Fujifilm X-E1 Makes X-Pro1 Performance More Affordable

Featured Fujifilm Lenses Mirrorless News Videos

Fujifilm X-Pro1 digital rangefinder is his dream camera. Every time I write about the X-Pro1 I get an excited call from him so he can pump me for details. He loves how the X-Pro1 combines traditional rangefinder styling with modern digital features and excellent image quality. Alas, the X-Pro1 is out of his justifiable price range. So he’s going to be very happy about the new Fujifilm X-E1. It has the same core features as the X-Pro1 – Fujifilm’s unique 16-megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensor and X-mount lens compatibility – but at a much more palatable $1000 price point (body only). Travel photographers and others who appreciate a compact camera will also be pleased to learn that the X-E1 is about 30% smaller than the X-Pro1, which turned out to be considerably larger than a lot of us expected.

Fujifilm's New Baby X-Pro1 - The X-E1 - Front & Back

Update: We’ve got a Fujifilm X-E1 in for review now and studio sample photos have been shot and posted. Check them out to see if Fujifilm’s X-Trans sensor lives up to its reputation:

Fujifilm X-E1 Studio Sample Photos >>

Fujifilm X-E1 Key Features and Specs:

  • Same 16-megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensor as the X-Pro1
  • XF interchangeable lens compatibility
  • 1920 x 1080 full HD video
  • 2.36-million-dot electronic viewfinder (EVF)
  • 2.8-inch 460k-dot LCD display
  • Sensitivity: ISO 100 to 25600
  • P,A,S,M shooting modes
  • RAW, RAW + JPEG
  • Film simulation mode
  • Magnesium front and back covers
  • 3 frames-per-second burst for 6 frames
  • Built-in pop-up flash
  • Flash hot shoe
Fujifilm X-E1 Makes X-Pro1 Performance More Affordable Gallery
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Fujifilm X-E1 With New XF18-55mm Zoom Lens - Black
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Fujifilm X-E1 With New XF18-55mm Zoom Lens - Black

Fujifilm X-E1 With New XF18-55mm Zoom Lens - Black
Fujifilm X-E1 - Top View With XF18-55mm Zoom Lens
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Fujifilm X-E1 - Top View With XF18-55mm Zoom Lens

Fujifilm X-E1 - Top View With XF18-55mm Zoom Lens
Fujifilm X-E1 Makes X-Pro1 Performance More Affordable
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Fujifilm X-E1 Makes X-Pro1 Performance More Affordable

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Fujifilm X-E1 - Rear LCD - Black
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Fujifilm X-E1 - Rear LCD - Black

Fujifilm X-E1 - Rear LCD - Black
Fujifilm X-E1 - Top View - Black
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Fujifilm X-E1 - Top View - Black

Fujifilm X-E1 - Top View - Black
Fujifilm's New Fujinon XF18-55mm f/2.8-4 Zoom Lens
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Fujifilm's New Fujinon XF18-55mm f/2.8-4 Zoom Lens

Fujifilm's New Fujinon XF18-55mm f/2.8-4 Zoom Lens
Fujifilm's New Fujinon XF14mm f/2.8 Prime Lens
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Fujifilm's New Fujinon XF14mm f/2.8 Prime Lens

Fujifilm's New Fujinon XF14mm f/2.8 Prime Lens
Fujifilm X-E1 - Silver
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Fujifilm X-E1 - Silver

Fujifilm X-E1 - Silver
Fujifilm's New Baby X-Pro1 - The X-E1 - Front & Back
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Fujifilm's New Baby X-Pro1 - The X-E1 - Front & Back

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You never get something for nothing. So what do you have to give up for the X-E1’s lower price? The main feature not included on the X-E1 is the X-Pro1’s hybrid viewfinder, which toggles between electronic and traditional optical modes. With the X-E1, Fujifilm replaced the hybrid viewfinder with a 2.36-million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF) – one of the highest resolution EVFs available at this time. That’s a pretty fair trade, if you ask me. There was a time when I’d shy away from an EVF-only camera. But that time is long gone. I believe electronic viewfinders are on their way to becoming the preferred option – especially if you’re shooting video. With an EVF you can actually see video in the viewfinder, as it’s being recorded – something that’s not possible with an optical viewfinder. Plus, the EVF provides a very important third point-of-contact, making it easier to shoot steady handheld video. With 1920 x 1080 full HD video and an EVF, the X-E1 makes a very interesting low profile option for serious videographers.

For a closer, hands-on look at the new Fujifilm, check out this intro video by Fujifilm Canada’s Fuji Guys:

To go with the X-E1 (or the X-Pro1), Fujifilm also announced two new X-mount lenses. There’s the Fujinon XF18-55mm f/2.8-4 (27-84mm equivalent) – the first zoom lens for the Fujifilm’s X-Series cameras; and the Fujinon XF14mm f/2.8 prime (21mm equivalent). Fujifilm says the new 18-55mm zoom’s focusing motor combined with the X-Trans sensor’s high-speed readout and the camera’s processing also provides a, “huge leap in AF speed and precision performance.” That’s good news since one of the only complaints I’ve heard about the X-Pro1 (besides price) is that the auto focus is a little sluggish.

The Fujifilm X-E1 will be available in November, 2012. You can get it in either the two-tone silver and black attack Raiders version (that’s a joke); or solid black. It will be sold as a kit with the new XF18-55mm f/2.8-4 zoom lens for US $1,399.95 or body-only for $999.95. If X-Pro1 availability is any indicator, then you’d better pre-order the X-E1 if you want one for the Holidays. I think this one is gonna be hot.

Fujifilm X-E1 Studio Sample Photos >>
Fujifilm X-E1 Press Release >>


Related Content:
All Fujifilm User Reviews
All Digital Camera User Reviews
Digital Cameras Forum
More Fujifilm News & Articles
Fujifilm Web Site

About the author: Photo-John

Photo-John, a.k.a. John Shafer, is the managing editor of PhotographyREVIEW.com and has been since the site launched back in 1999. He's an avid outdoor enthusiast and spends as much time as possible on his mountain bike, hiking or skiing in the mountains. He's been taking pictures for ever and ever, and never goes anywhere without a camera.


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  • Eva says:

    The slow and inaccurate autofocus of the X100 and X-Pro 1 are a real deal breaker. I hope the X-E1 does a lot better. And what’s up with that low resolution LCD on the new X-E1? Why not put a decent higher resolution OLED screen on it? Anyway, I think the Olympus OM-D is still the best mirror-less camera at this moment. It’s so much more responsive then these Fuji camera’s and the image quality is very good too. Not sure about this X-E1…

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