In this video, Tom Calton takes a look at the Fujifilm X-M1, a camera over a decade old that has plummeted to the very affordable price of around $200. In fact, I found one in the U.K. for around $160 with three lenses that appeared to be in good condition.
Fujifilm has been something of a master of small, APS-C sensor cameras that can slip into a jacket pocket or bag every time you leave the house, and yet produce incredible results. Much of Fujifilm's allure is tied up in the results their cameras produce both with and without the film simulations. The X-M1, for instance, appears to beg for you to tweak the files in post to emulate film stocks, and you can even download presets to do it.
If you're looking at dipping a toe into a photography, this is exactly the sort of first camera I would recommend as it ticks to many boxes: it's small, affordable, has interchangeable lenses, and great quality images.
Have you ever tried the X-M1? What were your experiences?
What $200 camera? Posting videos like this immediately doubles the price on the used market. Now you're paying more than half of the original list price on a 10 year old camera. Nope.
Here in the UK they are going for between £370 to around £880 with the 16-50mm kit lens - average around £500. An X-T30 II new is £799 (body only) or £899 with XC 15-45mm lens to give some comparison. Not quite the hidden gem that video claims.
People will write stories or post videos about Fujifilm as if those cameras were anyway special... They are not, just good at most.
You can find other lovely cameras that will be as good and in many ways better..
You are only pumping prices - there are already 100s of reviews of these cameras since they are nothing new.
Between their smaller sensor, slower autofocus, and more limited lens options than Sony, Nikon, and Canon there are definitely a lot of cameras that are better suited for professional use. But for the armature photographer who just wants some really good pictures of their family and vacations (like myself) they offer a great product. I don't need anything that's razor sharp, because I'm not blowing anything up to poster size, but the amount of in camera jpeg manipulation is a godsend. When I get home from an outing, I can just download it all and skip the hours in editing.
I think that's why the brand is are hitting so well with the Social Media Generation. You don't need pixel peeping when your pictures are being swiped past on a phone screen. You do want good colors, depth, and a way to make your photos stand out, though, and that's what Fujifilm is delivering.
I do know a handful of people using Fujifilm cameras professionally. They are as decent as aps-c can get. Not for me but Fujifilm aren't just for amateurs and can certainly create decent photographs in the right hands.
I used this camera for real estate photography. The tilting screen allowed me not to have to bend over for viewing. Made lots of money with this little jewel. I even purchased a second camera for backup. Oh…I know it’s not full frame, and it’s not 40MP sensor…doesn’t really matter because my MLS service down sizes images for posting to 350KB.
yup. Suits a purpose. That's all it needs to do.
Try 600-900 Australian dollars on ebay at the moment.