specs for the upcoming Fuji X-E1 mirrorless camera:

[ruby.monkey]

Typical bean-counter strategy. Rather than make something good and then release an upgraded version for more, just handicap it and sell it for less. Voila, no wasted resources on more R&D...

It's such a shame the marketing departments are running camera manufacturers these days.

Or create a lower-cost sibling to catch the larger market segment that want the camera but can't justify the cost of the top-of-the-line version? This isn't intended to replace the X-Pro 1, is it?

Hell, even Leica has been doing this pretty much from the beginning.

 

[rxmd]

Typical bean-counter strategy. Rather than make something good and then release an upgraded version for more, just handicap it and sell it for less. Voila, no wasted resources on more R&D...

It's such a shame the marketing departments are running camera manufacturers these days.

Wasn't the handicapped cheapo M2 Leica's most successful model? Sounds like a tried-and-true marketing strategy for me, the present these days is as rosy as the past ever was.

 

[macjim]

Keith,
Have you seen the images out of the X-Pro1?
If not, be careful - they can win you over pretty quickly.
Full frame is just not necessary anymore.

O, I dunno about that… I still hanker after a full frame sensor camera and I might get one soon, even if it means going for a DSLR, but it would be great if Fuji would bring out a FFS camera i.e. a model above the X-Pro1! Bit I do agree with you it isn't necessary any more.

 

[DtheG]

Or create a lower-cost sibling to catch the larger market segment that want the camera but can't justify the cost of the top-of-the-line version?
.

I don't think Fuji quite knew what the market would be for the X100. The response was favourable but there was a lot of room for improvement, but a variety of opinion of what needed doing. Now they seem to be ringing changes, testing the various market segments. I expect in time the model range will settle down once Fuji discover where the demand really is.

 

[jsrockit]

Kind of pisses me off... the improved AF part. How about the X-Pro1's slow AF Fuji?

 

[kanzlr]

jsrockit, do not get pissed off because of rumors 🙂
if the sensor is the same, the lenses are the same, etc. then any AF improvement is because of improved software which should trickle up to the X-Pro1 too.

 

[jsrockit]

jsrockit, do not get pissed off because of rumors 🙂
if the sensor is the same, the lenses are the same, etc. then any AF improvement is because of improved software which should trickle up to the X-Pro1 too.

Come on, can't a guy vent? 😉

 

[kanzlr]

Rerum irrecuperabilium felix oblivio 🙂

 

[willie_901]

I will speculate any improvement in AF speed (which is only only aspect of AF performance) will only be realized with the next wave of XF lenses.

I think this will be a great back up body for Fuji's XF platform.

More importantly, it should appeal to consumers making the switch from DSLRs to mirrorless cameras. The EVF quality had better be competitive though. Many DSLR owners have not experienced the advantages of a RF-esque OVF and will not miss it one bit. The camera operation will be much simpler compared to the XP-1. This should be good for people like me who are pleased with the new XF lens system.

So far Fuji has impressed me as an innovative company with a reasonable strategy. When I ordered the X100 in January 2011, I was worried about Fuji's long-term prospects. Now I'm not.

 

[aleksanderpolo]

Come on, can't a guy vent? 😉

But according to most forum gurus the XP1's focusing speed is perfectly fine, no? 😉

 

[GaryLH]

Faster processing engine...?.?

Faster processing engine...?.?

jsrockit, do not get pissed off because of rumors 🙂
if the sensor is the same, the lenses are the same, etc. then any AF improvement is because of improved software which should trickle up to the X-Pro1 too.

I am also hoping that it is due to a SW change... But the new body could also have a faster processing engine... Only time will tell.. Photokina cannot come soon enough 🙂

Gary

 

[jsrockit]

But according to most forum gurus the XP1's focusing speed is perfectly fine, no? 😉

Let's just say that we deal with it... but it is one of the slowest of the newer cameras.

 

[fstops]

The only consolation for Xpro1 owners was "the sensor is amazing", now that amazing sensor is going to be sold in a sub $1000 body, because people who did not buy Xpro1 will buy the new camera for its sensor only.

One has to admire Fuji and its understanding of current gear-driven photography market.


And keep a watch on the prices of used Xpro1!

 

[jsrockit]

The only consolation for Xpro1 owners was "the sensor is amazing" ...

Huh? For me it was the OVF, fast primes with close focus, and the dedicated shutter speed dial / aperture rings...

 

[PhotoMat]

Let's just say that we deal with it... but it is one of the slowest of the newer cameras.

Sure, it's slower than my DSLR, but it's still faster than my Matt/M6 focus mechanism.😉 I'm really not a zone focus guy, so that doesn't enter into the equation for me.

For me, the appeal of the XP1 is the image quality and the user interface. Plain and simple, I truly enjoy shooting with this camera and the images that I can create with it. My M9 lust has definitely cooled after using the Fuji.

 

[jsrockit]

Sure, it's slower than my DSLR, but it's still faster than my Matt/M6 focus mechanism.😉 I'm really not a zone focus guy, so that doesn't enter into the equation for me.

True, but with AF you wait for it, while with MF you are preoccupied with focusing...so you aren't thinking about how slow it is.

 

[PhotoMat]

True, but with AF you wait for it, while with MF you are preoccupied with focusing...so you aren't thinking about how slow it is.

Meh. My attention span isn't that long!

 

[david.elliott]

Faster AF could be .03% faster. 😛

It may not even be an increase that the typical user would notice. Or it could be a huge dramatic change...We just don't know at this point.

 

[aleksanderpolo]

AF speed is mostly dependent on lens, firmware update can only improve a little bit. So perhaps the new lens use IF mechanism like those in recent Panny/Oly lenses.

MF experience will depend on the refresh rate of the EVF, I wonder if Fuji's sensor layout is more demanding on the cpu, leading to a lower refresh rate than other current EVF.

 

[kanzlr]

True, but with AF you wait for it, while with MF you are preoccupied with focusing...so you aren't thinking about how slow it is.

thats why the iPhone seems so fast compared to Android. It covers the wait time with short animations of what its doing.