version 1.10

NOTE: On September 18th 2012 Fujifilm released Firmware version 2.0 for the X-Pro1. This improves certain key aspects of operation addressed in this review, most notably both autofocus and manual focus performance. Please bear this in mind when reading this review, we'll be revisiting our conclusions in due course.

When Fujifilm announced its FinePix X100 retro-styled large-sensor compact at Photokina 2010, it captured the imagination of serious photographers in a way the company seemed not to have quite anticipated. The X100's combination of 'traditional' dial-based handling and outstanding image quality brought widespread plaudits, making it something of a cult classic despite its undeniable flaws. The subsequent addition to the range of the X10 compact, with its bright, manually-controlled zoom lens, has cemented Fujifilm's resurgence as a brand worthy of serious attention.

The X100 may have looked very traditional but it housed some very modern technologies - foremost amongst which was its hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder. This design not only allowed the choice of a rangefinder-style optical view or a fully electronic view, but was also able to overlay electronic data over the optical viewfinder. It was a masterpiece of engineering, but appeared to be a design very much dependent on its use with an integrated prime lens.

With the X100's success and the increasing popularity of mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras, it seemed only a matter of time before Fujifilm would introduce a higher-end model with exchangeable lenses. That camera has now arrived in the shape of the X-Pro1, whose name leaves absolutely no doubt as to its intended market: it becomes the first of its type specifically aimed at professional photographers.

highlights

The X-Pro1 is the start of an all-new camera system, with a brand new mount and lenses. It's unashamedly targeted at a high-end audience, with analogue control dials and a small set of compact, large-aperture primes available at launch. Fujifilm is keen to stress its future commitment to the system, with a promise of seven more lenses by spring 2013, and further camera models to come too. Key features are:

Fujifilm-designed 16MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensor Novel colour filter array to suppress colour moiré, no optical low-pass filter EXR Processor Pro image processor Dual-magnification hybrid optical / electronic viewfinder Analogue dials for shutter speed and exposure compensation on top of camera All-new, fully electronic X lens mount; 17.7mm flange-to-sensor distance Three 'XF' lenses at launch: XF 18mm F2 R, XF 35mm F1.4 R, and XF 60mm F2.4 R Macro Prime lenses have traditional-style aperture rings (1/3 stop increments) and large manual focus rings Revised rear-panel control layout On-screen 'Q' control panel and redesigned tabbed menu system Focal-plane shutter, 1/4000 sec max speed 3.0" RGBW 1.23M dot LCD

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Fujifilm X10

Review based on a production X10 with firmware 1.03

The is the company's first entry into what is becoming an increasingly crowded enthusiast compact camera segment. The proliferation of smartphone camera use - coming at the expense of traditional compact camera sales - sees manufacturers showing a welcome interest in catering to the needs of enthusiasts. These users often desire a second 'carry-anywhere' camera but still value direct access to photographic controls and demand image quality significantly higher than that of entry-level point and shoot models. As such, the selection of high-end compact cameras like the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 and Olympus XZ-1 has grown to include large-sensor fixed lens models like the Canon PowerShot G1 X and most recently, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100.

The X10 is Fujifilm's attempt to entice advanced shooters willing to pay a premium for higher image quality and specs in a very small, if not pocketable package. Its retro design aesthetic bears the DNA of the company's X100 and X-Pro1 models with a magnesium alloy body, sleek rangefinder-inspired design and a wealth of external dials and buttons.

The X10's innards are as progressive as its exterior is nostalgic. It features a 12MP, '2/3" type' sensor, which is twice as large as those used in almost all traditional compacts and between 26% and 40% larger than the sensors used by some of its enthusiast compact peers. Indeed the X10's sensor can only be considered small next to the impressively sized sensors in the more expensive Canon G1 X and Sony RX100. The also uses the company's unique 'EXR' technology that makes it easy to combine pairs of pixels to produce 6MP images that have either been averaged to reduce noise, or differently-exposed so that more highlight information is captured. The underlying chip uses a conventional CMOS arrangement, rather than the back-side illuminated type that can help improve light capture in small sensors.

Despite its relatively large sensor, Fujifilm manages to find room for an image-stabilized, retracting 28-112mm equivalent F2.0-2.8 lens. In a very welcome move it also features a 'proper' mechanical zoom ring. The large aperture lens offers two main advantages; it allows the use of lower ISOs in low light for better image quality, and can deliver blurred backgrounds when shooting portraits at the telephoto end. Indeed in this respect it can match or surpass most SLRs when used with their kit zooms.

The fast readout from the CMOS sensor allows the camera to shoot at up to 7 frames-per-second at full resolution, and 10fps at 6MP. It also enables 1080p30 movie shooting and the creation of panoramas in a single sweep of the camera.

