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...

Product Overview

Overall rating:

92%

Fujifilm X-Pro1

Features:95%
Design:95%
Image Quality:100%
Performance:80%
Value:90%
Overall score:92%

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

Product:

Fujifilm X-Pro1 Review

Manufacturer:

Price as reviewed:

£1,429.00

Value & Verdict

Fujifilm X-Pro1 review – Value

When we first saw the X-Pro1 we anticipated a lower price point than its £1429 body only retail price. However, expensive though this may sound – and each of the lenses cost between £550-600 a piece – the final images, overall build quality and unique technologies more than make up its worth. It’s cheaper than a full-frame DSLR, outpaces the Sigma SD1 camera in performance and price, and will more than give Leica a run for its money.

Speaking of which, a Leica adaptor is also due for launch. Full details aren’t available as yet, but we anticipate the inclusion of Leica glass coupled with the X-Trans CMOS sensor could be mighty impressive. We’ll test this out as soon as we have the relevant kit to do so.

Fujifilm X-Pro1 review – Verdict

The Fujifilm X-Pro1 is a staggering camera. It’s not going to suit all tastes and is far from a mainstream consumer camera, but those seeking a digital rangefinder will find very little to moan about.

The camera’s images are exceptional, delivering on the claims that it can match up to existing full-frame sensor’s abilities (in many, though not all respects). The hybrid multi viewfinder is also a joy to use and a real unique feature to Fujifilm – though adjusting for the parallax and 90% field of view EVF crop marks can take a little getting used to.

There are downsides though: the focus speed is ok but hardly great, battery life ought to be longer, and there are only three lenses available at launch. However, we anticipate growth in the range to deliver other classic focal length lenses of equally good quality.

For the target audience the X-Pro1 delivers in droves. It’s image quality that’s the real winner for a sensor of this size, but add great build quality, decent manual focus control, an exceptional HD-quality LCD screen, so much potential when considering the Leica lens adaptor and there’s little more we could ask for. The X-Pro1’s a knockout for demanding users those in the know.

  1. 1. Fujifilm X-Pro1: Key specs:
  2. 2. X-Trans CMOS: What Is It And How Does It Work?
  3. 3. Design
  4. 4. Performance
  5. 5. Image Quality
  6. 6. Value & Verdict
  7. 7. Field Test
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