Introduction
For a few years, I have been searching for a lightweight alternative to the DSLR. Ive used a few Micro 4/3 , Fujifilm X cameras and even Sonys A7R. I thought Sonys full frame cameras will be the closest alternatives to my DSLRs. The lack of reliable wide angle lenses for that system suggested otherwise. Then came the X-T1 and the Fujinon XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS. I bought the X-T1 in March 2014, in anticipation of the ultra wide angle zoom lens. The latter became available in early April 2014 and I bought that too. Heres a review based on actual usage. Do take note that I am using the X-T1 for architectural and cityscapes mostly and what I find matters a great deal might not be so to you.
Likes and dislikes
The built of the X-T1 is definitely good, better than Sonys A7R, my previous lightweight alternative to the DSLRs. There are no squeaky noises, rattles or lose flappy parts to talk about. Both the MHG-XT and VG-XT1 attached to the X-T1 as if they were an integral part. No squeaky noises or rattles either.
Most of the critical controls on the X-T1 are accessible via a few dials on the top plate, just like an old school SLR. The settings I often change are the ISO and exposure compensation settings so having dedicated dials is convenient. However, all three dials use different (locking) mechanisms and I do not see the point for this. ISO dial - Push lock button down and turn dial to desired ISO value. Shutter speed dial - Push lock button down to switch to shutter speed mode from A mode. You do not have to push the lock button if you are switching between shutter speeds. Exposure compensation dial - No lock. This dial is located closest to the edge of the camera so why a lock button is left out eludes me. Come on Fuji! Make up your mind!
The four way controller buttons are a pain as well (I am echoing other reviews). They (especially the right and down buttons) are unresponsive and often require a few tries to make them work. I wish for more functions to be assigned to any of the six customisable buttons i.e. format. Other than these, the X-T1 is a camera with decent ergonomics and intuitive controls. The tilting LCD appears to be well built like the rest of the camera. mechanisms require some effort to operate, unlike the tilting LCD on the A7/R, which is a little flimsy.
No surprises for the menu interface. The entire menu is organised into different sections and is straight forward with no unfamiliar or funny terminologies (unlike some others trying to reinvent the wheel). Being able to remotely control the X-T1 via an app on a smart phone is cool but Im not sure if I will use this function at all. I wish to have a few more customisable white balance settings instead of one though.
The electronic viewfinder (EVF) is the largest Ive ever seen. Its extremely clear and useful for working out that composition in bright sunny days. In low light conditions, I actually prefer the EVF over the optical viewfinders (OVF). The EVF is brighter. Probably one of the most useful tools I get to view in the EVF is the built-in electronic leveller. Even though its a single axis leveller, I find it useable and precise enough for quick snaps. A dual axis leveller would be nice though.
Battery management on Fujifilm cameras is primitive! Not only the % of remaining battery life is not shown, the bar indicator is not even proportional to actual battery usage. For those who are new to Fujifilm cameras, you might be surprised to see that the camera go from two bars to one bar and to a complete flat in just thirty mins! Fuji! What were you thinking?! Have spare batteries ready and change them when the indicator turns red. You will need spare batteries anyway since battery life isnt that great on the X-T1. A fully charged battery will usually give me about three hundred shots.
Not really into measuring autofocus (AF) speed but I feel the X-T1s AF is sufficiently quick for my work but its not as decisive in low light conditions. Its definitely a step above the X-E1 and X-E2 though. Currently, I am using three lenses with the X-T1. Fujinon XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS, Fujinon XF 27mm f/2.8 and Zeiss Touit Distagon 12mm f/2.8. AF with the Fujinon XF 27mm f/2.8 is a little slower compared to the other 2 lenses. I suspect this is because the lens is not using an internal focussing system.
I am never a big fan (or an expert) of manual focussing, especially with lenses which do not come with a distance scale. On top of that, Manual focussing with wide angle lenses while looking through the viewfinder is never easy. These lenses have way to deep a depth of field. As such, I seldom manual focus with mirrorless cameras unless I absolutely have to. Like the previous X cameras, the X-T1 has two manual focus assists. The split screen and focus peaking. The split screen focussing is useless, to me at least. The shift in focus is very minute with wide angles lenses. Focussing at wide open helps a little though. Focus peaking is better in determining the area in focus. However, I feel this is where Sonys A7/R excelled where the area in focus is much easier to identify through the viewfinder. Peaking on Fujifilm cameras have lots of room for improvement.
Accessories
The accessories Ive bought for the X-T1 are the MHG-XT handgrip, VG-XT1 battery grip. Why buy two? Well, they serve different purposes. The MHG-XT is a hybrid of a deeper finger grip with Arca Swiss compatible groves for mounting the camera onto a tripod head - Arca Swiss compatible of course. When you have short battery life, it pays to have the VG-XT1 where you can fit an additional battery for that extra "range". The battery grip will give you a deeper finger grip (not as deep as the MHG-XT though) and an addtional set of vertical controls i.e. shutter release buttons, dials and focus assist/AE-L/AF-L buttons. I've also bought the RR-90 wired remote release, a no-brainer if you take photos in Bulb mode. Note that the older wired remote releases will not work with the X-T1.
