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All-metal Fujifilm X-T1 has retro SLR style

Fujifilm has announced the early March launch of a new premium model in its X-Series, the X-T1, featuring SLR-style handling, mechanical dials and an all-metal body.

fuji_xt1_front-left_10-24mmPhoto Counter estimates the price will be around $1600 body only and $2000 with the 18-55mm kit lens.

The X-T1 has a durable die-cast magnesium body and the exposure compensation, shutter speed and ISO sensitivity dials are all precision milled from aluminium. Reinforced glass is used for added protection of the LCD screen. It features an 16-megapixel APS format (23.6 x 15.6mm) X-Trans CMOS II sensor.

Combined with weather-resistant lenses (the first of which is promised for mid-year) Fujifilm says the X-T1 is dust and water resistant, and freezeproof. It doesn’t come with a built-in flash, but in other markets they throw  a hot-shoe speedlite in with the purchase price.

A new ‘Multi Mode’ viewfinder that provides four display modes including a Dual mode, designed for manual focusing with a classic split view. It adds a small second screen for checking the focus point.

The X-Trans CMOS II sensor dispenses with an optical low pass filter. Fujifilm says that the colour filter array with a highly random pattern does the job instead.  A doodad they call an Advanced Lens Modulation Optimiser (LMO) integrates data from the lens, sensor and processor to correct diffraction blur when shooting with a stopped down aperture, and compensates for any slight blurring in the lens periphery.

A hybrid AF system achieves fast focusing speeds through the on-sensor phase detection AF system, plus contrast AF for low light. The X-T1 has a maximum sensitivity of ISO 51,200. To combat noise at high ISO, the arrangement of components and circuits around the sensor has been redesigned, ‘keeping blacks black, with minimal grain and no colour casts’.

The sensor is coupled with a new EXR Processor II chip with dual CPU and improved processing performance that Fuji claims doubles the speed of the previous generation processor. The new camera’s start-up time is approx. 0.5 sec., with a shot-to-shot time of 0.5 sec. and shutter time lag to 0.05 sec. Predictive AF and AF tracking enable the camera to follow a subject even at the highest continuous shooting speed of 8 frames/sec.

X-T1_topThe X-T1 accepts UHS-II SD memory cards, doubling the data writing speed in continuous mode.

The X-T1 also supports time-lapse photography and includes an interval timer function – 1 second to 24 hours.

Five auto bracketing functions are available: AE, ISO Sensitivity, Dynamic Range, Film Simulation and White Balance. The new camera is highly customisable with six function buttons on the top, front and rear, including the four-way selector and Q button.

Built-in Wi-Fi provides instant transfer and location tagging of images via smartphones and tablets, with a maximum multiple image transfer of 30 photos or 2GB. Wi-Fi transfer also enables camera data backup onto the computer wirelessly.

A free application and wireless communication function allows users to remotely shoot images from smartphones and tablets. Wireless functions include Touch AF, shutter release for stills and movies, shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation, ISO sensitivity, Film Simulation modes, White Balance, macro, timer and flash.

Fujifilm will release three weather-resistant zoom lenses to complement the X-T1 camera, during 2014, with the XF18-135mm launching in June, and a 16-55mm F2.8 and 50-140mm f2.8 some time later.

Optional accessories include a vertical battery grip, four dedicated speedlites, leather case, hand grip, M Mount Adapter for accepting Leica M lenses, filters, remote release, stereo microphone, DC Coupler and AC Adapter.

The Australian recommended retail price for the Fujifilm X-T1 is yet to be advised. However it’s already available for pre-order from the likes of Adorama for the US recommended price of US$1299 body only and US$1699 with an f2.8-4, 18-55mm lens.

COMMENT: It’s time local distributors lifted their game with this ‘not available for two months and we don’t know the price’ rubbish. Local retailers who want to take orders should be provided the marketing collateral and pricing detail so they can compete in the globalised marketplace. Otherwise they risk losing sales to offshore retailers whose suppliers are aware that the market is indeed global.  

 

2 Comments

  1. stuart stuart January 30, 2014

    Spot on there, Keith. You only have to look at online retailers like Kogan and check out their prices on cameras. eg, Fujifilm x20 $449 at kogan.
    Most retail stores in Australia for that camera are around $699-$729.

  2. Mark Mark February 1, 2014

    Spot on. I looked all over AU sites for an order. Gave up and ordered from Adorama. I now see Discount Digital is taking pre-orders, but have to say the local market is slack – is it fuji or the retailers? I don’t know, and don’t care. I’m just a sale they lost locally.

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