As you'd expect from a camera in this class, the X10 can capture Raw format images, and just like its higher-end siblings the X100 and X-Pro1 the X10 allows you to re-process them in-camera. Combine this feature with the X10's film simulation modes and color-filtered monochrome modes and you have a wide range of options for quick and easy post-capture enhancement of your photos without the need to turn on your computer.

specification highlights 12MP 2/3" EXR CMOS sensor 28-112mm equivalent F2.0-2.8 lens Optical viewfinder (85% coverage) 2.8", 460,000 dot LCD Extensive manual control Raw shooting and in-camera Raw conversion Continuous shooting up to 7fps at full resolution (10fps at 6MP) Compared to...Olympus XZ-1

The essentially brings together the best features of many of its rivals - a bright, reasonably versatile zoom and a high quality glass viewfinder. Add to this its relatively large EXR sensor and enthusiast-friendly manual control and customization options, and it's a very compelling little camera.

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Fujifilm X-E1

When Fujifilm launched the X system in January 2012, it did so with an unusually high-end body - the X-Pro1. With its unique hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder, solid metal body and analogue dial-led control philosophy, it was clearly targeted towards professionals and keen enthusiasts looking for an updated take on the classic rangefinder concept. The X-Pro1 was generally well-received, but its price was always likely to limit its appeal. Fujifilm's new baby, the X-E1, aims to broaden the line's appeal to wider range of enthusiasts, and will compete directly with the likes of the Sony Alpha NEX-7 and Olympus OM-D E-M5.

X-E1 - the more affordable X-Pro1

The X-E1 is in essence a slimmed-down X-Pro1, with the large, complex and expensive hybrid finder replaced by a purely-electronic viewfinder. Not any old EVF though - it uses a 2.36M dot OLED unit, out-speccing the X-Pro1's 1.44M dot LCD finder. In return its rear screen is slightly downgraded in terms of both size and resolution, to a still-respectable 2.8" 460k dot LCD - according to Fujifilm this is necessary to keep the camera's size down. The result is a compact body that's broadly similar in size to both the much-loved FinePix X100, and its most obvious competitors like the E-M5 and NEX-7.

The X-E1 gets a few new features relative to the X-Pro1, commensurate with its class. There's a little built-in pop-up flash, a 2.5mm stereo microphone socket for movie recording, and the ability to use an electronic shutter release cable in addition to the signature threaded shutter release button. But otherwise it's near-identical to the X-Pro1, using the same 16MP X-Trans CMOS sensor and EXR Pro image processor, and almost exactly the same control layout and interface.

Firmware tweaks - including improved focusing

It's not just new hardware that Fujifilm has been working on; it's made some significant tweaks under the hood, that promise much-improved performance. The good news for existing X-Pro1 owners is that they'll benefit equally from this, with the co-announced firmware version 2 offering all the same updates. File write times have been halved, and the camera can now enter playback to check focus and composition within about 2 seconds of shooting a single frame. Auto ISO now allows use of ISO6400, but sadly there's still no way of influencing the minimum shutter speed. The most significant changes, though, have been made to focusing, both auto and manual.

The X-E1 uses a new autofocus algorithm and different sensor drive mode, which promises significantly-improved speed, especially with the XF 60mm F2.4 R Macro lens or when shooting in low light. Indeed Fujifilm claims the X-E1 and X-Pro1 now offer AF speeds competitive with benchmark cameras such as the Olympus OM-D E-M5. The 'feel' of the electronically-driven manual focus has been improved, and critically the camera now sets the aperture wide open in manual focus mode, finally allowing truly-accurate focusing using the EVF. There's also a new 3x magnification mode to assist manual focus, which should be less prone to problems with shake when using long lenses.

Overall, this makes the X-E1 on paper a very strong competitor to other high-end EVF-equipped mirrorless models. Its traditional control layout means it should appeal strongly to stills photographers, although its movie capabilities still lag behind the competition (you can manually set the aperture, but have no control over the shutter speed the camera will use).

key features 16MP X-Trans CMOS sensor ISO 200-6400, 100 - 25600 expanded (JPEG only) 2.36M dot OLED electronic viewfinder Same control layout as X-Pro1, including top-plate shutter speed and exposure compensation dials 2.8" 460k dot LCD Built-in pop-up flash Full HD movie recording with built-in stereo microphone 2.5mm stereo microphone socket Compatibility with wired remote control units (via either the USB port or mic socket) Available in silver or black Fujifilm X-Trans CMOS sensor

The X-E1 uses the same X-Trans CMOS sensor as the X-Pro1, which uses a novel colour filter array to suppress colour moiré. This in turn means it doesn't need an anti-aliasing filter, and therefore can offer higher resolution compared to other cameras with the same 16MP pixel count but conventional Bayer-type sensors. You can read more about the technology behind this in our in-depth review of the X-Pro1; crucially, Fujifilm says the image quality will be identical between the two cameras.

