X-E1 or X100

[MilM]

Hi All,

I'm currently owning a DSLR (Canon 60D), but because of the size, I'm actually only using it when I'm travelling.

Now with the holidays coming (and the additional money), I planned to buy a 'compact' camera. The X100 was already for some time (the only camera) on my list.
I was 99% sure I would buy the X100, however, now I see there is also a X-E1 and I'm confused what to pick.

Type of photography:

It's very hard to say, because i'm currently only using my DSLR for travelling.
The compact is mainly as replacement for my 17-55 lens. (1.6x factor)

A lot of my pictures with 17-55 are taken on 17mm, but because I will use my compact probably for different subjects, it's not really useful information.
I don't need zoom for my compact. I prefer the (fast) fixed lenses.

I see that a lot of people like the 35mm (full frame), so the 23mm on the Fuji X system (which the X100 has).

Comparison:

I like the concept of the X100, but I'm hesitating because:
-) the low light performance is better on the X-E1
-) you pay a lot of money with almost no options to 'extend it' (= other primes) if you would ever want that. It might also be that Fuji will fully focus on the system with changeable lenses.

I'm hesitating for the X-E1, because of the size with lens and the current options in lenses (no 23mm).
The lack of OVF is not that important.

The 18mm F2 looks slim, but it's probably too wide for general uses.
The 35mm 1.4 is very good (from reviews), but it looks big compared to the X100 and it's more tele then the 23mm
The 23mm 1.4 is on the roadmap, but it also looks big
The 27mm (on the roadmap) is slim, but probably not the same quality (?) and only F2.8

If there would be a 23mm F2.0 for the X-E1 almost as slim as on the X100, it would be an easy choice for me.

Conclusion:

Not sure if there are a lot of people here owning both (or similar cameras to compare)? I'm very interested in feedback about the "portability" of the cameras.
The goal is really to have a camera that I can put in my (bigger jacket) pocket.
Yes, you can see it in the shop, but even then it's hard to predict how much you will leave the camera home because it's "too big".

Any feedback from existing fuji users?

Thanks!

 

[boomguy57]

If you don't care about the OVF and are concerned about the "extendibility" of adding more lenses, then I'm not sure why there is a choice here at all. The XE1 seems best for you.

I'd say that I love my X100, which I've had over a year now. I wasn't initially in love with the 35mm focal length, but have grown to love it and it is now my most used length on my MP as well. I love that I don't have to think about what lens to use--there is only one so no choices, just more time shooting. It also means for traveling I'm not worried about bringing more lenses, and the X100 fits in a jacket pocket and is light enough to be carried around with no real issue. High ISO performance isn't an issue to me, since you can shoot to 3200 without issue. I'm not sure how much higher one would ever need unless you're shooting in outer space or something 😛

 

[MilM]

If you don't care about the OVF and are concerned about the "extendibility" of adding more lenses, then I'm not sure why there is a choice here at all. The XE1 seems best for you.

Thanks for the feedback.
I'm actually more worried about the below for the X-E1:

and the X100 fits in a jacket pocket and is light enough to be carried around with no real issue.

Would this also be the case for the X-E1 + lens attached?
A lot of the lenses are still on the roadmap: http://2.static.img-dpreview.com/files/news/2513939385/Roadmap.jpg?v=1857

If the scaling is correct on the image, it looks like the 23mm F1.4 is a bit smaller than the 35mm, so in that case I could try to find a shop to compare X100 and X-E1 + 35mm (but it's not easy to find such shop where I live).

 

[Ezzie]

The 18/2 without the stupidly big hood is much smaller than the 35/1.4.

People seem to have big pockets, I wouldn´t put either the X100 or the X-E1 in a pocket, unless of a large jacket, possibly. My X-E1 with M adapter and the tiny VC 50/2.5 is as pocketable a combination I´ve seen, and I still would rather have it around my neck or on a wrist strap.

 

[Darthfeeble]

I have the X100 and the XP1, the latter is definitely not pocketable in anything but the largest jacket pocket. I carry the X100 in a small belly bag along with the extra battery and a spare card. I don't know how much smaller the XE is over the XP but it doesn't look like much so if pocket-ability is critical, the X100 would seem the better choice. If I had to choose between the two I would keep the X100 over the XP1, thank goodness I don't have to.

 

[stompyq]

I owned the x100 and have the XE-1 (at present). Both cameras aren't pocket-able unless your wearing a very big jacket. Don't make that your prime consideration in chooseing. The X sries lenses are larger b/c they are f1.4 (a good thing). High ISO on the x100 is excellent. I did not hesitate to use it at 3200 and it preformed fine. I need to pixel peep to say that the xe-1 is better. What really matters is the fact that the xe-1 is twice as expensive and can take lenses. Also the x100 lens is a leaf shutter and is very very quiet and also syncs with flash at any speed (if this is important to you).

