83%: X-M1 overall score at the Cameralabs review

Camberalabs posted a comprehensive X-M1 review. They compared also the AF (“the X-M1 AF is responsive and accurate. In terms of speed it’s not quite up to the standards of the PEN E-P5 or the Lumix G6, both of which where marginally quicker“) resolution, noise, RAW’s etc. to that of the [shoplink 13800]Olympus PEN E-P5[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 14918]Panasonic GF6[/shoplink]. So there is a lot to read and to see at the Cameralabs review here. From the final verdict:

“[…] if Fujifilm wants to widen the appeal of its X-series to consumers I think it has a bit more work to do if it’s to compete with the likes of Olympus and Panasonic, not to mention Sony, Nikon, Samsung and even Canon. Once again there’s no touchscreen, no auto-panoramas, no built-in timelapse shooting, and you can’t apply effects, like the miniature mode, to movies. And while the built-in Wifi may let you transfer images to your phone, you won’t be remote controlling the camera with it and the geo-tagging implementation is odd to say the least. The absence of these features may or may not be deal-breakers for you personally, but it is unusual not to have them on a camera aimed at consumers.

Basic feature-set aside though, the X-M1 is a solid performer that remains fun to shoot with and won’t let you down – it’s also the cheapest way to enjoy the superb X-Trans sensor and the small but high quality range of X-mount lenses. But aside from picture quality there isn’t really any one area in which it sparkles, no one feature that’s new and innovative. More than anything, the X-M1 leaves me wondering what Fujifilm has lined up for its second mid-range X-Series system camera. In the meantime, purely on the grounds of its excellent image quality and high ISO noise performance and not forgetting its excellent handling, the Fujifilm X-M1 is a model Cameralabs is happy to recommend, but for the reasons noted above it falls short of our highest award.”

PRE-ORDER

X-M1 (body only or with 16-50mm) – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline EUROPE: DigitalRev / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA / AmazonDE

XF 27mm – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline EUROPE: AmazonDE / DigitalRev / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA XC 16-50: WexUK / PCHstore

techradar X-M1 hands on review (and pre-order at AmazonDE)

 

Comfortable in the hand, the buttons and dials have a high-quality feel, the LCD “doesn’t seem to suffer excessively from reflections or ghosting.” About the AF techradar says:

“We were only able to use the pre-production sample Fuji X-M1 in the confines of an office with relatively low, flat light, which doesn’t do the contrast detection autofocus system any favours. Nevertheless the camera managed to focus the lens on every subject we pointed at and with reasonable, although not super-quick, speed.”

They also tested the X-M1 in their labs so you can check out the resolution and sensitivity results. They compared the [shoplink 13828]X-M1[/shoplink] with the [shoplink 14916]Sony NEX-3N[/shoplink], [shoplink 12881]Fuji X-E1[/shoplink], [shoplink 14917]Olympus E-PM2[/shoplink] and [shoplink 14918]Panasonic GF6[/shoplink].

Check the graphs, see the samples and read the hands on review here at techradar.com.

PRE-ORDER

And as I told you in a note of the firmware-post (continue to share your experience with the new firmware there) German FR-readers can now pre-order also the X-M1 kit (or body only) here at AmazonDE.

X-M1 (body only or with 16-50mm) – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline EUROPE: DigitalRev / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA / AmazonDE

XF 27mm – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline EUROPE: AmazonDE / DigitalRev / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA XC 16-50: WexUK / PCHstore

miXed Zone

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image courtesy: Mike Kobal

 Shot with the Fuji [shoplink 7756]X-E1[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 7812]Tokina 11-16mm[/shoplink] at 11mm.

X-E1

Roshan Vyas travels a lot. And he was tired of carrying the heavy [shoplink 7802]Nikon D7000[/shoplink] around Europe. So he sold it off, and was tempted to buy a [shoplink 7800]Leica M9[/shoplink]. But “having a need to continue eating and living under a roof, I wasn’t about to spend a few months mortgage on a used M9 and lenses.” He found a compromise and bought the X-E1, a Leica lens ([shoplink 7804 ebay]Leica Summicron-M 50mm f/2[/shoplink]) and [shoplink 7806]RainbowImaging lens adapter[/shoplink]. Compared to the X-E1, the Leica lens is heavy, “causing the combination to be a little off balance“. The results? Look at his first two sample shots and read more here on his website.

