Meet the Fujifilm XF1
Compact cameras are evolving faster than ever. Some of them offer full manual shooting modes. Some have Wi-Fi and GPS capabilities. Some even have operating systems in them. The industry just keeps putting more and more power into the pocket camera. For some users, though, these devices still won’t do, and they look for something just as portable, but can give them as much control over the lens as a DSLR. An interchangeable lens camera is an option, but is still too bulky to fit in an average-sized pocket. So, what should this type of consumer choose? The Fujifilm XF1 is a worthy alternative, and we think it deserves a closer look.
The Fujifilm XF1 is a compact camera with a slight twist. It enables you to manually operate the zoom function—a feat that is rare to point-and-shoot cameras. This, combined with full manual control over shutter speed and aperture, plus the ability to shoot in RAW, makes the XF1 a good option for serious photography enthusiasts who want a compact camera they can tote. Inside the XF1 is a 12.0-megapixel 2/3-inch EXR CMOS sensor and EXR image processor.
Fujifilm’s EXR CMOS sensors have a very carefully crafted pixel array that, as the company claims, ensures optimum resolution, high sensitivity, low noise, and a wide dynamic range. The EXR processor, on the other hand, is responsible for the quickness of the device’s response: start-up is approximately 0.55 seconds when the Quick Start mode is switched on, AF lock is about 0.16 seconds, and continuous shooting checks in at a speed of 10 frames per second (fps). This intricate technology comes in a small, stylish package.