X-M · 2013 · discontinued
Fujifilm X-M1 review
Launch price 699 USD · 16.3 MP X-Trans I sensor · 1080p 30p video
Also written XM1 or X M1.
Compact body using the 16MP X-Trans I sensor; no viewfinder.
Verdict
Compact body using the original 16.3 MP X-Trans I sensor with 1080p/30 video and a tilting screen. No viewfinder, no IBIS, 49 AF points, 5.6 fps burst. Lightest X-mount body of its era.
Collectors and budget users who want the lightest possible X-mount body with original X-Trans color.
In detail
I have been meaning to write about the X-M1 for a while. Photographers tend to pick it up for Fuji's original first-generation X-Trans sensor from 2012 and the price it launched at. Released in 2013 at 699 USD, the body is no longer in production. It sits in the X-M line, Fuji's entry-level line, similar in concept to the X-A.
Color rendering is the classic Fuji recipe. At 16.3 MP, native ISO is 200 to 6400, modest by modern standards, the files give you enough room to crop. Burst at 5.6 fps is conservative, this is a camera aimed at slower, more deliberate work. 1080p is the cap on video.
In the hand it feels like a Fuji, with the usual tight dials and a deep enough grip. There is no IBIS, so for low light you lean on stabilized XF glass. At 330g it is light enough to live in a small sling bag. There is a single SD UHS-I slot. Bottom line: the used market is where this camera makes the most sense now.
Pros and cons
What we like
- 16MP X-Trans I sensor in 330g
- Compact body with tilting LCD
- Original X-Trans color science
- Affordable on the used market
The headline win is the 16MP X-Trans I sensor in 330g, the lightest X-mount body of its time. Film simulation count is 5, the older but still solid lineup. The original X-Trans color is the real draw, you can pull lovely JPEGs straight out of camera without much fuss.
Trade-offs
- No viewfinder, no IBIS
- Discontinued, 1080p/30 video only
The honest trade-off is no viewfinder, no IBIS. No in-body stabilization means relying on stabilized XF glass for low light. Burst rate is conservative, fine for portraits, street, and landscape, but rules out serious sports work. The tilting LCD is great for waist-level stills but does not flip forward for vlogging. Single card slot means backup discipline is on you.
Who is this for
Collectors and budget users who want the lightest possible X-mount body with original X-Trans color. Light enough to make a great second body or a daily-carry option. A particularly strong pick on a budget, especially for first-time Fuji buyers.
X-M1 release date and lifecycle
| Announced | |
|---|---|
| Launch price | 699 USD |
| Status | Discontinued |
| Replaced by | X-M5 |
Announcement month is from Fujifilm’s launch announcement; the on-sale month is not recorded for this body. Launch price is MSRP at release, not a used-market price.
Full specifications
| Release year | 2013 |
|---|---|
| Launch price | 699 USD |
| Status | Discontinued |
| Megapixels | 16.3 MP |
| Sensor generation | X-Trans I |
| Processor | EXR Processor II |
| ISO range | 200–6400 |
| AF points | 49 |
| Subject detection | none |
| Burst (fps) | 5.6 |
| Max video | 1080p 30p |
| Codec | H.264 |
| Log profile | No |
| Stabilization | None |
| Viewfinder | None |
| LCD | 3" tilt |
| Weather sealed | No |
| Weight | 330g |
| Card slots | 1 |
| Card types | SD UHS-I |
| Battery | NP-W126 |
| Battery life (CIPA) | 350 shots |
| Film sims | 5 |
Highlighted rows are class-leading within the current Fujifilm APS-C lineup.
Film simulations (5)
- PROVIA
- Velvia
- ASTIA
- PRO Neg. Std
- Monochrome
Compared with
Fujifilm X-M1 vs siblings
How the X-M1 stacks up against the closest siblings in the current Fujifilm lineup.
Fujifilm X-M1 vs X-M5
The Fujifilm X-M1 and Fujifilm X-M5 are both Fujifilm X-M bodies. The X-M5 is the newer of the two, arriving in 2024. At launch the X-M1 was 699 USD and the X-M5 799 USD, making the X-M1 the more affordable of the two.
Fujifilm X-M1 vs X-A2
The Fujifilm X-M1 and Fujifilm X-A2 are Fujifilm APS-C bodies from different lines — the X-M and the X-A. The X-A2 is the newer of the two, arriving in 2015. At launch the X-M1 was 699 USD and the X-A2 549 USD, making the X-A2 the more affordable of the two.
Where to buy
The link below runs an Amazon search for this camera rather than pointing at one listing, because stock and sellers move around. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you.
See it in the wild
Owner impressions and real-world photos from the Fuji community.