Here is a comprehensive Italian review (translated version). It’s a good overview about the X-E1. And, I know, you will think that a comparison with FF-cameras is unfair… but on page seven you will find some ISO-comparison samples. This time the competitors are the [shoplink 7900]Canon 5D Mark II[/shoplink], [shoplink 7908]Canon 5D Mark III[/shoplink], [shoplink 7902]Canon 6D[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 7904]Nikon D600[/shoplink]. (thanks Omar)

Fuji X-E1 + [shoplink 7855 ebay]Elmarit-R 24mm F2.8[/shoplink] + metabones speed booster (via slidoo). See the sample shots at dc.watch (translated version).

XF 14mm

“How to never miss another shot with the Fujifilm X-E1: Zone focusing“… DOF with the XF14mm explained by Mike Kobal here!

“We’re currently testing the Fujifilm 14mm lens with the XE-1 body. We’ve included the entire aperture range from f/2.8 to f/22 to show what the lens is capable of. A gallery of 40 JPEG photos taken with the Fujifilm XF 14mm f2.8 R lens.” See all samples here at photographyblog.

FixelPix loves his [shoplink 7821]XF 18mm lens[/shoplink]. But now the [shoplink 7764]XF 14mm[/shoplink] arrived, and he shot for one hour with it. “I know a number of people have asked if the 14mm is really worth the investment over the 18mm. I personally think it is, 21mm (full frame equiv.) offers a fair bit more image than the 28mm. I’ve marked the approximate scale factors between the 14mm,18mm and 35mm lenses. […] There is a massive versatility of speed + ultra wide + stunning output and I can’t wait to get it know it better. The Fujinon 14mm lens looks like the perfect companion for both landscape photography as well as general street / documentary work.” Read more and see his long exposure shots here at FixelPix.

image courtesy: FixelPix

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Sony 35mm f1.8 (NEX) vs Fujifilm 35mm f1.4

The phoblographer made an informal Lens comparison: [shoplink 7816]Sony 35mm f1.8 (NEX)[/shoplink] vs [shoplink 7766]Fujifilm XF 35mm f1.4[/shoplink] (X Mount). “As far as this test goes, Sony has done great things with their lenses, sensors and cameras. But in terms of pure image quality, it still can’t stack up to Fujifilm.” See the comparison pics here on his website.

X-PRO1

Fuji X-Pro1 Portrait Review at roughly365 (read it here). “For me the X-Pro1 was built for this kind of work, I needed a powerful yet discreet bit of kit. It slipped into my pocket easily… I can see how the Fuji X-Pro1 system would be amazing for wedding photography and documentary/backstage photographers, the files are defiantly comparable to the canon 5dII when shooting RAW….Would I swap my Canon Kit for the X-Pro1 kit?? NO….  I find the X-Pro1 to be the perfect camera to have in your kit as a backup/2nd/3rd/4th? camera or for situations you need subtlety.  There are definitely situations where the X-Pro1 is an advantage.“

RAW-conversion

“How to get the most from the Fuji X-Pro1: Using Capture One and Photoshop“. Read roughly365 workflow here.

[shoplink 7865]XF1 (specs&price)[/shoplink]

“The XF1 is without doubt the best looking compact out there – just look at it! And, while it’s not a back up to a DSLR by any means, it certainly does have that wantability factor that is hard to resist. It does exactly what is asked of a camera of this type – it has a near instant start up, is very quick to focus and very quick to process an image.” Read the whole review here at photographymonthly.com

X100s full size samples and X20 manual

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The users manual for X20 can be download from fujifilm.eu at this link here. (thanks Leo)

… the X100s manual is available here.

And for the X100s JPEG sample shots go to Fuji’s webiste here!

X100s: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / AmazonUK / AmazonDE /

X20: AmazonUS (black – silver) / BHphoto (black – silver) / Adorama (black – silver) / AmazonUK (black – silver) / ebayITA /  / AmazonDE / AmazonITA /

X100s sample shot at Fuji’s website