X-E1 or X-PRO1: that is the question!
You surely remember the digitalliving review, one of the most discussed reviews on fujirumors. If you did not read it, click here to read.
The question was: X-PRO1 or X-E1? Digitalliving had a clear answer: “All in all, the X-E1 beats the X-Pro1 in every aspect, apart from the hybrid viewfinder. Cheaper, easier, and same image quality.” Also fixelpix was cought in this dilemma, as we wrote in this post here.
It’s one of the most asked questions in the reviews I’ve read. And the answers are different. And now, that the X-E1 is finally available also in the US market, is it really better to buy the X-E1 rather than the X-PRO1? Is it better to save the money, buy the X-E1, and buy an additional lens with the money you saved? Here are an autofocus comparison and four more reviews:
AF
In this video matthewemaddock compared the AF speed of X-E1 and X-PRO1. Seems to focus at the same speed, but, at least in this video, the focus is quite loud. (see the video here).
First review:
This time another German review makes the same question, but the answer is different (click here to read): The X-PRO1 beats the X-E1 in nearly every aspect, except two: 1) the external jack-connection 2) the electric remote release.
Combined with the new FUJINON XF18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS, the X-E1 is better for videos. But for those who set priorities in photography, the OVF is simply better than the EVF. The battery life of the X-PRO1 is also much better, if you use the OVF (but it’s a bit worse if you use EVF.)
Second review:
(derekclarkphotography review) X-E1 or X-PRO1? This review says that there are more similarities than differences between the X-E1 and the X-PRO1. But there are a few differences.
The X-E1 is easier. Maybe to easy? The X-PRO1 however feels quite nice in his hands. He says he will wait for the Gariz half case to be available for the X-E1, not only to protect the body, but to “add a bit of weight and make it a bit more comfortable in the hand.” I looked for all the Gariz half cases available for X-series worldwide on slidoo.com (see results here). There are also the first full cases of other brands available for the X-E1. See them all here!
The EVF of the X-E1 has a high resolution, the addition of the diopter is great.
He also says that “one thing I should point out is that although the shutter sound is as awesome as the X-Pro1, there is an extra noise as the shutter closes that sounds almost like a rapid wind on of film, very short, but I wasn’t sure if it should be there.” According to what Fuji UK told him, it’s the sound it should make.
And at the question, X-PRO1 or X-E1 he answers: “If I didn’t own any X cameras, I would buy the X-Pro1, but if you’re looking for something smaller, lighter, less expensive … then the X-E1 is the one to buy.”
Third review:
photomadd.com: X-E1, X-PRO1 or X-100? “I’d still go for the X-Pro1. That’s coming from a position of using the X-Pro1 for the past 7 months though, I’ve got an attachment to it. If I was starting over from scratch I might not think the X-Pro1 was worth the extra £400 (street price)... The saving over the X-Pro1 allows you to (just) buy an additional lens, and if you’re starting out that is likely to be more important than the body as it will give you more flexibility.” At the end he also says, that if he should choose between the X-E1 and X-100, he would go for the X-100. “There is something about it that isn’t replicated in either the X-Pro 1 or X-E1“. [also Ken Rockwell chose the X-100: “In case everyone forgot, the Fuji X100 is still… my favorite over the Fuji X-Pro1 and Sexy One (X-E1).”]
Fourth review
There is a Spanish review at dslrmagazine.com (translated version) that concentrates only on the comparison between X-E1 and X-PRO1. In short, there is a gap between the models. So they have a different target. But they say that the X-E1 is a complete camera.
Which one would you choose? Would you buy the X-PRO1 or the X-E1 (maybe with additional lens) ?