August 03, 2017

Fuji X-T1 Review

For photography lovers Fujifilm X-T1 camera is very popular among them, this camera is much selected to replace the DSLR camera because the weight of the camera is lighter and the picture quality is also very good.

Design and Body

Fuji X-T1 has a classic design era film camera, then this camera is different from a DSLR camera or a modern mirrorless camera. At the top of the camera there are 3 wheels to replace ISO, Shutter speed and exposure compensation, there is also a lever to replace the drive mode and metering. At the front there is also two dial wheels to change the setting value, and it can also change the opening and shutter when we install the fuji XC lens that has no aperture ring. With the wheels of this then the user does not bother to go to the menu to change the settings when used.
Fuji X-T1 Review

In the camera Fuji X-T1 does not have a wheel to change the camera mode such as Auto, P, A / Av, ST / v and others. Most of the camera body is made with metal materials and when it feels solid compared to the camera mirrorless Fuji X-PRO1, camera body dimensions are not large ie 129x89.8 x 46.7 mm, this camera weighs 445 grams excluding the lens, then this camera is classified Weight, then this camera is almost the same as a beginner Dslr camera like a Nikon D3300 camera that weighs 460 grams. But this camera is lighter than a semipro DSLR camera like the Canon 70D that weighs 755 grams.

For the Fuji X-T1 camera handler is rather small, so when we plug it with zoom lens shape a bit flashy. The solution we can add accessories handgrip, but this will add weight about 120 gram. The total weighs 565 grams, and of course this is the same as the weight of a budding Dslr camera.

For the camera viewfinder Fuji X-T1 is the largest of the other mirrorless kemera. It's bigger than other fuji cameras like XE series, X-PRO and X100. The quality is very good, you can see clearly and bright. In the viewfinder many of the information displayed include exposure, Dynami Range, lighmeter, photo size, simulation movie, autofocus area and Virtual horizon. This viewfinder is also larger with a full frame DSLR shell like the Nikon D810.

For manual focus on the viewfinder, Fujifilm is very innovative, has peaking focus and there is also dual mode that divides the look into two parts, one part for the whole picture and the other one clarifies the detail of the zoomed image.

The Fuji X-T1 uses the APC-C (23.6 x 15.6 mm) sensor with 16 megapixel image resolution and the recommended ISO range from 200-6400 (can be expanded to ISO 100,51200). For high ISO, ISO 3200 is still pretty, but what we need to know is when compared to other brand cameras, for the same condition we only need ISO 1600 or 2000 (2 / 3-1 stop) this for us to get the same result. Due to the fuji X-Trans sensor architecture. The noise will appear less disturbing and the color (chroma noise) is rarely seen. To note also Fuji sensor has a resolution of only 16 MP, The lower the resolution of the picture then the number of noise is also seen less than the camera with a large resolution.

So we can conclude that the Fuji X-T1 camera is in the middle of the quality, better with digital cameras with APS-C sensor in general, and not yet equivalent to full frame frame camera.

Photo Needs

For photo quality Fuji X-T1 camera depending on the type of photography, for portrait studio photos and still life, this camera is pretty good. But if this camera to take pictures fast moving autofocus Fuji X-T1 is still a bit slow, especially if we use the lens of its AF slow as 56mm f / 1.8, autofocus faster. For use in prewedding photos may not have a problem because the subject movement is usually not too fast. When used to photograph sports this camera is not equivalent to a DSLR or mirrorless camera system with hybrid autofocus.

The weight of this camera is lighter than DSLR cameras in general, but not lighter than other mirrorless camera, If we use Fuji X-T1 camera for travel and landscape then we need 4 batteries from sunrise to sunset, but for lenses using a very metal material Nice and has endurance but with this weight of the camera is heavier.

Example:

  • Fujifilm XT-1 and Fuji lens 10-24mm f / 4 OIS total = 855 gram
  • Nikon D7100 DSLR camera and Nikon 10-24mm lens in total = 1214 grams
  • Canon 70D DSLR camera and Canon lens 10-18mm f / 4 IS total = 995 grams
  • Panasonic GM1 and Panasonic mirrorless camera 7-14mm f / 4 = 500 grams
  • Sony A6000 and Sony 10-18mm f / 4 OSS = 569 gram mirrorless camera

If you are interested in using speedlite / external flash, fuji movie does not have a good flash system, and sync speed X-T1 is only 1/180 seconds, in comparison with other Dslr cameras generally about 1/259 seconds.

Excellence Fuji X-T1 Camera


  • The size is quite compact but solid
  • Large and bright viewfinder
  • Manual focus on easy with large and dual viewfinder
  • The lcd screen we can turn up
  • The Lcd screen can be customized
  • Many buttons can be customized
  • The picture quality is sharp
  • Many Fuji XF-rated lenses are available
  • Many wheels and levers can to change the setting without entering the menu
  • Mechanical + electronic shutter 1/4000 second s / d 1/32000 sec
  • There is a choice of movie simulation

Lack of Fuji X-T1 According to Me


  • The autofocus in this camera is a bit slow depending on the lens used
  • The handle is rather small
  • Dial at shutter speed only loads 1 stop stepping.
  • It takes a lot of time to learn in using this camera
  • Video quality is relatively less satisfactory
  • The choice of ISO 100 can only be for .Jpg images instead of RAW
  • Best ISO starting from ISO 200
  • Navigation on the Quick Menu needs many clicks from one item to another
  • Dynamic range mode can only be used at high ISO
  • No label on the buttons on the back of the camera
  • The lock button on the ISO dial obstructs to replace the ISO quickly
  • Flash sync maximum speed is only 1/180 seconds
  • Self timer is not in the drive mode lever, it should be access in the menu
  • Can not use Flash in electronic shutter mode
As said above, Fuji X-T1 camera is one of the camera is quite interesting. Some photographer lovers are very fond of this camera which has retro design Fujifilm X-T1, and there are also many friends who promote this camera to others who still use DSLR. For some people this camera is very unlike, because they must have a camera approach and they are confused how to familiarize yourself with this camera.

For me this camera is one of the quality mirrorless camera, although has many shortcomings, but for me all the cameras have shortcomings and nothing is perfect. This camera is very good if combined with Fuji XF lens, and very interesting also with the electronic shutter, large viewfinder, X-Trans sensor, simulation film and more. This camera has the same heavy weight as the Dslr camera, its limitations with Flash system, and its slow autofocus performance. For those of you professional photographers who often take a walk and a lot of experience might consider it to choose this camera.
Fuji X-T1 Review
4/ 5
Oleh