The centerpiece of the Fujifilm exhibit was a classically understated 'X Series' display area where the company showed off its X10, X100 and of course X-Pro1 cameras.
As you'd expect, there is considerable buzz around the Fujifilm booth at CES. While the main draw, of course is the newly announced Fuji X-Pro1, the company is stressing its entire family of X-series cameras, with the X10 and X100 all occupying a separate display area just beyond it's mass market compact cameras and accessories.
Product Manager Kayce Baker says that Fuji is committed to the X lens mount system, with agressive plans to add to the lens lineup.
We spent a few moments with Product Manager Kayce Baker, who emphasized the company's commitment to the new X-mount introduced with the X-Pro1. 'Our road map calls for a total of nine XF lenses within two years,' she says in what is quite an aggressive expansion of a completely new system. With regard to specific additions to the current three-lens lineup of 18mm, 35mm and 60mm she confirms the recent speculation is, a 'close estimate', but final decisions on maximum aperture are still to be made. As it stands she feels that the X-Pro1 has no direct competition save the prohibitively more expensive Leica M9.
Walkthrough of the X-Pro1 with Kayce Baker
Images from the Fujifilm stand
At first glance it couldn't be more clear that the X-Pro1 is geared to shooters who covet external controls.
The rear of the camera includes no fewer than nine controls in addition to a 4-way controller. An eye-sensor sits to the right of the hybrid viewfinder.
In addition to standard HDMI and USB ports the X-Pro1 features a flash sync port.
The X-Pro1 will ship with three fast prime lenses including the 35/1.4 shown here.
Not to be completely overshadowed by the X-Pro1's planned February time-frame for availability from retailers, Fuji will soon thereafter release a limited edition black version of the X100. Fuji also had on display their new lineup of compact cameras, including waterproof models and the FinePix Z1000EXR which boasts wireless capability.
The Fuji FinePix Z1000EXR combines a very small form factor...
...with the ability to wirelessly transmit images to a smartphone.
The FinePix XP50 has a 14MP sensor...
...to go along with and a 5x optical zoom.
The FinePix XP150 includes a built-in GPS...
...and has a 2.7 inch LCD.
The FinePix JX580 houses a 16MP CCD sensor...
...and a 3 inch LCD.
The FinePix 660EXR has a 16MP sensor...
...and a 15x optical zoom.
The FinePix JZ250 features an 8x optical zoom...
...and is available in five additional colors.
The FinePix T400 has a 28-280mm zoom..
...and a depth of just 1.1 inches.
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Glad I watched the video of the X-Pro1. As impressive as the features are, I won't be adding this one to my bag. Heck, by the time I set things' to shoot I would likely be late for something.
After watching the "Walkthrough of the X-Pro1 with Kayce Baker" seems like X-PRO 1 shows slow performance... To long to wait writing an image to the buffer for me. Studio-only camera.
Yes Pavlo, I agree. There may well be more than one way to skin a cat, but fifty? If the processor wasn't overly laden with wash, rinse, spin, flow, tumble soft, shake, rattle n' role, it may well have been faster. This is what happens when marketing wizards design a small camera.
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ooooh, lookout other big guys. Fuji is getting ready to walk all over you with x-pro in hand. I like seeing other manufactures step out away from the norm and try something different.
Primes are quiet when auto focusing and focus by wire has nice resistance. Zooms have fast autofocus.
Lens :
UWA 10-16mm for landscapes (a forumee mentioned)
28mm there are a handful of inexpensive 28m f2.8 autofocus 28mm f1.8 (as the Canon usm) is more fitting for a cameras named Pro. Would make photographers sit up and another reason to buy X-Pro.
85mm f1.4 portrait lens. Would make photographers sit up and another reason to buy X-Pro.
Well done Fujifilm! Its on the top of the wave again! A few months ago Takeshi Higuchi, head of the company's camera division, said "Japan's Fujifilm aims to become the world's fourth largest camera maker by next March and the No. 3 manufacturer two years later, overtaking first rival Samsung and then Nikon, a senior company executive said." The objective is more and more close.
