Fujifilm X-Pro1 review
Review Date : Fri, 9 Mar 2012
Author : Mike Lowe
- Sample Photos: Fujifilm X-Pro1 review sample images gallery
Fujifilm's X-Pro1 - the company's first Compact System Camera - looks to be an impressive rangefinder-style camera. Does it deliver on its superior image quality claims? What Digital Camera's Fuji X-Pro1 review investigates...
| Pros: | Astounding image quality; hybrid viewfinder is great to use; superb lens quality; excellent LCD screen; expansive 49-point AF array |
|---|---|
| Cons: | Autofocus a little slow; battery life should be better; only three launch lenses; black paint not hardy enough; loose fitting lens caps; no built-in flash |
The Fujifilm X-Pro1, which WDC first saw at the end of 2011, is a rangefinder-meets-Compact-System-Camera built in a retro style. It features an adapted hybrid viewfinder as found in the X100 model and - and this is the big claim - a brand new sensor technology said to out-perform full-frame DSLR sensors.
The X-Pro1 has been through the WDC reviews mill, so does it live up to its big claims? The What Digital Camera Fujifilm X-Pro1 review investigates...
Fujifilm X-Pro1: Key specs:
1. 16MP X-Trans CMOS sensor2. Unique colour filter array
3. No anti-aliasing filter for optimum sharpness
4. Fujifilm X-mount lenses
5. Hybrid Multi Viewfinder: optical & electronic viewfinder
6. 1,230k-dot, 3in LCD screen
7. Premium design; magnesium alloy body
8. Film Simulation modes
Fujifilm X-Pro1 review - Features
First and foremost is the X-Pro1's brand new 16MP, APS-C size sensor. It uses a clever new colour array to remove the need for an anti-aliasing filter, which in turn should deliver far sharper results than conventional sensors can offer. For in-depth details about the X-Trans CMOS and how it works take a look at page two of this review - 'What Is X-Trans CMOS And How Does It Work'?
Add the brand new Fujifilm X-mount for the latest XF lenses and the sensor is paired up with some excellent quality glass. At launch there are three prime lenses available - an 18mm (27mm equiv) f/2, a 35mm (53mm equiv.) f/1.4, and a 60mm (91mm equiv.) f/2.4 macro. The initial lack of a zoom lens shows that Fujifilm's approach here is more traditional, but also that the quality of the lenses is more measured and fitting to a specific style and shooting method. For rangefinder fans, this will be just what the doctor ordered. However, Fujifilm has declared that there will be more lenses in the not too distant future, including am 18-72mm f/4.0 zoom that's due before the end of 2012.
Those familiar with the Fujifilm X100 will be aware of the impressive hybrid viewfinder technology. This marries together the best of optical and electronic technologies in a way that no other manufacturer has managed. This includes a larger-than-100% optical viewfinder, with an electronic viewfinder overlay to present crop marks and other shooting information, or an electronic-only display can be used with an exact 100% field of view instead. All this is served through the single viewfinder, described as a Reverse Galilean viewfinder with electronic bright frame display. The X-Pro1 adapts this technology by introducing a 0.6x magnifier that comes into effect when longer focal length lenses are added - this ensures a larger-to-eye preview.
On the rear of the camera there's a 3in LCD screen with a huge 1,230k-dot resolution. When pared down to actual pixels this is a 3:2 ratio, 1280x960 pixel screen - but consider that this is more resolute than a 720p HD screen, making the Fujifilm screen the most resolute on any consumer camera to date (more so than the latest Canon 5D Mk III).
Able to shoot from ISO 200-6400 as standard (100-25,600 extended), or capture 1080p movie clips at 24fps, the X-Pro1 has plenty of premium features. Add film simulation modes to mimic classic Fujifilm negative and slide film, traditional aperture, shutter and exposure compensation dials and this is a classy-looking bit of kit. It won't suit everyone for a number of reasons that we'll address later in this review, but for knowledgeable rangefinder users there's really not a lot missing from the features list.
Have your say!
Latest comments
March 19 13:05
Ian Jackson
It all sounds great. Really looking forward to trying one but delivery was supposed to be mid-march and still no-one seems to be able to say when it'll hit our shores. Anyone know different?
March 23 21:23
sgoldswo
Received mine yesterday. It's fantastic!
March 27 04:08
Hasan
2.5 inch LCD (Electronics) There is nothing wrong with my old Vivitar dtaiigl camera, but it only has about 3MP quality at it is pretty basic. When I saw this yesterday I instantly fell in love, it fitted nicely into my hand and just looked well designed. Knowing that my dad has a Fugifilm DSLR that he has always been very happy with, I treated myself to this. At the same time as I was going for this a woman in the shop was also going for , which is nice and colourful for the women.Advertised for the teen and twenty something market, I say forget that. I only really take pics on holiday and special occasions (parties, family get togethers, etc), I'm not someone who has photography as a hobby. This has a lot of functions, but to be honest most of the time my pics will be taken on auto mode, although since I charged the battery up yesterday I have been snapping everything in sight probably making a nuisance of myself. For the casual photographer, which lets face it most of us are, this is ideal, and I am more than pleased. It is a nice small size to fit in your pocket or bag, it is a doddle to use, once you get used to all the different functions, and is a nice size to hold.The accompanying software was easy to download, with absolutely no problems, and there is a manual on disc as well. This is going to be ideal when my sister visits me from Stateside, and my pictures will be even better from my holiday than last year. Of course you will need a memory card for this, although it does have something like 18MB internal memory. I got myself a 4GB SDHC card at the time as I only have much smaller cards for my old camera.For the price you can't really go wrong, and this should give you years of enjoyable use, also this camera did get 5 stars in one photography magazine. Obviously there are a lot better cameras on the market, but for someone like myself it has all that I need a camera to do, plus the price isn't exorbitant.
March 31 00:01
JBV^_^
Can't afford it at the moment, gonna start saving. Always loved rangefinder cameras, and while this isn't a true rangefinder, I still love the looks. Question: When dumb lens adapters come out, will the manual focus zoom still work? It doesn't on the NX series, which is a pity, cuz most of the lenses I use are from the '70s and '80s.