The new interchangeable lens camera features a dual-mode viewfinder, Full HD video recording, up to ISO 25,600, the ability to take photos in RAW or RAW+JPEG formats as well as standard JPEG, complete on-camera control for images, and there is a high-resolution 3.0-inch LCD to name a few features.
The main features
With the X-Pro1 Fujifilm is introducing a new type of CMOS sensor not only to their camera line-up but to the camera industry at large. The “X-Trans CMOS” is a cropped APS-C CMOS sensor but with a special colour filter array that Fuji claims put it’s X-Pro1 at or above the image quality of a full frame sensors that you find in much larger DSLR/SLR cameras. Fuji explains that their CMOS sensor ditches the optical low-pass filter that full frame sensors feature, the filter helps a sensor fight moiré and false colour in images.
The sensitivity range for the X-Pro1 camera is at ISO 100 up to ISO 25,600.
Fujifilm X-Pro1 has been equipped with a movie mode that records in HD up to 1080p. You can pick between 720p HD and 1080p HD for movie recording resolutions, and each option offers 24 frames per second recording performance. Also all the video recorded on the X-Pro1 is recorded into the H.264 (MOV) format with real stereo sound.
There is a hybrid viewfinder for shot framing that offers both optical and electronic support. The way Fujifilm explains things the only difference between the optical and electronic modes is that with the electronic option engaged you get some info displayed in the rangefinder and with the optical option you get the full unencumbered ranger finder experience. Recent cameras that featured either an electronic or optical viewfinder include the Fujifilm X10 (optical) and Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GX1 (electronic).
The sensitivity range for the X-Pro1 camera is at ISO 100 up to ISO 25,600.
Fujifilm X-Pro1 has been equipped with a movie mode that records in HD up to 1080p. You can pick between 720p HD and 1080p HD for movie recording resolutions, and each option offers 24 frames per second recording performance. Also all the video recorded on the X-Pro1 is recorded into the H.264 (MOV) format with real stereo sound.
The X-Pro1 allows users to frame shots in live view or browse menus using a high res. 1.23 million dot 3.0-inch RGBW TFT LCD. Normally LCDs included in digital cameras offer 460k dots for resolution which is more than two times lower resolution than the 3.0-inch LCD offered on the X-Pro1.
All your high-res. captures can be saved to either SD/SDHC/ SDXC (UHS-I) memory cards since the X-Pro1 supports single cards in either of those formats.
This premium digital camera is powered by a rechargeable Li-ion battery pack of which Fuji will include an appropriate charger for out-of-box.
Size-wise the X-Pro1 is larger than any point-and-shoot digital camera that isn’t a bridge camera (DSLR-like in design). Fuji’s precise measurements quote the X-Pro1′s final weight with a battery installed as 450 grams (0.99 lb. / 15.87 oz.) and the cameras dimensions without a lens as 140 x 82 x 43 mm (5.51 x 3.23 x 1.69″).
Full specifications available here.
The price and release date
At this time Fujifilm plans to release the X-Pro1 in late February of 2012 with a starting price of $1,700USD. Street prices are almost always lower than the MSRP, but at this time there are no street prices for me to reference because the X-Pro1 hasn’t launched yet.
The XF lenses
Fujifilm will launch their new X-Pro1 camera with a set of three lenses; one telephoto 60mm F2.4 macro, one wide 18mm F2.0, and one standard 35mm F1.4. Each lens is designed to work perfectly with Fuji’s new X-Trans CMOS sensor which uses an unconventional colour filtration system. According to Fujifilm the three first lenses will form the new XF Lens family that uses the classic X mount that the company introduced years ago.
Each of the first three XF Lenses will launch in late February 2012 with the X-Pro1 camera, price wise each lens will cost about $650USD a pop out of the gate. That price per lens should come down as Fujifilm starts to really ship the lenses to a lot of retailers.
The downside
Official XF lenses will be few and far between, the three lenses already detailed above are all you can expect Fujifilm to release this year. If you want more lenses you’ll need to wait until 2013 when the company says they will bring to market “several prime and zoom [XF] lenses”.
Having a lack of lenses is something that always plagues radically new system cameras. You shouldn’t worry too much about it with time Fujifilm and other third-party companies will have the X-Pro1 well stocked with lenses. The X-Pro1 will be worth the effort of lens makers from all indications of its performance capabilities and Fujifilm’s recent success with other X-series cameras.