Fantastic! :-) This could easily be Leica killer. While Leica has nice CCDs, this little wonder packs some serious green spectra sensor area. - Noise and sharpness should be really nice. In any case, spot on!
It's good to see a camera maker provide such a camera. I have given up hope on Leica producing anything of this nature, much less an "affordable" Leica.
If Fuji has designed this camera with the ability to mount other glass on it, that's all the better and another check box ticked. I'm not as concerned with write speed as I am with the IQ and DR.
The form factor of this camera is the type I have been wanting and if the IQ, DR and build are there I will buy it. Some have mentioned that it seems large to them.. not a problem. I'm not looking for a pocket camera.
Kudos to Fuji for stepping out of the box on this one. It looks impressive. I don't view it is a "Leica Killer" but rather a camera that is more versatile and more affordable than the Leica M.
Now I just want to see sample photos taken by "real" photographers who know what they are doing with the camera. Show me the amazing photos and I will gladly show Fuji the money.
I agree.. The only thing that might spur Leica to produce something "competitive" would be for another company to produce a similar camera which accepts M-Mount lenses.. and I don't mean along the lines of the Epson RD1.
Leica is content with who and what they are and apparently they feel no need to change. That is something that I feel will one day be something they may regret.
The Leica glass is wonderful but $8000 for a digital M body is asking way too much for what you get.. just my opinion, of course.
Jim my thoguths were that Fuji already had stepped out from the box with the X-100 (Teaser) for a better camera with interchangeable lenses. I would think so..Also is the K-5 up for sale..
It took decades (and I wish they had figured this out when I was there) but the current Leica owners understand, finally, that lowering their prices will not significantly increase sales. I don't know what the current numbers are but if you make something and can only sell 500 a year, you want to get as much out of each one as possible. It's like $350,000 cars. If they cut the price to $250,000 they just take in less money.
What I find to be out of line is $4,995.00 for a 35mm f1.4. I know that there are a lot of people who want to put a $5,000.00 lens on any thing from a $600.00 NEX 5n to the new Fuji X-Pro1, but I just don't get it. Canon, Nikon and Zeiss make some very good lenses for a LOT LESS. How many people will be able to tell the Difference between the Low Cost Fuji 35mm f1.4 and the very expensive Leica 35mm f1.4 ??
I don't think camera is too slow at all, even for a pre-production model. But I particularly like the slightly slanted top plate redesign, as explained by MS Baker. After 70 years of almost cemented shape and design lines of a rangefinder camera, such a tiny detail changes a LOT in terms of usability.
Is it me or this camera seems to be very slow in writing to the memory card...
Even when she takes only 2 pictures in her multiple-exposure exemple, the led blinks a long long time.... And she mentions later that she is using a fast card...
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The slow speed could be an issue in ALL THESE X-series cams. I really struggle with this problem in the X-10 - and I use a very fast card! Almost useless for real & fast street photography...
With my X100, it seems that camea first takes all images in the burst mode, only then starts to write to the card. Compared to Canon DSLRs that do both things at once. But otherwise it writes to the card quite fast. The problem is that you cannot do anything else before the wrirting is finished. If Ms. Baker showed that you can start shooting again once the buffer is halfway written, my concerns are gone.
Anyway, this doesn't disqualify X100 (and thus hopefully also X-Pro) from being an excellent street use camera. You should be able to make the first shot the right shot. Because, often it's your only shot possible. Or you like people taking bursts of you when walking on the street?
Fuji, please continue in delivering that excellent X100 image quality also to interchangeable lens camera!
Only thing that Fuji should really stop annoying users - please think of decent default camera settings. After a reset/upgrade, it takes me an hour to bring it back to where I need it.
Xpro-1 has similar size of entry level Canon Rebel or Nikon D3000 but at premium pricing because of 'Leica' look..is it worth the money because of the rangefinder shape or should we go for entry level DSLR for its extensive accessories and lens. Also, DSLR has faster AF speed.
