X-E1 16.3MP Compact System Digital Camera with 2.8-Inch LCD - Body Only (Black)

This is very different coming from a dslr, so expect a learning curve. You won't pick this up and shoot it as familiarly as your dslr, but once you learn it and get used to it, its an awesome camera. The image quality of the jpegs is outstanding. I come from always shooting full raw in a canon dslr, to shooting jpegs in this mirrorless camera. I do a lot less post processing because I am getting excellent jpegs straight out of the camera. The film simulations are really good. The low light capabilities are amazing. Good, usable, low noise shots at 6400 in dim lighting, better in more lighting. I adapt old nikon lenses to it and they work great. The camera will feel really light coming out of the box if you're used to a dslr, but after a few days it'll be normal. The build quality is awesome, all metal. The dials on top for shutter speed and exposure compensation are awesome. The back screen resolution is really really good. Are there cameras with more dots? Yes, but trust me, its an amazing screen, looks better than what you're eyes can see. The EVF takes some getting used to but works really well. A little lag in low light, but that's okay. If you are a black and white shooter, the really cool thing is that you can put it in monochrome mode and actually see in black and white through the viewfinder...its awesome. The camera is a nice little size, inconspicuous around your neck, especially good for street photography. Button layout is pretty intuitive, and after some pracitce you can navigate through the menus without having to take your eye off of the view finder (if you are in EVF mode and press the menu button, the menu shows up in the efv so that you don't have to pull the camera back and use the screen if you don't want to). The camera itself is really beautiful, looks like an old rangefinder, even has the old film camera style strap lugs. If you are used to the long battery life of a dslr, then you will be initially disappointed by the shorter battery life of a mirrorless. Just get a second aftermarket battery for 10 bucks and you'll be fine. Try shooting in live mode on your dslr all day and see how short the battery life is and you'll have an idea. A mirrorless is essentially always in live mode. There are things you can do to lengthen battery life, though, like: use the evf instead of the screen; don't leave the camera on all the time, I turn it off when I am not using immediately, it starts back up in like 1/2 a second; turn off auto picture review if you don't need it. Since I don't use auto focus lenses, I am probably getting a bit more out of the battery than if you're using fuji lenses. The pop up flash is actually really good and I don't like pop up flashes. After it pops up you can actually aim it, say up at a ceiling if you prefer bounce flash. So no more having to drag a speed light everywhere I go for indoors night shooting.There is a raw converter IN the camera. That's right. And it works really well. Better than the raw converter that comes with the software package that you install on your computer.Fuji is really good about updating the firmware in their cameras, even though this model came out a few years ago. I updated it when I got and it added features to the camera. Like a manual focus assist, especially good for those using legacy lenses and the picture simulation in the evf I mentioned above.Fuji lenses overall are cheaper than dslr lenses. Not because they aren't as good, but, because dslr's have long flange distances, 2.5 to 3 times longer than mirrorless, their lenses require more and bigger glass to get the same high quality, especially in wide angle lenses. Because mirrorless camera flange distances are so short, they can make a lens just as good without as many parts and elements.Its that short flange distance that also allows you to mount just about any lens with an adapter to it. I get my old nikon lenses on ebay, never paid more than $40 for a prime, and they work really well and are actually sharper on the fuji than my dslr. This camera does not have an AA filter like a lot of dslr's, so the same lenses will actually produce sharper images on this fuji than a comparable dslr.Complaints? The "editing" software that comes with the camera (that you install on your computer) isn't great, but not horrible. The raw converter is okay, but I haven't really delved very deep in to it yet, frankly because I haven't had to. That's really it.Check out Zack Arias' videos on youtube about fuji cameras for some really good info.

It is actually more camera than I really need. 16 mega-pixels is overkill for me, but nice to have for cropping or for the occasional large print. This camera fits my hands nicely. I recently updated the firmware to 2.1, and the auto iso is much improved. The lenses I have for it are the XC 16-50, the XF 27mm, and two Russian Industar lenses mounted with adapters. I think the X-E1 strikes a nice balance of modern and traditional elements of photography. I think that unless you absolutely have to have the fastest, the latest and the greatest, you might save your money and buy the X-E1 instead of the new X-E2. Keep the money in your pocket, or buy a new lens.Criticisms- Fuji's fit and finish, while very nice in general, occasionally is lacking...for instance the seam that runs along the bottom of the X-E1, separating front from back; a very poor fit, making the camera look flimsy and cheap when it really isn't. Also, the metal on the top does not feel as solid as it does on the X10 or XPRO1 but it is still very nice. These things really don't bother me at all after owning the camera for some time, just something that you might notice at first. (apparently this is a quality control issue, as I purchased a second X-E1 and it does not have the seam problem.)And the black rubber around the EVF does not do a very good job of excluding extraneous light, and there is no means of attaching a more effective eye cup.I found out quickly that the finish rubs off quite easily. Old school look, but not old school durability. I still love mine, though.

Update: Yes, it is true- the exposure compensation dial is way too easy to nudge loose, but there are plenty of reminders in the viewfinder and on screen and if you glance carefully at the camera dial. The rubber viewfinder surrounds are a pocket dust magnet. For video, disable the autofocus by flicking the next to lens switch to 'M.' This bypasses the jumpy AF during video.This is almost how I imagined a digital camera ought to be after film cameras became extinct. I'm sure there are plenty of photogs whom have a film body or two or ten tucked away somewhere. This bricklike camera has a quality feel. No, it is not some pretty metal body, but a dense plastic brick that feels lighter than it looks. I just got it and use the small 27mm pancake with it- it has beautiful bokeh even being a 2.8 lens. Having first gotten an XM1, I am familiar with the operating system. So many cameras, including top of the line and the newest Sonys have a mode dial on top. Even the XM1 has the same mode dial. I always felt that there was a layer of electronics I had to remember before I took a shot- a needed glance at the screen to confirm my settings. The Fuji Xtrans system is mature now and heading into the 2nd or third generation, but this 'first gen' (well, not if you say the XP1 was the first gen), is a solid photo tool. The multi focus sensor is not as precise as other systems and because of that it is not as fast as a sports camera. Most people are using the central focus and then recomposing. I find it fast and as accurate wide open as anything I have ever used. It seems a lot of people say that it can't track little kids, especially indoors. No consumer camera can. And even sports cams miss. The most important functions are accessible right on the body as they were when we used film. The shutter button replicates that subtle 2 stage feel of those cameras. Many a reviewer who have never used a film SLR have never had that experience. The XE1 has loads of features, but the most important ones you can see and feel with one glance. The viewfinder works extremely well and is priceless outdoors when you can barely see the back screen. I've only had the camera a few hours and will update soon.Since I ordered the camera, I have been pouring over the image comparisons between "better" cameras and have come to this conclusion: Nobody prints big- you know this, but still agonize over megapixels. I print in batches every other year at 30x40 inches with cameras between 8mp-24mp. The megapixels have no effect on my images at any size printed. High ISO cleanliness looks better than higher megapixel. At low ISO, virtually any camera can produce detailed images.A couple of random thoughts about this camera and Fuji:Don't get this camera for video. All Fuji lenses are excellent wide open with better cropped sensor bokeh than other brands. 'Made in Japan' really means something for the film crowd. The old style retro look and feel makes a photog reverse time. Plenty of custom programmable modes for the serious photographer. A real hot shoe. Tripod mount is off center and covers the battery cover which is important for Black Rapid straps. The all black bodies are incredibly discrete and don't reflect light when photographing thru glass. Eyeglass users rejoice, no scratched lenses. Just that oily nose smudge.