Fujifilm X-M1 Compact System 16MP Digital Camera with 3-Inch LCD Screen - Body Only (Silver)

If you're a novice photographer and you're reading this review, stop reading now. This review isn't going to talk about any of the features you'll want to use and this camera is going to be unrecognizable (see the photo). once kitted it out with those really cool and useful accessories. However, if you're curious about my experience with the X-M1 using adapted lenses and a screen viewfinder, read on! When I like a camera, I do my internet homework. I check specs, legit reviews, user comments,price trends long before I actually hold the camera in my hands. In this case, I was heavily influenced by a recent purchase of a Fuji X-A1 for my daughter and was really impressed with the 2 kit lenses that came in that bundle package (see my review in Fujifilm X-A1 Body - Blue Compact System Camera, Body Only . Since I had already owned a Fuji X30 for about 9 months, I was pretty sure I'd like the x-trans sensor image quality, but not have to work as hard to separate my focal plane from the rest of the image. But perhaps the best surprise came when I discovered certain features can be greatly improved upon with the judicious purchase of high quality accessories, like a VF-4 viewfinder NEW Photography & Cinema PNC VF-4 LCD Universal View Finder FOR DV Camera LED Light SLR B , the Fotodiox Pro Lens Mount Adapter, Nikon G Lens to Fujifilm X Camera Body (X-Mount), for Fujifilm X-Pro1, X-E1 , and the ever useful OP/TECH USA Cam Strap - QD (Black) for holding onto the whole rig. I'm only partially kidding when I say that if you had hipster dreams of walking around with this compact little rangefinder with a black pancake 27mm lens, fagettaboutit. You're low rent cover is blown as soon as you bring it up to your bespectacled eye and you realize you can't look through the viewfinder. Instead, this camera has a great 3.0" diagonal hi-res tilting rear screen instead, three really well-placed control dials, a five button cluster to move your focus point and access some occasionally used functions, and (thankfully) no buttons on the left side of the rear of the camera. This is a blessing in disguise when using a large viewfinder like the VF-4, because it allows you to keep your left hand braced under the lens, where it should be. The folks from DigitalRev have criticized the placement of the two rear control dials, saying that they are too close together, but that's ridiculous, because you're gonna need to use them in manual without lifting your eye from the VF-4 viewfinder to nail focus and exposure, esp. while the magnified eyepiece of the VF-4 is braced against your face. When that big eyepiece is braced to your eye, I found that I could control the most important aspects of the camera, namely, focus, ISO, aperture and shutter speed using the live view screen for confirmation. Here's how I use the camera rig with my manual Nikkor lenses. 1) Setup the function button mapped to change ISO, so you don't have to fiddle with changing it in the Q menu. 2) Figure out your working f-stop, like you would shooting studio strobes, and set it on the lens. This will be your smallest aperture, but you may actually end up using a wider one in the next steps, using the declicked Fotodiox adapter ring. 3) Set your shutter speed with the rightmost thumb dial. Pick one that you can safely handhold like 1/(effective 35mm focal length in APS-C). 4) Click on the rear dial to activate the check focus magnifier and look for the wave of little white pixels washing over your focus area. Click again to return to normal view. This one feature alone is so incredibly useful and easiest with your eye to the viewfinder. 5) Half-press the shutter to get the live view exposure settings and with your other hand dial in the aperture ring on the lens adapter clockwise until you get the exposure you want. If you find it is too dark or too light, use your function (ISO) button and thumb wheel to dial in a better ISO. Repeat from step 4. Again, this half-press feature is SO much better than the opposite default (on the X30 and others) where it is always dark while using strobe and you have to menu dive to change the global setting, with no easy way to setting it back! 6) Shoot when ready The image of my dog was captured this way in late October light using the adapted Nikkor 35/2 Nikkor O, wide open at f2. I actually used a bounced strobe to reduce the contrast and open up the shadows behind the dog. The ability to focus first before previewing exposure is key to being responsive and nailing focus. Since I can easily mount or remove the VF-4 housing from the quick release foot, I found that it adapts well to the X-M1 body without much effort, however, you will not be able to charge the battery without removing the foot plate, and the SD card too is blocked. The shutter noise is nicely damped, but I have to say severely limited by a 1/160s sync speed (almost worth a point off), but no better than any of the other interchangeable lens Fuji rangefinders. The ability to custom set individual color maps for each WB setting is unusual in an entry level camera. About my choice of lens adapter, I liked the design of the Fotodiox because it felt solid and the declicked aperture makes it perfect for video and stills use. The first image of the wood box shows the Fotodiox Pro adaptor, using a 55 Micro-nikkor at f2.8. However, I did try the Nikkor to FX Fotodiox Excell+ speed booster adapter with this X-M1 body but quickly sent it back as I could barely acheive focus with it (barrel distortion was considerable too, as in the second image of the box, but somewhat fixable in Lightroom). Anyway, I'd recommend that you pick the X-M1 up used, as it's a steal at just north of $200 for incredible 16MP X-Trans quality.