New kit zoom - XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R OIS LM

The X-E1 gets a new kit lens, the first zoom made for the X system. The XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R OIS LM offers a fairly-standard 28-80mm equivalent zoom range, but with an unusually fast maximum aperture. However it's still only marginally larger than either the 60mm F2.4 R Macro, or Sony's E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS for NEX. The LM designation indicates it uses a Linear Motor focusing system, with two motors driving the larger-than-usual focus group; this, and the internal focus system, is designed to give fast autofocus that's also near-silent during movie shooting. Fujifilm claims that the optical image stabilization allows hand-holding at shutter speeds four stops slower than would otherwise be possible without blur from camera shake.

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Fujifilm XF1

The enthusiast compact sector has undergone a distinct revival in recent years, with every major manufacturer now producing a model or two that offers full manual control and RAW format recording, aimed as a second camera for enthusiasts who usually carry an SLR. These cameras have generally fallen into two distinct camps - those featuring either fast lenses or long zooms with lots of external controls, and smaller-bodied 'shirt pocket' cameras. The latter category was more-or-less owned by Canon for several years with its S-series compacts such as the Powershot S100, but has recently been shaken-up by the arrival of the Sony Cyber-Shot RX-100 with its relatively large 1"-type sensor. Now it welcomes a new contender - the .

The XF1 is the latest model in Fujifilm's premium X-series, that originated with the FinePix X100 and has since expanded upwards to the interchangeable lens XF system (including the recently-announced X-E1), and downwards to the X-S1 superzoom and fast-lensed X10 compact. The XF1 shares much of its innards with these last two models, including the larger-than-average 2/3" EXR-CMOS sensor and EXR processor. To these it adds an optically-stabilized 25-100mm equivalent lens with an impressively fast F1.8 maximum aperture at wideangle, but a somewhat more pedestrian F4.9 at telephoto.

Where the XF1 stands out from its main competitors is in its looks. The Canon S100 and Sony RX100 are both functionally-styled black-bodied cameras for photographers who wish to stay discreet; the XF1, in contrast, is positively designed to be noticed. With its two-tone body - silver-coloured top and base plates and lens barrel, and contrasting leatherette coating - it's a very attractive camera; indeed Fujifilm's advertising catch-phrase is 'Looks good enough to wear'. There's a choice of three colours - the deep red shown in this preview, alongside light tan and a relatively-sober black - each of which gets a matching slide-in leather case as an optional accessory for fashionistas.

The second stand-out feature of the XF1 is its lens mechanism - the zoom ring is mechanical, and like on the X10 doubles as the power switch. But there's a a further twist - it also collapses into the body in a fashion somewhat reminiscent of the iconic Rollei 35 film compact. This gives the XF1 the distinction of being the smallest camera to offer a mechanical zoom ring around the lens. The result is a camera that slips into a shirt pocket but offers a directness of compositional control that will appeal to stills photographers (although less so to video shooters).

Aside from this the XF1 offers a solid specification. It has plenty of external controls, including two dials on the back of the camera, a customisable Fn button on the top, and a clever new E-Fn button that effectively turns six of the rear buttons into additional user-configurable Fn buttons. It offers Fujifilm's 'Film Simulation' colour modes - JPEG colour rendition being one of the company's biggest strengths - and adds a selection of the now de rigueur processing filters such as 'Toy Camera' and 'Selective Colour'. Naturally you also get Full HD movie recording with stereo sound.

key features 12MP 2/3" EXR-CMOS sensor ISO 100-3200, ISO 4000-6400 at 6MP resolution, ISO 12800 at 3MP 25-100mm equivalent, F1.8-4.9 lens with optical image stabilization (4 stops benefit claimed) Manual zoom ring and lens retraction mechanism Full manual control, RAW format recording 3" 460k dot LCD Full HD movie recording with built-in stereo microphones Film simulation modes for different colour and monochrome 'looks' In-camera RAW conversion with all in-camera processing parameters adjustable 'Advanced Filters' image-processing controls, previewed live on-screen Fujifilm EXR-CMOS sensor

The XF1 shares the EXR-CMOS sensor that's used in the X10 and X-S1. This unconventional 12MP sensor can be used by the camera in three different ways - either to give a full-resolution 12MP image, or by pairing pixels, to give 6MP images with either lower noise or extended dynamic range. You can read more about this in our review of the X10 - we'd expect the image quality to be very similar.

Sensor sizes compared

The diagram below compares the size of the XF1's 2/3" sensor to those in its nearest competitors - in general larger sensors potentially offer better image quality. The XF1's sensor is half the size of that found in the (more expensive) Sony RX100, but it's about half as large again as the Canon S100's.

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