image courtesy: laroquephoto
The X-series is more than just stunning image quality. The viewfinder, the lenses with aperture ring, the retro design, the controls and more are part of the “soul” of the X-series. This is why Patrick La Roque, when asked if he would buy or not the X-M1, gives a clear answer: NO! The X-M1 is simply a digital camera that delivers fabulous images but there is no “true photography” feeling as with the other X-Trans cameras. But keep in mind that pro-photographers are not really the target of the X-M1. Read Patrick’s article here.
“Leaving out the viewfinder, building lenses without aperture rings… When you strip away the physicality of that experience what are you left with? A Canon or a Nikon. The camera’s image quality is fabulous but in the end, it’s a robot. It’s a digital camera that flaunts its digital nature at every turn and takes all the immediacy, stealth, thoughtfullness and pleasure out of the equation. It completely disconnects you from the scene. I know I’m being harsh but there’s a reason I’m so enthusiastic about the X series; this ain’t it.”
Tell me, what should Fuji do to save the X-series. What’s the “soul” of the X-series? Make a list with your suggestions in the comments (I’ll then make a poll).
X-M1 (body only or with 16-50mm) – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline EUROPE: DigitalRev / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA
XF 27mm – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline EUROPE: DigitalRev / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA XC 16-50: WexUK / PCHstore
113 Responses
Fuji should stick with the X-pro 1 features and improve on them! Keep the optical viewfinder (but better framing lines, please), have a better digital viewfinder (more pixels, no delay), improve a lot autofocus (by far the worst point of this camera – borderline super frustrating), keep aperture ring. This is what differentiate Fuji’s cameras from other cameras, more than the Xtrans sensor (which is good but most people won’t see a difference, especially on resized and processed pictures, which is what most of us do anyways). Oh! And also bring out the fast primes (23mm, 56mm…) of the quality of the 35mm instead of those prosumer zooms, dammit! Fuji’s lenses are outstanding and they were not afraid of bringing fast primes from the start, which also differentiate them from others! But we need more!
Word. Couldn’t have said it any better.
Sales be damned. Keep it niche. Brilliant thinking 🙁
+1
The OVF framelines with the 35mm are a joke. Probably less than 80% of actual image. Should be corrected for the XP1 with a firmware update.
And give the X-Pro1 and X-E1 that beautiful brown leather option.
I couldn’t agree more! Fuji x-pro1 is the camera! it should be improved (espeacially the AF & EVF) keeping its OVF, aperture ring, retro design. With X-pro1 and X100s there is a “true photography” feeling. That is great!!!
Let’s go Fuji, I want my 23mm lens soon 🙂
I totally agree. The aperture ring, shutter speed dial dial and exposure dial are the main reasons I love the X series. I would never go back to the PASM system again.
Drop the consumer line altogether, concentrate on pro/prosumer cameras and lenses. No way to win considerable market share against cameraphones… and while “big names” could afford participating in this game, Fuji just don’t have sufficient resources.
Drop the video, drop plastic lenses, drop all this crap. Concentrate your efforts on a very narrow niche and win the game!
PS: Patrick announcing in his blog a new Patrick’s blog post on Patrick’s website… Makes for a cubic Patrick, blog squared 😉
On one hand your’e talking about Fuji not having sufficient resources and on the other you’re suggesting them to drop the consumer line and stay a niche brand? not making a lot of sense. Fuji is not Leica and though it may not seem that way to X enthusiasts, most of their efforts are towards the consumer line – just grab a quick look at the Finepix series and compare it to Leica’s compact line. Their marketing and R&D teams are working around the clock to find new ways of bringing Fuji products to whoever, not just pros / enthus. The X seires is in fact superb in many aspects to other products on the market today and Fuji knows it – thus the downgraded X-trans models, which will sell nontheless to a less demanding market. We all know Fuji has no problem putting out an X-trans interchangeable with PDAF, optical viewfinder, good video and other top market features starting next month. But than again why would you want to upgrade from such a great model? That’s just how things work in all markets really, you put out a lesser product, than put out a slightly enhanced one (forcing the consumer to upgrade) and so on and so on… to expect otherwise is delusional.
Being a niche brand makes perfect sense once you realize that still image cameras and lenses are not Fujifilm’s main source of income, more of a sidekick. And they have an extremely limited R&D resources (compared to “big names”) that they are currently wasting on mass market.
Just a little astronomy metaphor can help you understand the scale of things, I hope… If we project camera manufacturers to the Solar system… In terms of size, the Sun will adequately represent Canon, Sony will be the Jupiter, Nikon – Venus… And Fujifilm – well, Fujifilm is more like Pluto. Just a tiny spark in the sky.
They’re not going to drop the “crap” if this is their most recent release.
Obviously this is a path they want to go down.
And it’s a good thing. It will bolster the bottom line.
Exactly. “Go down …”
They might get more recognition from it. But they were doing as well as they possibly could already in the high-end marked, so what good will that do, for us it won’t improve anything. You could say ‘they’ll have more R&D money’, yeah but then they need that for the new mainstream line, it still doesn’t do us any good. The pancake is proof that it’s not a good thing. For all we know there could have been a X-Pro2 already as well.
Fuji’s current Finepix lineup (at least outside of Japan) consists of 13 non-X, P&S cameras. Thirteen, and that covers the bottom line threefold. If you need a bridge camera that inherited the best qualities of X and P&S alike, we have an X100s.
Both Nikon and Canon understand a very important thing: first, you have to satisfy the needs of hi-end pro market. Then, and only then, you can play with pink noodles in a consumer pool. If Fuji pros had a portrait lens, pro zooms and an X-Pro2 to play with, the XM1 would be a welcomed addition to the lineup. But with the next pro body long overdue, shortage of pro lenses and total lack of pro accessories (For example – how old is the 60mm macro? Did anyone ever heard of Fuji announcing a macro ring set? Bellows, maybe?…), Fuji just keeps digging down to satisfy lower end consumers. And the rumors about even cheaper and simpler PASM body coming next are… frustrating.
So far, Fuji did great with partisan marketing by pleasing working pros all over the world. It might backfire big time, because it’s so much easier to frustrate than to please – and with their latest announcements, Fuji is not doing good in the “pleasing” department.
