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Fujifilm X-Pro 1 16MP Digital Camera with APS-C X-Trans CMOS Sensor (Body Only)
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Brand | Fujifilm |
Model Name | Fujifilm X-Pro 1 |
Maximum Webcam Image Resolution | 16 MP |
Photo Sensor Size | APS-C |
Image Stabilization | No |
Max Shutter Speed | 1/4000 seconds |
Min Shutter Speed | 30 seconds |
Metering Description | Multi, Average, Spot |
Exposure Control Type | Program AE, Shutter priority, Manual, Aperture priority |
Form Factor | Mirrorless |
About this item
- 16.3MP APS-C "X-Trans" CMOS sensor
- 6 frames per second continuous shooting, not suggested for moving objects
- 49-area contrast detection AF system
- ISO 200-6400, expandable up to 25,600,1080 HD video
- 3.0 inch LCD with 1,230,000 dots, Hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder, Raw and Raw + JPEG shooting .Flash hotshoe, SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot
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Price | $728.00$728.00 | $1,299.00$1,299.00 | $1,699.00$1,699.00 | $86.36$86.36 | $899.99$899.99 | -17% $748.00$748.00 List: $899.99 |
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Customer Ratings | ||||||
Picture quality | 4.6 | 5.0 | 4.7 | — | 4.7 | 4.6 |
Auto focus | 4.1 | 4.6 | 4.5 | — | 4.7 | 4.6 |
Image stabilization | — | 4.7 | 4.9 | — | 4.6 | 3.9 |
Sold By | TONY'S Camera Shop | Adorama | District Camera and Imaging | U&M Tech | Willoughby's Established 1898 | Adorama |
display type | LCD | LCD | LCD | LCD | LCD | LCD |
display size | 3 inches | 3 inches | 3 inches | 2.5 inches | 3 inches | 3 inches |
lens type | Wide Angle | Wide Angle | Wide Angle | Zoom | Converter | — |
zoom type | Optical Zoom | — | Digital Zoom | Optical Zoom, Digital Zoom | — | Digital Zoom |
shooting modes | Program AE, Manual | Shutter Priority | Shutter Priority | — | — | Single Shooting, Continuous shooting (Hi+/Hi/Mid/Lo selectable), Self-timer, Self-timer (Cont.), Bracket: Single, Bracket: Cont., White Balance bracket, DRO bracket |
connectivity tech | HDMI, USB | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | HDMI, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB | USB | HDMI, USB | Wireless |
video resolution | FHD 1080p | 4320p | 4320p | 640 x 480 | 4K UHD 2160p | 2160p, 1080p |
optical zoom | 1 multiplier x | 1 multiplier x | 1 multiplier x | — | 3.05 multiplier x | 2 multiplier x |
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Product information
Auto Focus Technology | Live View |
---|---|
Display Resolution Maximum | 1230000 |
Photo Sensor Size | APS-C |
Photo Sensor Technology | CMOS |
Effective Still Resolution | 16 |
Maximum Webcam Image Resolution | 16 MP |
White balance settings | Auto |
Self Timer Duration | 10 seconds |
JPEG quality level | Basic, Fine, Normal |
Camera Flash | Hotshoe |
Image Stabilization | No |
Flash Sync Speed | 1/180 sec |
Supported Image Format | JPEG |
Video Capture Format | AVC |
Video Capture Resolution | FHD 1080p |
Video Standard | MPEG 4 |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.37x |
---|---|
Viewfinder Type | Optical, Electronic |
Screen Size | 3 Inches |
Display Type | LCD |
Display Fixture Type | Fixed |
Model Name | Fujifilm X-Pro 1 |
---|---|
Brand | Fujifilm |
Model Number | 16225391 |
Customer Reviews |
4.1 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #80,530 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics) #149 in Mirrorless Cameras |
ASIN | B006UV6YMQ |
Color | Black |
Included Components | SD Card |
Specification Met | No |
Age Range (Description) | Adult |
Processor Description | EXR Pro |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 5.51 x 1.69 x 3.23 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 15.84 ounces |
Warranty & Support
Feedback
Lens Type | Wide Angle |
---|---|
Optical Zoom | 1 x |
Maximum Aperture | 3.5 Millimeters |
Real Angle of View | 84.2 Degrees |
Zoom Type | Optical Zoom |
Autofocus Points | 49 |
Compatible Mountings | Fujifilm X |
Focus Type | Manual Focus |
Maximum Focal Length | 60 Millimeters |
Expanded ISO Maximum | 25600 |
---|---|
Expanded ISO Minimum | 100 |
Max Shutter Speed | 1/4000 seconds |
Min Shutter Speed | 30 seconds |
Exposure Control Type | Program AE, Shutter priority, Manual, Aperture priority |
Metering Description | Multi, Average, Spot |
Shooting Modes | Program AE, Manual |
Batteries Required? | Yes |
---|---|
Number of Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) |
Are Batteries Included | Yes |
Rechargeable Battery Included | No |
Battery Cell Composition | Lithium Ion |
Battery Description | Lithium-Ion NP-W126 rechargeable battery & charger |
Battery Weight | 20 Grams |
Battery Life | 300 Photos |
Target Gender | Unisex |
Connectivity Technology | USB, HDMI |
Continuous Shooting Speed | 6 |
Wireless Communication Technology | Yes |
Flash Memory Type | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Special Feature | Live View |
Skill Level | Professional |
Specific Uses For Product | Photography |
Form Factor | Mirrorless |
Hardware Interface | SDHC, SDXC |
Photo Sensor Technology | CMOS |
Warranty Type | 12 |
---|
Product Description
Product Description
Fujifilm X-Pro1
From the Manufacturer
The Fujifilm X-Pro1 features a 16-megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensor, a brand-new X lens mount, Hybrid Multi Viewfinder and three prime lenses (sold separately).