I agree about the AF. In the video, it seemed a little slow. However, I also wonder how important speed is with this type of camera. I don't think many people will be trying to shoot action with this. It seems like they made it to compete with the Leica digital rangefinders, which aren't known for speed either. If it has a good manual focus system, I could see this camera killing the M9 by beating it in speed and features, while matching the build quality and handling.
About the premium pricing...that probably comes from a variety of factors, including solid body construction and unique features like the hybrid viewfinder. Personally, though, I would hesitate to put down so much money for a rangefinder style camera because I think cheaper DSLRs can produce the same (or better) results.
I really wish people would stop saying that this camera is an M9 killer, because when you say this, you show that you don't undertsand. This camera will not kill the M9 because those who want and can afford the M9, will buy the M9. Those who can't afford the M9 may buy this. They wouldn't have bought the M9 anyway. The purchase of the M9, for many, isn't rational.
@Calvin Chann, yes but take look at this from professional standpoint. Now, finally, there is a fantastic camera that focuses automatically in a form factor we all like. Leica overall is nice, Leica lens and sensors are fantastic, but professional value of that camera is questionable. And if a guy wants a Leica, well, go for it. It is not that expensive, M8 and lens are quite affordable, one doesn't need to buy it new.
Explain which leica is not expensive they are all expensive in terms of the lenses, Sure they are fantastic, but would you buy a lens for 10 grand the 50 mm, i certainly would not..
I vowed not to get another mirrorless until someone does FF. I was excited about the Fuji, but at that size, and still APS-C ... think I'll stick with my m43 and the excellent PL25/1.4. Not enough here to move.
I don't think it's all that large. The specs say it's just a few mm taller and thicker (like 2 mm) than my Contax G1. My hands are normal sized and the G1 feels small in my hands (compared to a D300s or D70s). Maybe it's the height and having a solid single color finish that makes it look larger?
It's the same size as the M9, give or take a few millimetres. I personally find the M9 a little thick for my absolute comfort and I prefer the slightly thinner body of the M7, but I also have very small hands. The grip on the Fuji would make a lot of difference.
Keith is correct: the rangefinder lenses allow pre-set focus and an understanding of what focus range is sharp. Focus lag-time is zero, besting the fastest, most professional autofocus systems. Unfortunately the lack of depth of field information on the Fuji lenses won't allow for the use of this technique which to my thinking means the XPro-1 isn't quite a rangefinder.
But it does fit the rangefinder form factor. It is remarkably similar in body design to the Hasselblad XPan (made by Fuji!!!) and fits very well in my hand. The 28, 50 and 90mm focal length equivalent is perfect for me, too.
The question I have is: Given that aftermarket M-lens adaptors will be made, how can M-mount lenses be used with the XPro-1 optical viewfinder? Will frame-lines be present, or will these lenses only be able to focus electronically? If the former, great; if the latter, then I'm afraid the XPro-1 will not even be an M8 killer...let alone an M9 assassin. :)
I don't understand why people keep referring to the X-Pro1 as a rangefinder. The viewfinder is a hybrid EVF/OVF of the tunnel sort, just like in the X100. A rangefinder like the Leica M9 works completely differently.
Fantastic camera, this is what we have been missing for a decade. A compact camera system that is unashamedly aimed at a dedicated skilled user who appreciates prime lenses and manual control. What a fresh new thought. Up until now we only had to lust after an entirely unaffordable Leica M system. All the comments about how this is too expensive compared to an entry-level DSLR is ignorant baloney. If you don't understand the appeal of this camera, go shoot with your entry level DSLR or your super zoom, power to you. (Hint: it's the sensor and lenses, stupid... And no, your compact kit zoom will not give you the same IQ, and your super zoom lens won't give you that IQ either). Kudos to Fuji for thinking about the real photographers and making them the X100 and then the X1-Pro.
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