Fuji Gives Photographers What They Want

2012.09.06

Fuji just announced the X-E1, their second SLD. Following the excellent X-Pro1 reviewed here, the new X-E1 keeps the same ultra-high image-quality while making the camera better, faster, smaller and less expensive! It sounds too good to be true but Fuji managed to improve upon the X-E1 in the most useful ways:

• A new larger 0.5" EVF with a class-leading 2.4 MP (XGA resolution) replaces the older 1.4 MP and removes the mostly useless optical mode.
• Autofocus speed has been improved to achieve AF-Lock in just 0.1s.
• The X-E1 is both 30% light and 30% smaller than the X-Pro1.
• At $999 USD, the retail price is $700 cheaper.
• A stereo microphone input for video audio capture is added.

The Fuji X-E1 uses a 16 megapixels X-Trans sensor with a special 6x6 color-filter-array which requires no anti-alias filter. It has a normal sensitivity range of 200 - 6400, expandable to 100 - 25600. This sensor can shoot continuously at 6 FPS and capture full 1080p HD video.

The Fuji X-E1 is scheduled to be available in November along with two new X-mount lenses:

• Fujinon XR 14mm F/2.8R - An ultra-wide angle lens equivalent to 21mm in a full-frame camera.
• Fujinon XR 18-55mm F/2.8 - 4R LM OIS - The first X-mount zoom. It has a brighter-than-usual maximum aperture and optical image stabilization claiming a 4-stop advantage over hand-holding. Its dual linear focusing motors let it achieve the fastest autofocus of any X-mount lens to date.

The X-E1 can be immediately preordered in black or black-and-silver with or without the bright new zoom from B&H Photo from the banner below. For more buying options, visit the Fuji X-E1 specification page.

• Digital Camera