Fujifilm X-Pro 1 Highlights
Setting new standards in image resolution
FUJIFILM have developed a new CMOS sensor called the X-Trans CMOS. The X-Trans CMOS sensor is capable of delivering resolution that is parallel, if not superior, to a full frame sensor. The new color filter array paves the way for an ideal sensor that does not need an optical low-pass filter. While the optical low-pass filter is indispensable for the reduction of moiré and false color generated by conventional sensors, it also degrades resolution. FUJIFILM has developed a new color filter array that is inspired by the random arrangement of fine film grain, removing the need for an optical low-pass filter to solve moiré and false color issues. In the array, RGB pixels are arranged in 6x6 pixel sets with high aperiodicity (randomness). Increasing the degree of randomness eliminates the fundamental cause of moiré and false colors – a problem that occurs in conventional arrays when shooting stripes and other repeating patterns. The presence of an R, G and B pixel in every vertical and horizontal pixel series minimizes the generation of false colors and delivers higher color reproduction. As a result of using a film-inspired array, a more powerful EXR Processor Pro is required to process the image signal data. This development will maximize the full potential of the X-Trans CMOS sensor and deliver high speed and high precision image processing.
Prime FUJINON XF lenses deliver the highest image quality
Fujinon lenses have long been associated with delivering high quality images, with optics used for both broadcast TV and medium format cameras. Now the expertise borne out of this enviable optical heritage has been put into lenses for the FUJIFILM X-Pro1. Three compact XF Fujinon fast aperture prime lenses will be sold separately. The "XF18mmF2 R", "XF 35mmF1.4 R" and "XF60mmF2.4 R Macro" all offer precise control over depth-of-field and deliver excellent out-of-focus bokeh thanks to the design of the molded aperture diaphragm blades. The blades are curved to create a circular image at all aperture settings, while the very edges of each blade are meticulously rounded off rather than simply cut off, which delivers a sharper image. In addition, the solid feel of the high-quality metal barrel and detailed exposure setting in 1/3 step increments using the aperture ring fuel your desire to capture more photos with every shot.
FUJIFILM original "X-Mount" maximizes lens performance
Specifically designed to maximize the mirrorless design of the body the X-Mount has a short flange back distance of just 17.7mm. This means the rear lens elements are as close as possible to the sensor. The wide opening allows the lens to be mounted deeper within the body – up to 7.5mm (approx) from the mount surface – reducing the back focus distance of each lens to the minimum possible, thus achieving high resolution all the way to the edge of the image.
Hybrid Multi Viewfinder
FUJIFILM's revolutionary Hybrid Viewfinder first appeared in the X100. With its ability to instantly switch between an Optical Viewfinder and Electronic Viewfinder the Hybrid Viewfinder has added a new dimension to the pleasure of composing photographs. For the brightest viewing image, and to keep shutter lag to a minimum, users should choose the Optical Viewfinder. Those wanting focus confirmation, exposure information, white balance information and depth of field indicators should switch to Electronic Viewfinder. The Electronic Viewfinder provides an excellent "Live View" of your composition. This fusion of technologies allows users to enjoy composing their images through a bright viewfinder, but has the option to overlay vital picture taking information should this be required. Changing between the two viewfinders is simple, thanks to the switch on the front of the X-Pro1 body. When attaching a FUJINON XF-series lens on X-Pro1, both the viewfinder magnification and bright frame size automatically switch to support the lens focal length. Viewfinder magnification switches to 0.37x for the 18mm lens, and to 0.60x when the 35mm or 60mm lens is mounted, letting you compose your shot with the bright, crystal clarity of an optical image. The X-Pro1 also gives you the freedom to manually set a focal distance and switch between viewfinder magnifications.