No thinking here. None.
Actually there’s a lot of thinking there. You might not remember but that’s how Fuji attracted a lot of photographers where out of nowhere they introduced X100 and completely stole the show.
And that’s also how they managed to get quite a lot of professional photographers on board – by offering something what was not on the market (or at least not in that price point – Leica).
This is a stupid comment which makes you sound ridiculous.
First, the x100s is nowhere near a bridge camera of an x and a ps. Maybe a canon G1X or sony RX100 would fit in there.
Second, the x pro 1 was announced around January 2012. This makes it only 1,5 years old. If you want to compare it to Canikon go on: Nikon does small updates to the pro line every 2 years, the big updates are every 4 years. The d700 was updated after more than 4 years. The fact that Fuji announced so many lenses in this short period of time is actually amazing. Look how long it took for m4/3 to get most lenses on needs.
Probably we will have a x pro 1s announced between september and january with pdaf on sensor and better EVF/ergonomics and in 2 years a x pro 2 with more pixels etc.
And third: if you wand to shoot with pro zooms buy a Canikon. These are the cameras made to handle lenses like a 24-70 2.8 or 70-200 2.8. The x mount is mainly a prime system. Big pro lenses would give a bad balance on the cameras. And there is no way to trick physics. Fast zooms will always equal big and heavy lenses
The thing which they could improve for pros would be weather sealing.
“Bridge camera” definition is as murky as a “portrait lens”, but you may call it “fringe camera” (just don’t tell agent Dunham about it).
Oh, and I love sounding ridiculous, it’s more fun this way.
Why do you think that deer should adopt a behemoth’s pace? Why are you comparing Fuji’s spawning rate to Canikons? It will be more logical to compare them to Sigma, don’t you think?
(mad hatter mode off)
And your last remark, about getting Canikon for myself, is rather funny. I am in the process of selling my SLR stuff right now (Nikkor 300/2.8G VRII, anyone? I’m not kidding!). But not just that – you’ve mentioned “bad balance”. I was tired of this “balance” crap 30 years ago, and it only getting worse as lenses get bulkier and heavier… C’mon, it’s a camera, not a crossbow. And while I can understand people whining about 200/1.8 making their FF kit front heavy… We are talking about APS-C sensor here. Everything is tiny, even if you go superfast. Sigma 18-35/1.8, the biggest and brightest “normal” zoom ever made, weights just 810 grams (>100 grams lighter than 24-70/2.8 FF zooms). Get your left hand out of your pants and support that lens, no big deal. It’s a zoom after all, so your left hand belongs there anyway.
@trent
1. Sorry for my first sentence it was offensive.
2. A great product needs time. Just because Fuji are releasing entry level cameras it doesn’t mean they aren’t working on the professional line. Also, I don’t understand what Sigma has to do with that. Just be patient, if there is no x pro 1s/2 announced after christmas you may complain 😉
3. Regarding weight: I am not complaining at all, I just wouldn’t want to use a Fuji camera with heavy lenses, that’s not where I see the systems benefits for me. It’s up to you, but to be honest I doubt that we will see a 16-50 f2.8 from fuji any time soon. Though a 50-135 f2.8 in the size of the old sigma version would really be nice, and would have made more sence than the 55-200 ”safari” lens.
4. And going to smaller sensors doesn’t make anything tiny. The lenses just get more complex and expensive. Look at the Nikon 17-55 f2.8 or the Olympus 14-35 f2. There is no free meal. The weight advantage you get from shooting in crop factor could be easily achieved by light lenses like 50 1.8 35 f2 24 f2.8 etc. Or look at leica, they are creating tiny fast lenses in 35mm format.
Please don’t drop video! It’s getting exciting! https://vimeo.com/66818038
Agreed.
And while the rest of the Pro world highly values video, so many snobbish X users seem determined to keep pro features out of the range.
They’re all at home developing their images in their darks rooms. Since that’s what real photographers do.
This Camera, and the next few (see rumored A model, or 2″ sensor-based variants, if…) are fuji’s way to target the upper mass market of joe and Mary looking for a compact, but still serious enough camera.
This is not for any of the religious enthusiasts we are. So be friendly to Fuji, as they may sooner or later come up with a xpro1s, something I’m looking for before selling my x100, if.
they better release some answer to Sony’s RX1(R) – that’s what I’m planning to get, walkaround FF camera with 35mm lens.
Everything what Trent said and I would add – digital split focus in the OVF as an overlay – that would be absolutely fantastic. And remove all the crap. And give us a full frame camera, solid and weather sealed, I’d get one straight away.
You and two other people.
+1
For the split focus overlay in the OVF.
And while their at it, have to make a whole new line of lenses… How about some thought out ideas.
I think that Patrick LaRoque deserves a bit of credit here. I can imagine it must have been quite difficult to write review of a camera he clearly didn’t like and was given to him by Fuji for review. Also kudos to Fuji for giving it to him even though they knew he wouldn’t like it 🙂
I agree with all points in Patrick’s review, that’s the reason I picked X-Pro1 over NEX7, it felt like a camera not a computer.
I OWN THE X-E1 AND I AM THRILLED. I AM NOT A PRO, BUT I AM AN ENGINEER, I UNDERSTAND A LOT ABOUT TECHNICAL STAFF.
I THINK ALSO THAT THE X-PRO1 IS THE LEADING AND MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE X-SERIES AND FUJI SHOULD INVEST ON IT, IMPROVE IT WITHOUT CHANGING BASIC THINGS THAT PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD LOVE AND APPRECIATE:
MANUAL DIALS, HYBRID VIEWFINDER, DESIGN, SENSOR QUALITY AND IMAGE QUALITY AND COLOURS,
X-E1 IS MORE AFFORDABLE, BUT HAS RETAINED THE KEY FEATURES, APART FROM THE OVF.
I AGREE THAT THE X-M1 IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT. PERHAPS THEY HAVE IN MIND TO INTRODUCE AN EXTERNAL VIEWFINDER, SO LETS WAIT AND SEE.
“I AM AN ENGINEER, I UNDERSTAND A LOT ABOUT TECHNICAL STAFF”
Do you understand the Caps Lock key?