 

[basurf9]

I didn't like the X100 at all. I can't exactly put a finger on why but it seemed the files I got off it were really flat. I went in knowing that the manual focus system sucked but didn't know it was going to be unusable.

Just my two cents...

 

[back alley]

the x-e1 is not twice as much money...

neither is pocketable...the only camera i ever owned that was truly pocetable is the sony rx100...
the x-e1 can change lenses, has a great evf is small in the hand and very comfortable to use. both make impressive images...the x100 is restricted to one focal length...

 

[stompyq]

the x-e1 is not twice as much money...

neither is pocketable...the only camera i ever owned that was truly pocetable is the sony rx100...
the x-e1 can change lenses, has a great evf is small in the hand and very comfortable to use. both make impressive images...the x100 is restricted to one focal length...

X100 is $850. XE-1+35mm 1.4 is 1500-1600 (with tax). So very close to double

 

[back alley]

x100 is $850? price went down...
and i was thinking 999 for the x-e1...forgot the lens...doh!

 

[MiniMoke]

I made the move from a DSLR (or rather two of them) I rarely took with me, to something radically different. I went for the X100 to be restricted to a fixed lens, to use it's phenomenal optical viewfinder and tzo be able to concentrate on the pictures.

I have not regretted the choice, and I sincerely don't miss all the different lenses, the zooms, the long focals.

The X100 has really helped me to improve my pictures and to 'see' the world through a 35mm (well, yes it's a 23....) objective.

This has led me to buying my beautiful film rangefinders, an excellent Canonet GIII QL17 and an Olympus 35 SP. I have discovered the joys of photography and either the X100 or one of my RealRaw cameras accompany me EVERYWHERE.

Honestly, the X-E1 with it's lenses would have weighed me down as much as my DSLR!

Hope this helps!

 

[f16sunshine]

The x100 is a camera everyone should have. It's the perfect combination of high IQ and size. Easily manipulatable RAW files as well.
It is a cropped 23mm lens not a 35mm lens. Keep that in mind as it makes a difference.
More DOF, faster shutter speeds handheld, more perspective distortion at the edges of the frame/up close, less Bokey if that is important.
If you are used to your 60D and the 1.6 crop. The lens behaves more like the wide end of the kit zoom than you would expect.
That said it renders beautifully and is a easy camera to shoot.
If you think about the price just consider the entire camera is priced just a touch more than a lens of this calibre.

 

[bobbywise]

Hi,

I first got the XPro1 and added the X100.
As others have said, high ISO performance of the X100 is good.
If you are not wanting to change lenses, and like the 35mm equivalent FOV, go for the X100.

Rob

 

[v_roma]

I haven't shot with an XE1/Xpro1 so I can't speak to their image quality but I can't imagine anyone feeling limited by the X100's image quality. Fixed lens? Not the best AF/MF? Sure. But not IQ.

 

[back alley]

i had an x100 and now have an rx100...i also have the x-p1 and the x-e1 and i have a hard time thinking about using the smaller fixed lens cameras.

they are great cameras but the bigger brothers are far more enjoyable for me to shoot with.

the rx100 is pocketable and fits most anywhere and that is it's greatest strength despite being a great image maker.

you can't go wrong with any of them for images...but i prefer the bigger x's.

 

[jsrockit]

but I can't imagine anyone feeling limited by the X100's image quality.

I feel I could use some more MPs sometimes, but outside of that, it's IQ is hard to beat for the size and price.

 

[MikeAUS]

the x-e1 is not twice as much money...

In Australia the X100 can be had for $699 brand new, the XE1 with 1 lens is ~$1499+, so more than twice here ...

 

[back alley]

x100 is $850? price went down...
and i was thinking 999 for the x-e1...forgot the lens...doh!

In Australia the X100 can be had for $699 brand new, the XE1 with 1 lens is ~$1499+, so more than twice here ...

x100 is $850? price went down...
and i was thinking 999 for the x-e1...forgot the lens...doh!

shall i recant...AGAIN?

 

[DarvOz]

I love my X100, but have been toying with getting a Fuji X-E1 or X-P1 for a while. Only because as much as I love the 35mm focal length, 50mm suits my style a little better. I dream of a 50mm focal length on an X100-like camera though.

 

[benlees]

The X100 is still around $1200 at every major Canadian dealer...