Fujifilm X system camera review

Fujifilm was never really driven by affordability when developing the X series. The control concept that combines the delights of analog and digital has evolved over the generations of the X series. They cleverly chose a wide field of view, allowing the photographer to choose the most convenient way to look at the subject. Viewfinder image can be rotated to full screen or split into two parts. One displays the image in the frame, the other shows an enlarged fragment of the focusing area with imitation of Doden wedges.

Fujifilm X-T1

Fujifilm X-T1

16.3MP 18-135mm

F3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR 3″ 80 000 Dollars.

For a long time, the weak point of the X-T1, Fujifilm’s oldest and most professional camera, was the system, or rather the optics. Until recently, this dust and waterproof camera existed without protected optics, which negated any benefit from sealed enclosures. And now the corresponding optics have arrived. Developers have approached the creation of a professional pair of zooms quite interesting: instead of 24-70 and 70-200 mm photographers are offered their equivalents in recalculation on the format APS-C, ie fast lenses 16-50 and 50-140 mm. That way you don’t lose the wide angle of view, which in most cases is more important than the magnification capability of the cropped factor. One would expect the lenses to be lighter and smaller than their SLR counterparts due to the shorter focal length, but unfortunately that did not happen. The high price, especially in the case of the waterproof 18-135 universal zoom with variable aperture, is also somewhat discouraging. but Fujifilm has never really focused on affordability when developing the X series.

The camera itself is interesting. The magnesium-cased, compact-film SLR form factor and portrait-mountable grip are all in keeping with the hallmarks of a serious working camera. The top panel recess where the pentaprism and exposure meter on SLRs are located was replaced by a digital viewfinder with a resolution of nearly 2.5 million dots. Until now it has the best combination of characteristics, surpassing not only electronic but also optical eyepieces of even full-frame cameras. The manufacturer cleverly arranged a large field of view, allowing the photographer to choose the most convenient way of sighting. Viewfinder can be expanded to full screen or split in two. One displays the image in the frame, the other shows an enlarged fragment of the focus area with a simulated Doden wedge.

The operating concept that combines the delights of analog and digital, which has evolved through the generations of the X series, is probably best exemplified in this camera. Two of the three semi-mechanical exposure selectors, with their two-story design, let you control a couple of additional settings. Six customizable function keys, 7 memory banks for the settings lets you take complete control of your photography without wasting a second of precious time. Reconfigure the camera from reportage mode to, say, studio mode in just a couple of button presses.

An important contribution to the responsiveness of the camera is made by the hybrid autofocus system: the APS-C sized X-Trans Sensor integrates phase difference sharpness sensors among the subpixels in the image formation.

This quite professionally equipped camera comes with wireless data transmission and wireless control, an abundance of specific shooting modes, software imitation of Fuji films’ original color reproduction and a whole range of digital filters.

Fujifilm X-E2

Fujifilm X-E2

16.3MP 18-55mm

F2.8-4 R 3″ 46,000 Dollars.

Cameras with an E in the index were originally conceived as a slightly downgraded version of the X-Pro1, the former flagship of the Fujifilm X system. But with the release of the X-E2, which turned out to be considerably more expensive, there was an imbalance in the slender lineup. Despite its less-than-glamorous exterior, the camera is noticeably lighter there is less metal in its construction and more compact. However, the original control system of shooting parameters reproducing the design of film cameras is fully preserved here. Expensive unique hybrid viewfinder has given way to a fully electronic viewfinder.

The X-Pro1 and X-E1 were both built to fit the bill for high-end and amateur “system cameras” of 2012. The current model has a much more advanced set of features and functions while still being a very natural amateur alternative to the mighty X-T1. Wi-Fi with remote control and Full HD video mode at 60 fps in progressive scan. Sound can be recorded through both the internal and external microphones. Has room in the camera for a built-in flash X-T1, like any professional camera, has only a hot shoe for external blisks . Completely hidden in the casing, it doesn’t ruin the camera’s vintage-inspired look. Second-generation X-Trans CMOS sensor preserves all the advantages of the previous version and incorporates built-in hybrid focus sensors. Handling the manual focus now helps as many as three modes of assistance: magnifying a fragment, focus-picking – highlighting the contrast borders of the image on the screen or in the viewfinder, digital image separation – mode to visualize information from the phase difference sensors. The EXR II processor is equipped with image diffraction compensation and moiré reduction algorithms. Its overall performance has improved significantly and camera response is unquestionable.

Can be recommended for experienced hobbyists: X-E2 has no scene modes, intelligent auto modes, digital effects sets – look for them in the lower models. There are, however, some nice additions here in the form of panorama and multiple exposure modes.