If you’re understand a lot about technical stuff, you should know better than you use all caps.
Yeah, the usual. Why don’t limit it to the fact that you don’t like the experience and that’s it? A robot? How are Canon or Nikon robots, it depends solely on you how to handle the camera. OMG, digital! Well, yes, this is a digital camera with great digital features. How is it less “stealthy” and “disconnects you from the scene”? A huge mess of big words just to say that the interface doesn’t suit you.
Vlad, what camera do you use? Honestly, camera without a VF does disconnect you in a way from the shooting. It’s completely different experience shooting at arms length than from shooting with your eye on the viewfinder – not even mentioning better grip and more stable position which allows you to use slower shutter speeds.
I never got connected with my Nikon dSLR that’s why I got a rid of it when I bought X100 because I didn’t use it. I do not like PASM, I like to shoot in manual exposure with direct access to aperture (on the lens), shutter speed (on the manual dial with clearly marked speeds). I prefer to make decision before I take the shot, look around, evaluate conditions (light), pre set aperture and shutter speed and wait for the moment or look for it, turn the cam on, snap, done, next one. That’s connection with the camera – camera does not get in the way of capture.
Hexx, I am not sure what your problem is. Fuji have three cameras that fit what you describe, the X100s, Xpro1 and Xe1. For Fuji to ignore photogs with different preferences would be foolishness. I get the impression some people think a different models should only be differentiated by colour. Would a pink Xpro make you happy?
No problem here, just don’t understand that attack on Patrick’s review where he was honest straight from the beginning explaining why he doesn’t like it and I do agree with him. I guess I’ll just shut up for now 😉
Another usual word – attack. What exactly do you mean by this? That I am simply stating my disagreement with someone?
Vlad, implying that your opponent is a troll is one of the most classical ways of trolling.
Just sayin’… 😉
Not sure how I “implied” such a thing. But then, I am not sure how you define “trolling”. Also, in case the opponent is trolling, not sure how calling him on it is trolling, either 🙂
Vlad, let’s leave trolling to trolls 🙂
It looks like both of us are great examples of opposite worlds/takes/preferences on cameras. You have NEX7 which is brilliant camera. I have X-Pro1 which is brilliant camera too. I’ve picked it over NEX7 because of the controls and you probably have NEX7 because the controls suit you better than the ones on Fuji’s X cameras.
There’s nothing wrong with having different opinions. I agree with the review, you might disagree. That’s all fine. I just hope that further development on the upper end will be in the same style as is X-Pro1/X100 -> hybrid VF, aperture on the lens, shutter speed dial and exposure compensation dial.
These posters are either insane or insecure. They don’t realize that their narrow needs/fashion isn’t all that exists. No entry level x-mount. Why? Because they won’t buy it.
No Sean, it’s about the split personality of the system – that’s what it is. They introduced system consisting of premium lenses with aperture rings on them and then release a pancake lens (walkaround lens) without aperture ring and compromise controls of the system. One has to ask, should I invest in this system, where is it going (some of us have few lenses for XF mount)?
Hexx, now that is a valid point, but I believe Fuji took the right decision. Having a shutter dial on an entry-level body simply doesn’t make much sense. Heck, I first used one 2 years after taking photography seriously. As to where the system is going, simply consider this – Fuji started with a great quality photography product (camera and lenses), followed with consistent relevant updates and only then went for the low-end market.
Hexx, currently I use a NEX-7. I do not feel that the use of an LCD disconnects me from the scene, it is actually the opposite, hence my question above, as this point is not elaborated on in the post. As to the grip and stability, the EVF of the NEX is in the corner and doesn’t provide much stability. I have no problem shooting at very low speeds and using the LCD, for me it is simply a question of habit.
As to your second paragraph, I understand that you don’t like the interface and consequently cannot connect with the camera. Same as laroquephoto. But that is not what I am arguing. He calls some cameras “robots”, “flaunting their digital nature” and again does not elaborate. But, hey, it does sound beautiful! The worst example is the “stealthy” part, where it doesn’t make any sense.
@hexx: a camera without a viewfinder does not disconnect you from shooting IF it has a tilting LCD. It allows me to use the same style as when I was using Hasselblad 500C: keep the camera close to your body at waist level, look down to compose, look up to see what is happening around you and decide what you want to photograph, look down at the viewfinder, readjust what you see by small movements of the camera. Added bonus: discrete, most people do not know that you are taking a photo. You are correct if the rear LCD screen is fixed, but not so when you can tilt the screen up. This is actually one of the great futures of X-M1. I am really surprised that nobody noticed that this single future makes the X-M1 more professional than X-E1 and X-Pro1 for “old style” photographers who used waist level style!
Good luck with that on a bright sunny day 😉
“I AM AN ENGINEER, I UNDERSTAND A LOT ABOUT TECHNICAL STAFF.”
Like how to operate the caps lock key?
YEAH, LIKE CAPS LOCK. THE DELETE BUTTON IS ALSO USEFUL, BUT I DON’T OWN THE SITE, UNFORTUNATELY 🙂
Don’t like it, don’t buy it. I’m not. But the camera is not designed for him. I hope it sells well. The more people using this mount the better. Means more lens choices and a healthy used market.
This is a serious point. There are a lot of people who will be interested in X-M1, simply because it has the same image quality and the same mount, regardless of the other characteristics.
Another camera similar to X-Pro1 with a cheaper sensor, on the other hand would cover the needs of those who care about the feel and the design of the X-Pro1 and can afford to sacrifice the X-Trans image quality.
It is a matter of broadening the custommer basis, really and satisfy different taste.
Precisely. I would like to see a 5DIII user reviewing a Rebel.
that’s not even that, it’s a 5D guy reviewing a Rebel as he was actually reviewing a 5D, complete nonsense.
