Noise and JPEG processing, low ISO sensitivities
Smart image processing and the X-Trans sensor yield excellent photo quality as high as ISO 1600, with just a little detail degradation starting at ISO 1600 and limited to just the dark areas.
Noise and JPEG processing, higher ISO sensitivities
While ISO 3200 isn't clean, it's pretty good, and depending upon scene content you can even go as high as ISO 6400. There's a huge dropoff in quality in the upper expanded range, however, and because you can't shoot raw in that range I don't really suggest using ISO 12800 or 25600.
ISO 200 JPEG
The X-M1 delivers a very natural-looking sharpness.
(1/100 sec, f6.5, multimetering, AWB, ISO 200, 16-50mm lens at 38.7mm)
(1/100 sec, f6.5, multimetering, AWB, ISO 200, 16-50mm lens at 38.7mm)
Highlight recovery
Overall, the camera does an excellent job of retaining detail in blown-out highlights, far better than most of its similarly priced competitors. The same goes for clipped shadows, which you can bring up without introducing any noise.
(1/100 sec, f4, multimetering, AWB, ISO 200, +0.67 EV, 27mm lens)
(1/100 sec, f4, multimetering, AWB, ISO 200, +0.67 EV, 27mm lens)
Sharpness, 16-50mm lens
The kit lens is quite sharp.
(1/100 sec, f5, multimetering, AWB, ISO 200, 16-50mm lens at 21.1mm)
(1/100 sec, f5, multimetering, AWB, ISO 200, 16-50mm lens at 21.1mm)
ISO 400 JPEG
Detail in the distance is usually hard to resolve with consumer cameras, especially at ISO 400 and above; the X-M1 does an excellent job.
(1/80 sec, f6.4, spot metering, AWB, ISO 200, 27mm lens)
(1/80 sec, f6.4, spot metering, AWB, ISO 200, 27mm lens)
ISO 1600 JPEG
I was really impressed with the camera's performance at ISO 1600. This is a scaled down version; a 100 percent crop appears on the next slide.
(1/40 sec, f3.6, spot metering, AWB, ISO 200, 27mm lens)
(1/40 sec, f3.6, spot metering, AWB, ISO 200, 27mm lens)
ISO 1600, raw vs. JPEG
The only significant problem with the JPEG shot is some of the blown-out highlights because of the contrast-boost applied. Other than that, it compares pretty well to the raw.
ISO 6400, raw vs. JPEG
Normally, this shot would have made a complete mush of the background grating. There's some color noise, especially on the tire spokes, but the shot is still quite usable, and the JPEG processing stands up very well.
(1/60 sec, f2.8, spot metering, AWB, ISO 6400, 27mm lens)
(1/60 sec, f2.8, spot metering, AWB, ISO 6400, 27mm lens)
Bokeh, 27mm lens
The XF27mm f2.8 lens is a nice compact lens with attractive out-of-focus highlights and defocus areas.
(1/80 sec, f6.4, spot metering, AWB, ISO 200, 27mm lens)
(1/80 sec, f6.4, spot metering, AWB, ISO 200, 27mm lens)
Bokeh, 16-50mm lens
The 16-50mm kit lens renders reasonably sharp images with the type of out-of-focus highlights you expect from a 7-bladed aperture.
(1/100 sec, f5, multi metering, AWB, ISO 200, 16-50mm lens at 16mm)
(1/100 sec, f5, multi metering, AWB, ISO 200, 16-50mm lens at 16mm)
Color
The X-M1's default settings render colors quite accurately.
Film simulations
The camera's default color settings are quite good.
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