Fujifilm X-Pro1

Lens Mount & Sensor

The X-Pro1 uses Fujifilm’s brand new X mount, with a short 17.7mm flange back meant to maintain sharpness at the edges and corners of photos. The mount accepts Fujifilm XF lenses; three will be available at launch (18mm f/2.0, 35mm f/1.4, and 60mm f/2.4 macro). One super wide and one zoom lens are planned for release by the end of 2012, with a total of 9 XF lenses to be available within 3 years.

The sensor is a newly designed 16-megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS chip, measuring 23.6mm x 15.6mm. It’s the same size sensor as the X100, most consumer-grade DSLRs, and many mirrorless system cameras, producing a crop factor of 1.5×. Processing is handled by a new EXR processor and co-processor.

Getting into the real nitty gritty, Fujifilm takes a new approach to filtering. The primary color filter uses a 6×6 pixel array, much larger and more random than the typical 2×2 Bayer filter. The hope is that it cuts down on moire and false colors in shots with tight patterns, which in turn eliminates the need for a low-pass optical filter. Since the X-Pro1 doesn’t have a low-pass optical filter, image resolution should be higher than cameras with low-pass filters.

LCD & Viewfinder

A 3-inch, 1.23-megapixel LCD complements the viewfinder. It’s bigger than the screens on its predecessor, and one of the higher-res screens available on any camera.

Fuji’s second-gen hybrid viewfinder makes its debut, building on the optical/electronic combo that the X100 introduced. There’s an optical, tunnel-style viewfinder at the top-left of the body, offering the “real” feel that some shooters want when they frame photos. But there’s also an electronic finder built into the window, which can overlay info onto the optical window, or function on its own.

When cameras switch lenses, the optical finder automatically adjusts the magnification the match the framing of the lens. Fuji claims that this will be the case even after they introduce a zoom lens later this year.

Flash

No built-in flash is available, but the hot shoe accommodates a few Fujifilm external flashes, including the EF-X20, which was designed to complement the X-Pro1 design.

Jacks, Ports & Plugs

The X-Pro1 has two ports, one USB 2.0 and one mini-HDMI. It’s a standard combo, no surprises there. Some folks may have been holding out hope for a next-gen connection, like USB 3.0, but they’ll have to wait for the next round. Also of note, there’s no microphone input.

Battery

The X-Pro1 runs on a rechargeable NP-W126 lithium-ion battery, CIPA-rated for 300 shots per charge. That capacity is OK, but serious cameras can usually handle more.

Memory

No surprises here: the X-Pro1 captures to SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards. The slot is right next to the battery cavity, behind a door on the bottom of the body.

Other Hardware

The X-Pro1 has a hot shoe to accommodate accessories and add-ons like flashes.