Fujifilm X-M1 Review
After the new Fujifilm X-system consisting of the X-Pro1 and X-E1 already celebrated great successes, the Japanese manufacturer sends now preparing to conquer the X-M1 also the entry level. As with its bigger sisters on the unique Fujifilm X-Trans CMOS sensor, which promises better image quality than traditional APS-C sensors.
In addition, the Fujifilm X-M1 shines with two control wheels. Where Fujifilm nevertheless, cutbacks and how much the X-M1 was suitable, is to clarify our test and measurement lab in practice.
Fujifilm X-M1 – Ergonomics and workmanship.
Amazingly compact falls from the Fujifilm X-M1, at least compared with the X-E1 and certainly the X-Pro1. This was achieved by omitting the Fujifilm electronic viewfinder, unfortunately, can also optionally not connect, and the trick to install the rear control wheel vertical (normal would collide with the battery or a larger case or require a smaller battery).
Even if the plastic housing cannot keep up with the high quality of previous X models it seems well-made and is available in three different colors: black, silver-black and silver-brown.
Through the generous application of grained rubber, the leather is similar to at least be removed succeed the Japanese manufacturer of the balancing act of modern camera and classic look without the X-M1 as a distinctive retro look has as yet the X-Pro1, this being also the color variant of the X-M1 depends on the black version looks very much understated than the silver-black.
Criticism has to put up with the FujiFilm arrangement of the metal tripod mount, as it is located outside the optical axis and right next to the battery and memory card compartment. After all, Fujifilm offers an optional additional grip (HG-XM1), which is simply screwed to the housing.
This not only ensures a more pronounced grip (a functional vertical grip with battery slot is it not), but also brings the tripod to mount in the optical axis, but also blocks access to the battery and memory card compartment.
Despite shrinking short, the engineers managed the feet of being able to use the lithium-ion battery in the X-Pro1 and X-E1 and the X-M1, the Fujifilm X-M1 battery life of 350 shots by CIPA standard. It remains. Alternatively, use a dummy battery, including power connector. The SD card slot effortlessly swallows also great cards to SDHC or SDXC standard.
At the interfaces Fujifilm has saved, unlike the larger models can be screwed not a classic cable release. Every hide an HDMI and USB port behind a flap fastened by rubber flap. The latter also accepts a cable release (RR-90), so you do not have to do without this feature in the Fujifilm X-M1. That the X-M1 has no viewfinder, Fujifilm has upgraded the screen: This now offers 920,000 dots resolution with three inches (7.5 centimeters) diagonal.
The 3:2 aspect ratio ensures that in the photo mode, the screen can be maximally used as a viewfinder, because the APS-C sensor has the same aspect ratio. Flexibility is also a plus point on the Fujifilm X-M1: The screen can be flipped 90 degrees both up and down, which allows flexible shooting positions. For better readability in sunlight, a brightness boost can be activated in the menu, but the visibility of the subject, especially the darker part on the image of the screen in bright sunlight is limited.
The operation is strongly geared to the larger sister models. It can be seen about the menu with his horsemen and confusing without additional vertical scrolling as well as the Q menu. The four-way cross is usefully also assigned direct-dial functions, there is also a programmable button, but you can probably defaults to the ISO function. On the positive, sides are the two control wheels, but the function is fixed.
In A mode, for example, the exposure is on the dominant upper wheel, Easy to accidentally be adjusted. The panel is no lens attached with an aperture ring operated with the vertically arranged rear wheel. Exchange cannot be the function of the two wheels unfortunately.
Fujifilm X-M1 – Equipment
Unlike the larger sister models, the mode dial to the Fujifilm X-M1 is not of the classical programs Programmed Auto (P), Aperture priority (A), Shutter priority (S), and manual mode dominates (M), even if this next to a freely programmable mode located on the mode dial.
The three most important Fujifilm X-M1 Scene Modes Portrait, Landscape and Sports have also managed as direct election programs on the wheel beside another scene mode hidden behind SP about to fireworks, beach and snow or photographs of flowers – just to name a few. Who would rather leave the camera all settings, it simply turns on SR, in this mode, the Fujifilm X-M1 recognizes as a compact camera design, and you need only to use the zoom and the shutter to take photos.
Unlike the larger models, the X-M1 video records at 30 frames per second instead of 24, as resolutions are full HD (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) and normal HD (1,280 x 720 pixels) to choose from. It is saved using H.264 compression (MPEG-4) in MOV format (Quicktime).
Also new and very welcome is the video recording button on the camera back, which now allows video recording without complicated switching. Although the X-M1 includes an integrated stereo microphone, but no external connection for better sound. The autofocus performs the Fujifilm X-M1 silently and continuously, but occasionally it tends to pump.
Fujifilm has introduced saves the panorama function in the underwater white balance settings are missing and the manual input Kelvin, in the fine correction and manual measurement value storage. It has remained.
Also HDR images cannot absorb the Fujifilm X-M1, which enlarges dynamics for individual photos but there are still. But they dominated multiple exposures, bracketing, offers a continuous shooting at up to 5.6 frames per second and also the effect of mandatory programs.
