Why did you buy an X series???

Months earlier I'd gotten my first 'proper' camera the Sony HX20V, which while a relatively crappy compact was still more camera than I'd ever had before. I've always been into photographer and even with camera phones have tried to do my best to take attractive images, understand the many sides of post-processing and colour grading, etc.

Having the HX20V only served to intensify my desire for a more substantial piece of kit, though. One that not only had excellent image quality regardless of lighting, but that also had well-implemented manual controls (ie: not all done via menus). On top of that, I wanted something reasonably small and good-looking as I don't want to be 'that guy' rolling around casual events with a powerhouse DSLR putting people on edge.

So, the XE-1 35mm it was. I figured that if I'm going to drop a substantial sum on a camera, I want something that's going to truly liberate me and make me more excited than ever about photography. Thus far I'd say it's done exactly that, and while the fixed lens was initially jarring I'm loving the way it encourages me to think differently about how to capture things.