Specifications:

	Manufactured by	Fujifilm
Model	X-E2
Average price*	new
Matrix	Type	CMOS
Size, mm	23,6×15,4
Effective pixels, millions	16,3
Lens and focus	Bayonet compatible optics	Fujifilm X
Digital zoom, magnification	–
Image stabilization***	–
Manual	+
Photography	ISO sensitivity**	200-6400 100, 25600
Shutter speed range, sec	30-1/4000
Scene programs	–
Mode A	+
S mode	+
Mode M	+
Manual white balance	+
Guide number of built-in flash, m	7
Connecting an external flash	Hot-shoe
3:2 image format	+
16:9 aspect ratio	+
RAW	+
Shooting speed frames per burst	7 fps
Video and sound	Video, pixels	1920×1080@60p
Video sound	+
Audio Comments	–
Voice recorder	–
Camera	LCD monitor, inches	3,0
LCD monitor resolution, thousands of pixels	1040
Viewfinder****	je
Memory cards	SD/SDHC/SDXC
Power*****	Li-ion 350
Dimensions, mm	129x75x37
Weight, g	350
Date of announcement	18.10.2013

Fujifilm X-M1

Fujifilm X-M1

16.3 MP 16-50 mm

3.5-5.6 OIS 3″ 23,600 Dollars.

The X-M1 in Fujifilm’s line of “system” cameras is currently the most suitable option for those who are not prepared to spend big money and still want a photography tool that is easy to handle, but can satisfy the demands of the keen amateur that grow over time. The smaller X-A1 doesn’t cost that much less to compromise with its noticeably lower image quality.

Similar in design to X-Pro and X-E, but less spectacular. At first glance, the retro-camera styling is still intact, but the model doesn’t feel solid enough. The X-M1 lacks pseudo analog controls, which makes it less of a gimmick. XF premium optics replaced by kit 16-50mm zoom of basic XC series.

And still the device turned out more understandable and friendly to newcomers. AE dials on the top gave way to a wheel for selecting modes, including scene modes. Plenty of function keys will not scare recent owners of compacts, because almost all the control is concentrated on the familiar navigation key. Large array of digital filters are also available for those who love fast and vivid effects.

For some unknown reason, the viewfinder was turned into a professional option and the X-M1 was deprived of it. However, the tilting mechanism of the display is a much more interesting design feature for most users . Best of all, the electronic internals of the older cameras with X-Trans image sensors and EXR Processor II are fully replicated. So in terms of image quality, the unit is not much inferior to them. No phase auto focus, but a function to illuminate the clear boundaries of objects when the focus is set manually.

Specifications:

	Manufactured by	Fujifilm
Model	X-M1
Mid-priced*	940
Sensor	Type	CMOS
Size, mm	23,6×15,5
Effective pixels, millions	16,3
Lens, focus	Bayonet compatible optics	Fujifilm X
Digital zoom, magnification	–
Image stabilization***	–
Manual	+
Photography	ISO sensitivity**	200-6400 100, 25600
Shutter speed range, sec	30-1/4000
Scene programs	13
Mode A	+
Mode S	+
M mode	+
Manual white balance	+
Flash Guide Number of built-in flash, m	7
Connecting an external flash	Hot-shoe
3:2 image format	+
16:9 aspect ratio	+
RAW	+
Shooting speed frames per burst	5.6 fps
Video & Sound	Video, pixels	1920×1080@30p
Video sound	+
Sound Commentary	–
Recorder	–
Camera	LCD monitor, inches	3,0
LCD monitor resolution, thousands of pixels	920
Viewfinder****	–
Memory cards	SD/SDHC/SDXC
Power*****	Li-ion 350
Dimensions, mm	117x66x39
Weight, g	330
Announcement Date	25.06.2013

Fujifilm X-A1

Fujifilm X-A1

16.3 megapixel 16-50 mm

f3.5-5.6 ois 3″ 20 000 Dollars.

The smallest “system” compact Fujifilm X visually is almost the same as X-M1 and performs in the same weight class with it. 3-inch high-resolution tilting screen, high-performance EXR Processor II, remote control and wireless transfer of footage via Wi-Fi, a decent video mode and a solid set of quite serious functions, many of which are not often found in entry-level machines.

The deciding factor in positioning the X-A1 as the “first letter of the alphabet” of the Fujifilm X was the sensor. The proprietary X-Trans pickup gave way to a conventional CMOS sensor with a standard Bayerian array of color filters. The anti-aliasing filter is back, too, eliminating moiré, but somewhat reducing the micro blur and level of detail in the images. So, we can’t expect from this model detailed elaboration of the smallest details of the scene, which is provided by the brand-name sensors used in older devices.

Specifications:

	Producer	Fujifilm
Model	X-A1
Average price*	new
Sensor	Type	CMOS
Size, mm	23,6×15,4
Effective pixels, millions	16,3
Lens, focus	Bayonet compatible optics	Fujifilm X
Digital zoom, magnification	–
Image stabilization***	–
Manual	+
Shooting	ISO sensitivity**	200-6400 100, 25600
Shutter speed range, sec	30-1/4000
Scene programs	13
Mode A	+
S-mode	+
M mode	+
Manual white balance	+
Driving number of built-in flash, m	7
Connecting an external flash	Hot-shoe
3:2 image format	+
16:9 aspect ratio	+
RAW	+
Speed of shooting fps	5.6 fps
Video and sound	Video, pixels	1920×1080@30p
Video sound	+
Audio commentary	–
Recorder	–
Camera	LCD monitor, inches	3,0
LCD monitor resolution, thousands of pixels	920
Viewfinder****	–
Memory Cards	SD/SDHC/SDXC
Power*****	Li-ion 350
Dimensions, mm	117x67x39
Weight, g	330
Date of Announcement	17.09.2013