X-Trans Sensor
EVF - You can see exposure, WB, & compensation and adjust immediately
Outstanding kit lens - Might be the best kit lens ever
High Quality Primes - I prefer primes and Fuji delivered early on available primes.
Like many mirrorless cameras, adaptable to almost all legacy lenses
Controls in the right places

EVF lags and streaks a little in low light
No focus peaking - Magnification works well, but would prefer option of magnification + focus peaking
Fuji and Adobe pointing no working together and as a result, Adobe didn't have a RAW converter until recent updates to Adobe Camera RAW and Lightroom.
Slower to focus than other Mirrorless Cameras like Olympus OMD-EM5
Slow shutter button response even when prefocused

I have spent countless dollars on cameras and until I found the XE1, I have not been completely happy. It has been a long, long time since I posted any sort of camera equipment review. I quit doing it because I am no expert and frankly I found that cameras are like tools and artists brushes, meaning if used properly for what each camera is good at one can almost always find ways to get good quality images. While this is true, every once in a while a tool comes along that makes you think differently and frankly, knocks your socks off. That is how I feel about the Fuji XE1. It is my favorite camera I have ever used.

I really enjoyed the XE1 with the CV21mm. So much so that I decided I wanted to keep the camera and purchased the Fuji X mount 35mm f1.4 for those really low light situations and really shallow depth of field needs. Again, I was blown away. This time not by the form factor of the camera, although the combo does just feel just right, but by the image quality. While I wish the focus speed was a bit faster (And I have updated both the camera and lens to the latest firmware), the results are so good that I can easily deal with it. If I want faster, I shoot my Nikon DSLR.

I acquired the Fuji XE1 several months ago after selling my Sony Nex7 and lenses. I made many good images with the Sony but it was missing something for me. Hard to describe really, but it just wasn’t quite right for me. I’ve seen images from many photographers that prove just how good that camera is. For me with how I shoot and how I think, it just wasn’t right for me despite it checking all the right boxes in quality, features, etc. After selling the Sony I broke down and purchased a Fuji XE1 as well as an adapter to use my Cosina Voigtlander 21mm f4 M mount lens. The Fuji brought the EVF to the left side of camera that I am now accustomed too because of the NEX 7 & my Bessa R4A film camera, had external controls in the right places and just felt good in hand and more importantly when brought to my eye.

Shooting the Fuji XE1 in manual focus mode is a true joy, at least for me. The controls on the back are positioned perfectly. The thumb wheel type button controlling magnification of x3 and x10 falls right beneath my thumb. The function button programmed to control ISO is an easy reach for my shutter finger. The compensation dial has the right feel and is in the right place and I can see my changes instantly in the EVF. The rest of the controls just sort of disappeared. For me, I was able to compose while getting rough focus, magnify image to x3, final focus, final compensation if needed and shoot. Once you get used to the x3 magnification you learn to identify an almost focus peaking like shimmer when things are in focus. Honestly, I nailed manual focus just about every time. That coupled with a nice sharp lens with good color and contrast, I got images I really liked. In fact, it was the only camera and lens I took home for Christmas. I took a bit of a risk taking only one lens, especially an f4 lens at Christmas time coupled with dark northern climates. But, given the Fuji’s high ISO performance and these were just family snapshots I was not worried nor was I let down with the results.

I really enjoyed the XE1 with the CV21mm. So much so that I decided I wanted to keep the camera and purchased the Fuji X mount 35mm f1.4 for those really low light situations and really shallow depth of field needs. Again, I was blown away. This time not by the form factor of the camera, although the combo does just feel just right, but by the image quality. While I wish the focus speed was a bit faster (And I have updated both the camera and lens to the latest firmware), the results are so good that I can easily deal with it. If I want faster, I shoot my Nikon DSLR.

I also rented the kit zoom to test after reading reports of it being the best zoom kit lens ever as well as the fastest focusing Fuji X lens. What I have read is true and it truly is a spectacular lens with very good IQ, very good OIS (optical image stabilization) and faster focusing speed. Honestly, it is so sharp and I liked it so much I bought it.

Lastly, a also bought the new 14mm f2.8, a lovely and near perfect wide angle lens. I love the manual focusing capability of the lens. Super quick and efficient manual focusing in a wide angle. Even better is that it has minimal distortion and is sharp across the entire field of view. Love it! It has allowed me to get up close and personal and inspired me to learn and shoot in a new style. I’ve shot it very little with it but I am looking forward to using it more as the year goes on.

Honestly, the images I am capturing with this camera are my favorites of all time. While some of this is simply me improving as a budding photographer, the tool really does add here. I love the color. I love the features. I love the output. This camera inspires me to improve and learn new things. Well done Fuji.

Customer Service

No experience and no issues requiring me to contact Fuji Customer Service

Similar Products Used:

Fuji X100
Sony Nex 5N
Sony NEX 7
Olympus OMD

Beautiful tonal renditions (film-like), compact, fast handling, quality construction, very adaptable for using legacy optics, stealthy quiet, high ISO duty maintains nice quality.

Can struggle a bit in very low light focusing.

I like the controls for primary functions but the interface is a bit fiddly for more obscure settings, likely solved by familiarity. It's fun with adapters to use old lenses on this body. I've used my Contax G glass (28mm is too deep for mounting, though) and Konica A/R successfully with inexpensive adapters from Amazon vendors. I got mine with the 18-55 and it's a surprisingly capable optic (and I'm a bit of a nut case about sharpness/flare/contrast). I added a leather case to mine right away as it was just a bit small feeling in my hands (average size hands) for good control. The case helped with a more stable grip (I got a Kaza that fits well and seems to be a good value). I think I'll pop for the pancake lens when it arrives as it will make an ideal and compact walk-around rig. The 18-55 is a bit front heavy for the small body but it still handles well enough with this lens.

Old accessories have been easy to adapt. The flash for the Hexar RF (X-18W) is a compact unit that seems to work very well so far for me @400/ƒ5.6 giving great, predictable results. I mention this Konica flash as the dedicated extra shoe pin sits off of the Fujifilm program pins so that I felt safe in using it and not interfering or damaging any camera circuitry. I've accumulated a number of the powerful Agfa 643CS's (GN212) and they work well with a standard, single pin SCA300 module in the flash shoe and while I haven't used the combo for anything important yet, it gives superb bounce/fill results with the secondary wink light. BTW, Metz doesn't yet make any modules for their modern offerings that are dedicated to the X series (as of January 13, 2012 that I'm writing this review and receiving an email from them).

I don't know that the market for these was for wedding use, but it's dawned on me that the great skin tones and broad tonal range of the sensor would likely give great results, rendering skin tones, dark tuxes and white satin wedding gowns accurately.... Just a thought as I'm rambling here.

I would recommend this to people who also own slr gear if that duty is important or for people needing a good do almost everything little rig. Every camera system choice is a compromise in some aspects, but give these a bit of study and you might find it compelling to own one, too.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Nikon D5100 (same pixels)