Weathersealed Fujifilm X-T1 camera officially announced

After weeks of rumor and speculation, the Fujifilm X-T1 weathersealed mirrorless interchangeable lens camera is now official with an amazing set of features.

One of the most rumored cameras of recent times is this new Fujifilm X-series model, called X-T1. So many details about it have been leaked on the web, leaving few things for us to discover during its launch.

Thankfully, it has been announced officially and we must say that the X-T1 is packing an interesting set of features in a small, attractive body.

Fujifilm announces weathersealed X-T1 camera with the fastest electronic viewfinder on the market

Fujifilm X-T1 camera is finally official. It is packing the fastest electronic viewfinder in the world as well as the one with the highest magnification ratio.

Fujifilm has introduced the X-T1 as a camera with the fastest electronic viewfinder in the world. Its lag time stands only at 0.005 seconds, forcing the company to call it a “Real Time Viewfinder”.

Additionally, it boasts the highest magnification ratio of any EVF on the market: 0.77x. The 2.36-million-dot OLED viewfinder offers a new user interface and four display modes: full, normal, dual, and portrait.

The “full” mode uses the magnification ratio at its maximum and provides an amazing view of the scene in front of you. “Normal” offers the conventional view allowing users to see the shooting settings with ease. “Dual” splits the view by showing you both the manual focus area and the regular view at the same time. “Portrait” is used when the photographer turns the camera vertically so it should be useful in portrait photography.

It’s all about speed when it comes to the rugged Fujifilm X-T1 mirrorless camera

A tilting screen is available on the back of the Fujifilm X-T1 so that users can capture photos even in awkward positions.

Not only is the Fujifilm X-T1 tough, it is also fast. Speed is the key here and the EXR II image processor offers world’s fastest AF system of only 0.08 seconds, thus joining the exclusive club of the Fuji X-E2.

The 16.3-megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS II image sensor comes with Phase Detection AF, lending a hand to the EXR II processing engine. Additionally, the shutter time lag is 0.05 seconds, while the shooting interval stands at only 0.05 seconds.

The continuous shooting mode captures up to 8fps even with the AF Tracking mode enabled. The system receives help from UHS-II SD cards, which offer double the writing speeds of regular UHS-I cards. As expected, there is only one SD card slot, not two like previously rumored.

Fujifilm has added almost 80 weather-resistant points across the X-T1. This allows it to be resistant to dust and water. However, do not throw your camera into the water or into a sand dune, as the weathersealing is meant to allow you to use the X-T1 in adverse conditions, not to abuse it.

The LCD screen on the back measures 3-inches, has a 1,040K-dot resolution, and it is tilting. It comes with tempered glass protection, making sure you will not break it easily. All in all, the X-T1 can be used in temperatures down to -10 degrees Celsius.

Customize your Fuji X-T1 with a number of external accessories, including a vertical battery grip

Photographers can purchase and attach a vertical battery grip to the weathersealed Fujifilm X-T1.

Fujifilm X-T1 specs list includes RAW support, 1/4000-30 seconds shutter speed range, full HD video recording at 60fps, USB 2.0 & HDMI ports, WiFi, and an ISO range between 200 and 6400, that can be extended to 100-51200 using built-in settings.

This new mirrorless camera does not feature a built-in flash, but it has only an AF assist lamp. However, the company is being a good guy here and offers an external EF-X8 flash in the retail package at no extra charge.

Speaking of accessories, a vertical battery grip VG-XT1 will be released for professional photographers, along with a hand grip, and an all-leather case.

Release date and price information are live, along with XF 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 R OIS WR lens details

The top view of the Fujifilm X-T1. The mirrorless camera will become available in February 2014.

The release date of the X-T1 is February 2014. Its launch price stands at $1,299.95 for body-only. The 18-55mm f/2.8-4 lens kit will be released in the same period for a price of $1,699.95. The camera is already available for pre-order at Amazon.

A second lens kit will be released in June 2014. It includes the XF 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 R OIS lens that is weathersealed. Shortly after that, two more weatherproof optics will become available, such as the XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R OIS and XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R OIS.

The future of the X-mount is very bright as two other optics will be launched by the end of 2014 for X-series camera owners. Fuji has confirmed that a high-speed wide-angle and a super telephoto lens are both on their way, with focal lengths and apertures are to be announced in the coming months.

The back of the Fujifilm X-T1 camera along with this large OLED viewfinder.