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Fujifilm X100S vs X-E1

The Fujifilm X100S and the Fujifilm X-E1 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in January 2013 and September 2012. The X100S is a fixed lens compact, while the X-E1 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. Both cameras are equipped with an APS-C sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 16 megapixels.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Fujifilm X100S
versus
Fujifilm X-E1
Fujifilm X100S   Fujifilm X-E1
Fixed lens compact camera Mirrorless system camera
35mm f/2.0 Fujifilm X mount lenses
16 MP – APS-C sensor 16 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/60p Video 1080/24p Video
ISO 200-6,400 (100 - 25,600) ISO 200-6,400 (100 - 25,600)
Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots) Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)
2.8" LCD – 460k dots 2.8" LCD – 460k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
6 shutter flaps per second 6 shutter flaps per second
330 shots per battery charge350 shots per battery charge
127 x 74 x 54 mm, 445 g 129 x 75 x 38 mm, 350 g
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Check X100S offers at
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Check X-E1 offers at
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Fujifilm X100S and the Fujifilm X-E1? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Fujifilm X100S and the Fujifilm X-E1 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.

Both cameras are available in two different colors (black, silver).

Size Fujifilm X100S vs Fujifilm X-E1
Compare X100S versus X-E1 top
Comparison X100S or X-E1 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Fujifilm X-E1 is somewhat larger (3 percent) than the Fujifilm X100S. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the X100S nor the X-E1 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the X100S has a lens built in, whereas the X-E1 is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the X-E1 and their specifications in the Fujinon X Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the X100S gets 330 shots out of its Fujifilm NP-95 battery, while the X-E1 can take 350 images on a single charge of its Fujifilm NP-W126 power pack.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Fujifilm X100S 127 mm 74 mm 54 mm 445 g 330 n Jan 2013 1,299ebay.com
2.
 
Fujifilm X-E1 129 mm 75 mm 38 mm 350 g 350 n Sep 2012 999ebay.com
3.
 
Canon G1 X 117 mm 81 mm 65 mm 534 g 250 n Jan 2012 799ebay.com
4.
 
Fujifilm X100F 127 mm 75 mm 52 mm 469 g 390 n Jan 2017 1,299ebay.com
5.
 
Fujifilm X-E3 121 mm 74 mm 43 mm 337 g 350 n Sep 2017 899ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm X-T20 118 mm 83 mm 41 mm 383 g 350 n Jan 2017 899ebay.com
7.
 
Fujifilm X-T10 118 mm 83 mm 41 mm 381 g 350 n May 2015 799ebay.com
8.
 
Fujifilm X30 119 mm 72 mm 60 mm 423 g 470 n Aug 2014 599ebay.com
9.
 
Fujifilm X100T 127 mm 74 mm 52 mm 440 g 330 n Sep 2014 1,299ebay.com
10.
 
Fujifilm X-T1 129 mm 90 mm 47 mm 440 g 350 Y Jan 2014 1,299ebay.com
11.
 
Fujifilm X-E2 129 mm 75 mm 37 mm 350 g 350 n Oct 2013 999ebay.com
12.
 
Fujifilm X-M1 117 mm 67 mm 39 mm 330 g 350 n Jun 2013 699ebay.com
13.
 
Fujifilm X-Pro1 140 mm 82 mm 43 mm 450 g 300 n Jan 2012 1,699ebay.com
14.
 
Fujifilm X100 126 mm 75 mm 54 mm 445 g 300 n Sep 2010 1,199ebay.com
15.
 
Leica X Typ 113 133 mm 73 mm 78 mm 486 g 350 n Sep 2014 2,295ebay.com
16.
 
Nikon Coolpix A 111 mm 64 mm 40 mm 299 g 230 n Mar 2013 1,099ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
padding

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. 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. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. 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

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras 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.

In terms of chip-set technology, the X100S 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.

Fujifilm X100S and Fujifilm X-E1 sensor measures

The two cameras under review do not only share the same sensor size, but also offer an identical resolution of 16 megapixels. This similarity in sensor specs implies that both the X100S and the X-E1 have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. It should, however, be noted that the X100S is a somewhat more recent model (by 4 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.

