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Fujifilm Announces Entry-level X-M1 Mirrorless Camera & Two New Lenses (Updated)

By Alvin Soon - on 9 Jul 2013, 3:30pm

Fujifilm Announces Entry-level X-M1 Mirrorless Camera & Two New Lenses (Updated)

Updated 09/07/13: Fujifilm Singapore has confirmed the X-M1's suggested local retail price at S$1299 with the new XC16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS kit lens.

Updated 25/6/16: A day after the camera's images were leaked, Fujifilm has announced the entry-level X-M1 for its mirrorless X-series. The X-M1 has the same 16.3MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensor as the X-Pro1, which is actually not the latest X-Trans II sensor that can be found in the X100S. The processor however, is the newest EXR Processor II, which promises a quick start-up time of 0.5 seconds, a shutter lag of 0.05 seconds and a maximum burst speed of 5.6 frames per second for a maximum of 30 frames.

Where the X-Pro1 had a hybrid optical and electronic viewfinder, the X-E1 only had an electronic viewfinder, and the X-M1 has none. While the previous X-Pro1 and X-E1 models had Automatic modes, the X-M1 takes it further with an Advanced SR Auto mode on the mode dial, and an Advanced Filter function. The camera still has two command dials, albeit in a different design.

The X-M1 weighs 330 grams, slightly lighter than the X-E1 which weighs 350g and 100g lighter than the 450g X-Pro1. Battery life is rated the same as the X-E1 at 350 shots per charge, higher than the 300 shots the X-Pro1 gets.

The X-M1 will be the first in Fujifilm's X-series of mirrorless cameras to get a tilt-screen LCD, the 3" back monitor has a 920k dot resolution. It'll also be the first to come with Wi-Fi, when paired with the Fujifilm Camera App, you can transfer and save photos to a smartphone or tablet.

The X-M1 can record Full-HD video at 30 frames per second, and filters can be added when shooting videos. The camera will come with 49 AF points and Fujifilm's excellent flash technology (now dubbed Super Intelligent Flash).

The local pricing and availability of the X-M1 is to be announced, but The Verge has pegged its US pricing at US$699.99 (approx. S$892) for the body alone.

New 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 Kit Lens & 27mm f/2.8 Pancake Lens

A new compact and lightweight XC16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS zoom lens (24-76mm in 35mm equivalent) is being launched with the X-M1 as a kit lens. This is not the same lens as the excellent XF18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS lens which was launched in late 2012. The lens will be available in black and silver.

Fujifilm has also announced a new XF27mm f/2.8 pancake lens (41mm in 35mm equivalent). The lens includes a glass-molded aspheric element which reduces image distortion, and Fujinon's proprietary HT-EBC coating which brings a large amount of light onto the camera sensor. The lens uses a high-torque DC core-less motor to achieve fast AF speed.

Weighing 78g and 23mm in length, the lens is compact, although it comes with a manual focus ring there is no aperture ring. The lens will be available in black and silver.

Editor's note: The original post on 24th June is as follows:

A new Fujifilm mirrorless system camera has been leaked. The X-M1 looks set to be an entry-level camera for Fujifilm's X-series, and unlike the X-E1, has no electronic viewfinder or dedicated exposure compensation dial. However, it will be the first in Fujifilm's mirrorless series to come with a tilting LCD.

Not much else is known about the new camera, other than it looks like what seem to be two control dials, one on the top plate and another upward-facing dial directly below it on the back. It also seems to have Wi-Fi built in, from the text on the top plate.

If real, the X-M1 will become the third in Fujifilm's X-series of mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras, which now include the professional-level X-Pro1 and the mid-level X-E1.

Source: Fuji Rumors via The Verge.

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