Cutting edge technology in a beautiful camera body
- The top and base are made from die-cast aluminum alloy which, combined with high quality touches like precise engraving on the top-plate and hand-enamelled lettering on the lenses, underlines the fact that the entire X-Pro1 system is built without compromise.
- This eye for detail extends to the shutter speed dial and exposure compensation control that is precision milled from solid metal. Details like the shutter speed dial lock mechanism and the recessed exposure compensation dial are designed to prevent accidental movement of settings. The knurled finish on the sides of the dials feature rows of minutely milled squared pyramids for superb grip and confidence.
- "Made in Japan" confirms that every part of the construction has had to meet FUJIFILM's highest standards.
- The lightweight, precision-milled lens hood (included with the lens) has been exclusively designed and machined from aluminum for the FUJINON XF lens. It's compact size delivers superb light shading performance in a design that perfectly matches X-Pro1 styling.
- Diameters of the aperture ring and focus ring of the 3 Fujinon XF-series interchangeable lenses are only slightly larger than the barrel for sleek uniformity of design. Precision machined from metal, the reassuring click of the aperture ring at each setting and the comfortable torque resistance when operating the focus ring enhances the shooting experience.
- The X-Pro1's leather-like finish designed for a quality look and durability. The synthetic leather offers resistance to the elements and high durability, while an original manufacturing process produces a texture with the look and feel of authentic leather.
- The X-Pro1 has been designed with the photographer's comfort in mind. The natural fit of the eyepiece provides excellent shielding from light leakage. A dioptric adjustment lens can also be attached. Extending FUJIFILM's photo film legacy
- In film cameras, multiple exposures is the unique photographic technique of superimposing one image on another by double exposing a single frame of film. Through advanced digital processing the X-Pro1 can simulate this technique - just select Multiple Exposure mode and take your first shot. By viewing it in the Hybrid Multi Viewfinder or on the LCD screen, you can see how the finished multiple exposure will look and precisely frame the second shot.
- Further enhancements have been made to the Film Simulation modes with the new Professional Color Negative Film Modes (Pro Neg. Std and Pro Neg. Hi) designed for X-Pro1 users working in the studio. If you'd like to shoot the same scene in a variety of Film Simulation modes, the X-Pro1 offers Film Simulation bracketing, along with AE, Dynamic and ISO bracketing.
- FUJIFILM has also included Film Simulation modes, where the X-Pro1 simulates the colors and tonal qualities of popular FUJIFILM emulsions. These include the vibrant colors of Velvia, the softer skin tones of ASTIA and the natural look of PROVIA.
- Enhance Monochrome Expression with Color Filters - Replicating the effects of monochrome film photography the X-Pro1 lets you use color filters to expand your photographic interpretation. Heighten contrast with the yellow filter and red filter or brighten greens and deepen reds with the green filter. Just as professional film photographers once selected a filter and printing paper to complement their creative vision, you can easily fine tune image quality with these filters. For those after a more nostalgic theme there's a sepia filter too.
Read about our customers' top-rated cameras and lenses on our review pages: Compact System Cameras, Lenses
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the image quality and durability of the digital camera. For example, they say it's a great camera for shooting really nice still images, and the images it produces are remarkable. Customers are also impresseded with the color, sensor, and comfort. That said, opinions are mixed on quality, focus, and speed.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers are impressed with the image quality of the camera. They say the pictures are sharp, vivid, and remarkable. They also mention that the display is really good, and the portrait lens is stellar. Overall, customers are happy with the quality and functionality of the product.
"...to give it 5 stars because, like I mentioned before, the image quality is just PHENOMENAL, and the in-camera auto-white balance, color modes/filters..." Read more
"...Not a loser in the bunch. Wide open or stopped down, the images are excellent...." Read more
"...that makes modern cameras cool, works like a champ: white balance, image quality, fit and finish, processing speed are all top notch...." Read more
"...Overall image quality at low ISO (say 100 - 800) is indeed inspiring -- virtually noise free images from ISO 100- 400 -- the output from this sensor..." Read more
Customers like the durability of the camera. They mention that it holds up well, has a well built body, and is pristine. Customers also say that the camera is world class in both quality and precision.
