Fujifilm X-Pro1 Mirrorless Camera Review

Features
Handling
Performance
Verdict
Specification


Fujifilm X-Pro1 With 35mm Lens

The Fujifilm X-Pro1 is the latest mirrorless compact system camera from Fujifilm, and features a new X-mount, a new 16 megapixel X-Trans CMOS sensor, 3 inch screen, and hybrid electronic viewfinder that lets you use the optical viewfinder or for more accuracy use the electronic viewfinder.

Fujifilm X-Pro1 Features

Fujifilm X-Pro1 Front Sensor

The Fujifilm X-Pro1 uses a new 16 megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensor - this uses a new arrangement of the colour filter array that is designed to remove colour moire and false colour as well as improve noise performance. Fujifilm has also been able to remove the low-pass filter, which should mean increased resolution and detail is reaching the sensor. A diagram from Fujifilm can be seen below, showing the colour arrangement of the typical Bayer sensor, and the new Fujifilm X-Trans sensor designed to mimic a more random colour arrangement:


Hybrid Viewfinder with electronic or optical view and optical with electronic overlay. First introduced in the Fujifilm X100, this lets you use the optical viewfinder that is matched to the lenses, an electronic viewfinder, or an optical viewfinder with an electronic overlay showing the shooting options. An example video showing the different modes can be seen here.

Key Features

• 16 megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensor
• Fuji X Lens Mount
• 6fps continuous shooting
• 3inch screen, 1,230,000 dots
• Full HD Video, Stereo Sound
• ISO100 - 25600
• Optical / Electronic Hybrid Viewfinder
• Manual shutter speed dial
• In camera panoramic
• In camera RAW conversion
• Film simulation

Fujifilm X-Pro1 Handling

Fujifilm X-Pro1 Top

Handling - With a manual aperture ring on the lens and manual shutter speed ring on top of the camera, the camera feels very easy to use for anybody coming from a traditional SLR or camera. For those who are used to automatic settings these can both be set to A. An exposure compensation dial is easy to use although it's quite easy to accidentally turn it when handling the camera. With a textured covering surrounding the camera and a rubberised front hand grip the camera is easy to hold firmly and the solid metal body is reassuring in use, although the camera is larger than most mirrorless cameras. The front switch lets you switch between the different viewfinder modes.


Fujifilm X-Pro1 Rear

Menus - The Fujifilm X-Pro1 has an updated menu system with the photo and setup options neatly separated over a number of screens, with each section colour coded (these can be viewed in the menu walk-through video below). There is an additional control panel accessible using the Q button on the back in combination with the 4-way controller and scroll wheel. This makes it easy and quick to set options. The Fn button can also be customised to give access to your favourite setting.

Battery Life - Battery life is rated at 300 shots according to CIPA standards, we were able to take just over 340 shots before the battery went flat. A power save mode is available and using the optical viewfinder the battery should last up to around 1000 shots.


Fujifilm X-Pro1 Battery And Memory Card

Speed - We tested each camera's performance at focusing, shutter response, shot to shot time, continuous shooting etc and have posted the results below. To test this we took 6 or more shots and calculated the average, so that consistent results were produced.

	Fujifilm X-Pro1	Sony NEX-7
Shutter Response	0.05	<0.05
Wide (18mm) - Focus / Shutter Response	0.2	0.2 (Kit lens)
Mid (35mm) - Focus / Shutter Response	0.3	N/A
Macro (60mm) - Focus / Shutter Response	0.4	N/A
Switch on Time to Taking a Photo	0.9	1.1
Shot to Shot (without flash)	0.6	0.6
Shot to Shot with Flash	N/A	0.7
Continuous Shooting (JPEG)	6fps (15 shots)	10fps (18 shots)
Continuous Shooting (with Flash)	N/A	0.6 (2 shots)
Continuous Shooting (RAW)	5fps (11 shots)	10fps (14 shots)

Focus speed is quickest with the 18mm lens, followed by the 35mm, then the 60mm macro. Focus is generally quite rapid, unless you select the macro mode, which slows the camera down, particularly in low light or with subjects with low levels of contrast. Manual focus is possible with each lens featuring a fly-wire manual focus ring this can be used in conjunction with the camera letting you view a magnified view of the subject by pressing the scroll wheel on the back.

Continuous shooting shoots at roughly 6fps for the first 15 shots, then gradually slows to 4fps then 3fps, then 2fps depending on the speed of your card. Shooting RAW it's possible to shoot 11 shots at 5fps, after this the next shot was taken after 1.6 seconds, then each additional shot took another 3.4 seconds. We used a fast class 10 / UHS:1 card for these test.

Fujifilm X-Pro1 Performance

Here we've taken a number of sample photos taken in a variety of situations, including real world as well as studio test photos. Additional sample photos and information can be found in the Equipment Database, and from each lens: 18mm f/2.0, 35mm f/1.4, 60mm f/2.4.

