Fujifilm X-E1 versus Fujifilm X-M1

The Fujifilm X-E1 and the Fujifilm X-M1 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in September 2012 and June 2013. Both the X-E1 and the X-M1 are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 16 megapixel. Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their size, their sensors, their features, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison: Fujifilm X-E1 vs Fujifilm X-M1

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Fujifilm X-E1 and the Fujifilm X-M1 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter. You can also use the toggle button to switch to a percentage comparison if you prefer that the measures are being expressed in relative terms (in this case, the camera on the left – the X-E1 – represents the basis or 100 percent across all the size and weight measures).

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Fujifilm X-M1 is notably smaller (19 percent) than the Fujifilm X-E1. Moreover, the X-M1 is markedly lighter (6 percent) than the X-E1. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the X-E1 nor the X-M1 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. In this particular case, both cameras feature the same lens mount, so that they can use the same lenses. You can find an overview of suitable optics in the Fujinon X Lens Catalog. Mirrorless cameras, such as the two under consideration, have the additional advantage of having a short flange to focal plane distance, which makes it possible to mount many lenses from other systems onto the camera via adapters.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, just select a new right or left comparator from among the camera models in the table. Alternatively, you can also move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Camera Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life (CIPA)	Weather Sealing (yes/no)	Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Fujifilm X-E1»	5.1 in	3.0 in	1.5 in	12.3 oz	350	n	Sep 2012	999	-		Fujifilm X-E1
	Fujifilm X-M1«	4.6 in	2.6 in	1.5 in	11.6 oz	350	n	Jun 2013	699	-		Fujifilm X-M1
	Fujifilm X-E3« »	4.8 in	2.9 in	1.7 in	11.9 oz	350	n	Sep 2017	899			Fujifilm X-E3
	Fujifilm X-T20« »	4.6 in	3.3 in	1.6 in	13.5 oz	350	n	Jan 2017	899			Fujifilm X-T20
	Fujifilm X-E2S« »	5.1 in	3.0 in	1.5 in	12.3 oz	350	n	Jan 2016	699	-		Fujifilm X-E2S
	Fujifilm X-A2« »	4.6 in	2.6 in	1.6 in	12.3 oz	410	n	Jan 2015	399	-		Fujifilm X-A2
	Fujifilm X-T10« »	4.6 in	3.3 in	1.6 in	13.4 oz	350	n	May 2015	799	-		Fujifilm X-T10
	Fujifilm X-A1« »	4.6 in	2.6 in	1.5 in	11.6 oz	350	n	Sep 2013	399	-		Fujifilm X-A1
	Fujifilm X-E2« »	5.1 in	3.0 in	1.5 in	12.3 oz	350	n	Oct 2013	999	-		Fujifilm X-E2
	Fujifilm X-Pro1« »	5.5 in	3.2 in	1.7 in	15.9 oz	300	n	Jan 2012	1,699	-		Fujifilm X-Pro1
	Sony NEX-6« »	4.7 in	2.6 in	1.7 in	12.2 oz	360	n	Sep 2012	999	-		Sony NEX-6
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The camera’s price is obviously a critical decision-making factor. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The X-M1 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 30 percent) than the X-E1, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison: Fujifilm X-E1 vs Fujifilm X-M1

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.5. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Technology-wise, the X-M1 uses a more advanced image processing engine (EXR Processor II) than the X-E1 (EXR Processor), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.

The two cameras under review do not only share the same sensor size, but also offer an identical resolution of 16 megapixel. This similarity in sensor specs implies that both the X-E1 and the X-M1 have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. It should, however, be noted that the X-M1 is a somewhat more recent model (by 9 months) than the X-E1, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the X-M1 provides a faster frame rate than the X-E1. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/30p, while the X-E1 is limited to 1080/24p.

Feature comparison: Fujifilm X-E1 vs Fujifilm X-M1

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the X-E1 has an electronic viewfinder (2360k dots), which can be very helpful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the X-M1 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Fujifilm X-E1, the Fujifilm X-M1, and comparable cameras. If you need more detail on the specs, you can find comprehensive listings, for example, in the dpreview camera hub.

Both the X-E1 and the X-M1 write their imaging data to SDXC cards.

Both the X-E1 and the X-M1 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on eBay. The X-E1 was replaced by the Fujifilm X-E2, while the X-M1 does not have a direct successor.

Review summary: Fujifilm X-E1 vs Fujifilm X-M1

So what conclusions can be drawn? Which of the two cameras – the Fujifilm X-E1 or the Fujifilm X-M1 – has the upper hand? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Arguments in favor of the Fujifilm X-E1:

• Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
• Easier framing: Has an electronic viewfinder for image framing and settings control.
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in September 2012).

Reasons to prefer the Fujifilm X-M1:

• Better jpgs: Has a more modern image processing engine (EXR Processor II vs EXR Processor).
• Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (1080/30p versus 1080/24p).
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.8") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (920k vs 460k dots).
• More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
• More compact: Is smaller (117x67mm vs 129x75mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Easier file upload: Has wifi build in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (30 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Was introduced somewhat (9 months) more recently.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the X-M1 is the clear winner of the contest (9 : 3 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it says nothing about, for example, the handling, responsiveness, and overall imaging quality of the X-E1 and the X-M1 in practical situations. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased. This is why expert reviews are important. The table below summarizes the assessments of some of the best known camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, photographyblog). You can find the full text of the reviews by clicking on the site logo in the table header.

Review Scores

	Camera Model						Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Fujifilm X-E1»	HiRec	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2012	999	-		Fujifilm X-E1
	Fujifilm X-M1«	Rec	77/100	4.5/5	-	4.5/5	Jun 2013	699	-		Fujifilm X-M1
	Fujifilm X-E3« »	Rec	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2017	899			Fujifilm X-E3
	Fujifilm X-T20« »	HiRec	82/100	5/5	-	4.5/5	Jan 2017	899			Fujifilm X-T20
	Fujifilm X-E2S« »	-	77/100	4.5/5	-	4.5/5	Jan 2016	699	-		Fujifilm X-E2S
	Fujifilm X-A2« »	-	-	4.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2015	399	-		Fujifilm X-A2
	Fujifilm X-T10« »	HiRec	80/100	5/5	4/5	5/5	May 2015	799	-		Fujifilm X-T10
	Fujifilm X-A1« »	-	-	4.5/5	-	4.5/5	Sep 2013	399	-		Fujifilm X-A1
	Fujifilm X-E2« »	-	80/100	4.5/5	-	5/5	Oct 2013	999	-		Fujifilm X-E2
	Fujifilm X-Pro1« »	HiRec	79/100	4.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2012	1,699	-		Fujifilm X-Pro1
	Sony NEX-6« »	HiRec	78/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2012	999	-		Sony NEX-6

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored. If the camera you are interested in is not available, please send me an email, and I will try to update the database with the necessary infos.

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