Product Summary
- Model name: Fujifilm X-E1
- Focus Type: Autofocus / Manual
- Format : APS-C / Crop Sensor
- Mounts: Fuji X
- Purchase options: Amazon | Adorama | B&H
Key features
- Tough magnesium alloy body
- 2,360,000 dots OLED EVF
- Built-in flash (like the Fujifilm X100 and unlike the X-Pro 1)
- 16.3MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS Sensor
- 2.8” LCD monitor with 460 dots resolution
- Built-in stereo mic
- 2.5mm stereo mic socket
- Full HD movie recording
- ISO range of 200-6400 (100-25600 when expanded)
- Faster overall response compared to the X-Pro 1
Overview
The Fujifilm X-E1 was launched soon after the X-Pro 1 was launched by the company. It has most of the refinements that the more accomplished and powerful camera has with some refinements of its own. Let’s delve into its specifications and performance to find out more about it.
Features explained
The 16.3 megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS Sensor
The X-Pro 1 had the same sensor which had completely taken the photography world by storm. It uses a proprietary filter arrangement which has a completely random distribution of the blue, green and red filters unlike the bayer arrangement. The technical stuff aside what it does is that it basically reduces the effects of color moiré when it comes to repeating patterns or close knit weaves of fabric. While other digital cameras use an Optical Low Pass Filter right between the sensor and the rear lens elements the XE-1, resultantly, do not. The effect of the OLP filter is not limited to only eliminating the false colors; they also create a softer image while trying to compensate for moiré. The absence of an OLP filter in the Fuji X-E1 means that the images are that much sharper.
The Electronic viewfinder
The XE-1 does not have the luxury of an optical view finder. However it more than makes up for that with a 2,360,000 dots OLED electronic viewfinder with 100% frame coverage.
The LCD monitor
If you’re migrating from a compact camera then the one feature that you would immediately look into is the ability to compose via a LCD monitor. The X-E1 has a 2.8” LCD monitor that offers a 460,000 dots resolution.
Continuous shooting speed: The X-E1 has a continuous burst rate of 6 fps.
Videos & stills
The X-E1 shoot stills in 4896 x 3264 pixels. Alternatively it can shoot RAW (RAF format) and RAW+JPEG. It also shoots full HD movies and 720p HD movies in 24 fps and use the H.264 encoding format. Mono sound is recorded using the built-in mic. There is an option to plug in an external stereo mic via the 2.5mm jack.
Auto-focusing
The X-Pro 1 in spite of being a wonderful camera system has a perennial problem and that is its slowness of response when it came to auto-focusing. This is one of the areas that the X-E1 has been much improved making it a better camera to use. When switched on it bursts to life in less than 0.5 seconds. Additionally the X-E1 can lock on focus in about 0.1 seconds. The shutter lag time has been greatly reduced to only 0.05 seconds.
Storage
The camera uses a single memory card slot compliant with SD/SDHC/SDXC cards.
ISO
The X-E1 has a normal ISO range of 200-6400. However they can be expanded to 100-25600.
What are missing / wish list
The XE-1 loses the optical viewfinder of the X-Pro 1. That in essence is one of the reasons (among many others) why this model costs a good $700 less than the more powerful X-Pro 1.
Similar products
The Sony NEX-7 is one MILC that immediately comes into the comparison chart. The reason is that both systems have an EVF instead of a OVF. Additionally both the systems use an APS-C sized sensor. Come to think of it the Fujifilm X-Pro 1 also uses an APS-C sized sensor but the fact is that it uses a dual viewfinder system and also it’s way above the price of the X-E1.
Should I buy it?
A few factors might work in favor of the X-E1. First is the faster auto-focusing capability. The X-E1 is definitely faster when compared with the X-Pro 1. While the X-Pro 1 is definitely one of the top two mirrorless cameras currently on sale (and we feel that it is better than the Canon EOS M and the Nikon 1 series) the poor performance when it comes to AF definitely works against it. Additionally the X-E1 has a built-in flash which the more expensive model does not have. To sum it we feel that the X-E1 is everything that the X-Pro 1 can offer but at a better price. Being nearly $700 dollars less does also make it a good deal cheaper on the pocket.
