New Fujifilm X-Pro1: A Multi-Lens Compact For Leica Fans?

The manufacturers who pioneered compact digital cameras with interchangeable lenses billed them as the missing link between point-and-shoot cameras and SLRs.  But last year, this new segment began to stand on its own two feet, with distinctive, high-quality cameras.  One early example was the Olympus E-P3, and the Sony Nex-7, the first such camera not to be simply a slimmed-down SLR, stood out even more.

After a compact camera with a large sensor and retro rangefinder styling, the successful FinePix X100, a lens-switcher was the next logical step for Fujifilm.  The X-Pro1, the company's first compact with interchangeable lenses, has inherited the X100's retro styling but offers very up-to-date technology.

New Sensor

To justify its place on the market for high-end cameras, the X-Pro1 has a number of new features, including a brand-new sensor, which Fuji claims is capable of rivalling a 24 x 36 mm sensor.  However, it's actually an APS sensor—a 16 Megapixel CMOS sensor, to be precise—but without a low-pass filter which would otherwise reduce the available resolution by removing the evidence left behind by demosaicing.  For a guide to the technical details of this procedure, you can see our Guide: Demosaicing and Colour in Photos.

It's not the only camera to use a similar system.  The Leica M9 also does without a low-pass filter to allow the sensor to capture the maximum amount of detail, leaving removing moiré to a software filter.  Oh, and you better get used to hearing the name 'Leica', because that's not the only similarity ...

As well as more powerful software, the mosaic-style moiré pattern is also combatted by a redesigned pixel layout across the sensor.  Instead of using the usual 2 x 2 Bayer matrix (above), there's a new 6 x 6 grid where red, blue and green sub-pixels are found on every line and every column.  In theory, that should make it easier for the sensor to pick out straight lines and do a better shop of removing moiré.

New lens mount

The X-Pro1 also has a new lens mount, dubbed the Fuji X-mount.  After its experience with SLRs, where Nikon made a fortune selling lenses for Fuji cameras, Fuji seems to be once bitten, twice shy, and has invented a new, proprietary mount, even if that means it has to make the lenses on its own too.

It's users who lose out though, because the specs suggest that the APS-C format where the size of the mount (17.7 mm) is very close to the Sony Nex mount, where some new lenses would have been very much appreciated.

Three new lenses are available alongside the launch of the X-Pro1: a wide-angle, f/2, 18 mm lens; a standard f/1.4, 35 mm lens and a small f/2.4, 60 mm telephoto.  The range is based on a series of fast, fixed focus lenses, made from metal and hand-painted, and is another indicator of the upmarket customers targeted by Fuji.  Indeed, exactly the same marketing arguments are often heard emanating from Leica HQ.  That said, the lack of a zoom could be off-putting for non-Leica fans.

Leica-lite?

And it seems that Leica fans are definitely part of the target audience.  It's got a funky retro look, clearly based on the earlier X100 with focus rings on the lenses and shutter speeds on a dial next to the shutter release.  It's also the first compact with interchangeable lenses to have an optical viewfinder.  The hybrid viewfinder is similar to the one on the X100, but with a variable enlargement which changes according to the lens in use, covering either the 18 mm or 35 mm field of view.  The three-inch VGA screen has four red, green, blue and white sub-pixels per pixel.

As well as the deliberately old-school styling, the details, finish and list of accessories, which runs to an external flash, a handle and a leather carry case to name but a few, accentuate the impression that high-end customers are the target for this camera.

There's no news on how much the X-Pro1 will cost, but we're betting it will be expensive.  Based on the features, the style, the new sensor and the quality of the first set of lenses, we're tempted to say that Fuji could be trying to beat the price of the Leica M9 rather than the Sony Nex-7.  But the logical upshot of that is that the company will have to make sure it puts in an absolutely flawless performance.

While we're on the subject of luxury cameras, a new black version of the Fujiflm FinePix X100 is set to go on sale in the next few months.  With just ten thousand units, each one is set to cost around £1250.

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