The X-E1 Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera is an interesting take by Fujifilm on the EVF cameras that have been dominating the mirrorless category for a couple of years now. Since the mirrorless camera by nature does not allow for a true through-the-lens viewfinder, if manufacturers wanted to put a viewfinder on the camera they had to used an electronic one. That is, until the Fuji X100 came along. (I’m leaving digital rangefinders out of this statement because they are not the same thing as a mirrorless camera although they are functionally similar).
While technically a compact professional camera, the Fujifilm X100 was such a game-changer that Fuji expanded upon that camera with a few more fixed lens models before finally releasing the Fuji X-Pro1 Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera in 2012 based on that same innovative Hybrid Viewfinder that wowed so many of us in 2011. The combination of interchangeable lenses with that unique viewfinder proved to be a mighty force in the camera world and has proved to be a decent seller despite the apparently steep introductory price tag.
With so many people crying again for a better EVF for use in manual focusing and with legacy lenses, Fuji has responded promptly with the Fujifilm X-E1 Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera. This is all very interesting of course, but the real question stands, does it hold it’s own against its predecessors and really compete with its contemporaries?
Read the Full Review
This is good news for users of Fuji’s X-series cameras: Phase One has finally implemented support for the X-Trans sensor into the latest version of their Capture One Pro 7 workflow software. However, preliminary tests by dpreview show that the algorithm used isn’t much better at demosaicing the sensor’s unique color filter arrangement than the one used by Adobe, with many of the same problems emerging. This is disappointing, as theoretically the X-Trans sensor is able to resolve outstanding detail. However, much of it gets lost due to a lack of a proper demosaicing algorithm — unless you use out-of-camera JPEGs that is. (And this is precisely what has kept me personally away from the X system so far.)
Still, it’s a good thing that more and more RAW converters support the X-Trans sensor. Here’s to hoping that future algorithms will improve the situation.
Even before I had a chance for a first impression, I really did not have great expectations for the Fuji X-E1 Mirrorless Interchangable Lens Camera. I like what Fuji is doing with their X-Series and I am really excited about the directions that the company is heading in the mirrorless market; but, when I heard that it would be an EVF only camera and completely ditch the hybrid viewfinder that made both the X100 and X-Pro1 so groundbreaking, I was less than ecstatic. How can an EVF camera ever hold it’s own against the kind of ingenuity and classic camera experience that the Fuji X-E1’s predecessors offer?
Jump to the Article
CaptureOne users rejoice! According to Phase One Crew member Lionel12 on the PhaseOne/Mamiya Leaf forum, X-Trans support is on the way:
Let me be a bit on lim here, all you Fuji lowers – look for next Capture One release – real soon now.
-Lionel
Now if you translate that into decent English, this means that soon you will be able to process the X-Trans files quickly in one of the world’s most revered image editing and database software programs available. While Lightroom has been supporting the files for a while, CaptureOne has managed to beat Aperture to the growing Fuji party. The best part about all of this? Fuji’s amazingly terrible Silkypix software really has no excuse to keep existing. Now all we need is for Fuji to copy Leica a bit more and start including decent professional software with their cameras. It is a great time to be a Fuji lower.
We’re currently working on the Fujifilm X-E1 review, so stay tuned for that!
(via MirrorlessRumors.com)
The new Fujifilm XF1 retro compact comes with three distinctively colored leatherings.
As promised, here’s part two of our multi-part Photokina 2012 report. In today’s issue: the Fujifilm XF1 and X-E1, thoughts on the focusing speed of the new X series firmware with the X 35mm f1.4 lens, the new 18-55mm f2.8-4 X series lens and the Samsung Galaxy camera.
[click to continue…]
Only hours after the announcement of the latest additions to Fuji’s acclaimed mirrorles X-System, the X-E1 camera and the 18-55/2.8-4 and 14/2.8 XF lenses, they’re already available for pre-order over at B&H. So if you fancy any of these new items and can’t wait until they hit the store shelves, or if you’re anxious they’ll sell out quickly after they become available, here’s your chance at being one of the first to own one. But remember, you’ll still have to wait until November before you actually get to hold them in your hands!
Pre-order links to B&H Photo:
Fujifilm X-E1 silver body
Fujifilm X-E1 black body
Fujifilm X-E1 silver kit w/ 18-55mm lens
Fujifilm X-E1 black kit w/ 18-55mm lens
Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f2.8-4 lens
Fujifilm XF 14mm f2.8 lens
Please Support The Phoblographer
We love to bring you guys the latest and greatest news and gear related stuff. However, we can’t keep doing that unless we have your continued support. If you would like to purchase any of the items mentioned, please do so by clicking our links first and then purchasing the items as we then get a small portion of the sale to help run the website.