Fuji needs saving??? What a load of crap!!! They have been very smart with their entry into the mirrorless market, it’s the only mirrorless manufacturer that has been taken seriously from day one, that includes the fanboys of other systems and pro’s. There is a lot of people waiting for them to get the details right so they can jump aboard. The best Fuji can do is continue as they are and ignore the snobby elitist ‘know it alls’. I’ll probably board the Fuji train when XE-2 comes along. 🙂
Why are people getting so tearful about the xm1? Ffs, don’t you get that if Fuji don’t expand the range towards a cheaper end of the market, there won’t be a Fuji company shortly…sure it doesn’t have a view finder and the lens doesn’t have an aperture ring, it’s still a quality item…slrs have been using a button/wheel combo for adjusting exposure and a wheel for aperture for forever…sorry, I forgot, ‘real’ photographers don’t use slrs, do they…
Exactly.
Competition is fierce.
If you want your prime lens, you need to understand that lens needs to be be economically feasible.
If they relied on a small hipster percentage of the Pro market, they’d be doomed.
It’s their fragile egos plus myopia.
Stick with the excellent control scheme (the only thing I am jealous about X with my OM-D), for beginners add scene modes on the side (as a simple choice on the touchscreen what to use when everything is in A, maybe accessible with a dedicated button SCENE – which function should be reassignable). And exposure compensation should work in those scene modes too – just add white and black circles or white-to-black line around the dial so it would be easier to understand for beginners that the function corresponds to brightness.
I like the look of the X-M1. Somehow I prefer it to the X-E1. But the lack of a viewfinder is a killer. Plus, I think the soul of the X Series is the traditional aperture and shutter speed controls. PASM is still possible by setting either/both dials to auto. Maybe this is not automatic enough for users used to portrait/landscape/sports/night exposure presets.
I wish Fuji has just been a little braver.
Change the name from X-M1 to C-M1 or something and keep them as separate families…. General comments are spot on, the X series is all about getting back direct control over the parameters that define the image….
wow, so all of this just because of the series the camera was put into? seriously? spoiled kids of Fuji… these people that cares so much about labels, name, brand, what the others talks about them, such tragedy.
first Instagram and now this? what’s happening to the world!? how come Instagram went to Android?? it was supposed to be just on iPhone! those people don’t understand the essence of Instagram! now it won’t be as it was before, it won’t be cool anymore, everyone will have it. Android people don’t understand, they don’t, Instagram should be exclusive to iPhone! they will take bad pictures, they will take pictures with no meaning and that will totally ruin what I do, because you see, what others do will change the perception some people will have when I use it! what all of that means the worls to me! what people think when I use Instagram won’t be the same as it was before, I can’t believe that!
Haven’t taken your meds?
Hi, this review sums up my feelings, I bought the xpro for the handling, physical dials and aperture rings. The xm1, 16-50 and 27mm are the most disappointing releases yet. I have invested in a fantastic camera and have money set aside for lenses, I was looking forward to the 27mm pancake, however as it has no aperture ring im no longer interested, I would even have accepted a size increase to accommodate it. I hope the fast 56mm and 23mm lenses are not further delayed, I would also like to see a 100mm lens somewhere in the future. My general thoughts are that people who bought the xpro and xe1 are the ones who will buy extra lenses and spend the cash on high quality kit, the cheap plastic consumer stuff is disposable and not aimed at people who tend stick with the zoom and never take it off. Look after your enthusiast and pro markets and theyll stay loyal.
One thing i missed with digital photography was the full manual control – that is aperture ring on the lens, and shutter dial on the body. The way you held an SLR was ‘built’ around adjusting aperture with left hand whilst supporting camera – and using right hand to adjust shutter and pressing shutter button.
The X-Pro 1 brought this back and it takes me back to the days of my Canon A1’s – when photography was a real joy, and you looked forward to getting film developed to see how well you’d done with your shots (exposed correctly, framed correctly, DoF right etc).
If you took away the ‘on lens’ aperture ring – then you would be looking at a typical ‘digital camera’ – but with the words Fuji on it.
Really – high ISO, IQ, Retro Styling, Quality Lenses, in camera processing, nice Menu and function lay out – all of these things can be found on cameras produced by all other manufacturers – but the aperture, that is the ticket for many people.
Maybe it’s just ‘us old film users’ who love this feature – if that’s the case, that’s an extremely LARGE market!
Yeah he must of been really grumpy not to at least try out the 27 pancake, I think its a really nice lense but overpriced a little.
Yeah no option for a viewfinder is a deal breaker, but it has some cool features I hope Fuji puts in other x cameras like WiFi
love aperture ring, viewfinder, and shutter speed dial, but 90% of ppl are taking “been here, done that” kinda photos and they couldn’t care less about these features. Too bad Fuji didn’t include a touch screen for them.
Wow.. I’ve never seen more narcissistic whining nor such a terrible review (with quite mediocre sample images) in quite some time.
All the whiners here really seem hurt that Fuji would dare to make a camera for another audience. Guess what? They made the XM-1 for another audience. I’m looking at the XM-1 for the small camera with great image quality that I can hand to my wife and I don’t have to change settings for her. Something to snap those dinner picks with, or perhaps take on that walk in the park. I don’t need my DSLR setup for those situations, nor do I need an XPRO1 for that either.
The XM-1 is a competitor to the NEX-5 and similar Oly cameras. Fuji needs to have a competitor in that price range. To the misguided one above who thinks that the X100s is a intro-level camera for the Fuji line at $1400? Dream on. Fuji needs to compete in the $700-$800 range.
The whining here, and the review, really does a disservice to Fuji, as you’ll likely chase away customers, and get them buying NEX bodies instead. But I suppose you don’t want those lesser beings buying the same camera line as you own, right?
Get over yourselves.
Well put 🙂
can you imagine this situation? you are working somewhere and then someone appears and say “cool I also have a X-camera” and then the person shows a X-M1! so insulting! that’s not a X-camera! it doesn’t have a viewfinder! it’s not PRO! poor me, what have you done Fuji??? it was supposed to be just us! you should have branded it differently – because that means the world to me! gosh, how can’t you understand the importance of the X-Series! it’s an exquisite and exclusive brand for REAL photographers, how come a camera that is not for me and I won’t buy have a feature like mode dial?? I care so much about things that are not even aimed at me, it should be all just for me! me! that camera defined me as a photographer now I’m confused and in denial, I should not, I cannot, I won’t accept that Fuji does that! now more people will have access to the X-Series! it’s the end of the world as we know it! damn you!
