First Look: Fujifilm XQ1

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PRE-ORDER

X-E2 – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline / EUROPE: wexphotographicUK / DigitalRev / Fotomundus24 GER / PCHstore /

XQ1 – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / EUROPE: wexphotographicUK / DigitalRev / PCHstore /

Did you know that…

… that you can support Fujirumors by purchasing your gear through the links shared on this blog? If the X-E2 or XQ1 is the camera you need, it would be a great support for this blog if you buy them using the shoplinks on FR. It won’t cost you a single penny extra, but FR get’s a small commission. This will help to keep the site running and allow me to continue to bring you the latest rumors, news, reviews, deals about the X-series. Thanks in advance to those who decide to support Fujirumors.

And if you own an X-series camera and want to read a lot of tips and tricks, you should consider also to purchase Rico’s NEW book (print or DRM-free eBook/PDF): Mastering the Fujifilm X-E1 and X-Pro1 (use code FUJISAVES30 to save 30%!). Firstly you’ll do yourself a favor, the book is really very useful, and secondly you’ll support Rico’s work here on Fujirumors.

cheers
Patrick (google+, facebook and twitter)

… and now enjoy another great (p)review of Rico Pfirstinger!

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First Look: Fujifilm XQ1

by Rico Pfirstinger

Talk to Rico (open forum for questions & feedback) – Rico’s Flickr sets – XQ1 Sample Images Set – Expanded X-E2 Sample Images Set –  Mastering the Fujifilm X-Pro1 reading samples (65 free pages) – Order my NEW book (print or DRM-free eBook/PDF): Mastering the Fujifilm X-E1 and X-Pro1 (use code FUJISAVES30 to save 30%!)

Size does matter: Succeeding the stylish Fujifilm XF1 point&shoot camera, the full-metal XQ1 is even smaller and more lightweight than its already very pocketable predecessor. Solidly built, the XQ1 comes in either black or silver, and it features the same 2/3″ X-Trans sensor as in Fuji’s bulkier and more retro-styled X20 compact camera.

Exterior

Since many customers took issue with the manual zoom mechanism of the XF1 (and its unconventional on/off switch), Fuji equipped the XQ1 with a more conventional electronic “fly-by-wire” zoom and a standard on/off button.

The manual zoom ring has been replaced with a multifunctional “lens control ring” that can serve many different purposes. One of them, of course, is zooming the lens, so those of you who actually like to zoom in and out the “old fashioned” way can do so by setting the lens control ring to serve as a zoom ring.

In its “smart” standard setting, the control ring will assume different functions depending on which mode the camera is operating in. For example, in P exposure mode, the control ring handles the exposure shift. In aperture priority mode, you can use it to set the aperture. If you want to manually set the control ring function, you have a choice of controlling either exposure, ISO, white balance, film simulations, drive mode or zooming. In its default “smart” setting, the control ring offers even more variety, like picking an effect when in the Advanced Filter mode, or choosing a scene mode when the camera is set to Scene Position (SP).

Like in the XF1, six of the nine buttons on the back of the XQ1 have a second function layer that can be user customized. This basically gives you six different function buttons that can control any of the following features: face detection, intelligent digital zoom, ISO, image size, image quality, dynamic range, film simulation, white balance, drive mode, photometry (exposure measurement mode), AF mode, focus mode, focus area or wifi. To access this second button layer, simply press the E-Fn button.

A notable change is the camera’s new NP-48 battery, which is smaller (but not less powerful) than the NP-50A batteries previously used in the X10, X20 and XF1. The battery can be charged inside the XQ1 with a simple USB connection. The camera comes with a power supply and USB cable, but you can just as well use any existing USB (aka smartphone) charger. You can also use the supplied cable to connect the camera to the USB port of your laptop, or any car/airplane charger with a USB outlet. So if you travel with your smartphone or laptop, chances are you can save weight and space because you don’t have to bring an extra charger or power supply specifically for your XQ1. Of course, those who prefer to charge their batteries outside the camera can always purchase an external Fujifilm or third-party charger.

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

X-E2 + XQ1: first impressions at thephoblographer

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In case you are one of the very rare FR-readers who didn’t read Rico’s (p)review of the X-E2, then check it out here. Also riflessifotografici (Max & Donato) will share their X-E2/XQ1 review soon. A first sample is already online at their website.

So, one by one, the reviews and first impressions are coming… and here is a quick first look of  thephoblographer.

“The X-E2 is a camera that in all honesty, feels like an old [shoplink 18115 ebay]Leica CL[/shoplink]. […] We didn’t notice any major differences in the autofocusing speed between the X-E2 and the X-E1. In fact, the X Pro 1 isn’t far off from this either. To be fair, we tested it in a very low light area–and convention centers aren’t the best test environments. We’ll have to really put this through a thorough runthrough when we get a review unit in.”

For the XQ1 first impressions of thephoblographer click here:

Though we don’t think that there is anything wrong per se with the XQ1, we’re not sure who may purchase it with Fujifilm also pricing interchangeable lens cameras at such low points. Additionally, we also think that the camera may need more features and a larger sensor for us to want to pick it up as an everyday camera.

