FujiFilm X-E1 Pro Reviews

If you just want the great photos, save your money and buy the cheaper X-M1; the X-E1 is just as much about the shooting experience as the photographs, and the cheaper kit lens from the X-M1 will likely disappoint you if you're attracted to the philosophy of the X-E1's design. If you want something a little more well-rounded, though, with better performance and (at the very least) decent video quality, the Sony Alpha NEX-6 is still my recommendation for this class.

The X-E1 is a great follow up model to Fujifilm's X-Pro 1 providing most of what the more expensive flagship model offers at a significantly lower price point. For purists, an optical viewfinder on a rangefinder style camera will be a must-have feature and the X-Pro 1's hybrid viewfinder is a technological wonder. But if you can live without an optical viewfinder, the X-E1's EVF is one of the best around and is arguably better suited to an interchangeable lens camera. In virtually every other respect the X-E1 has as much, if not more to offer. If you like the idea of old school physical control over exposure augmented by well designed and functional digital tools the X-E1 won't disappoint. In the same way that Olympus has re-stoked enthusiasm for traditional SLR design with the OM-D E-M5, with this latest X Series model Fujifilm stands poised to do the same thing for the classic rangefinder. It's a beautifully designed and engineered camera that's a pleasure to use, well deserving of Cameralabs' Highly Recommended Award.

The Fujifilm X-E1 is a fine camera, and a pleasure to use. Fujifilm's recent improvements to focusing, both manual and automatic, make a real difference to performance, the built-in EVF is excellent, and the enthusiast-friendly ergonomics are addictive. The only serious issue is the camera's video mode, which is sub-par compared to the competition.

Retailing for £749 in the UK and $1000 in the US for the body-only, or £1149 / $1399 with the new 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS lens, means that you can buy the X-E1 with a great kit lens for less than the body-only launch price of the X-Pro1 (although obviously this is now significantly less). It also pits the X-E1 directly against the Olympus OM-D E-M5 and the Sony NEX-7, both of which are great cameras, but both of which are quite different in their approach. The Fujifilm X-E1 is so much more than just a cut-down, cheaper version of the X-Pro1 - it's a compelling camera in its own right.

The Fujifilm X-E1 is a solid mirrorless camera with an innovative image sensor, but it doesn't quite have the chops to unseat the Olympus OM-D E-M5 as our Editors' Choice.

The one thing the X-E1 will do for you that most other cameras can’t – even the top-of-the-line DSLRs – is make you look cool. Strap one of these around your neck, and we guarantee you’ll get people’s notice. The perception it gives is that you’re a serious photographer. But it isn’t just all looks. The X-E1, despite the issues, is a strong camera that’s highly capable of taking great photos. Whether you should get this camera depends on your budget. Just the body alone costs $1,000. Throw in the kit lens and it jumps up to $1,400. For that kind of money, you can get a very good DSLR. There are also capable mirrorless models from the likes of Sony and Olympus that costs less. But if you’re looking for an affordable alternative to the X-Pro1 or a hulking DSLR, or if you want a stunning interchangeable-lens camera that takes great photos, you can’t go wrong.

While it may appear to be simply a stripped down, more affordable X-Pro1 to tempt more people into Fujifilm's CSC family, that would be doing the X-E1 a great disservice. Similar in size to the X100, and combined with a similar premium finish that won over so many fans to Fujifilm's retro-inspired compact, the X-E1 manages to feel more refined and balanced as soon as you pick it up compared to the rather chunky X-Pro1. And while it forgoes the smart Hybrid viewfinder of the X-Pro1, the payback is the sharper, crisper EVF in the X-E1 that more than makes up for this, though you could feel a little short-changed with the fairly underwhelming rear screen. The X-E1's AF, though improved from the original X-Pro1's focusing, it's still not as fast or as responsive as systems found in the competition, while the video capabilities aren't as comprehensive either. These points aside, and the X-E1 is a joy to shoot with. The back-to-basics philosophy won't be for everyone, but it means its quick and easy to set-up and shoot with, while the Quick menu offers access to other key shooting controls. The real jewel in the crown of the X-E1 is its sensor. The quality of the results and the detail rendered is excellent, delivering images that are some of, if not the best we've seen from an APS-C sized sensor. While it may be a bit more of a niche camera than some other models, those who opt for the X-E1 will be rewarded with a camera that looks the part, handles well and delivers images beyond what its price may suggest.

The Fujifilm X-Pro1 and X-E1 are the definition of retro digital cameras, and the moment you pick it up, you'll be reminded of an old film camera from the past. With manual controls on the lens and body it is very easy to adjust settings and the menus and controls are well thought out and easy to get to grips with. The electronic viewfinder is excellent with an extremely high resolution and is great to use, although it's a shame the 2.8inch screen isn't larger and a higher resolution. The Fujifilm X-E1 is more compact than the X-Pro1, and also 100g lighter, but it is still quite a large camera, and feels extremely well built. Focus speed and responsiveness is good, and the camera takes excellent photos with extremely impressive noise performance, with a good 18-55mm kit lens with built in optical image stabilisation. Although the price is still quite high compared to the competitors with many of them available for less money with kit lens. The X-E1 is available for £729 body only, which is good value for money, however, each Fujinon lens available is around £425+ so the price quickly jumps to the top of the premium mirrorless market. Another limiting factor of the system is the choice of lenses, with few lenses made by third parties available. If you have the money, then the X-E1 is an excellent camera, and the lenses available are excellent, particularly the primes.

The Fujifilm X-E1 is a modern-day classic, but not in the mainstream sense. It's like a cult movie - it will perfectly fit the niche for some, why others will think it's mad. On the one hand this retro-styled, medium-sized compact system camera is expensive (£1,149 expensive) and lacks the kind of pepped-up performance of something like the Sony NEX-6 or Panasonic's range of G-series CSCs. But on the other hand here's a beautifully crafted, fundamentally different, and incredible imaging machine. It's the final quality of the X-E1's shots that elevate it to such high standards - assuming the so-so autofocus and battery life, small screen size and electronic-only viewfinder are manageable considerations. Let's not forget that there's no better APS-C sensor in a compact system camera that we've yet seen, and that's why the X-E1 is, in spite of its listed shortcomings, a loveable winner.