It’s not that I am upset that Fuji has created a camera for other peoples needs. Heck they have a bunch. But I am in the process of switching from a Canon setup to Fuji precisely because of the image quality and ergonomics of the X system. My concern and disappointment comes from not knowing how this will effect Fuji’s commitment to the bold idea of a camera system that I am basing my work on.
What will happen with new lenses? Do the make some with aperature rings and leave the new cameras behind? Or do they leave off the aperature rings and lower the quality of the X brand that they created that has cause many of us to switch systems.
The new pancake lens has been on the roadmap for some time. And on my list as well. But it never would have been had I known it was created for a lower tier market and made of plastic without an aperature ring. What about future lens releases? How do I plan my business if I can’t know in advance what quality lens Fuji will be delivering. Heck, when I decided to go all in with Fuji, I didn’t have any idea that they would start producing reduced feature X system components.
I feel that Fuji only has their mirror less market share that they have because of their willingness to take a chance and stray from the norm. And although I get the practical business side, they risk alienating those owners that are responsible for them having the market share they have.
This is well said.
Except if you are hoping your wife can focus this $1000 “entry” level camera on a candle-lit dinner, she might go back to her iPhone for the shot.
+1 Well said 🙂
the X-M1 and the rumored X-A1 won’t change how Fuji does the X-PRO1 and X-E1 so I don’t get why people are so propense to try to keep Fuji a niche camera. I think that reviewing something taking into account the purpose doesn’t make much sense. People complaining about this camera not having view finder would be doing the same if the camera had one, because it would make no sense, which answers why this cameras doesn’t have one. I get that maybe Fuji should have sticked with the shutter dials and aperture ring instead of mode dial but people treat it as if this is the replacement of the X-PRO1 and X-E1.
I’m an amateur, not much money to spend on cameras, so this camera is just for me. Complaining that this is not suitable for the professional, that it doesn’t give you that “X-feeling”, is just a waste of time. It’s as complaining that shooting at f/11 there’s not enough light or too much depth of field.
Let us hope the M&A cameras do not delay the next iterations of Pro&E! It may be Fuji is waiting for th upcoming new generation of sensors – which would be very sensible: One Real change rather than two not so meaningful iterations.
Personally I do not expect, nor would find it intellegent by a manufacturer to offer several versions of cameras all of them aimed at just one category of customers.
IMHO the X series should always have a viewfinder, and preferably also a “manual control” style interface, as well as consistent high quality images. Always Raw available as well as the fantastic JPEGs.
The X brand seems to be getting diluted until it’s hardly clear what it is any more. The XF-1 and XM-1, nice cameras though they may be just don’t seem right for the lineup.
exactly my feelings
Yes, I think you’ve hit the nail on the head. The X series is the premium series. They should have put the M1 and A1 under a different series.
Have you seen the price of these cameras … nothing but premium I’m afraid.
There is a whole generation of people out there who don’t know what a view finder is! So they be denied access to a premium product that meets their need?
If you want a viewfinder, buy the E1. Easy.
Want manual control, but the E1. Easy.
The X is a brand. It represents the best Fuji has to offer. The M1 is the best Fuji has with no view finder. Easy.
wow, so all of this just because of the series the camera was put into? seriously? spoiled kids of Fuji…
actuallt this is very intelligent, Fuji should create another mount so they can use a different letter that it’s not X, totally makes sense.
Sounds like there might be a business opportunity as therapist to X series owners who are having a hard time dealing with Fuji making X series cameras for “commoners”. “Doctor, first they started making zoom lenses, and now there’s no viewfinder! Nooooooooooo!!!!!”
Fuji needs to read the tea leaves regarding what is happening to the camera market.
1. P&S cameras will be essentially gone within 5 years except for specialty models like the 100S and perhaps an X20 like version with the 100S sensor and the right lens (25-100 after distortion correction).
2. The low end mirrorless market is dying, everybody who wants one has already bought it. Hence, they need to target the X-Pro and delete everything else.
3. Within a short time, the only buyers of cameras in meaningful volume will be those going after the highest image quality and usability. Neither Canon nor Nikon can produce their flagship models in sufficient volume to meet demand, these are 90% amateurs and not pros driving that sales volume.
3A. This means full frame with at least the IQ of the Nikon D3S/D4. At a minimum, pro level APS sensor. The X-Pro1 has so many pro gaps that it is simply a niche toy at this time. All Fuji has to do is read the reviews by Michael Reichmann and Thom Hogan, both of whom are very impressed with the camera, to identify and fix the problems.
3B. Get over the 1mm apart lens phobia currently gripping the X platform and produce some truly new focal lengths: 100-500, 120-150 macro.
3C. It needs to be large enough to hold and use in adult hands for hours at a time. Small is cute, i.e. jewelry and not a usable camera. The smallest comfortable camera is the Nikon D300/S. This could be accomplished with a grip to serve both the cute and usable market.
3D. It needs a real world 1000 shot battery, can be accomplished with a multi-battery grip.
3E. Minimum 1/8000 sec top shutter speed, 1/16000 would be better; can be provided by an electronic shutter (perhaps delete the mechanical shutter entirely).
3F. Exposure bracketing in thirds up to +/-2 EV per shot and +/-9 EV in total.
3G. High speed shooting of at least 50 frames per second – see the Nikon V2.
3H. Pro quality dual memory card support, this means CF; SD = toy.
3I. High speed continuous AF, at least as good as the Nikon D300S.
Net, if Fuji doesn’t shoot for the high end, they are history. The camera division is currently a pimple on the side of a giant company, a pimple the board is going to pop if the camera group doesn’t get its act together. They made a great start and then got lost. In fact, if Nikon gets the V3 right (considering the huge improvements of the V2 over the V1), it might already be too late.
Agree. Go pro or go home is my motto.
I agree mostly–go pro or go home. Camera phones are taking over the low end, IQ and pro handling is where the business opportunity is for standalone cameras. Really want FF!
But I disagree on CF vs SD. SD is great, especially for a travel-size camera like this. You can carry nearly 2x more memory cards in a smaller space and use a card case not to lose them. SD cards are fast too with UHS-I. 2 SD slots would be a bonus. Keeps the camera nice and small too, an extra grip can add size.
