The Fujifilm XT-1 marked a new era for digital mirrorless cameras. It is a camera designed to compete with larger semi-pro DSLRs and it easily holds it own in this regard. Fuji has done exceptionally well with it's X-Series cameras, and opened up a whole new market for itself - one where it is thriving. One point that they got correct from the start was to listen to actual photographers and what they wanted and needed from a camera. This community engagement resulted in the launch of the venerable X100, and now the X-T1. The XT-1 is both an evolution and a revolution of the X100 design - it has the X-series DNA but moves the X-series cameras in a segment where it does a fantastic job of competing with the likes of the Canon 70D and Nikon D7100.
Edward Duckitt Photography recently had a chance to review the camera as well as the Fuji 23mm F1.4 R lens. Here is a short excerpt of his review and a link to the full article.
The Fujifilm XT-1 takes the company to new heights with their retro-inspired camera which delivers impressive image quality and excellent ergonomics. I was given the XT-1 by Fujifilm South Africa to try out. Unfortunately they only had the 23mm f1.4 R to use with it - not a bad option however as I am a huge fan of prime lenses.
Build and Ergonomics
I think Fuji got it spot on with the XT-1. Almost every person I show it to think it is some old fancy antique camera but are then totally blown away when they realise it is a digital workhorse housed in a tough, weather-sealed and gorgeous metal exterior.
Electronic Viewfinder
I am not a fan of electronic viewfinders. They always appear to be an afterthought on cameras and are usually plagued by poor resolution, terrible colour-tearing and even worse, noisy images. Until the XT-1 came along that is. The XT-1 EVF is claimed to be bigger than that of the Canon EOS-1 DX optical viewfinder and it certainly appears to be so. Fuji has taken the very best of OLED engineering and developed a 2.3 million dot EVF that is like nothing that has come before it.
Image quality
When shooting in RAW, the XT-1 delivers on all departments with regards to image quality. Images contain loads of fine detail, show excellent tonality and subtle colour gradations, maintain a high amount of dynamic range (even at high ISO), low noise levels (especially in the shadows) and have that authentic Fuji look.
Conclusion
I truly believe that the Fuji XT-1 heralds a new era for mirrorless cameras. Having never been a fan of any mirrorless systems, I would now quite comfortably use the X-T1 on an everyday basis. It is a camera that I can easily see myself using in professional work too (as a second camera for now). I think this all due to the fact that Fuji really thought of the photographers needs first and that they included some excellent engineering feats (the EVF comes to mind).