For a few years, I have been searching for a lightweight alternative to the DSLR. Ive used a few Micro 4/3 , Fujifilm X cameras and even Sonys A7R. I thought Sonys full frame cameras will be the closest alternatives to my DSLRs. The lack of reliable wide angle lenses for that system suggested otherwise. Then came the X-T1 and the Fujinon XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS. I bought the X-T1 in March 2014, in anticipation of the ultra wide angle zoom lens. The latter became available in early April 2014 and I bought that too. Heres a review based on actual usage. Do take note that I am using the X-T1 for architectural and cityscapes mostly and what I find matters a great deal might not be so to you.
Likes and dislikes
The built of the X-T1 is definitely good, better than Sonys A7R, my previous lightweight alternative to the DSLRs. There are no squeaky noises, rattles or lose flappy parts to talk about. Both the MHG-XT and VG-XT1 attached to the X-T1 as if they were an integral part. No squeaky noises or rattles either.
Most of the critical controls on the X-T1 are accessible via a few dials on the top plate, just like an old school SLR. The settings I often change are the ISO and exposure compensation settings so having dedicated dials is convenient. However, all three dials use different (locking) mechanisms and I do not see the point for this. ISO dial - Push lock button down and turn dial to desired ISO value. Shutter speed dial - Push lock button down to switch to shutter speed mode from A mode. You do not have to push the lock button if you are switching between shutter speeds. Exposure compensation dial - No lock. This dial is located closest to the edge of the camera so why a lock button is left out eludes me. Come on Fuji! Make up your mind!
The four way controller buttons are a pain as well (I am echoing other reviews). They (especially the right and down buttons) are unresponsive and often require a few tries to make them work. I wish for more functions to be assigned to any of the six customisable buttons i.e. format. Other than these, the X-T1 is a camera with decent ergonomics and intuitive controls. The tilting LCD appears to be well built like the rest of the camera. mechanisms require some effort to operate, unlike the tilting LCD on the A7/R, which is a little flimsy.
No surprises for the menu interface. The entire menu is organised into different sections and is straight forward with no unfamiliar or funny terminologies (unlike some others trying to reinvent the wheel). Being able to remotely control the X-T1 via an app on a smart phone is cool but Im not sure if I will use this function at all. I wish to have a few more customisable white balance settings instead of one though.
The electronic viewfinder (EVF) is the largest Ive ever seen. Its extremely clear and useful for working out that composition in bright sunny days. In low light conditions, I actually prefer the EVF over the optical viewfinders (OVF). The EVF is brighter. Probably one of the most useful tools I get to view in the EVF is the built-in electronic leveller. Even though its a single axis leveller, I find it useable and precise enough for quick snaps. A dual axis leveller would be nice though.
Battery management on Fujifilm cameras is primitive! Not only the % of remaining battery life is not shown, the bar indicator is not even proportional to actual battery usage. For those who are new to Fujifilm cameras, you might be surprised to see that the camera go from two bars to one bar and to a complete flat in just thirty mins! Fuji! What were you thinking?! Have spare batteries ready and change them when the indicator turns red. You will need spare batteries anyway since battery life isnt that great on the X-T1. A fully charged battery will usually give me about three hundred shots.
Not really into measuring autofocus (AF) speed but I feel the X-T1s AF is sufficiently quick for my work but its not as decisive in low light conditions. Its definitely a step above the X-E1 and X-E2 though. Currently, I am using three lenses with the X-T1. Fujinon XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS, Fujinon XF 27mm f/2.8 and Zeiss Touit Distagon 12mm f/2.8. AF with the Fujinon XF 27mm f/2.8 is a little slower compared to the other 2 lenses. I suspect this is because the lens is not using an internal focussing system.
I am never a big fan (or an expert) of manual focussing, especially with lenses which do not come with a distance scale. On top of that, Manual focussing with wide angle lenses while looking through the viewfinder is never easy. These lenses have way to deep a depth of field. As such, I seldom manual focus with mirrorless cameras unless I absolutely have to. Like the previous X cameras, the X-T1 has two manual focus assists. The split screen and focus peaking. The split screen focussing is useless, to me at least. The shift in focus is very minute with wide angles lenses. Focussing at wide open helps a little though. Focus peaking is better in determining the area in focus. However, I feel this is where Sonys A7/R excelled where the area in focus is much easier to identify through the viewfinder. Peaking on Fujifilm cameras have lots of room for improvement.
Accessories
The accessories Ive bought for the X-T1 are the MHG-XT handgrip, VG-XT1 battery grip. Why buy two? Well, they serve different purposes. The MHG-XT is a hybrid of a deeper finger grip with Arca Swiss compatible groves for mounting the camera onto a tripod head - Arca Swiss compatible of course. When you have short battery life, it pays to have the VG-XT1 where you can fit an additional battery for that extra "range". The battery grip will give you a deeper finger grip (not as deep as the MHG-XT though) and an addtional set of vertical controls i.e. shutter release buttons, dials and focus assist/AE-L/AF-L buttons. I've also bought the RR-90 wired remote release, a no-brainer if you take photos in Bulb mode. Note that the older wired remote releases will not work with the X-T1.
