Unique camera with analog controls and stunning image quality!

This camera got early raves for image quality, handling, the flexibility of real analog controls like aperture dial, shutter speed and exposure compensation, yet the original version of the firmware provided less than stellar AF/MF performance. Fuji has a long history of making quality products that are innovative (they made the Hasselblad XPAN and lenses, as well as Hasselblad's current H line of digital cameras and lenses), and they stand behind their products with firmware updates. Now that the X-Pro1 is on firmware 2.03 (and all of the lenses are updated, too), the AF is significantly quicker and the manual focus went from absurd to amazing. Now you can check manual focus quickly by tapping the rear data dial, which switches to a 3x magnified view). AF likes to lock onto vertical lines, horizontal lines if you are holding the camera vertically. You can adjust the size of the focus point (5 sizes) and you can choose which of the 49 AF points (7 rows of 7!) you want, which cover nearly the entire frame. The hybrid optical viewfinder and electronic viewfinder is unique: the camera knows when you eye is at the viewfinder, so it switches from the back to the inside, and you can view the outside world optically or electronically. The EVF shows you exact framing and depth of field at max aperture (something I didn't get in my pro DSLRs) and the OVF shows you what's outside the frame like a Leica. The X-Pro1 is an all-metal body and sturdily built: smaller than a DSLR, about the same size as a Leica, yet about 1/2 the weight of an SLR. This means my shoulders are much happier after shooting an 8 hour wedding!

When you compare it to it's only real competition, the Leica M9, the Fuji X-Pro1's seemingly high price suddenly seems like a bargain!

I recommend buying and using the optional Fuji X-Pro1 grip, which adds a bit of weight, making the camera even easier to hold, and is perfect for larger hands.

PROS:
Stunning image quality
Beautiful layout and controls
Lightweight
Amazing and fast prime lenses (35mm f1.4 is the best)
Emulation of various Fuji color films and B&W modes
Clean images up to ISO6400!
Motion panorama mode works beautifully!

CONS:
AF isn't as fast as DSLRs
Rangefinder style isn't ideal for inexperienced photographers
Can't customize file names (ie: XPRO1_123)
Wish changing AF points was easier

Needs some serious improvements, but great travel camera.

Image quality is amazing. But getting the image is almost unbearable. The camera is very light, and very rigid, but I have found the viewfinder to be gimmicky and unreliable at times. If you are traveling and want a light weight system and gorgeous photos, then I can't recommend this camera enough. If you are photographing an adult or older child, with patience this camera will yield beautiful portraits. But if your subject is young or moving....forget it, the auto focus is waaayyyy to slow. And the write speed to your card is just flat out ridiculous. Not a camera for candid moments. The 35mm lens is outstanding, one of the best "normal" lenses I have ever shot with. The 60mm macro is also great but so far the 18mm is a disappointment. Buy the voigtlander 15mm f4.5 with a Leica M adapter instead. The depth of field with this lens is large enough that taking an out of focus shot with this lens is unlikely and the edge to edge sharpness is much better than the Fujifilm 18mm.

don't waist you money unless money is no object....

image quality is stunning and thats about the only great thing about thesis camera.

heavy and clumsy for the size, expensive lenses, easy to scratch body, slow shutter and turn around time, unusable for quick surprise people taking.

there is a reason why things have evolved where they have with dslr's.....I sold it after a week and went back to 2012 technology with my trusted nikon.

Good for rich people that want to have a feel for the past. everyone else, use the real stuff....

Much better than old dinosaur DSLR technology

It took me weeks to learn the finer points of using this camera. Don't believe the negative reviewers. I suspect they didn't put the time into learning this new technology. Plus on Sept 18th, 2012 I downloaded new firmware (2.0 version) that corrected the slow AF that other reviewers were concerned about. You will be rewarded if you put in the time to master this new technology. The EVF is heads above mirrorless optical finder and even Live View, but it takes some getting used to.

need a good machine, but with more support and development.

need a good machine, but with more support and development.
a nice machine, but the technical component is weak.
need to eliminate parallax error there too. (18-55 lens)