I don’t really see this as a problem or the “writing on the wall” for the Fuji. I have an XPro1 and a lot of people ask me to recommend a good camera, and although I always recommend Fuji, it’s easy to understand that even an XE1 is out of the price range they were looking for.
The XM1 is the perfect solution for those people that aren’t enthusiastic photographers but do appreciate the benefits of a good quality photo.
It doesn’t worry me unduly that my Fuji or my Nikon will be diluted by the manufacture of yet another point-and-shoot compact as it will probably be another two years before I re-invest to upgrade either system, and I can hardly expect either manufacturer to hang around just for a sale every three years.
However, to dismiss any camera because it doesn’t conform to a purist perspective of what defines a serious camera is just elitist nonsense. To believe that a view finder is a pre-requisite is not only wrong but marginalises any photographer that might have an impedance that negates the ability to shoot any other way than via live view. Whichever way a great photograph is obtained should be seen as acceptable and valid, even encouraged if the results show promise. The same can be said with Auto mode, not everyone can perform manual photography, not everyone, even some seasoned photographers I know, even fully understands what manual mode actually is, besides which, are the results from Auto mode so dire, I should imagine that at least a few intelligent and knowledgable people were consulted in its evil development.
Call it entry level if you like or simply hassle free, it really doesn’t matter as long as whoever is using the camera is enjoying taking photos and being inspired by the results to want to continue.
For my part, I’ve already decided to get an XM1, simply as a carry-all-the-time camera, it’ll be perfect for the job, and I’d rather have “a” photo than no photo.
I cover a lot of international motorsports events, my Nikon does the action shots and my Fuji handles the pit lane documentary stuff – drivers are an edgy bunch and the XPro is discreet enough to go unoticed. I have no issues shooting live view, I shoot that way almost exclusively with my XPro1 and I don’t give a damn what anyone thinks about that.
My photos don’t suffer, and every time I get a frown from some of the other “big lens” boys, it just makes me smile. Anyone who is even remotely familiar with the work if Vivian Maier should get some idea of where I coming from and trying to get to with my point. Photography is nothing to do with the equipment and how it’s configured and photographers are nothing to do with “connecting” with the camera, the whole thing is just about the end result, the photo, beyond that anything else is just packaging.
The most wonderful but annoying person I’ve ever had the pleasure to know was, sadly, an ex girlfriend who had no particular inclination towards photography. I bought her an early model Panasonic TZ and in the process discovered her ability to take the most incredible photos I’ve ever seen. Everything she did was wrong and yet everything she shot was right. I’d have given a kidney to have taken some of the shots she took.
So before any of us write anything off, it might be worth taking a step back and evaluating just how high our horses are and just how repeatable Sod’s law is.
I completely agree with the author. When the lenses with no ring came out I’ve already felt something was going wrong. Now it is completely gone down the drain when it comes to a coherent proposal.
I mean, what holds the X-line togheter? The sensor then? Should the fact that the cameras only look similarly be enough? I think no. Like the author, there are some key-elements that define the x-line that once stripped out remove the line from its character – not to poecticaly say its soul.
Prior to the X-M1 announcement Fuji already offered the XF1 and the X-S1 as part of the X series. I’m not so sure the romantic notion of the X series existed the way many people are wanting to believe. I’m just happy that Fuji offers multiple cameras that do have the manual controls most of us on this forum seem to like.
I don’t get this arguement for dropping a more consumer based product. It’s a fact of life that it has to be there. Do you think Ferrari makes it’s profit from their cars? Ask Fiat about that.
I really hope that the X-M1 is just something simple to bottom out Fuji’s collection and then they’ll start working down from the top again (X-Pro2 or ‘s’ model, then an X-E2, followed by an X-M2 and so on, recycling about once every two years). I get the feeling that with the X-M1 they just repackaged an X-E1 without a viewfinder, got rid of some buttons and dials, and adjusted the firmware a little bit to make up for the missing controls. So it was a relatively small investment while they work on renewing the high end. And in the meantime it diversifies their portfolio.
Hopefully that’s their logic.
I agree with this as well. They should have kept the aperture ring regardless. The SS dial….fine i guess….but the aperture ring dial removal was a mistake. I mean how hard is it to put it in A mode for beginners…really….how hard is that!?!??!
I don’t agree with those that want to keep Fuji as a niche camera but I do think that Fuji should not have stripped the aperture ring, at least not from a XF lens – the 27mm pancake. It’s ok if the XC 16-50mm doesn’t have it, but all XF lenses should have aperture ring. No, it’s not the end of the world and maybe they’ve done that to make it tiny but they should have kept it. It would be nice though if they could enable, via firmware update, the ability to double the focus ring as an aperture ring. Actually it would have been better if it was the other way around or that you had a button that would make the camera switch, I don’t know, I know they are capable of coming up with a clever solution, maybe something like Olympus’ 12mm, even though that might add more bulk, anyway, they should have tried harder to keep the aperture ring. But now it’s already done and I don’t think that it’s a trend – the no-aperture ring thing -, maybe for pancakes, who knows?
Renato,
Can I just mention that I’m not at all claiming Fuji should remain a niche? Nor do I feel threatened in any way. In fact when it was first announced I said it was a brave move from Fuji to integrate the X-Trans sensor in a consumer model. I honestly thought my post was clear on the fact that I was simply stating a personal opinion, an opinion based on very specific needs and circumstances. If I’d never had access to the camera I never would’ve written about it, just like I never wrote anything about the X-F1 which has been out for over a year.
But I did get to shoot with it and my blog is the place where I share these types of experiences. I was expected to review it and I couldn’t lie because, well, I don’t. So I shared and I tried to explain the reasons why I didn’t enjoy the experience. If the X-M1 ends up being a hit, great. The new flash design alone deserves big kudos. I certainly wouldn’t mind wifi in an eventual X-Pro2 either — tethered shooting anyone?
As long as the top end of the line remains true to its initial philosophy and quality level I’ll be on board. It’s all that matters. And as I told Vlad in the blog’s comments: if this camera works for you go for it. It’s all that matters in the end. Whatever works.
