I had a chance to get some more "hands-on" time with the Fuji X-Pro 1 camera at CES.
If you are a Fuji X100 user (like me), the first thing you will notice once you pick up the X-Pro 1 is the bigger LCD screen (3.0-inch RGBW LCD monitor, approx. 1,230,000 dots).
When I tried the autofocus of the X-Pro 1 the first day, I was not convinced that it's faster than then the X100. I went back to the Fuji booth the next day and did some side-by-side comparison with the X100 that was on display right next to the X-Pro 1. I am now convinced that the AF in the X-Pro 1 is faster, I was even able to focus in some tricky lighting conditions:
Fuji did not make any improvements to the manual focus in the X-Pro 1 - there is still not focus confirmation or "focus peaking" (like in the Sony NEX or Ricoh GXR systems), which could be problematic if you are planning on using the camera with Leica M-mount lenses.
The body of the X-Pro 1 is slightly bigger than the X100, the new X lenses are significantly bigger:
The Auto ISO selection is now added to the ISO menu. This is very useful when the ISO selection is assigned to the Fn button (the X100 did not include the Auto ISO option).
The X-Pro 1 has a new Q menu that allows quick access to the main camera settings - this worked pretty good, going trough the X100 menu to change a selection is painful:
The Q menu can be activated from the new Q button located under the AE-L and AF-L switch:
The Fuji X-Pro 1 also features a new shutter dial lock button that was not present on the X100:
The menu dial selector of the X-Pro 1 has a much better ergonomics than the X100:
Here is the complete description of all X-Pro 1 buttons from Fujifilm:
Compared to the X100, Fujifilm also changed the menu navigation - the different functions are now grouped by multiple tabs for faster access:
Fuji did not make any changes to the video capabilities of the X-Pro 1, they remain unchanged from the X100 - you still get continuous AF during recording, without manual override (you can still change the aperture during video recording).
Fujifilm definitely took notes on the feedback from X100 users and addressed all issues in the X-Pro 1, except the video mode and manual focus - those are really my only two complaints for the X-Pro 1 so far (based on what I've seen at CES).
As I already mentioned, Fuji did confirm the upcoming Leica M-mount adapter.
There are a lot of online speculations regarding the price of the X-Pro 1. Fujifilm's rep at CES confirmed that the MSRP will be very close (if not identical) to the leaked prices on Amazon few days before the announcement:
In the US, the camera will start shipping at the end of February, 2012.
The lens roadmap for the upcoming X lenses looks like this:
2012:
2013:
The Fuji X10 and X100 product lines will continue to exists in the future independent of the new X-Pro 1.
Here is a nice video overview of the X-Pro 1:
More Fuji X-Pro 1 related links:
CNET "Best of CES 2012" Best Camera; Popular Science "CES 2012 Product of the Future"; Popular Mechanics "CES 2012 Editor's Choice Award"; Tom's Guide "Best of CES 2012"
Valhalla, N.Y., January 16, 2012 – Fujifilm North America Corporation Electronic Imaging Division today announced that the new, revolutionary FUJIFILM X-Pro1 Digital Camera has won four awards during the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week:
CNET “Best of CES 2012” - Best Camera
CNET recognized the FUJIFILM X-Pro1 digital camera as Best Camera saying, “The camera incorporates several innovations, including a promising new sensor and lovely hybrid viewfinder, all in a sleek, retro design.”
The “Best of CES” Awards, which are produced and judged by CNET, recognize the hottest products at the 2012 CES, including a Best of Show and People's Voice award selected by the CNET online audience. The awards recognize the most innovative products that set the standard for all other products in the industry.
Popular Science “CES 2012 Product of the Future”
Popular Science magazine cited the FUJIFILM X–Pro1 digital camera saying, “Now, the X-Pro1 brings the same sleek look and innovative hybrid digital/optical viewfinder [as the FUJIFILM X-100 digital camera] to an interchangeable lens system, which currently includes three fast primes, or non-zoom lenses.”
Popular Mechanics “CES 2012 Editor’s Choice Award”
Popular Mechanics magazine chose the FUJIFILM X-Pro1calling it, “A stunner, a gorgeous slab of aluminum, synthetic leather, and precision-milled nobs and dials that manages to be featherlight, thanks to it magnesium build.”
Tom’s Guide “Best of CES 2012”
Tom’s Guide also cited the FUJIFILM X-Pro1 saying, “Each year, there are a special few products at CES that really wow us. Among them is the Fujifilm X-Pro1, Fujifilm’s new interchangeable lens camera.”
“We are honored to receive these awards in recognition of the advanced technical innovation in our FUJIFILM X-Pro1 digital camera,” said Go Miyazaki, division president, Imaging & Electronic Imaging Division, Fujifilm North America Corporation. "Professionals and consumers have enthusiastically recognized the FUJIFILM X100 and the FUJIFILM X10 as the new "must have" cameras. Now the X-Pro1 marks Fujifilm's re-entry into the interchangeable lens system camera category, with award winning design and technology that lives up to our legacy of supporting the culture of photography.”
With unique technology designed to deliver unsurpassed image quality, the FUJIFILM X-Pro1 has three compact, bright, prime FUJINON lenses, a newly developed 16MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensorTM, incorporating a uniquely designed filter array to optimize image color and quality, and Fujifilm’s proprietary EXR Processor technology. The FUJIFILM X-Pro1 is a worthy rival to the competitive cameras in the market.
To further expand its presence in the premium camera market, Fujifilm continues to focus on every detail, taking the X-Pro1 to the next level by featuring a new 2nd Generation Hybrid Multi
Viewfinder. The FUJIFILM X-Pro1 digital camera not only promises to deliver unsurpassed image quality and superb design, it also gives photographers a camera that looks and feels as good as the images it delivers.