I take photo trips with my teenage son and this is the camera I hand him for those trips. This is also the camera I use when I need something for a pocket grab-and-go with the 20mm pancake lens. My favorite lens on this body is the f/1.4 23mm, which is roughly equivalent to my 50mm Summilux on my full-frame Leica bodies. The Leica setup is more than 10x more expensive than the Fuji rig but *not* 10x better. The LCD screen is large, tilts up or down and is useable as viewfinder and better than the Leica M240 live view screen (and people are paying roughly 10x more for that particular Leica as of the time of this review in Q1 2014).

s0-so

I love this little camera, the silver body with silver 27mm lens is most stylish combination. A 4 star review is pretty darn high for me to give. (I'm not into "star-inflation") but this little camera earned all 4 stars. It's lightweight, fits in my purse, yet takes photos that look as good as those from my Canon 5DM2 -- that's a pretty good trick for such a small camera. I love the little onboard flash and the articulating LCD which is great for taking candids (you don't need to move the camera up to your eye, just hold it in your lap to shoot--your target has not clue.) The lenses are nice, even the low-priced 27mm. What a bargain. I'm a semi-pro with 20+ years experience from film to digital.

Some firmware issues lacking. Plastic feel to it but good camera. Issues about opining RAW files into Photoshop Elements. Sensor same as in Fuji XE1

What I was promised was Fuji's entry level X-Trans camera but what I got was so much more. Yes, the camera is built with plastic and there's only one FN button but the images I've been able to get from this tiny camera are great. The tiny size has been a very nice surprise and I assume that with the 27mm pancake lens it would also be the perfect point and shoot (even though it's an ILC). When I bought this camera I also got the Rokinon 12mm lens and using it with this camera has been a joy. There are two things missing from this camera: 1) Focus peaking. Yes, it has it, but it's white and it sucks. Thankfully magnification takes care of this. 2) Wifi can only be used to share pictures and not to control the camera (that was a bummer). I paid $289 for this camera and I regret nothing. If you already have an X camera this is the perfect backup. If you don't have and X camera then get this beauty and spend some money on the rokinon manual lenses until you can afford the XF lens or lenses that you want. This camera gets a solid 4.5/5 from me.

I bought it second hand to have an alternative camera body. The 16 megapixel sensor is limited by todays standards, but the camera is small and takes very nice photographs. Just what I wanted.

Ok so here it goes, everyone complains about no viewfinder, so go buy a camera with a viewfinder!!!..I just switched from Canon to FUJI..I purchased an XE-2 and and X Pro 1..both awesome cameras...so i decided to get this XM-1 for street photography because of the tilting LCD..just got this camera delivered about 20 minutes ago and played around with it and it is one great camera!!!..auto focus is spot on with the 27 pancake lens...I will try it with the 35 -1.4 later and i am sure it will be good...do not hesitate to buy this if you dont need a viewfinder it is one great piece!!!..