Here is the next video of the Fuji Guys, presenting the X-E1 and the Fujinon XF18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM. And don’t forget…the X-E1 is in Stock in US now:

Black X-E1 body on Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
Silver X-E1 body on Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.

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) ?

image courtesy: Fujifilm (Fujinon XF18-55mm F2.8-4 and X-E1)

A few days ago we posted the first Chinese review about Fujinon 18-55mm (read it here). Now also flixelpix.com had the opportunity to shoot some pictures with this new lens (click here to see the review). Among other things, they say that “for a zoom lens the 18-55mm is still remarkably sharp… As for the new zoom lens, the 18-55mm combines versatility with image quality. With the lens hood attached it is only a little bigger lens to the 35mm XF prime lens… The 18mm-55mm scope means you have a quality lens capable of landscapes and vistas at the wide end right through to razor sharp portraits at the 84mm (full frame equivalent) telephoto end of the scale.”

He tested the new lens also with long exposures settings, click here to see the images.

Apart from the lens, fixelpix makes also some considerations about the X-E1. They say that there is no doubt, Fuji is leading the way in mirrorless innovation. And what’s the main target group of this camera? “For the me the X-E1 is the perfect camera for all of those photographers out there looking at or upgrading an entry level DSLR. The X-E1 offers the same level of photographic quality but the package and user experience is just so much more enjoyable.”

And also this time the inevitable question couldn’t miss: X-PRO1 or X-E1? The X-PRO1 feels a bit more solid, but both are really well made cameras. The X-E1 is 30% smaller and has a built in flash. No OVF and smaller LCD for the X-E1. “The X-Pro1 offers a 1.44 million pixel LCD viewfinder, while the X-E1 features a 2.36 million pixel OLED viewfinder. The X-Pro1 is 100% magnesium alloy in construction whereas the back of the X-E1, like the X100 is actually made of strong, high quality plastic. It perhaps isn’t as strong but it is certainly lighter. The X-Pro1 has a locking shutter speed dial, the X-E1 doesn’t although I do think the exposure dial on the XE-1 is better and less prone to accidental adjustments.”

Here the conclusions of fixelpix: “Although I love shooting at a fixed focal length with the 35mm XF being my favourite lens I foresee the 18-55mm will see a large amount of use for general day to day shooting. The 18mm-55mm zoom lens offers my favourite 23mm and 35mm focal lengths at the twist of a lens barrel and with the added four stop Image Stablisation I am not sure you could ask for more. If you are currently an X-Pro1 owner and are looking at the X-E1 as a second body then the kit deal that includes 18-55mm lens might be worth considering…. As for the X-E1 it is everything you would expect from Fujifilm, a variation on a theme it offers an affordable version on the brilliant X-Pro1 with a slightly different specification perfect. Photographers looking for a good value, high quality replacement to their DSLR should look no further. Did I mention the photo output is stunning? Check the flickr set (click here) for larger versions of the photos in this post.”

have a great day

For one time, let me begin with the conclusions of framighands.com (click here). Richard Simko traveld through Myanmar with his X-E1 and at the end he says: “This camera is not without quirks as many previous Fuji cameras but it has less of them and Fuji seems to continuously working on improvements. It is easy one to fall in love with. And boy, I do love it. It is unobtrusive, light, relatively easy to handle and well built. I can carry it all day long without even noticing the weight… With growing lens range from Fuji as well as lenses from other vendors (noticeable Zeiss – EXCITING!!!) the future looks very promising.” [fujirumors told you yet that the new Zeiss lenses for the Fuji X system, the 12mm f/2.8, 32mm f/1.8 and 50mm f/2.8 with a price of around 1.000 Euro will hit the market on April 2013.]

PROS: The X-E1 looks gorgeous, has a great ISO performance, the Fujinon 35mm lens in very nice, sharp, fast and “it is rendering bokeh in very pleasing way.” And the image quality? “When it comes to quality of image I think Fuji nailed it 110%. It is simply stunning. My “WOW” sounded much louder than when I first time saw files from Nikon D800. There is something to the X-Trans sensor… I am stunned by quality, colour rendition and dynamic range. I have to say that light condition I used this camera were pretty though ones with mostly very contrasty scenes, yet I was able to pull so much details from highlights as well as shadows.” Other reviews said that the X-E1 is too easy. For Richard Simko this is a PRO: “very light and one can barely notice it even after whole day wearing it on the shoulder or around the neck.”

CONS: But, as he already said, there are some quirks. Here a list of some of them: “The EVF display shows the updated aperture with little lag” Further on he says: “Changing the autofocus point is awkward. Button is positioned lower left corner on the back of the camera. This means it cannot be done without moving the camera away from the face and not looking like I am digging the nose at the same time. This can be a big deal to some…  At F1.4 the depth of field is so shallow that even that slight movement when recomposing can throw the focus off (look at this picture here: the eyes of the Buddhist monk are not the sharpest)…” The focus: “in bad light conditions camera hunts for focus and cannot seem to find it. There is new firmware available for lenses so hope this might improve the situation… Focusing seems still slow to me. This is definitely not an action photography camera.” “There is a little shutter lag.” As Pedro Kok said for the X-PRO1, also the rubber lens cap of the X-E1 easily falls down, making it useless.

“This is only short insight and there can be definitely more written about it. What I can say I didn’t regret a bit investing money into this jewel.”

Read the whole review of Richard Simko here.

You can read about his travel through Myanmar here.