This entry was posted on January 28, 2014.
Well...it was going to happen.
Fujifilm have joined the limited selection of manufacturers who have created a classic looking camera with all the bells and whistles of the latest technology.
So what is it?
The newest addition to the popular and award winning X-Series of cameras is the X-T1; a new model not designed as a replacement to anything, but an addition to the range.
And unlike the rest of the modular appearing series, this camera really does excude a certain historical feel.
For once, a manufacturer has listened quite carefully to its customer base, who have said that this style of camera is exactly what was needed from a company whose recent cameras were more compact and bridge cameras.
The X-T1 is an interchangeable lens camera boasting a 16Million Pixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensor, seriously high performance auto focus, Wi-Fi with a dedicated free app available, and a weather sealed body.
The viewfinder system is new, and unlike anything seen from Fujifilm. This new finder offers a sharpness and control that isn't even on the X-Pro 1, in that it offers a range of viewfinder modes including a clever split screen for manual focusing as well as reacting to the stabiliser in a lightning quick time.
Fujifilm quote that this camera has the worlds fastest focusing system as seen on the X-E2, but they have also removed the Optical Low Pass filter which assists in the sharpness of the images.
Techno-babble overload yet?
Yes, this camera has the potential to stand up and be counted alongside Canon, Olympus, Nikon and Sony DSLR's as well as their mirrorless ranges. And it is no small feat for other cameras in the X-Series range to be mentioned in the same breath as Leica.
But none of this matters.
Yes, I am sure the camera is to going to receive untold awards for its technical ability, and rightly so.
But forget it all and just look at the camera.
As I've mentioned, this model just seems to remind you instantly of a day gone by when cameras not only looked good, but they felt good and were able to produce the results you both expected and demanded. This is that camera.
Before the official announcement, we got a very quick glimpse of the camera. And everyone who handled the camera said the same thing...this felt like a proper camera.
Beautifully designed, lovingly crafted and worthy of the X-Series badge, the X-T1 is the camera that really does perform as good as one would expect.
It really is a case of X marks the spot, and what a spot to hit.
For more details, including a launch offer, just click here.