Even the Film Simulation modes are absent and not during manual focus helps the magnifying glass next to the peaking function that highlights a sharp contrast edges in color. Even using the autofocus can display a bar-distance display.
The digital horizon (water balance) was saved, after all, recognizes the Fujifilm X-M1 camera portrait and landscape format. Unfortunately, the live histogram displayable not helps with manual exposure because the exposure preview is activated when a button pressed halfway, but the live histogram disappears simultaneously.
With the Fujifilm X-M1 for the first time integrates a WLAN functionality in a system camera. The X-M1 can transfer videos and photos on a smartphone or tablet, either a single file or several. The data are sent via WiFi direct. A remote control of the camera in this way not possible, direct access to social networks or photo galleries not always hear the smartphone or tablet must be cumbersome serve as a stopover.
After all, the X-M1 dominates the direct transfer to PCs in the network that are equipped with an appropriate free software from Fujifilm. This is an auto backup function, which in turn does not provide the X-M1 for smartphones and tablets, or about cloud storage. The only advantage the wireless LAN function by function poverty remains clear and easy to use.
Captured images can be edited within limits, at least until it comes to JPEG images. Elaborate filters and alienation effects are nowhere. Red eyes can retouch or crop the image as edges or change the screen size. After all, the Fujifilm X-M1 provides the ability to subsequently convert RAW images to JPEG images and thereby adjust a number of parameters such as white balance.
This applies even if a JPEG has already been recorded in parallel to Raw. Furthermore, a photobook assist integrated, so that the user directly in the camera to create a photo book and can be ordered through a corresponding terminal in a drugstore or over the Internet Fujifilm.
Image quality. Like the two larger sister models X-Pro1 and Fujifilm X-E1 has the X M1 equipped with the same X-Trans CMOS sensor and EXR II image processor. The 16 megapixel resolution CMOS sensor in APS-C size has a special color filter pattern that resembles the analog film grain more by the color filters appear randomly distributed. This may reduce the sharpness low-pass filters are saved, which promises a higher resolution.
A further advantage is that in each row and column pixel information of all the color can be found, which is not the case with the usual Bayer pattern. This brings two advantages: on the one hand, a higher color resolution because less interpolation is necessary, and on the other hand, the noise suppression can thus work more effectively. In sum, do Fujifilm promises the performance of a full-frame sensor.
Also, the tone curve shows the signal attenuation at ISO 100 more than clear. Here it runs very linear, while in all other sensitivities in order to playback, crisp tones are reproduced contrast, especially in the mid-tones. Somewhat reluctant to show the sharpening, so that there are no disturbing sharpness artifacts.
The JPEGs are a crisp, but not artificial effects. The sensitivity decreases with increasing output tonal range. It is no longer used all brightness levels available, which becomes especially noticeable at ISO 6400, where only less than half the shades are used.
The color depth is at ISO 6,400 still good, but it falls here also the subtlety of gradations among the two million still good color levels. Up to and including ISO 400, there are even very good about eight million colors.
In color reproduction, the X-M1, not necessarily Fujifilm X-M1 works particularly accurate in all colors, but tends to be a more beautiful color reproduction. Red and orange colors are more saturated ( lighter) and blue tones tend towards violet, have increased as a proportion of red. With green, yellow and violet, the Fujifilm X-M1 is quite accurately.
Fujifilm X-M1 – Conclusion
With the Fujifilm X-M1 delivers an excellent entry-level camera, which does not play at the lowest price league because of the superior technology with the X-Trans sensor. Though the camera well made, but it looks a little like a plastic bomber, with the high quality of the larger X models, they cannot keep up. After all, it is for a model without strong handle well in the hand. This can even increase with the optional handle or what way also puts the tripod mount in the optical axis. Also rare to find in this class are the two control wheels, even if their assignment unfortunately leaves neither program nor trade.
Compared to the X-E1 moderate the cuts were scheduled, which is annoying especially the electronic viewfinder missing some contemporaries, especially since no external EVF can also attach. For this, the Fujifilm X-M1 offers a high-resolution, large screen in 3:2 format, which also turns up and folds down.
Also, the image quality is convincing 1,600, although the dynamics somewhat low fails especially to ISO. Even the XC shows 16-50mm, especially for a kit lens, good image quality. The resolutions of weaknesses on the screen are visible only in poster print larger than 20 x 30 inches. All in all, the Fujifilm X-S1 is a recommended entry-level camera.
Our Opinion
PROS : Very good picture quality, especially up to ISO 1600, even with the kit lens still good., Folding screen with high resolution., Built-in wireless LAN function., Good ergonomics by two control wheels.
CONS : Function of the setting is fixed and cannot be exchanged., No built-in electronic viewfinder, and cannot be retrofitted as an accessory., Tripod socket outside the optical axis and too close to the battery and memory card compartment.
- Processing
- Equipment
- Handing
- Speed
- Image Quality
