Fujifilm XQ1: The enthusiast compact the XF1 wanted to be?
Equipped with the latest X-Trans sensor, the XQ1 is priced for folks who want better-than-snapshot photo quality but won't miss a viewfinder.
Lori Grunin
Senior Editor / Reviews
I've been writing about and reviewing consumer technology since before the turn of the century. I'm also a photographer and cat herder, frequently at the same time.
Shop for Fujifilm XQ1 (Silver)
See all pricesIn addition to having a name that's really hard to type, the Fujifilm XQ1 seems to be an enthusiast-targeted version of the XF1. With a somewhat similar design -- that thankfully eschews the gimmicky extend-lens-to-power-on in favor of a traditional power button -- it's more compact with a higher-class X-Trans II CMOS sensor. While the XF1 remains in the product line at the same manufacturer price, it generally runs about $350 to $400, about $100 less than the XQ1's $500 price tag.
In addition to the new sensor, some upgrades over the XF1 include a higher-resolution LCD with ostensibly improved visibility, Wi-Fi support, and 1080/60p video. The company's X-Trans CMOS II also has an on-sensor phase-detection array, so it should deliver improved autofocus performance as well. The XQ1 incorporates some of the company's more recent technologies, including the faster EXR Processor II and Lens Modulation Optimizer (a fancy name for using lens performance data to improve image sharpness). Unlike the XF1, Fujifilm plans to offer a waterproof housing for the XQ1.
It seems to use the same lens optics as the XF1, which according to reviewer Josh Goldman narrow very quickly from that desirable f1.8 maximum aperture; I suppose if it used the much faster lens that's on the X20, Fujifilm wouldn't have been able to hit that desirable $500 price. However, the XQ1 uses a traditional zoom switch rather than the manual zoom ring that you find on both the XF1 and X20.
For comparison:
| Canon PowerShot G16 | Fujifilm X20 | Fujifilm XF1 | Fujifilm XQ1 | Nikon Coolpix P7800 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor (effective resolution) | 12.1MP CMOS | 12MP X-Trans CMOS | 12MP EXR CMOS | 12MP X-Trans CMOS II | 12.2MP BSI CMOS | 20.2MP Exmor CMOS |
| 1/1.7-inch | 2/3-inch | 2/3-inch | 2/3-inch | 1/1.7-inch | 1-inch (13.2 x 8.8mm) | |
| Sensitivity range | ISO 80 - ISO 12800 | ISO 100 - ISO 12800 | ISO 100 - ISO 12800 | ISO 100 - ISO 12800 | ISO 80 - ISO 3200/6400 (exp) | ISO 100 - ISO 25600 |
| Lens | 28 - 140mm f1.8-2.8 5x | 28 - 112mm f2-2.8 4x | 25-100mm f1.8 - 4.9 4x | 25 - 100mm f1.8-4.9 4x | 28 - 200mm f2-4 7.1x | 28 - 100mm f1.8-4.9 3.6x |
| Closest focus (inches) | 0.4 | 3.9 | 1.2 | 1.2 (est) | 0.8 | 1.9 |
| Burst shooting | 10fps unlimited JPEG | 12fps 11 JPEG/n/a raw | 7fps 8 JPEG | n/a | 8fps 6 JPEG/ n/a raw | 2.5fps (10fps with fixed exposure) n/a |
| Viewfinder | Optical | Optical | None | None | EVF | None |
| Autofocus | n/a Contrast AF | n/a Contrast AF | n/a Contrast AF | n/a Contrast, phase-detection AF | n/a Contrast AF | 25-area Contrast AF |
| Metering | n/a | 256 zones | n/a | n/a | 224 segment | n/a |
| Shutter | 15 - 1/4000 sec | 30 - 1/4000 sec | 30 - 1/2000 sec (1/1000 at full aperture) | n/a | 60 - 1/4000 sec | 30 - 1/2000 sec; bulb |
| Flash | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hot shoe | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
| LCD | 3-inch fixed 922,000 dots | 2.8-inch fixed 460,000 dots | 3-inch fixed 460,000 dots | 3-inch fixed 920,000 dots | 3-inch articulated 921,000 dots | 3-inch fixed 921,600 dots |
| IS | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical |
| Video (best quality) | 1080 @ 60p H.264 QuickTime MOV Stereo | 1080/60p H.264 QuickTime MOV Stereo | 1080/30p H.264 Quicktime MOV Stereo | 1080/60p H.264 QuickTime MOV n/a | 1080/30p H.264 QuickTime MOV Stereo | 1080/ 60p/50p AVCHD Stereo |
| Manual iris and shutter in video | No | No | No | n/a | Yes | Yes |
| Zoom during movies | Yes | Yes | Yes | n/a | Yes (Auto only) | n/a |
| Mic input | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
| Wireless connection | Wi-Fi | No | No | Wi-Fi | Optional via WU-1a ($59.95) | No |
| Battery life (CIPA rating) | 360 shots | 270 shots | 300 shots | n/a | 350 shots | 330 shots |
| Size (WHD, inches) | 4.4 x 3.0 x 1.6 | 4.6 x 2.7 x 2.2 | 4.2 x 2.4 x 1.2 | 3.9 x 2.3 x 1.3 | 4.7 x 3.1 x 2.0 | 4.0 x 2.4 x 1.4 |
| Weight (ounces) | 12.5 | 12.8 | 7.9 | n/a | 14.1 (est) | 8.5 |
| Mfr. Price | $549.99 | $599.99 | $499.95 | $499.95 | $549.95 | $649.99 |
| Availability | October 2013 | March 2013 | October 2012 | October 2013 | September 2013 | July 2012 |
It's cute, and based on previous experiences I think it should deliver decent performance and good photo quality. But the enthusiast compact field is pretty crowded, with tons of competitors at both lower and higher prices, and Fujifilm has yet to deliver solid video in these cameras. A large part of this camera's potential attraction will hinge on how much Fujifilm has tweaked the lens and how much better the X-Trans II performs in comparison.
