FujiFilm XF1 Pro Reviews

While the XF1 is not meant for everybody -- there are better, more straightforward "vanilla" compacts that are easier to use and take more consistently good shots -- it's an undoubtedly nifty and advanced tool for photo enthusiasts (and not just the Fuji fanboys!) who demand something special from their cameras. The XF1 should also score big with casual shooters who not only want to attract oohs and ahhs when they carry it around town, but also want a camera that, on auto pilot, will take well-exposed shots with high dynamic range.

The Fujifilm XF1 is a nice camera for those who want the look and many of the features of an enthusiast compact, but will use it primarily as an automatic point-and-shoot. It's an attractive camera that takes above-average photos indoors and out. It's just that it has limitations that some enthusiasts might object to, especially those for whom the look of the camera isn't much compensation.

The Fujifilm XF1 is a neat retro-look compact camera with sharp optics, but its light-gathering capability diminishes as you zoom.

A stunning design, equally impressive photos and genuinely pocket-sized too

So whereas the Fujifilm X10 got the combination of retro style and a photographer-friendly approach largely right, the new XF1 feels a bit less well-realised. Not to say that it's a bad camera - and it is also the cheapest X-series model in the now extensive range - but overall the Fujifilm XF1 doesn't have quite the same appeal as the rest of the range...

This is a snapshot camera that is a cut above the rest, so should draw attention from snappers looking to upgrade as well as owners of bulkier cameras seeking a more pocket-friendly back up.

The XF1 enters a competitive field in the form of the enthusiast compact market. With many photographers choosing to use their smartphone as their ‘take everywhere' camera of choice, manufacturers are now seeking to control the upgrade market and as such dedicating their attentions to creating enthusiasts models which grab consumer's attentions. The way in which the XF1 distinguishes itself from its peers is through design, and it's difficult to argue against Fujifilm's success in this area. The sleek leather band combined with matte aluminium top and bottom plate make the model pleasing in the hand, and the clever manual focus implementation allows for advanced optics and zoom control in a camera which can be easily pocketed. It's not a camera without its faults. There is a worrying amount of travel in the XF1's lens when fully extended, and reservations remain as to how the optic would stand up to months of heavy usage. Despite general prompt use, the camera is a bit laggy at high ISO settings and when shooting Raw files, and although image quality is very good on the whole, noise reduction does effect sharpness at high ISO settings. Finally, at it's current market price the XF1 does represent a substantial investment, although it is not unique in this regard in the enthusiast compact market. Although it's high price is not unique, the XF1's design certainly is. If you're after a stylish enthusiast compact that will fit readily in to your pocket and produce good images in a range of conditions, then the XF1 is a great choice.

This is form over function. You may want a product that looks good and uses an odd mechanical trick to turn on and off. It certainly can take good pictures. But if you need to shoot a lot of photos quickly, and you want to take the most advantage of a little camera's capability, then this isn't the one for you. For roughly the same price, the product for you is either the S110 or the LX7.

If you're in the market for a serious compact camera, the Fujifilm XF1 is an appealing option, particularly as it is available for less than £400. It has a wide range of features, highlights being the f/1.8 maximum aperture lens, panorama modes, advanced filters which all lead to the camera taking impressive, unique pictures. For a serious compact camera, we'd like to see a higher resolution screen and some users may like a hotshoe socket so they can add a flash unit. The retro design, manual zoom and unusual switching on/off method isn't going to appeal to everyone, but the body has been well designed and built. There are lots of buttons, with the E-Fn button giving all the buttons on the rear a second use, meaning it's quick and easy to change many of the camera settings. The Fujifilm XF1 therefore comes recommended by ePHOTOzine.