"...ways to rediscover the joy of manual photography but the body of this system is pretty good...." Read more
"...to shoot with -- It begs to be taken places and shot with -- the fine build quality, the weight, the way the dials work, and of course that most..." Read more
"...-- excellent image quality, low noise even in very low light, sturdy build, somewhat-retro style, all "important" controls on easily visible knobs..." Read more
"...It is built with high precision and quality, and makes intriguing clicking noises. I find the shape and size comfortable for easy handling...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the color of the camera. They mention that the color rendition is wonderful, black and white is excellent, and the photos look extraordinary. They also appreciate the organic look and the color accuracy is the best they've ever seen. Customers also love the rangefinder-style design, sensor, the OVF, and retro look and feel. They say the layout is well thought out and easy to navigate.
"...before, the image quality is just PHENOMENAL, and the in-camera auto-white balance, color modes/filters, and JPEG processing just makes it SO EASY..." Read more
"...Luckily, the Fuji Raw files are easy to work with and look extraordinary despite some early criticisms of Lightroom's ability to process them...." Read more
"...All the stuff that makes modern cameras cool, works like a champ: white balance, image quality, fit and finish, processing speed are all top notch...." Read more
"...image quality, low noise even in very low light, sturdy build, somewhat-retro style, all "important" controls on easily visible knobs and rings,..." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the sensor of the camera. They mention that it is sharp, clean, and performs well at high ISOs. The sensor works well with internal RAW to JPEG conversion, and produces top-notch results when shooting landscape and non-moving subjects. The camera works like a camera should, and provides top-quality results when using manual lenses. The high ISO performance of the sensor is remarkable, and it works well at low ISOs as well.
"...-The High-ISO capabilities. Just put this thing on Auto ISO 3200, and start shooting...." Read more
"...All the stuff that makes modern cameras cool, works like a champ: white balance, image quality, fit and finish, processing speed are all top notch...." Read more
"...It also works wonders with high ISO (from the 1000 - 3200 range) -- It's output at ISO 3200 is as good or better than many full frame Canon or Nikons..." Read more
"...This camera has unusual sensor layout that works very well with internal RAW to JPEG conversion..." Read more
Customers find the comfort of the digital camera excellent, light weight, and not cheap feeling. They also say the ergonomics are great, the dials all have a solid feel to them as they move, and the display feels right in the hand. The output is pleasing, with no excessive softness or light falloff/color casts. Customers also mention that the shape and size are comfortable for easy handling.
"...camera in Fuji's lineup, about on par with a Leica M6, but it feels good and is pretty unobtrusive...." Read more
"...The dials all have a solid feel to them as they move. Nothing lose fitting, etc...." Read more
"...The shutter speed dial is a bit stiff but does have an excellent feel to it...." Read more
"...SIZE. I like the size of the Fuji and find it comfortable, but it is much larger than the NEX 5n, which is pocketable, at least with certain lenses...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the quality of the camera. Some mention that the out of the box quality is excellent, and the RAW files are astonishingly good. They also say that the camera is incredible, outstanding, and love the lenses. However, others say that it isn't perfect, and it's not a DSLR. They say the above limitations are frustrating, and that the product doesn't shoot like an SLR.
"...I love the way my pictures look when taken with this camera. I love the lenses, the X-trans sensor, the OVF and the retro look and feel involved...." Read more
"...The output is pleasing (no excessive softness or light falloff/color casts) -- The two lens I've tried are the VC 35mm F/1.2 (VI) & the Zeiss 50mm..." Read more
"...It really boils down to one concept: while the above limitations are frustrating, IT'S POSSIBLE TO COMPENSATE FOR THEM if you know what you are doing..." Read more
"...Although the lenses are STELLAR, and render beautifully, I'd recommend waiting until the X-Pro 2 comes out, to be honest...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the focus of the camera. Some mention that the focus is accurate, and the 16 megapixels on this sensor are crisp enough. They also appreciate the quick focus check and the ability to continuously focus. However, other customers say that the autofocus is limited to only one location on the screen, and that the image was blurred when it was off. They mention that it has limited auto-focus lens options and issues with slow auto focus. Overall, the opinions are mixed, and it's recommended for those looking for a high-quality digital camera.
