Fujifilm X-E1 Review

In recent years, Fuji has had great success, particularly in the critical sphere, with its premium X line of camera products. The Fuji X-E1 is the second camera in the series and the second in the range to include interchangeable lenses. It is not intended to replace the Fuji X-Pro1 but rather to complement it. It is technically inferior to the Fuji X-Pro1 in terms of both its specifications and price, and as a result, there are significant disparities between the two cameras.

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In our lab testing, the Fuji X-sensor Pro1 produced photos that were just as good as those produced by certain full-frame sensors, and the camera received a lot of positive feedback from both the audience and the critics.

When it comes to the consumer market, the Fuji X-Pro1 has always had one significant disadvantage that stands out: its steep price. The body by itself may be purchased for around £1,200, AU$1,200, or US$1,700, while each of the three primary optics can be purchased separately for approximately £500, AU$650, or US 600.

Fujifilm X-E1 Build Quality

With the X-E1, Fuji’s designers have again done an excellent job, developing a body design that is not only highly appealing but also carries some significant photographic power.

The body is nearly the same size as the Fuji Finepix X100, the top compact camera produced by the firm. Despite the camera’s reduced size, the lenses that may be added to its front do not give it an unnatural appearance, as is sometimes the case with tiny system cameras (CSCs).

Even though it is smaller than the Fuji X-Pro1, the Fuji X-E1 is still not a camera that can be carried around in a pocket. Additionally, it keeps much of its original weight, giving it the same impression of high quality as its bigger sister did.

Having a textured grip around the front of the camera is convenient, which is especially useful while operating the camera with one hand. Fuji has also developed an extra handle that can be fitted to the camera if you desire even more bulk than the camera already possesses.

The body of the Fuji X-E1 bears a striking resemblance to that of the Fuji X-Pro1, and anyone familiar with the latter would recognize these similarities immediately. The camera’s top plate is practically identical; the only differences are that it is a tiny bit smaller and that a flash has been added to it. On the top of the camera are two dials that govern exposure compensation and shutter speed, as well as an Fn button that can be programmed to do various functions.

Fujifilm X-E1 Performance

When the Fuji X-E1 was first unveiled, we had a lot of hopes and expectations for it. Because it has the same image sensor and processor as the already-high-quality Fuji X-Pro1, we had a good reason to believe that its image quality would be comparable to that of its predecessor.

To our great relief, our preconceived notions turned out to be accurate, and the photographs that the Fuji X-E1 produces continue to leave us quite impressed.

The colors are deep and brilliant without being too saturated, and each picture is packed with incredible information. The new 18-55mm f/2.8-4 kit lens is not your average kit lens either; this lens’s quality build and outstanding performance make it an excellent choice for everyday use.

The default setting is to shoot in Provia, but if you have a scene with vivid colors that you want to highlight, Velvia is an excellent option to go with instead.

Fujifilm X-E1 Sensor

Both of these cameras use an APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensor with exactly 16.3 million individual pixels. As a result of the fact that they both make use of the same EXR Processor Pro, it is virtually certain that the image quality produced by both cameras will be equal.

Fujifilm X-E1 Image Quality

The Fujifilm X-E1 is capable of producing photographs of exceptional quality. It captured noise-free JPEG photos at ISO 100 up to 6400, with only a little noise at ISO 12800 and more noticeable noise along with a small desaturation of color at the fastest ISO 25600 setting, which is an astounding performance for a camera with an APS-C sensor. The RAW files were also very high quality, providing useable photographs over the whole ISO range (200-6400).

The pictures were soft right out of the Fujifilm X-E1 when the sharpness setting was set to default. For the best results, you should do further sharpening in an application such as Adobe Photoshop; alternatively, you may modify the setting inside the camera.

The night image turned out quite well. The camera’s maximum shutter speed of 30 seconds was sufficient for the majority of after-dark shots, and the Bulb mode enabled considerably longer exposures if necessary.

Fujifilm X-E1 Specs

Fujifilm X-E1 Verdict

Overall, the Fuji X-E1 is an intriguing prospect that has the potential to achieve a great deal of success in the market.

A large number of people will undoubtedly find the Fuji X-Pro1 appealing since it combines the incredible technology of the X-Pro1 with a price that is more reasonable for consumers and a CSC body that is smaller and more streamlined.

Adding a new 18-55mm kit lens to the lineup of the X range is also a wise decision. This is another move likely to appeal to a new demographic seeking something a little bit more adaptable.

Fujifilm X-E1 Pros & Cons