I never said “don’t buy it”; I said “I” wouldn’t buy it. I hope this clears up my intentions a bit.
Thanks.
to be clear, I was really talking about the people commenting here and those that are actually claiming it to remain a niche camera, that this camera hurts the X-Camera brand and so on.
And give us good lens caps that don’t fall off with the slightest touch! Beautiful cams and lenses and absolute junk caps!
Kudos to Patrick! Even against his likings he was able to capture such nice pictures.
In my opinion Fuji should be trying to retain their photographers introducing more lenses (today it is not possible to have only a fuji camera, because there are some focal lengths lacking, as 23mm, or a 85mm f/1.4 or 1.8). People willing to pay less than the X-e1 price tag are not intending to buy more lenses. On average, they will retain a zoom lens (why introduce 16-50mm only a few months after 18-55???) and do not change ever.
Those wanting a X-PRO2 or a X-E2 are not happy with Fuji and should go back to Nikon or canon, because they are not real photographers, they are more like those geeks waiting for the new ipad, or new iphone, or new intel processor than those who go out and shoot. X-E1 and pro1 are fantastic cameras and improvements could be made by firmwire, as fuji is already doing. thats my sincere opinion.
Bravo Patrick for writing this article. I know you are a Fuji X photographer and I suspect you may get grief from Fuji Canada for not giving the XM1 a glowing recommendation. I applaud you for putting your neck on the line and being honest.
For me X-M1 with a lens with aperture scale is more professional tool than X-Pro1 or X-E1. Why? Because I am an old style photographer who always used cameras with waist level: Hasseblad 500, Pentax 6×7, etc. (yes, it was long ago). Today I still very rarely use a camera at eye level or at arms length: I find it restrictive and I loose contact with surroundings. As I only shoot with aperture preference I DO need the aperture scale on lenses, but I leave Fuji X series cameras shutter at “A” anyway, and rarely adjust shutter speeds, thus X-M1 is likely to be perfect for my needs.
Tilting LCD screen and camera close to my body, at waist level, allows (as I explained in details in this thread some entries above) to observe things around me, to select and compose easier and in discrete way. A viewfinder or a fixed LCD never worked for me. It appears that some (of course not all) manufacturers appreciate advantages of this approach – look for example at full frame Sony A99 flagship and the way rear tilting screen was designed.
It appears to me (now, this is controversial!) that X-M1 with kit lens can satisfy needs of the low end of the market, but with a “proper” lens (like tghe excellent 14mm) it is also perfect tool for professional use. Very few cameras are that flexible, and can make similar claim!
If you don’t want to buy X-A1 or X-M1, just ignore it. You have the X-Pro series so please understand X-M1 is NOT designed for you but other Fuji users/fans who want to buy a cheaper system.
And it’s not like Fuji will delay X-Pro2 development just because they have the X-M and XC lens in development. Don’t you remember Fuji just cut off the low end compact camera department to save the resources for their X brand? It totally makes sense that cheaper X mount mirrorless are in the plan.
So if you want a fuji X with hybrid VF and fancy technologies, you can wait for X-Pro2, it’s coming. And it’s only the 2nd year after the release of X-Pro1!
Or if you are so PISSED OFF because you feel betrayed by Fuji, feel free to switch to other brands. Leica could be your better soul mate.
“What should Fuji do to save the X series?”
How about selling more cameras so they can afford to keep the series as a whole alive, and to fund R&D into more of their excellent lenses? It’s one thing to decide that the X-M1 is not for you, but to claim that Fuji should have given it a different branding is not only astoundingly arrogant but impressively short-sighted.
I know some people think Fuji doesn’t have the resources to stay in both the consumer and pro markets, but they definitely don’t have the money to stay in the pro market alone. Everyone who keeps saying ‘I can’t commit to Fuji until they have a portrait/larger macro/tilt shift/super telephoto etc’ misses the point: that these are niche lenses that are very expensive to develop. They don’t pay for themselves, which is why both Canon and Nikon maintain a diverse line of entry level and prosumer bodies and lenses. If you want Fuji to get into this game, you have to accept that they’re going to broaden the market for their lens mount before they broaden the number of lenses in the range. A new camera will likely sell more lenses, but a new lens won’t necessarily sell more cameras.
Way to go Patrick. Honest review and thats what I was expecting from you. Thank you for testing this camera for all X-fans. Even though most of us will not purchase this model, the rest of us will like it. There is no reason to be aggressive to you, perhaps people just don’t understand the idea of the unsponsored review… Great job, nice pics…
I totally agree that having no EVF (and also no option to add one as an accessory) will be a deal breaker for many users. It certainly is a deal breaker for me, because I am a EVF guy, too, and I don’t like shooting with reading glasses in bright sunlight, either. But that’s just me and I am fully aware of the fact that others prefer LCDs and don’t like EVFs.
As for “the X series losing its soul”, this is just BS. The “X series experience” of the X-M1 is perfectly intact, the X-M1 is (for obvious reasons) just more similar to the X10, X20, XF1 and X-S1. I think it’s pretty arrogant and narrow minded to pretend that the X10, X20, X-S1 and XF1 aren’t X series cameras (and hence offer no “X series experience”), especially since the X-M1 is very much targeting the same user groups as the X10, X20, XF1 and X-S1. Please take note, that there’s more to the X series than the X100 or the X-Pro1. Yes, really! And trust me, it doesn’t end here, there’s more to come. There isn’t one single “X series experience”, there are several “X series experiences” targeting different user groups. It’s called market segmentation, you target different customer groups with different models offering different experiences for different tastes and applications.
Don’t like the X-M1 experience? A fair assessment, I have no problem with that. Not at all. I don’t like shooting w/o an EVF or OVF, either. So I get that. But being neither blind nor ignorant, I also get that there are plenty of people who prefer shooting with an LCD and have been craving for a tiltscreen option. Those folks will like or even love their X-M1. But why should I imply to those folks that they are using a “soulless camera”? I certainly won’t do that. It’s just more hyperbole in the bad tradition of “the DSLR is dead”.
Rico,
I think you are being a tad hard on Patrick. But then again, I agree with his point of view.