The X100S has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Fujifilm X100S has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 6400, which can be extended to ISO 100-25600. The Fujifilm X-E1 offers exactly the same ISO settings.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use the X-Trans layout of photosites, which according to Fujifilm helps to minimize moiré.

X100S versus X-E1 MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Fujifilm X100S APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.312.5132975
2.
 
Fujifilm X-E1 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/24p23.212.4129875
3.
 
Canon G1 X 1.5-inch 14.2 4352 32641080/24p21.710.864460
4.
 
Fujifilm X100F APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.913.2170481
5.
 
Fujifilm X-E3 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/30p23.913.3176482
6.
 
Fujifilm X-T20 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/30p23.913.2170481
7.
 
Fujifilm X-T10 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.712.9154679
8.
 
Fujifilm X30 2/3 12.0 4000 30001080/60p20.411.2-31249
9.
 
Fujifilm X100T APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.612.8148378
10.
 
Fujifilm X-T1 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.512.7142677
11.
 
Fujifilm X-E2 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.412.6140077
12.
 
Fujifilm X-M1 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/30p23.412.6137176
13.
 
Fujifilm X-Pro1 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/24p23.112.3123874
14.
 
Fujifilm X100 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/30p22.912.4100173
15.
 
Leica X Typ 113 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.612.8149178
16.
 
Nikon Coolpix A APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.413.8116480
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the X100S provides a higher frame rate than the X-E1. It can shoot video footage at 1080/60p, while the X-E1 is limited to 1080/24p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The X100S and the X-E1 are similar in the sense that both feature an electronic viewfinder, which is helpful when framing images in bright sunlight. Moreover, their viewfinders offer an identical resolution of 2360k dots. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Fujifilm X100S and Fujifilm X-E1 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Fujifilm X100S2360 n2.8 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
2.
 
Fujifilm X-E12360 n2.8 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
3.
 
Canon G1 Xoptical n3.0 / 922 swivel n 1/4000s 1.9/s Y Y
4.
 
Fujifilm X100F2360 n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 8.0/s Y n
5.
 
Fujifilm X-E32360 n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/4000s 8.0/s n n
6.
 
Fujifilm X-T202360 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.0/s Y n
7.
 
Fujifilm X-T102360 n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 8.0/s Y n
8.
 
Fujifilm X302360 n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
9.
 
Fujifilm X100T2360 n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
10.
 
Fujifilm X-T12360 n3.0 / 1040 tilting n 1/4000s 8.0/s n n
11.
 
Fujifilm X-E22360 n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 7.0/s Y n
12.
 
Fujifilm X-M1none n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.6/s Y n
13.
 
Fujifilm X-Pro11440 n3.0 / 1230 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s n n
14.
 
Fujifilm X1001440 n2.8 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
15.
 
Leica X Typ 113optional n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/2000s 5.0/s Y n
16.
 
Nikon Coolpix Aoptional n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/2000s 4.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the X100S and the X-E1 write their files to SDXC cards. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Fujifilm X100S and Fujifilm X-E1 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Fujifilm X100SYstereo / mono--micro2.0---
2.
 
Fujifilm X-E1Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---
3.
 
Canon G1 XYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
4.
 
Fujifilm X100FYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
5.
 
Fujifilm X-E3Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
6.
 
Fujifilm X-T20Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
7.
 
Fujifilm X-T10Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
8.
 
Fujifilm X30Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
9.
 
Fujifilm X100TYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
10.
 
Fujifilm X-T1Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y--
11.
 
Fujifilm X-E2Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
12.
 
Fujifilm X-M1Ystereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
13.
 
Fujifilm X-Pro1Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
14.
 
Fujifilm X100Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
15.
 
Leica X Typ 113Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
16.
 
Nikon Coolpix AYstereo / mono---2.0---
padding

It is notable that the X-E1 has a microphone port, which can help to improve the quality of audio recordings by attaching an external microphone. The X100S does not feature such a mic input.

Both the X100S and the X-E1 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The X-E1 was replaced by the Fujifilm X-E2, while the X100S was followed by the Fujifilm X100T. Further information on the features and operation of the X100S and X-E1 can be found, respectively, in the Fujifilm X100S Manual (free pdf) or the online Fujifilm X-E1 Manual.

