Review Date: September 3, 2013
Category: Beginner to Serious Amateur
Photoxels Gold Award – Beginner Interchangeable Lens Camera
USER’S EXPERIENCE
Here’s what you can expect to receive in the box (varies by country):
- FinePix X-M1
- Li-ion Battery NP-W126 7.2V 1260mAh 8.7Wh (same as in the X-PRO1 and X-M1)
- BC-W126 Battery Charger
- Neck Strap
- USB Cable
- Body Cap
- Documentation: Owner’s Manual
- Software CDs: MyFinePix Studio Ver4.2 (Win only), RAW File Converter (Win & Mac), Owner’s Manual (pdf)
If you also purchase the kit lens:
- FUJINON XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS [24-76mm equiv.]
Your first mirrorless DSLR. The Fujifilm X-M1 is first and foremost a “photographer’s camera.” It does not care much about gimmicky features, though it does have some pretty filter effects and Fujifilm’s own Film Simulation.
Fujifilm is positioning the X-M1 as the next generation entry-level mirrorless DSLR you would want to upgrade to from your point-and-shoot digicam. Fujifilm has also introduced a lower cost line of lenses to go with it: the XC lenses have plastic barrels and no Aperture Ring. Don’t be fooled though, they still use premium glasses and the XC16-50mm kit lens is certainly much better than the cheap kit lenses being offered on many entry-level DSLRs.
Who the X-M1 specifically targets are the point-and-shoot photographers who in times past may have been tempted to upgrade to an entry-level DSLR to obtain better performance and image quality. The message here is clear: you don’t have to compromise with image quality when you choose a mirorless DSLR instead of a traditional-mirrored DSLR. The X-M1 gives you similar performance and (arguably, even better) image quality in a more compact and light package.
It is important to understand that while beginner photographers in Asia have switched in drove to the compact mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras, the European and North American markets are still under the mistaken impression that a DSLR (or DSLR-looking) camera is always better than a non-DSLR. While this may have been true a dozen of years ago, the new generation of compact mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras we have been seeing in the past few years have all but laid this myth to rest. Too many North American consumers are still making the wrong purchase decision and buying a camera only if it looks like a DSLR. That’s passé, gone. The new look is definitely retro, compact, light and intuitive to use, and without compromising with image quality.
So, the X-M1 retains the highly praised X-Trans image sensor but simplifies the controls for a more beginner-friendly use. Where do you make readily available Scene Modes and Filters? On a Mode Dial. Though we wished all the X-series cameras would stay consistent and retain the analog Shutter Speed Dial/Aperture Ring combo, we understand the target audience for the X-M1 is different and a Mode Dial is more appropriate and user-friendly for them.
The XF27mm and the XC16-50mm lenses introduced at the same time as the X-M1 do not feature an aperture ring. On the X-M1, the Sub-command dial sets the aperture in Aperture-Priority and Manual modes. Of course, you can still use XF lenses with an Aperture Ring and you can use the latter to set aperture on the X-M1 in Aperture-Priority and Manual modes. In size and weight, the XC16-50mm zoom lens is ø62.6mm x 65.2mm(Wide) / 98.3mm(Telephoto), 195g — just slightly larger and a tad heavier than the XF35mmF1.4 lens (ø65.0mm x 50.4mm, 187g).
So, pair a quality lens with a quality camera and you end up with a highly rated camera.
The PC Auto Save function does not, as its name may imply, automatically save your pictures to your PC as you take them; instead, you still need to go into Playback, press Menu – Playback Menu 2 – PC Auto Save – Select Destination PC – wait for the camera to first connect to your Wi-Fi router, then to your PC – click OK to commence the upload. Then, when the pictures have finished uploading, the camera turns off… automatically. So, no “Auto” in the saving part, except to turn your camera off automatically. The part about turning your camera off automatically does make a lot of sense if you want to leave your camera unattended while it uploads lots of pictures. For this function to work properly, you need to first install PC Auto Save on your PC, connect it properly to your Wi-Fi router and have it running in the background on your PC. Once you figure out all the connection settings properly and select your destination folder, it’s a neat wireless images upload function to have since you do not need a USB cable anymore.
The Wireless Transfer (or, “Upload Images From Your Camera To Your Smartphone or Tablet”) function is straightforward enough. Again you need to be in Playback, press Fn [or Menu – Playback Menu 2 – Wireless Transfer] to bring up the Wireless Transfer menu – select one of the three available options: View & Obtain Images on your camera and mark those you want to upload to your PC, Send Individual Image (upload current image) or Send Selected Multiple Images (upload selected images). You also need to run the free Fujifilm Camera App on your smartphone and select the corresponding function. Once, the picture(s) have been uploaded, you can share them via social apps you have installed on your smartphone.
Note that the Fujifilm Camera App does not allow remote control of your camera from your smartphone. This may or may not be a big missing item for you.
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Click on thumbnails above to view Filter effects
Beginners can choose from SR+, AUTO, Scene modes, as well as double exposure and Filters (Toy Camera, Miniature, Pop Color, High-Key, Low-Key, Dynamic Tone, Soft Focus, Partial Color: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue or Purple). It lacks in-camera panorama stitch, filter effects for movies and time lapse — all features that are not strictly necessary but fun nevertheless to have. But, if you don’t care for the latter features, then the X-M1 shines where it really counts: outstanding image quality rivaling that from top-end DSLRs.
Two important functions for an advanced photographer would be the Metering options (what Fujifilm calls “Photometry”) and AE-L/AF-L, and they are both accessed through the Menu. Though you can assign one of them to the Fn button, you will still have to delve into the Menu for the other.
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Click on thumbnails above to view Film Simulation
The X-M1 also features Film Simulation, albeit with a few less options than on the higher models: Besides PROVIA/Standard, there are Velvia/VIVID, ASTIA/Soft, B&W, and SEPIA.
What I like about the X-M1:
- Excellent image quality at ISO 200. Very good image quality up to ISO 1600. Very usable images up to ISO 3200.
- Very good build and design.
- Elegant, classic retro design.
- Twin command dials.
- Tilting LCD.
No review is complete without a couple of improvement suggestions:
- Improve AF performance in low light.
- Improve Wi-Fi and add NFC (Remote Control).
- Touchscreen LCD.
- LCD should gain up in low-light.
- Provide full wireless commander flash control.
- Provide high speed flash synching.
- Make the Command Dial a bit stiffer.
- Make the Power Lever less stiff.
- Add metering option (Photometry) in Quick Menu.
- Add AE-L/AF-L button.
- Add timelapse, in-camera panorama, electronic horizon level, filter effects for movies in a firmware upgrade.
The Fujifilm X-M1 is a camera that you can confidently recommend to someone who is upgrading from their point-and-shoot camera and desire a camera easy enough to start with but fully featured to learn and grow with for serious photography. This is not the camera for the “will only shoot in AUTO mode” crowd. Since the X-M1 sports the same 16MP APS-C X-TRANS CMOS image sensor featured in the X-Pro1 and X-E1, it produces image quality consistent to that obtained using top end DSLRs — all in a much more compact, light and beautiful package. It lacks some consumer-friendly features though most serious photographers will not be put off by their absence. Highly Recommended.
Next: Fujifilm X-M1 QuickFact Sheet / Buy
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