Sample Images by Fujifilm X-E1 on Flickr
Product Images
Fujifilm X-E1 Specifications
| Model | FUJIFILM X-E1 |
|---|---|
| Effective pixels | 16.3 million pixels |
| Image sensor | 23.6 mm x 15.6 mm (APS-C) X-Trans CMOS with primary color filter
|
| Storage | SD memory card / SDHC memory card / SDXC (UHS-I) memory card*1 |
| File format |
|
| Recorded pixels | L : (3:2) 4896 x 3264 / (16:9) 4896 x 2760 / (1:1) 3264 x 3264 M : (3:2) 3456 x 2304 / (16:9) 3456 x 1944 / (1:1) 2304 x 2304 S : (3:2) 2496 x 1664 / (16:9) 2496 x 1408 / (1:1) 1664 x 1664<Motion Panorama> L Vertical: 7680 x 2160 Horizontal: 7680 x 1440 M Vertical: 5120 x 2160 Horizontal: 5120 x 1440 |
| Mount | FUJIFILM X mount |
| Sensitivity | Equivalent to ISO 200 – 6400 (Standard Output Sensitivity) AUTO mode: AUTO (400) / AUTO (800) / AUTO (1600) / AUTO (3200) / AUTO(6400) Extended output sensitivity equivalent ISO 100, 12800 and 25600 |
| Exposure control | TTL 256-zones metering, Multi / Spot / Average |
| Exposure mode | Programmed AE, Shutter priority AE, Aperture priority AE, Manual exposure |
| Exposure compensation | -2.0 EV – +2.0 EV, increment with 1/3 EV step |
| Image Stabilizer | Lens shift type (when OIS type lens is set) |
| Shutter control | Focal Plane Shutter |
| Shutter speed (with mechanical shutter) |
(P mode) 1/4 sec. to 1/4000 sec., (All other modes) 30 sec. to 1/4000 sec. Bulb (max. 60 min.) Time 1/2 to 30 sec. Synchronized Shutter speed for flash : 1/180 sec or slower * 1/180 sec can be automatically set at some shooting condition on P mode or A mode. |
| Continuous shooting | Max 6 / 3 fps selectable |
| Auto bracketing | AE Bracketing (±1/3 EV, ±2/3 EV, ±1 EV) Film Simulation Bracketing (Any 3 type of film simulation selectable) Dynamic Range Bracketing (100%, 200%, 400%) ISO sensitivity Bracketing (±1/3 EV, ±2/3 EV, ±1 EV) |
| Focus |
|
| White balance | Automatic scene recognition Custom, Color temperature selection (K) Preset: Fine, Shade, Fluorescent light (Daylight), Fluorescent light (Warm White), Fluorescent light (Cool White), Incandescent light, underwater |
| Film Simulation mode | 10 type (PROVIA/STANDARD, Velvia/VIVID, ASTIA/SOFT, PRO Neg Hi, PRO Neg Std, MONOCHROME, MONOCHROME+Ye FILTER, MONOCHROME+R FILTER, MONOCHROME+G FILTER, SEPIA) |
| Dynamic range | AUTO (100-400%), 100%, 200%, 400% |
| Self-timer | Approx. 10 sec. / 2 sec. Delay |
| Flash | Manual pop-up flash (Auto flash) Guide number: approx 7 (ISO200 · m) |
| Flash modes | Red-eye removal OFF: Auto, Forced Flash, Suppressed Flash, Slow Synchro. Rear-curtain Synchro, Commander Red-eye removal ON: Red-eye Reduction Auto, Red-eye Reduction & Forced Flash, Suppressed Flash, Red-eye Reduction & Slow Synchro. Red-eye Reduction & Rear-curtain Synchro, Commander |
| Hot shoe | Yes (dedicated TTL Flash compatible) |
| Viewfinder |
|
| LCD | 2.8-in, approx. 460,000-dot, TFT color LCD monitor (Approx. 100% coverage) |
| Movie | 1920 x 1080 pixels, 1280 x 720 pixels (24 frames/sec.) with stereo sound Individual movies cannot exceed 29 minutes in length. |
| Photography functions | Select custom setting, Motion panorama, Color space, Color (Saturation), sharpness, Dynamic range, Film simulation, Gradation, Auto red-eye removal (by face detection function), Framing guideline, Frame No. memory, Histogram display, Preview depth of focus, Focus check, Electronic level, Multiple exposure, Fn button setting (RAW, Movie, etc) |
| Playback functions | RAW conversion, Image rotate, Red-eye reduction, Photobook assist, Erase selected frames, image search, Multi-frame playback (with micro thumbnail), Slide show, Mark for upload, Protect, Crop, Resize, Panorama, Favorites |
| Other functions | PictBridge, Exif Print, Language selection, Time difference, Quick start mode, Silent mode |
| Terminal |
|
| Power | NP-W126 Li-ion battery (included) |
| Dimensions | 129 (W) mm x 74.9(H) mm x 38.3(D) mm / 5.1 in.(W) x 2.9 in. (H) x 1.5 in. (D) (Minimum depth: 30.9 mm/ 1.2 in.) |
| Wt | Approx. 350g / 12.3 oz. (including battery and memory card) Approx. 300 g / 10.6 oz. (excluding accessories, battery and memory card) |
| Operating Temp | 0°C – 40°C |
| Operating Humidity | 10 – 80% (no condensation) |
| Guide to the number of available frames for battery operation | approx 350 frames (When XF35mmF1.4 R is set) |
| Starting up period | Approx 0.5 sec, when QUICK START mode set to ON Approx 1.0 sec, when QUICK START mode set to OFF
|
| Accessories included | Li-ion battery NP-W126 Battery charger BC-W126 Shoulder strap USB cable Body cap Metal strap clip Protective cover Clip attaching tool CD-ROM (Viewer software, RAW File Converter etc.*3) Owner’s manual |
| Optional accessories | Li-ion battery NP-W126 Battery charger BC-W126 Shoe Mount Flash EF-20, EF-42, EF-X20 M Mount adapter Protector Filter PRF-58 58mmø Protector Filter PRF-52 52mmø Protector Filter PRF-39 39mmø Remote release RR-80 Hand Grip HG-XE1 Leather Case BLC-XE1 |
More Info
Purchase options
Fujifilm X-E1 available at Amazon | Adorama | B&H