Valhalla, N.Y. – Fujifilm North America introduced Monday night its next iteration in the X-series mirrorless compact system camera family – the X-M1.
Fujifilm’s X-M1 is billed as a lightweight camera that includes the same highly rated 16.3-megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensor as the X-Pro1and X-E1 cameras in a compact premium styled body design.
The X-M1 will ship with a newly-designed Fujinon XC16-50mm (24-76mm) F3.5-5.6 OIS zoom lens that is well suited to a wide range of shooting scenarios, including low-light scenes.
The X-M1 body will go on sale in July at a $700 suggested retail price, the camera and XC16-50mm OIS lens kit will be available in the same time frame at an $800 suggested retail.
Other features in the X-M1 camera include: a 3-inch tilting 920,000-dot LCD screen, wireless image transfer, sensor sensitivity from ISO200 to ISO6400 in 1/3 step increments, with an extended range from ISO100 to ISO25600.
X-M1’s EXR Processor II image processor allows high speeds and response times. The start-up time is 0.5 seconds, and the shutter time is 0.05 seconds. The top burst shooting speed is 5.6fps.
The X-M1 weighs 11.6 ounces and measures 4.6-by-2.6-1.5 inches, or about half the size of a traditional DSLR body.
The camera also features a built-in high precision flash, Super Intelligent Flash that automatically adjusts flash strength according to scene types to reduce highlight clipping.
Images and movies can be wirelessly sent off to smartphones or tablets using an Easy Image Transfer Wi-Fi button.
Fujifilm will supply a free “Fujifilm Camera App” for iOS and Android devices to transfer up to 30 pictures at a time from the X-M1. The app also lets users download movies, expanding the range of options available for enjoying pictures taken with the camera.
Key operation buttons and mode dials are positioned on the right side of the camera’s rear panel for easy use.
An Advanced Filter function offers creative filters to achieve a variety of artistic effects.
Other features include a Q Menu shortcut button, in-camera RAW-format processing, and FullHD 1080P\30fps movie capture with built-in stereo microphone.
In a related announcement, Fujifilm introduced the Fujinon XF27mm (41mm in a 35mm equivalent) F2.8 lens, a compact and lightweight single focal length lens for use with X-Series interchangeable lens cameras.
The lens, which ships in July at a $450 suggested retail, offers a slim footprint, weighs 2.75 ounces, supports autofocus with a high-torque DC motor, a seven-blade round diaphragm for distinctive bokeh effects, Super EBC lens coating, and high quality metal focus ring.
