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The Fuji XE1 is the brand's second interchangeable lens X series camera, which promises to deliver
the same excellent image quality as the top-of-the-line X Pro 1.
Boasting the same 16 million pixel APS-C X Trans CMOS sensor as the X Pro1, the body
of the camera is slightly smaller and sleeker than its older brother.
The body of the XE1 is roughly the same size as the Fuji X100, the company's premium compact
camera. Both the top and front covers are made from die-cast magnesium, while a rubber
grip also helps with holding the camera.
Fuji has also introduced a new 18-55mm lens, which it is keen to point out is not your
average kit optic. Featuring a metal design, the lens has an impressively wide aperture
range starting at f/2.8 and rising to f/4 at the telephoto end. This makes it much brighter
than equivalent optics from the likes of Sony, Panasonic and Olympus, which all produce kit
lenses with an f/3.5 maximum aperture. Fuji's new 18-55mm will also be available to buy
as a standalone lens.
Unlike the X Pro1, which uses a hybrid optical and electronic viewfinder the XE1 features
an electronic device only. This high definition 2.36 million dot OLED is one of the highest
resolution viewfinders on the market. It also uses an eye-sensor for automatically switching
between the LCD screen and the EVF.
With the same sensor, processor and lens mount as the X Pro1, the XE1's image quality should
be exactly the same. In our lab tests, we found that the X Pro1 was able to outperform
full-frame sensors, thanks to technology which Fuji has adapted from its analogue cameras.
One of the key criticisms of the X Pro1 was its autofocusing speed. Fuji has issued a
new firmware which addresses this issue, and it is this version which can be found on the
XE1. Both cameras are now able to boast quick focusing in as little as 0.1 seconds.
The Fujifilm XE1 will be available to buy later in the year - check out our hands-on
review at TechRadar.com.