"...Focusing with manual only lenses works well -- change the camera to manual focus and you have the ability to zoom in (10x zoomed view) to check..." Read more
"...-Autofocus is limited to only one location on the screen, instead of automatically adjusting to where the camera believes it should be focused..." Read more
"...No, but really you get, very very accurate focusing and extraordinarily sharp images.SENSOR AND IQ..." Read more
"...like parallax error, limited focal length range, limited close focus ability and only close approximations of what shows up in the final photos by..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the speed of the camera. Some mention that the autofocus is fairly quick and accurate, while others say that it is slower than a DSLR in almost every application. The shutter is very responsive and quiet, and the camera can shoot a burst of 6 frames per second. However, some customers feel that the X-Pro 1 is not a fast focusing camera and that it takes too long for real-life shooting.
"...But, fact is, the AF of the XP1 is faster and more accurate by far than my abilities to manually focus Leica rangefinders...or manually focus SLR..." Read more
"...where you want the focus point/area to be, but that takes too long for real-life shooting unless you are shooting landscapes/very still objects...." Read more
"...This camera can shoot a burst of 6 FPS which is fine for me in such a cam -- afterall, this isn't a super spec pro sport shooting SLR...." Read more
"...The focus was ridiculous slow however. Even with the firmware upgrades the focus speed was less than stellar...." Read more
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-Slow autofocus & lens chatter (though the chatter has primarily been fixed by the new firmware)
-Unless you're using zone focusing (which I've now grown accustomed to using), it's hard to get shots in focus in time for proper street photography
-The throw for the focus ring is too long. It takes wayy too many turns to change the focus from zero to infinity!
-Autofocus is limited to only one location on the screen, instead of automatically adjusting to where the camera believes it should be focused (e.g. a face). In AF-S or AF-C mode, you can manually change where you want the focus point/area to be, but that takes too long for real-life shooting unless you are shooting landscapes/very still objects.
So I'm sure you're wondering why I like the camera so much despite the above limitations! It really boils down to one concept: while the above limitations are frustrating, IT'S POSSIBLE TO COMPENSATE FOR THEM if you know what you are doing. Here are my own personal methods of working around each of the above bullet points:
-I lied. You can't really increase the autofocus speed without changes in firmware, etc. But one workaround is to shoot in higher f-stops (primarily f/5.6 or f/8+) so even if you miss the precise focus point you were looking for, that area will still be *mostly* in focus. If you really like shooting as wide as possible, then I recommend one of three things: 1) Don't half-press the shutter button. Imagine that the camera is a point-and-shoot and just fire the shutter button without waiting for the focus confirmation from the half-press. It gives you just a bit more speed to get that split second you need to get the shot off before the scene changes. 2) Use the drive mode! This camera can shoot 6 fps. Use it to your advantage! If you're worried or frustrated that you're not getting the right shot because it's taking too long for you get the right exposure, then just fire off 6 frames per second with the exposure bracketing! If you have the right exposure already and are just worried about focus, then just fire the camera and you're bound to get at least one great picture out of 12 or so duds. 3) Even if that doesn't work for you, then start figuring out how far away your subjects are. This is actually what I do most of the time, which sounds REALLY HARD (and believe me, it was REALLY HARD when I first started doing this), but with a lot of practice, you eventually can get good approximations of how far away something is, and as long as you're not using too wide of an aperture (I only use f/1.4 on rare occasions, and prefer the look of f/2 or f/2.8), you can just manually adjust the focus really quickly to a designated distance, quickly press the DOF preview button (I manually programmed it to the Fn button on the top) to confirm focus, and then fire the shutter. It sounds like a lot of work, but this is actually one of the reasons I like the camera - IT FORCES ME TO GET BETTER. I've never had to think more about my exposure and how I'm going to shoot it properly than with this camera. It makes me understand more and try more advanced techniques, which in the end makes me a better photographer. Too many cameras these days do too much of the work for you (which I understand appeals to most of the general population), but I like the fact that this camera makes me work for my shot; it makes it that much more satisfying when I'm looking in the LCD after firing the shutter and I see a perfect shot.
-As for the note about street photography, it is indeed tough with the Fuji lens because the throw of the focus ring is so long. It takes too long to adjust your focus for a person walking in front of you. My suggestions: 1) Get an M adapter and an M lens. The manual focusing on those lenses is much superior and you even have dials that calculate your hyperfocal distance ranges for a given aperture, which is HUGE for street photography. That being said, I don't have the money for M lenses, so I resort to 2) Zone Focusing. I had to brush up on this technique (and even estimate the circle of confusion for the Fuji 35mm) but once I estimated the hyperfocal distance to be around 3.8 meters away, I just set my aperture to f/8-16 based on available sunlight and started firing away. It's great because it's so much easier to shoot from the hip with this method. People in the city (I live in Chicago) still fear a camera being pointed at them, so being able to do it discreetly without you having to look at them through the viewfinder is great. All you do is look at the LCD to confirm your shot and fire away!
