Once I even benefit regularly from the reviews of other Amazon users, is now a good opportunity to also contribute. The X-M1 has been released in August 2013 and I have one of the first copies snatched though not on Amazon.
First of all: I do not want the many detailed and good reviews of other online sources to imitate, but to make a very personal view of my purchase decision and evaluation.
Where am I from? I am an amateur photographer with 15 years of experience with all kinds of cameras. From smartphone snapshot cameras to Nikon SLR cameras (SLRs) with a now good selection of lenses.
During this time, one learns above all, that there is no perfect camera, but only compromise on price, weight / size and performance.
According to what I was looking for compromise?
A smartphone is great because you're in a mostly there. It's always better to be missed as an image.
My Nikon D90, however, plays with her 3 years and 12 MP still great shots, is great to use, focuses quickly depending on the lens and the choice of lenses is gigantic. For major events (family celebrations, concerts, etc.) there is nothing better.
The X-M1 should be my camera
- No compromise on image quality makes (the same DX / APS-C sensor as its big brothers X-Pro1 and X-E1). In my case, even an improvement on the Nikon D90.
Save weight and size compared to my SLR significantly -
Be a system camera with a reasonable selection of lenses -
- Be good Featured materials and visually appealing.
What should not be for me the X-M1 (because each camera is a compromise):
- A camera that fits in your pocket (= Smartphone)
- A perfectly-to-use, ergonomic camera (SLR =)
Meets X-M1 my expectations? Yes, in (almost) every respect.
PRO
- Super picture quality. Even at high ISO values to 3200/6400.
- Super colors (perfect skin tones; possibilities of analog film simulation)
- Compact and light enough (though not for your pocket)
- KIT lens (16-50) cheap, easy, with good optics and wide-angle (16mm)
- Good and growing range of lenses
- Class processing and haptics camera and lenses (except kit lens)
- Meaningful possibility of connecting phone and tablet via WiFi
CONTRA
- KIT lens made of plastic and not very bright (for cheap and easy)
- WiFi is (only possible transfer and geo-tagging, no remote camera triggering) behind the possibilities of 2013 back
Am I happy? Absolutely!
The other investments in lenses I will have working with a feeling of not being put here on the wrong horse. I'm sure that Fuji is the X-series on the right track.
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Update after about 2,000 images and experiences with the 16-50 kit lens and the 35 1.4:
- 16-50 mm extremely useful focal length for Universal Vacations Photographie
- Optical quality of 16-50 absolutely convincing
- Image Stabilization works flawlessly - allows sharp images without a tripod to 1/6 second at wide angle
- 35 mm 1.4 optimal for NC Pictures and Images on little available light
- Blitz delivers super results as fill-in flash (eg portraits in backlight)
- Flash can be manually fold 90 degrees upward for bounce flash (goes with any other cameras X Series)
- Swiveling display extremely useful for all Aufnahen which are not made on "an equal footing" - overhead or at ground level. Enables completely new "perspectives" ...
- The lack of viewfinder I miss personally not with the swiveling display I can handle just fine in all lighting conditions.
- The Advanced filtering options to be fun - especially black and white with the option to leave a defined color Fabig (red, green, blue, orange, yellow)
- Impressive image quality directly from the camera (jpg) to ISO 3200/6400.
- Auto White Balance provides in 99% very good results were - only minimal rework in Lightroom at a few pictures needed.
Recently, I now also own the Pancake 27mm 2.8.
First tests are very promising.
Now I have almost a X100s - but with the option to use other lenses :-)
More on this super-compact combo once I've collected a little more experience with it ...
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