Fujifilm X-M1 mirrorless camera and XC 16-50mm OIS lens

[Miki Michel]

Fujifilm has announced the X-M1, a compact-bodied mirrorless camera that features a rather different design to its previous models. Instead of 'traditional' shutter speed and exposure compensation dials, the X-M1 uses twin electronic control dials to change exposure parameters. It has a tilting 920k dot 3" LCD screen but no eye-level viewfinder, and uses the same 16MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensor as the X-Pro1 and X-E1. It comes with a new kit zoom, the XC 16-50mm F3.6-5.6 OIS that offers a 24-75mm equivalent range and optical stabilisation, but has no aperture ring. The X-M1 16-50mm kit will have an RRP of $799/£679.99.



Fujifilm X-M1 Hands-on Preview



When Fujifilm introduced its X-system back in January 2012, it took the unusual step of starting out with a top-end professional model - the retro-looking but technologically innovative X-Pro1, which features the company's unique 'hybrid' optical/electronic viewfinder. Nine months later it followed this up with the enthusiast-orientated X-E1, which offers much the same feature set in a smaller body, but makes do with a purely electronic viewfinder. Now, nine months on again, comes the latest model: the distinctly mid-range-looking, miniaturized X-M1.



On the face of it, the X-M1 is a very different camera to its higher-end siblings. Gone are the traditional shutter speed and exposure compensation dials from the top-plate, along with the aperture ring from the new XC 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OIS kit zoom. Instead the camera uses a conventional exposure mode dial, along with twin electronic control dials on the top and rear to set exposure parameters. The X-M1 is also the first in the series to feature a direct movie record button on the back of the camera to initiate recording at any time. In essence it's a thoroughly contemporary design.



Fujifilm X-M1 specification highlights:

•16MP X-Trans CMOS APS-C sensor, EXR Processor II

•ISO 200-6400; L (100), H (12800) and H (ISO 25,600)

•Up to 5.6 fps continuous shooting

•1920 x 1080 FullHD movie recording at 30 fps; built-in stereo microphones

•Twin control dials, top and rear

•Focus 'peaking' display

•Face detection and subject-tracking AF modes

•920k dot 3" 3:2 LCD display - tilts 120° upwards and 80° downwards

•Built-in Wi-Fi for image transfer to smartphone, tablet or PC

Unlike the other X-system cameras the X-M1 has no eye-level viewfinder at all, nor any option for a plug-in electronic viewfinder. Instead it uses an articulating rear screen, which is a 3", 3:2 aspect ratio unit with 920k dot resolution. It can tilt to face almost directly downwards for overhead shots, or upwards for waist-level shooting. The X-M1 also has a 'peaking' display that highlights high-contrast edges to assist manual focus - a feature that's also soon arriving on the X-E1 and X-Pro1 via firmware updates.



Fujifilm says the X-M1 is designed to attract a broader range of users than the enthusiast photographers targeted by the X-E1, and it gains an array of features to reflect this. So it offers a full set of scene-based automatic exposure modes, 'Advanced filter' image processing options, along with face detection and subject-tracking autofocus modes. It also offers built-in Wi-Fi for image sharing with smartphones, tablets or PCs, and geotagging of images. Overall, the X-M1's feature set and form factor places it squarely up against cameras like the Sony NEX-5R and Olympus PEN-EPL5.



The X-M1 is still an X-system camera, of course and retains many of X-E1 and X-Pro1's best features. Most importantly it includes Fujifilm's 'Film Simulation' modes, which we think offer among the most attractive JPEG colour rendition of any brand. However it doesn't have as many options as the higher-end models (the ProNeg and filtered monochrome options are omitted).



The X-M1 also offers Fujifilm's 'Super Intelligent Flash', which adjusts flash output according to the shooting situation. This is good news as Fujifilm's cameras have gained a reputation among users of offering especially good flash exposure, particularly for balanced fill-in flash. The built-in flash can also be used as a wireless remote commander for compatible external units.



Other features on offer include Fujifilm's excellent Q-menu for quickly changing key settings, and in-camera RAW conversion (which helps get the most out of the excellent JPEG engine). But inevitably a few features are missing - for example there's no microphone input for movie recording, and disappointingly no electronic level display.



полный текст: http://www.dpreview.com/previews/fujifilm-x-m1

[Frank Zappa]

Нет бы выпустить камеру без дисплея, но с ЭВИ. Если уж речь зашла об удешевлении/уменьшении габаритов.

[narkot]

Крутил в руках, пока думаю, может с 28-2 возьму для уличной съемки, пока есть три объектива, но обещают больше.

[Михаил_Н]

Диск выдержек уже исчез - постепенно превращается в мыльницу.

[Mike_P]

Диск выдержек уже исчез - постепенно превращается в мыльницу.

Зато поворотный экран и штатник от 16 мм.