-There are two workarounds to the focus ring throw problem and they've both been mentioned already. You can: 1) start estimating distances of your subjects to pre-focus your shot or 2) buy M-mount lenses. I guess you could buy old Canon FD and Nikon F lenses with mechanical focus rings too..
-Having the autofocus point fixed to one place at all times is a bit annoying, but there's a simple way to get around this. What I do is fix the autofocus to the middle of the frame at all times, put the camera in AF-C mode (it's a bit faster than AF-S, I've found), half-press the shutter with your subject in the middle of your frame, recompose the image by moving the camera around until your subject is in your desired location in the frame, and then fire the shutter. It won't be 100% accurate (especially with objects very close to you) because the DOF (the area in front of you that's in focus) changes slightly when you move the camera around, but it's about 95-98% accurate, which is more than good enough for my purposes.
Now with those suggested workarounds in place, now I'd like to tell everybody the MAJOR reasons why I love this camera and why it makes my life way easier! Here are the key ones:
-The handling. I had a GH2 and it was actually too small for me. I don't have large hands (about 7.5 or 8 inches from bottom of palm to the end of my middle finger), but when I was using the GH2, I found that I was getting a lot of camera shake because the camera was too small to fit snugly in my right hand and was too light for me to keep it sturdy out in a windy day or cold day. I mention a cold day because shivering kills a shot when the camera is too light to keep sturdy. I feel the X-Pro1 is a perfect size. Many professional photographers actually prefer larger bodies because they are typically sturdier, more durable, and more ergonomic, and while I don't consider myself in that group (I'm not a professional and I have small hands so I still prefer smaller cameras), I feel the X-Pro1 is almost the perfect size. It's not too large for you to have trouble hitting the important buttons while composing in the viewfinder, and it's not too small for you to have camera shake problems. Moreover, the weight of the camera is phenomenal - I can carry it around for an entire day with no arm/shoulder soreness at all! IT IS too large for you to put in most jacket pockets and will never fit in one of my jeans pockets unless I start wearing huge baggy jeans, but it's more than small enough for me to fit 3-4 prime lenses with it in my Crumpler 5 Million Dollar camera bag (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TIQW4K/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i01).
-The hybrid viewfinder. This thing is wicked versatile and useful as h*ll. When you're shooting low-light, use the optical viewfinder so you can actually see in front of you! When you're shooting a landscape and you want to confirm your frame lines, use the electronic one! Then, when you're using the optical viewfinder to wait for a dog, a car, or a raging alcoholic to come into your frame, quickly flip to the electronic viewfinder (with the DOF preview button or the flip switch on the front of the camera) to confirm focus!
-The image quality. Holy mother of God. This thing spits out incredible pictures. I've never had so much fun with a camera because THE IMAGES ARE SO FRICKIN GOOD. Even when something looks bad or bland on the LCD, it can look amazing on a 27" monitor or a large print. Simply put, I've never had to do so little post-processing in my life.
-The High-ISO capabilities. Just put this thing on Auto ISO 3200, and start shooting. If it allowed you to go as high as Auto ISO 6400, I'd use that instead. ISO 6400 has the right amount of grain to make the picture look like slightly like film, so even that's usable. But don't ever go above 6400, you'll regret it. Either way, having nearly noise-free images at ISO 3200 is a technological marvel (and no full-frame w/ 16MP jammed inside, mind you!) that you wouldn't have gotten 4 years ago unless you were shelling over $3000 for a D700 (which is full frame AND only has 12MP, so the sensor dots/pixels are larger and produce less noise!)
-This is usually overlooked, but I'd like to mention how good Fuji's in-camera white balance and JPEG processing is. THIS SAVES SO MUCH TIME. The auto-white balance on the X-Pro1 is pretty much spot on in all but the most extreme conditions, so I pretty much NEVER adjust the white balance/temperature of the photo in Lightroom/Photoshop! Moreover, they coupled it with an amazing in-camera JPEG processor (as good as Olympus', IMO), so if you're shooting JPEGs you can just avoid post-processing all-together! So many people talk about how they shoot RAW, how RAW is better, how a real photographer knows how to post-process, but screw them! Why not just get the picture right the first time and then go straight to printing/publishing??? This is a hugely underrated aspect of this camera, and it's perhaps the greatest thing about the camera because IT ALLOWS YOU TO JUST TAKE PICTURES ALL THE TIME. Never has photography been so simple for me. I never worry about getting the tones of the colors right anymore and I never worry about spending too much time in post-processing anymore. The last album I published to Flickr had 17 photos in it. The pictures were taken from a BBQ I had hosted where I took 19 shots total. All 17 photos published to my Flickr were OUT OF CAMERA JPEGS. I did absolutely no post-processing. I thought about cropping one photo, but eventually decided against it. The two photos I left out of the album were because the subjects in those photos didn't look too attractive (I was publishing to Facebook too, and you know how women are when you post unattractive pictures of them online..) as I was shooting candidly and just caught them in an unattractive pose.