Pre-orders

Feel free to use the links below to pre-order your camrea. It won’t cost you a single penny extra, but FR get’s a small commission. It’s a great help to keep this site ticking over. Thanks!

Patrick (google+, facebook and twitter)

X-E2 – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline / EUROPE: wexphotographicUK / DigitalRev / Fotomundus24 GER / PCHstore /

XQ1 – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / EUROPE: wexphotographicUK / DigitalRev / PCHstore /

X-E2 field test video (TheCameraStoreTV)

Here’s a field test video of the new X-E2 made by TheCameraStoreTV. Super-sharp, amazing IQ, faster hybrid AF!

Pre-order

by purchasing your camera using the link below, you’ll support Fujirumors. You won’t pay a single penny more for your camera, but a small commision goes to FR. It’s big help for the site and keeps it ticking over.

X-E2 – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline / EUROPE: wexphotographicUK / DigitalRev / Fotomundus24 GER / PCHstore /

XQ1 – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / EUROPE: wexphotographicUK / DigitalRev / PCHstore /

cheers
Patrick

Kaizen-spirit (X100 firmware): “Fuji is the only one doing it. I’d love this to be industry standard”

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Three years have passed since the X100 was announced at the photokina 2010 (and, as you know, three years are a long time in the this business). Now, I don’t think that many X100 photographers expected such a major improvement for their camera after all these years.

But Fujifilm did it. The company invested time, effort and money to give your classic X100 a fresh, new software look. The camera is now significantly better than before.

diyphotography said here: “So why would a company release an update that is not going to generate any sales or hold users from moving to another system? If anything this update might slow down the move to Fuji’s X100s. They do it because they care about their customers. […] Fuji is the only one doing it. I would love this to be industry standard. Release new features on old cameras. I really can’t see why this would be too hard on camera makers. […] It is not enough because the camera can do more. This is just my wild guess here, and since the X100 is not firmware broken yet, we can’t really tell. But I think it is not pushed to the limits yet. […]”

Another feedback of long time X100 photographer Luke Bhothipiti can be read over here at Craig Litten’s website: “WHOA.  Manual focus WORKS now.  Like. . . it WORKS. […] However, all is not well with 2.0 as now the meter that was so fantastic before is now a little dodgy.  Shooting from the hip in aperture priority, I found that the camera was dramatically underexposing the images in bright scenes, regardless of which metering mode I was in.”

I’ve already shared the AF comparison firmware 1.30 vs 2.00 here. Many of you were enthusiastic about the new firmware, other still have some firmware wishes for the future. So, given Fuji’s Kaizen spirit (listen to feedback of customers and continuously improve its products through firmware updates), why shouldn’t we ask for more?

Now you know it, Fuji is listening. So don’t hesitate to extend the “TO DO” list in the comments! ;-)

Here is some feedback from the previous comments about the X100 firmware.

DONE

– “AF in low light seems much improved. MF works waaaay better, and the peaking is nice. General operation feels faster. I’m super pleased.”
– “The turn-on process is improved also, but it is not as impressive as the Af performance.”
– “Seems that the focus ring sensitivity was also improved. Chapeau!”
– “Manual focus actually works now! You don’t have to strain your arm turning the focus ring anymore!”
– “I have to say this is a spectacular improvement!”
– “So hats off to the team at Fujifilm, this is an amazing update! My X100 just got about 50% better and just feels faster overall. Thank you very much!!!”
– “New life for that little guy.”

TO DO

– “[…] the Q function […] (for the 3.0 version :-D ).”
– “Perhaps a “final”update with red focus peaking?”
– “Unfortunately, with all the nice things in FW 2.00 there also is a rather severe bug that renders manual focus highly unreliable, for detailed description see for example here (focus shift issue at fujix-series)”

PRE-ORDERS

by purchasing your camera using the link below, you’ll support Fujirumors. You won’t pay a single penny more for your camera, but a small commision goes to FR. It’s big help for the site and keeps it ticking over. Thanks for your support.

X-E2 – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline / EUROPE: wexphotographicUK / DigitalRev / Fotomundus24 GER / PCHstore /

XQ1 – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / EUROPE: wexphotographicUK / DigitalRev / PCHstore /

 

cheers

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X-E2 initial impressions and thoughts by Randall Cipriano

After his EVF comaparison X-E1 vs X-E2 here (where Randall shows us the amazing, lag-free performance of the X-E2’s EVF), now he also shared his initial impressions and thoughts about the X-E2 on his blog here.

“I will reserve any comments about image quality till after I run it through a proper shoot but all-in-all, I’m happy and welcome all the improvements implemented on the X-E2. Physically, it looks like the same camera, but only after using it will you realize the differences and improvements are significant.”

Pre-order (and Support Fujirumors)

If you think the X-E2 is the camera that meets your needs and you want to pre-order it, feel free to use one of the links below. FR will get a small commission and it won’t cost you one single penny extra. Thanks in advance for every FR-reader who places his pre-order via Fujirumors. It’s a great help to keep the site ticking over.

X-E2 – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline / EUROPE: wexphotographicUK / DigitalRev / Fotomundus24 GER / PCHstore /

XQ1 – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / EUROPE: wexphotographicUK / DigitalRev / PCHstore /