Summary
I got very excited when I read Fuji’s press release about the X-Pro1, because it was clear from the announcement that the camera was specifically targeted at pros and photo enthusiasts that need a high-quality camera that rivals DSLRs in image quality, minus the bulk and weight. With excellent specifications, a beautiful and stylish black retro design, the camera looked like it had a great potential to be my full-time travel companion. Lugging around a heavy DSLR in a backpack is not always practical and I find myself leaving the heavy gear at home more often than I would like. I have been waiting for a great mirrorless camera for a while now and the X-Pro1 looked very promising.
I received the X-Pro1 around the same time when I received the Nikon D800 and the Canon 5D Mark III. To be honest, my interest in the X-Pro1 was so big, that it was the first camera that I unboxed and I initially spent more time with it than the D800 and 5D MK III combined. But after a few days of active use, I started to realize that it had a few serious problems that should have been addressed before the camera was released to the public. Hence, while I praised the image quality capabilities of the X-Pro1, I pointed out a number of annoying problems that made the X-Pro1 look like an unfinished product.
Unlike Nikon, which unfortunately rarely ever goes back to add features to its existing DSLR cameras via firmware updates, Fuji has taken a very serious approach with the X-Pro1 firmware releases. Since the launch of the camera, we have seen a number of different firmware updates that not only fixed existing issues but also added new features to the camera. Kudos to Fuji engineers for making this happen, because it made a lot of existing X-Pro1 customers happy and it sent a clear message that Fuji takes care of its customers and is not simply going to leave all the problems on the table or force its customers to upgrade to the latest model. In a period of 1.5 years, I have watched Fuji put a lot of effort into enhancing the X-Pro1 and making it a much better camera. I am happy to say that Fuji has succeeded for the most part. Yes, there are still some missing bits and pieces (like the ability to customize Auto ISO), but I am still hoping that those features will soon be added to the X-Pro1.
Fuji X-Pro1
- Features
- Build Quality
- Focus Speed and Accuracy
- Handling
- Value
- Image Quality
- High ISO Performance
- Size and Weight
- Metering and Exposure
- Movie Recording Features
- Dynamic Range
Photography Life Overall Rating
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