-The manual controls. (FYI I shoot about 50% aperture priority, 40% manual, and 10% shutter priority) Do you know how refreshing it is to have a mechanical, and not electronic, shutter dial on my camera again? Do you know how refreshing it is to have an aperture dial again on my lens? Do you know how great it is for that aperture dial to have 1/3 stop increments? Do you know how refreshing it is to have a manual exposure comp dial again instead of having to dig for it through menus? Well, imagine having all of that back in one camera. Yes, it's the Olympus OM-D EM-5...LOL jk. While the EM-5 certainly does have most of those features, it lacks in fast primes and image quality IMO. Plus it's MFT..you're not going to get that glorious bokeh you want on an EM-5 because you're limited by the sensor size. Full frame > APS-C > MFT, period (if you're talking about bokeh =D). Anyways, you get the picture here..the X-Pro1 has all of the aforementioned manual controls and they're bokehlicious.
-The preset color modes/filters. The simulated Velvia mode is great for landscapes, and the Black & White Yellow filter is great for street photography. One more thing that slims post-processing time.
As a final note, I'd like to mention that this camera is not for beginners. You really need to know what you're doing and you really need to understand photographic concepts to be able to think around problems, because the camera is quirky. If you're a beginner, you're going to have a hard time working around the camera's limitations. That being said, a beginner can totally pick up some photography books like Bryan Peterson's Understanding Exposure and figure out all the kinks and idiosyncrasies of the X-Pro1 for his/her own benefit. But it will be challenging, IMO. If you're an intermediate/enthusiast, I think you'll enjoy the challenges the camera poses to you that will force you to become a better photographer. If you're an expert, well..you're an expert so you shouldn't have a problem with the camera.
All in all, the final rating I'm giving this camera represents one thing: how good the images are and how well it facilitates you taking good images. I believe camera reviews should focus on that instead of high-ISO pixel peeping tests and megapizel/DXOmark sensor comparisons. All I care about is the end result and how easy it was to get that end result. While the camera has its nuances and limitations, I have to give it 5 stars because, like I mentioned before, the image quality is just PHENOMENAL, and the in-camera auto-white balance, color modes/filters, and JPEG processing just makes it SO EASY to take pictures and go straight to publishing. Other cameras may shoot more frames per second, may have a faster buffer, may have more megapixels, and may have faster autofocus ALONG WITH image stabilization and weather sealing. But NO OTHER CAMERA (outside of a Leica) makes photography so fun again and optimizes your time outside in the field actually SHOOTING (rather than in front of a computer screen).
Yes, the focusing is a bit slow. Yes, the camera is expensive. Yes, I wish there were wide angle lenses available for this camera. But damn did Fujifilm make a darn good camera this time around.
(P.S. credit the bespoke X-Trans CMOS sensor)
Edit: One more note. Buy an extra battery or two (you can find them for super cheap on eBay) for this camera and don't look back. It'll let you get through an entire day of shooting. You won't regret it.
On introduction, the X-Pro1 intrigued me greatly. I had previously used Leica film rangefinders and loved using them but digital changed all my working methods and film no longer fit into the equation. The new X-Pro1 seemed like the camera to replace the M6's. But I had recently retired and I could not justify the cost of another camera system. Spending $1700 on a camera body alone and then shelling out for a series of lenses was out of the question. So I continued along with my digital Canons and old Olympus 4/3 systems, both of which were performing quite well. So I didn't even take notice of the announcement of the new X-Pro2 and the improvements it offered. Then I stumbled upon the close-out pricing of the X-Pro1. Really? The camera body is selling for 500 bucks? Could I really pass this up? This is likely my last chance to get my hands on an almost Leica rangefinder-like digital camera. So I bought an X-Pro1 with 27mm pancake lens for a bargain kit price. And then I bought another lens. And another body. And another lens. And then even more lenses. And I'm lovin' using this stuff.
