fujifilm x-m1

When Low-End Doesn’t Mean Low Quality: A Fujifilm X-M1 Review

16/10/2013 By Mathieu

The release of the Fujifilm X-M1 marks an important step in the X line for the Japanese firm. Up until now, Fuji has concentrated its efforts on high-end interchangeable lens models such as the X-Pro 1 and high-end compact cameras such as the X100/s and X10/20 line. With the X-M1, Fujifilm has expanded its product line to include low-end mirrorless cameras and puts itself in direct competition with products like the Sony Nex-5/6 series or the Samsung NX300.

At the time of writing this article, the X-A1, Fujifilm’s newest entry level model, has just been announced and the QX1 (same sensor as the X20) is also on the way. Some have criticised Fujifilm for spending more time on cheaper cameras instead of updating their high-end models, but that is going to change soon with the imminent announcement of the X-E2. Also, while the release of all these new models may lead us to think that Fujifilm wants to imitate other brands and saturate the market, in my opinion it is a simple consequence of a company wanting to increase its earnings. Actually, if you think about it, Fuji started the opposite way: the first models were for professionals and advanced enthusiasts and it has now turned its attention to the rest of the market, which of course cannot be ignored.

Simply, what Fujifilm is doing is filling new low-end cameras with technology that has been tried, tested and approved by professionals. I won’t dig more into Fuji’s marketing strategy because it isn’t my domain, but if we are to take anything away from this discussion, it is that the X-M1 may seem like a compromise for many things but not the most important aspect, image quality.

Photographers Max Angeloni & Giulia Torra comment on the Fujifilm X-M1

17/07/2013 By Heather

Here we are again, writing about the new Fuji X-M1, but this time we want to share someone else’s opinion. We don’t do this often, but in this case, we really appreciated Fujifilm Italia’s innovative approach in presenting this new camera to the press and public for the first time.

What they did was invite two photographers, one male, one female, who belong to two different generations and embrace two different photography styles, to try the new camera and share their photos/thoughts about it. The full gallery that has been published (you can see it here) reflects this approach, where these two different styles and generations come together to achieve a common goal – to present a camera, not as a cold hard gadget, but as a medium of artistic expression that can bridge even the widest gaps, be they stylistic, generational, or gender-based.

Fujifilm Italia Press Conference: Hands-on with the new Fuji X-M1 & the Fujinon 27mm f/2.8

11/07/2013 By Heather

Though spending an entire afternoon at a press conference may not be everyone’s cup of tea, I was more than pleased to have received an invitation to the Fujifilm Italia Press Conference held in honour of the release of their new interchangeable lens camera, the Fuji X-M1.

Enter the Fuji X-M1: Welcoming amateurs into the X-series fold

25/06/2013 By Heather

Whereas camera companies such as Olympus, Panasonic and Sony have gradually worked up from entry-level mirrorless cameras to high-end models, Fujifilm has taken a completely different approach to the production of their famous X-series. They started out with the high-end X-Pro1, which was soon followed by its baby brother, the X-E1, a camera practically identical to the X-Pro1 but lacking an OVF. Not long after, we saw two compacts, the X100s, tailored for professionals looking for a light second body for the streets, and the X20, a high-end compact with a non-interchangeable zoom lens.