I was wondering if you could tell us if you have any professional/financial relationship with Fujifilm?
no, not again the question about professional/financial relationship with Fujifilm! how often has Rico to answer it? Check X-pert corner posts to read the answer he already gave.
btw, every camera is “just” a machine (with its PROS and CONS)… the soul is in the photographer 😉
I figured you would say that. BTW, how much $ do you make pimping your affiliate links?
Yeah, I get it. Push more gear we don’t need. Make more money.
Bye.
Well, as I said, I agree, as well, as I don’t like high-quality cameras w/o a viewfinder option. But I am not ignorant enough to assume that everybody else would have to share this view, because I fully know that there are many people out there who actually do prefer LCDs, who do prefer working with a mode dial and who do prefer changing aperture and shutter speed with mode dials (in 1/3 EV steps). Otherwise, Canon would have lost all of their DSLR customers 25 years ago.
I don’t see a problem. Fuji can hit both the consumer and the higher end markets using cameras that share a bunch of parts. This is a good thing, because it increases return on investment for R&D on the sensors and electronics that are shared between models. That’s the expensive part of the R&D – a few industrial designers and programmers to do the interfaces on the low and high end models it the cheap part – so the entire operation becomes more profitable if total sales are increased by adding lower end models. Remember that the X system is new and still a small part of the market and needs sales growth wherever it can get it.
These are all business decisions, not design decisions. The product line needs to be a success from a business angle, not just a design angle, for Fuji to have incentive to keep up or improve the pace of development of the technologies that feed into the entire line. So, for example, if the X-Series project manager can report strong sales of the 16MP X-Trans sensor, he’s going to have an easier time arguing for more budget to be allocated to the next gen sensor that’s currently on the drawing boards, which will result in a better X-Pro2 or X-Pro3.
If you don’t like the interface design in the X-M1, don’t buy it. Get the X-Pro1. The existence of the X-M1 doesn’t mean that the X-Pro1 is no longer available or that the one you own will now stop working. The existence of the X-M1 might mean that your neighbor who likes your X-Pro1 but wants consumer type controls, a smaller body and a lower price will now buy into the X system, which is good for you because it contributes to the system as a whole.
My list to distinguish X cameras:
Aperture Rings on the lenses
Speed dials on the camera body
Made in Japan
Full frame version alongside APSC
OVF/EVF
Fixed Speed for Zooms.
and then take away the OVF and produce your concession camera. (XE)
A secondary range using the older X parts makes economical sense, but rather than take reflective glory I personally rather it had a different designation in the name (A range or whatever). I’d welcome the same lens mounts so that when I want a cheaper version of a lens I wouldn’t use much I can buy the A range (made in china, lack of Aperture ring). Or even a second body.
You could argue whats in a name, the issue I have here is I want to be able to rely on what X represents, I was looking forward to the 27 Pancake. A lot of people are looking forward to some of the other lenses on the map, we’re expecting them to be Japanese and have Aperture rings, they’d be a lot of upset folks if they were Made in PRC lacking Aperture rings.
Wow, the elitism still is running strong here.
I’ll say it again, do you really expect the X100s to be the entry-level for the X series at $1400 with a fixed lens?
The smaller size, the tilt screen, provides things that the other “pro” series X bodies don’t offer, and it’s a different tool, for a different audience. I’m much more likely to buy an XM-1 as a first Fuji body, than I am to go with a X100s. Then, if I really get the fever, sell the DSLR gear once the XPro2 (whatever that will be) comes out.
From your comment it looks like you don’t have X camera… I’ll give you a break then…
Hi Patrick, love your site, have been following it for a while now. I own two Fuji camera’s and am thinking of switching to X-Series (X-Pro1) now. I have always been a SLR fan, mainly because I “see” things better through an OVF. So when I discovered X-Pro1 I loved it – especially with the basic lay-out and full manual controls like I started out with as a kid when my dad tought me photography.
I had hopes that Fuji would develop this side of the camera further but it seems they don’t. Please Fuji – don’t “Sell your Soul” to commerce: here’s my wishlist:
– Small Fujica size DSLR with MANUAL dials for speed and aperture rings on lenses.
– Discard all the gismos (I don’t need Wifi when shooting Dragonflies and I don’t need GPS because I didn’t get lost)
– Full 2.8 (zoom) lenses
– Keep things affordable
– Invest in IQ in lenses and sensor rather then boosting ISO – when shooting with film, all I ever used was ISO 50 – 800
– Metall can’t be more expensive then plastic.
– If Fuji dedicates to X-System for the next 30 years – I am in
I’m happy that you appreciate reading Fujirumors… I put my best into it.
Hi Patrick,
I have the X-M1 since three days. I have also an X-E1 and an X10, and obvioulsy I am absolutely in love with the X serie.
I read your review with great interest, and I have great respect for your opinion, but I think that we have to consider where Fuji wish to guide us, their loyal customers and fan.
Whit the X-Pro1 they gave us the Fuji Xperience. A reinvented rangefinder, with only prime lenses and so on. They gained the attention of that part of customers that would have never considered a camera without an optical viewfinder, neither a camera with an EVF.
With the X-E1 they convinced us that we do not really need an optical viewfinder in 2013 (they the price as a strong motivational lever). An EVF is just the same than an OVF, maybe better under all the aspects, and probably Oskar Barnak and Maitani would have used it if only existed at their time.
The command configurations and size anyway remain the same of the Leica M, but with a wonderful zoom lens.
In the X-M1 I read the third step of this path. It is an experiment. How could have been a Leica if Oskar Barnak designed it in 2013? Let us see the things from a perspective free from habits and awe for the glorious past.
Probably, he would have inserted a rotating lcd monitor, simply because it is much, much better than the tiny OVF with separated rangefinder of early Leicas.
For me, with the X-M1 they are trying to reinvent a rangefinder camera preserving all the important things (dimension, quiet shutter, interchangeable lenses, optical quality) but changing all the things they need to change without hesitancy. And the spirit, somehow, is preserved.
With the X-M1, is obvioulsy possible to take wonderful photos and it has some very strong advantages that X-Pro1 and X-E1 does not have. First of all the dimensions, and then the rotating LCD: it has all the advantages of a waist level wiewfinder, in such a tiny camera.