The FUJIFILM X-E1 is a camera that I would seriously consider switching from my Canon 5DMK2 or buying if I was first entering into the market. We have already compared the FUJIFILM X-E1 to our Canon cameras, which you can see here.
WHY I WOULD BUY FUJIFILM X-E1 –
SIZE:
The FUJIFILM X-E1 is at least half the size of my 5D MK2 and it must be a 1/3 of the weight yet the image size is almost the same. I can pack the camera with two lenses in my shoulder bag and not even feel it. It’s desecrate, silent, and fast with all the manual controls I want right on sweet little retro nobs.
LENSES:
I can’t talk enough about the X Mount lens series. All have a maximum aperture of f/2.8 or more. They are super sharp (might have something to do with FUJIFILM X-E1 new sensor with no low-pass filter) and light weight. Plus they have the f/stop numbers and focal rings right on the lens.
We have the
FUJIFILM XF 18-55mm F2.8-4.0 ZOOM LENS
FUJIFILM 60mm f/2.4 XF Macro Lens
EVF: The electronic viewfinder of the FUJIFILM X-E1 is really awesome as well, being able to focus through the viewfinder (unlike the X-10) check the balance, review the image and optically zoom in to check focus makes life so much easier.
WHAT WE WOULD USE THE FUJIFILM X-E1 FOR –
TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY: For the same reasons we like the X-10 its light weight, silent, un-intrusive.
FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY: For natural light food photography the FUJIFILM X-E1 works just fine. But, there are some minor flaws in the system listed below that annoy us.
STREET PHOTOGRAPHY: Great for the same reasons why it’s a great travel camera.
FAMILY / PORTRAITS: A camera I love to chase the kid around with.
NATURE / LANDSCAPE: Why not, with the super line up of lenses.
FujiFilm X-E1 16MP X-TRANS Sensor with 18-55mm f/2.8 Fujinon Lens
WHAT ANNOYS US –
NO TETHERED CAPTURING: Unless you buy a special wifi SD card, you can’t tether capture the FUJIFILM X-E1 like most dSLR cameras. What I mean is that often when we shoot food or portraits in the studio we like to connect our camera via USB cable to our computer. Not only is this convenient for us but for our clients as well. The art director loves to hover over each and every photo.
NO SYNC PORT: A sync port is a port on your camera to attach a cable which fires studio lights or off camera flashes. I’m not sure if there is a hot-shoe attachment like for Nikons, most likely, but this is a minor flaw as you could use the flash or a set of pocket wizards to pop the studio lights, but being old school we don’t own pocket wizards and I don’t like to pop other flashes when shooting food.
NO STAR TRAIL PHOTOGRAPHY: The EVF doesn’t work in the dark as you are seeing what the sensor is seeing and not what your eye can see. Lame!!! But The X-Pro 1 has both optical and EVF viewfinders, so if this is a killing point then I would consider the X-Pro 1.
That is pretty much it. The FUJIFILM X-E1 is a solid camera and I can’t believe I’m saying this but I would actually recommend this over a dSLR. The FUJIFILM X-E1 with two fast lenses is half if not a third the price of a dSLR body only, it is smaller, lighter and more discrete too. Will I give up my 5D MK2 as my main camera? No. I like my system and I do a lot of time lapse photography at night. My next camera I hope will be a digital medium format, and then maybe I’ll use the FUJIFILM X-E1 as my main for my travel and nature, it’s a great all around camera. I would defiantly suggest it, and that’s my final word.
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Have a look at some of the images we have created with the FUJIFILM X-E1
Check the prices (Fujifilm X-E1 16.3MP Kit with 18-55mm Lens | Amazon)
In the Muscat area? I got my gear over at Photocentre, they are the official dealers of Fujifilm cameras and lenses. They have some great staff and a huge selection of camera equipment plus other geeky photo gadgetry.