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Fujifilm X-Pro1 camera

Fujifilm announced the much anticipated X series camera at CES 2012 today (Official press release here). Its the Fuji X-Pro1 that features an interchangeable lens design with a APS-C sensor based on the new X mount. In addition to that, Fuji will also be releasing three X-mount prime lens (18mm, 35mm, 60mm Macr0) alongside the camera.

This camera inherits the rangefinder stylings of the X100 and strikes a close resemblance to the Leica M9. It also features an improved hybrid viewfinder with switch-able magnifier built in to accommodate the different lens that will be used by the camera. My initial impressions after reading some of the online previews (you can read all about it here and video preview by the Fuji guys here) can be summarized as follows:

1. The nicest feature of this camera to me is the removal of low pass filter. This will likely result in sharper images as evident from the Leica M9 (that also has its filter removed). It is something that I felt all the cameras should have done, yet no one does it except for M9 and the Ricoh GXR A12 M. To remove the filter and then work on overcoming the moire effects with a new sensor arrangements is certainly commendable. Kudos to Fujifilm and its evident that their decision to exit from the DSLR market and choose to focus on building their sensor technology a few years back is indeed paying rich dividends!
2. There will be a Leica M-mount adapter made for this camera. This is going to be useful as existing Leica owners can simply buy the X-Pro1 body and get to use their Leica lens on it, with a 1.5x magnification! My 50Lux will become a 75Lux on the X-Pro1! Coupled with the supposedly high ISO capability, I think it makes a really good companion to existing Leica M9 user.
3. There is no mention on focus peaking or any sort of manual focusing aid mechanism. This could eventually make or break the camera’s appeal to the enthusiast community looking to use their manual focus lens on this camera. I would think that a focus peaking implementation is under way, but not ready for demonstration at the moment. It should be there by the time this camera is released.
4. This is NOT a rangefinder replacement, it is more like a viable companion. As much as the styling makes this camera looks like a M9, it is NOT a RF in absolute terms and will NOT replace the joy of using a RF. As much as I think the hybrid viewfinder is a good step in the right direction, it is not designed for manual focusing and will fall short when used with RF lens. That’s why I’m stressing on the importance of focus peaking as I believe that many people who bought the Ricoh GXR w/ A12 M and the NEX cameras to pair with their RF lens were sold by the focus peaking mechanism.

Having said the above, I think the X-Pro1 is an interesting camera that will compliment the Leica M9 in terms of its high ISO handling and ability to get existing m-mount lens a longer reach of 1.5x. It is unlikely going to sway current Leica M9 user to ditch their system for this Fuji setup (at least not for me!), but for someone who is using a DSLR and is considering making a switch to Leica, he may now have a really hard decision to make.

Looks like 2012 will be an exciting year for photographers. Fuji has lay down the gauntlets and it looks like the rest of the competitors will not simply rest on their laurels. I’m expecting stiff competitions from the usual suspects like Sony, Panasonic and Olympus. I am also looking forward to Leica’s introduction of the M10 and the new mirror-less system – I hope it does not disappoint.