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Review summary

So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Fujifilm X100S and the Fujifilm X-E1? Which camera is better? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.


Arguments in favor of the Fujifilm X100S:

  • Better jpgs: Has a more modern image processing engine (EXR Processor II vs EXR Processor).
  • Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (1080/60p versus 1080/24p).
  • Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
  • Ready to shoot: Has a lens built-in, whereas the X-E1 requires a separate lens.
  • More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 4 months after the X-E1).


Advantages of the Fujifilm X-E1:

  • Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
  • More flexible: Takes interchangeable lenses and can thus be used with specialty optics.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in September 2012).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the X100S emerges as the winner of the contest (5 : 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. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

X100S 05:03 X-E1

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Fujifilm X100S and the Fujifilm X-E1 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Prime Lens Compact Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the X100S or the X-E1. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Fujifilm X100S5/5+ +..81/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2013 1,299ebay.com
2.
 
Fujifilm X-E14/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 999ebay.com
3.
 
Canon G1 X5/5+..76/1004/54.5/5 Jan 2012 799ebay.com
4.
 
Fujifilm X100F5/5+3.9/583/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2017 1,299ebay.com
5.
 
Fujifilm X-E34.5/5+4.5/584/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2017 899ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm X-T205/5+ +5/582/1005/54.5/5 Jan 2017 899ebay.com
7.
 
Fujifilm X-T104.5/5+ +..80/1005/55/5 May 2015 799ebay.com
8.
 
Fujifilm X304/5....76/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2014 599ebay.com
9.
 
Fujifilm X100T5/5+..81/1004.5/55/5 Sep 2014 1,299ebay.com
10.
 
Fujifilm X-T15/5+ +..84/1005/55/5 Jan 2014 1,299ebay.com
11.
 
Fujifilm X-E24/5....80/1004.5/55/5 Oct 2013 999ebay.com
12.
 
Fujifilm X-M13/5+..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2013 699ebay.com
13.
 
Fujifilm X-Pro15/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2012 1,699ebay.com
14.
 
Fujifilm X1003/5....75/1004/55/5 Sep 2010 1,199ebay.com
15.
 
Leica X Typ 1133.5/5......3.5/54/5 Sep 2014 2,295ebay.com
16.
 
Nikon Coolpix A4/5+..75/1004/54/5 Mar 2013 1,099ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
padding

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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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.

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    Specifications: Fujifilm X100S vs Fujifilm X-E1

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Fujifilm X100S Fujifilm X-E1
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens 35mm f/2.0 Fujifilm X mount lenses
    Launch Date January 2013 September 2012
    Launch Price USD 1,299 USD 999
    Sensor Specs Fujifilm X100S Fujifilm X-E1
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.6 x 15.6 mm 23.6 x 15.6 mm
    Sensor Area 368.16 mm2 368.16 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.3 mm 28.3 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 16 Megapixels 16 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4896 x 3264 pixels 4896 x 3264 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.80 μm 4.80 μm
    Pixel Density 4.34 MP/cm2 4.34 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60p Video 1080/24p Video
    ISO Setting 200 - 6,400 ISO 200 - 6,400 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 25,600 ISO 100 - 25,600 ISO
    Image Processor EXR Processor II EXR Processor
    Screen Specs Fujifilm X100S Fujifilm X-E1
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.43x
    Viewfinder Resolution 2360k dots 2360k dots
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 2.8inch 2.8inch
    LCD Resolution 460k dots 460k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Fujifilm X100S Fujifilm X-E1
    Focus System On-Sensor Phase-detect Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus PeakingFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/4000s 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 6 shutter flaps/s 6 shutter flaps/s
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Fujifilm X100S Fujifilm X-E1
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI mini HDMI
    Microphone Port no MIC socket External MIC port
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Body Specs Fujifilm X100S Fujifilm X-E1
    Battery Type Fujifilm NP-95 Fujifilm NP-W126
    Battery Life (CIPA)330 shots per charge350 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 127 x 74 x 54 mm
    (5.0 x 2.9 x 2.1 in)
    129 x 75 x 38 mm
    (5.1 x 3.0 x 1.5 in)
    Camera Weight 445 g (15.7 oz) 350 g (12.3 oz)
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