Fujifilm X-Pro1 Sample Photos

Sample Photos - The 35mm f/1.4 lens is capable of creating an extremely shallow depth of field which can be useful for portrait photos, while the 18mm f/2.0 lens is good for wide-angle landscape shots. The 60mm f/2.4 Macro lens is good for general use or for excellent macro shots, as shown below.

Fujifilm X-Pro1 Lens test images

Lens test images - The 18mm f/2.0 lens gives the equivalent of 27mm in 135m terms, this makes it the ideal wide-angle lens, although some purple fringing is visible in the corners. The 35mm f/1.4 lens gives the equivalent of 53mm in 135 terms, making it a very good portrait lens and the lens shows excellent detail even into the corners. The 60mm f/2.4 macro lens gives the equivalent of 91mm in 135 terms and it's macro performance is excellent with high levels of detail. Each lens capable of very pleasing background out of focus, particularly the 35mm and 60mm lenses.

Fujifilm X-Pro1 ISO test images

ISO Noise Performance - Virtually noise free at ISO100, ISO200, ISO400. There is a very slight increase in noise at ISO800 and again at ISO1600. At ISO3200 noise increases again, but only slightly and results are impressive. At ISO6400 noise becomes much more noticeable with it visible in darker areas. At ISO12800 noise is the quite dominant but results still appear usable. At ISO25600 noise is the highest, but results could still be useful particularly if resized or converted to black and white.

Fujifilm X-Pro1 White-balance test images

White Balance Performance - Auto white balance performs reasonably well under incandescent lighting with the incandescent preset giving a slightly less warm result. Auto white balance performs very well under fluorescent lighting, with the presets appearing unneeded in our shots.


Panorama | 1/60 sec | f/11.0 | 18.0 mm | ISO 200

Fujifilm X-Pro1 Digital filters

Digital Filters - The camera features a number of film simulations including standard (Provia), Velvia, Astia / soft, PRO Neg. Std, PRO Neg.Hi, Monochrome, Mono plus Yelllow filter, Mono plus Red filter, Mono plus Green filter and Sepia.

Fujifilm X-Pro1 Other sample images

Other sample photos - the Standard colour is quite natural, and selecting Vivid gives a much punchier image with stronger colour saturation and boosted contrast, there are also individual controls for dynamic range, highlight tone, shadow tone, sharpness, colour saturation and noise reduction.

Lenses available: Currently there are three lenses available for the X-Pro1 including the 18mm f/2.0, 35mm f/1.4 and 60mm f/2.4 Macro lenses. Fujifilm has advised that there will be another six lenses introduced over 2012 and 2013.

Video - The camera has a number of video options, including aperture-priority mode. Although as this video demonstrates, the camera would have benefited from image stabilisation or a tripod while recording.

Value For Money

The Fujifilm X-Pro1 is priced at the very top end of the compact system camera market, with the only other camera that is more expensive being the Leica M9 full frame 18 megapixel digital rangefinder. Alternatives include the 16 megapixel weather sealed Olympus OM-D E-M5, the 24.3 megapixel Sony NEX-7 with high resolution viewfinder, the 20.3 megapixel Samsung NX200, and the Panasonic Lumix GX1. You'll also need to buy a memory card and a case or bag to keep your camera safe and protected - have a look at our complete guide to camera bags.

Fujifilm X-Pro1 Verdict

The Fujifilm X-Pro1 is a fantastic camera, in every area it produces the results expected from a premium quality camera. The image quality is stunning, with excellent, and I really mean excellent pixel level detail, with excellent colour reproduction, great dynamic range, excellent high ISO noise results and excellent JPEG output straight from the camera. The lenses are excellent with great handling from the all-metal construction and the bright apertures help render beautiful bokeh. Handling of the camera is very good and although the camera is larger than most other mirrorless cameras, the solid metal construction, premium feel and numerous external controls with the hybrid optical / electronic viewfinder make it well worth the added weight.

The price of the camera and lenses are somewhat high compared to the competition, particularly the 18mm f/2.0 (compared to the 20mm f/1.7 Panasonic), yet the 35mm f/1.4 and 60mm f/2.4 seem like good value for money compared to some lenses. One thing that the X-Pro1 has in it's favour regarding price is that the camera feels like a premium camera that will last 5+ years and still be capable of delivering excellent image quality.

	The Fujifilm X-Pro1 scores highly for features, handling, and importantly has stunning image quality. Highly Recommended!

Fujifilm X-Pro1 Pros

Excellent high resolution screen
Stunning image quality
Excellent pixel level detail
High quality prime lenses
Optical / Electronic viewfinder
Great build quality and handling
Excellent noise performance

Fujifilm X-Pro1 Cons

Price - although appears justified
Limited lens choice (so far)
Macro focus can be slow at times

FEATURES
HANDLING
PERFORMANCE
VALUE FOR MONEY
VERDICT

Fujifilm X-Pro1 Specifications

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