Why do I love the X-Pro1? It really does handle a lot like Leica rangefinders from the film days. People raved about the Hybrid Viewfinder when the camera was first introduced. To me, the main attraction is not the hybridization of the viewfinder or the electronic viewfinder (EVF), it's the optical viewfinder (OVF) with bright lines for the lenses. If you are gonna use the OVF, you have to be willing to accept some compromises. Compromises like parallax error, limited focal length range, limited close focus ability and only close approximations of what shows up in the final photos by what is shown in the viewfinder. I'm okay with all of these but I know many people are not. Personally, I dislike EVFs. I know they are popular these days but I don't like the video game look of the image, the view that's overly bright in low light and dimly washed out in bright light or the assault to my vision of the electronic image as it pops in my eye. I like the window on reality the OVF offers.
So other than the OVF, what else do I like about the X-Pro1? Well, the lenses are superb. Right now I own five Fujinon XF lenses. Not a loser in the bunch. Wide open or stopped down, the images are excellent. I'm sure the techno geek pixel magnifier would find aberrations and imperfections galore but I'm not interested in that stuff. I'm interested in pictures. And my pictures with the XF lenses are just fine, thank you. I'm sure the X-trans sensor has a lot to do with this but I've owned Fujinon lenses in years past (large format lenses for 4x5) and I know Fuji can build outstanding optics.
I also like the autofocus of the XP1. I know, I know--the camera's AF has been criticized to kingdom come by reviewers over the years. But, fact is, the AF of the XP1 is faster and more accurate by far than my abilities to manually focus Leica rangefinders...or manually focus SLR lenses. Besides, Fuji has improved the AF performance with firmware updates over the years and, really, the AF now ain't bad. I'm happy with this feature.
Negatives? Yeah...nothing is perfect. One of the things I've come to love about digital cameras over the years has been the ability to program the camera to your own working methods and forget about it from that point on. There are tons of features on my cameras that I have never used and will never use. I've been doing the photography thing for nearly 45 years now and I think I've hit on what works for me, what doesn't work for me and what doesn't matter to me. Digital cameras in general make it easier for me to take pictures. There is one thing about the X-Pro1 that sorta drives me crazy--something it shares with every other "mirrorless" camera I've used (my DSLRs don't seem to have this problem). There are so many buttons to configure the camera to so many features there's less room for gripping the camera without pushing a button or flipping a switch. Many times I've picked up the camera to take a picture and it's in movie mode or playback or live view or macro some other mode I don't want. I wish there was a way to turn off the features I don't want and kill the function of the buttons that bring up these modes (like in my DSLRs). It should be easy for the camera designers to do this in the main menu. It should be easy to figure out that a human hand has to grip somewhere and that particular somewhere is not a place to put buttons, dials or levers. Ergonomically, the XP1 could be better in this respect. (UPDATE: There is a method to turn off some of the back buttons that get in the way, I later discovered. Hold down the MENU/SET button for about two seconds and it will turn off the 4-way UP/DOWN/LEFT/RIGHT controller. Also adding a Lensmate thumb grip to the XP1s gives me a place to put that digit. These help considerably in preventing accidentally pressing buttons. The PLAY and DISP/BACK buttons still can get in the way at times but I can live with it.)
In the end, the most important thing about a camera is how the picture looks that you get from the camera. This is where the XP1 shines brightest. I've shot Raw format since day one with digital. I've used various Raw processors and worked on each photo carefully to get the most out of it I could. I saved my images as TIFFs for years until I decided the file sizes were burdensome and the difference in quality between my Raw-processed and saved TIFFs and my Raw-processed and saved JPEGs was trivial. I could still print heavily cropped 13x19 images that looked good from JPEG files. When I started shooting with the XP1, I tried out Raw+JPEG and discovered the JPEGs out of the camera was so good I seldom touched the Raw images. (UPDATE: This procedure didn't last very long. I soon found the Fuji film simulations simply don't fit my preferences in color palettes. I know they are popular with many photographers and they initially impressed me. However, I quickly tired of them and started processing the Raw images in Lightroom with the Adobe standard instead. Luckily, the Fuji Raw files are easy to work with and look extraordinary despite some early criticisms of Lightroom's ability to process them. To my eyes, the colors are truer and less yellow biased when the Raw files are used instead of the JPEGs. I also was extremely bothered by Fuji's tendency to turn red into bright orange. It's a personal matter...your preferences might lean in the other direction.)
I love this camera. I love using it. I love the way my pictures look when taken with this camera. I love the lenses, the X-trans sensor, the OVF and the retro look and feel involved. It's not perfect but perfection is unattainable anyway. At around 500 bucks, it's the bargain of the decade but it's a bargain that will be short lived. The XP1 is discontinued and, once they're sold out, there will no longer be any new $500 X-Pros. I bought two.