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Fujifilm XQ1 Comparison Review

The Fujifilm XQ1 is a fixed lens compact camera that was officially introduced in October 2013 and is equipped with a 2/3 sensor. It offers a resolution of 12 megapixel.

camera

Is the Fujifilm XQ1 a good camera? The XQ1 has a Camera Elo of 1608. This rating puts the XQ1 below average of all travel zoom compact cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (small sensor cameras), the XQ1 also ranks below average. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 2.5-star performance rating. – Well, the Fujifilm XQ1 is more than 10 years old, and there have been many other good digital cameras released since 2013.

Headline Specifications
Fujifilm XQ1
Fixed lens compact camera
25-100mm f/1.8-4.9
12 MP, Two Thirds Sensor
1080/60p Video
ISO 100 - 12 800
no viewfinder, LCD framing
3.0 LCD, 920k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
12 shutter flaps per second
240 shots per battery charge
100 x 59 x 33 mm, 206 g

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

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Body comparison with a credit card

An illustration of the physical dimensions of the Fujifilm XQ1 vis-à-vis a credit card is provided in the side-by-side display below. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Fujifilm XQ1 vs credit card front
XQ1 versus credit card top view
XQ1 and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Fujifilm XQ1 alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
    Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Fujifilm XQ1 100 mm 59 mm 33 mm 206 g 240 n Oct 2013 US$ 499ebay.com
2.
 
Canon G16 109 mm 76 mm 40 mm 356 g 360 n Aug 2013 US$ 549ebay.com
3.
 
Canon S120 100 mm 59 mm 29 mm 217 g 230 n Aug 2013 US$ 449ebay.com
4.
 
Canon SX60 128 mm 93 mm 114 mm 650 g 340 n Sep 2014 US$ 549ebay.com
5.
 
Fujifilm X20 117 mm 70 mm 57 mm 353 g 270 n Jan 2013 US$ 599ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm X30 119 mm 72 mm 60 mm 423 g 470 n Aug 2014 US$ 599ebay.com
7.
 
Fujifilm XQ2 100 mm 59 mm 33 mm 206 g 240 n Jan 2015 US$ 399ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon P7800 119 mm 78 mm 50 mm 399 g 350 n Sep 2013 US$ 549ebay.com
9.
 
Panasonic FZ200 125 mm 87 mm 110 mm 588 g 540 n Jul 2012 US$ 599ebay.com
10.
 
Panasonic LF1 103 mm 62 mm 28 mm 192 g 250 n Apr 2013 US$ 499ebay.com
11.
 
Panasonic LX7 111 mm 68 mm 46 mm 298 g 330 n Jul 2012 US$ 499ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Fujifilm XQ1 was launched in the US market at a price of $499. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

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Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

The Fujifilm XQ1 features a 2/3 sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 3.9. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Fujifilm XQ1 among the smaller-sensor digicams that favor affordability and compact design.

Fujifilm XQ1 sensor measures

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for most cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
    Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Fujifilm XQ1 2/3 12.0 4000 30001080/60p20.311.0-39047
2.
 
Canon G16 1/1.7 12.0 4000 30001080/60p21.011.723054
3.
 
Canon S120 1/1.7 12.0 4000 30001080/60p21.311.924656
4.
 
Canon SX60 1/2.3 14.2 4608 30721080/60p19.210.812739
5.
 
Fujifilm X20 2/3 12.0 4000 30001080/60p20.110.9-46246
6.
 
Fujifilm X30 2/3 12.0 4000 30001080/60p20.411.2-31249
7.
 
Fujifilm XQ2 2/3 12.0 4000 30001080/60p20.511.2-27549
8.
 
Nikon P7800 1/1.7 12.0 4000 30001080/30p21.211.720054
9.
 
Panasonic FZ200 1/2.3 12.0 4000 30001080/60p19.110.811437
10.
 
Panasonic LF1 1/1.7 12.0 4000 30001080/60i20.811.621152
11.
 
Panasonic LX7 1/1.7 10.0 3648 27361080/60p20.711.714750
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The XQ1 indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the XQ1 can use is 1080/60p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The following tables report on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Fujifilm XQ1 and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
    Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Fujifilm XQ1none n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
2.
 
Canon G16optical n3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/4000s 2.2/s Y Y
3.
 
Canon S120none n3.0 / 922 fixed Y 1/2000s 12.1/s Y Y
4.
 
Canon SX60922 n3.0 / 922 swivel n 1/2000s 6.4/s Y Y
5.
 
Fujifilm X20optical n2.8 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
6.
 
Fujifilm X302360 n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
7.
 
Fujifilm XQ2none n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
8.
 
Nikon P7800921 n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 8.0/s Y Y
9.
 
Panasonic FZ2001312 n3.0 / 460 swivel n 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
10.
 
Panasonic LF1200 n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 10.0/s Y Y
11.
 
Panasonic LX7optional n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 11.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One convenient feature of the XQ1 is the presence of an on-board flash. While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.

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Connection comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Fujifilm XQ1 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
    Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Fujifilm XQ1-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
2.
 
Canon G16Ystereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
3.
 
Canon S120-stereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
4.
 
Canon SX60Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
5.
 
Fujifilm X20Ystereo / mono--micro2.0---
6.
 
Fujifilm X30Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
7.
 
Fujifilm XQ2-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
8.
 
Nikon P7800Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---
9.
 
Panasonic FZ200Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---
10.
 
Panasonic LF1-stereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
11.
 
Panasonic LX7Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---

It is notable that the XQ1 offers wifi support. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

The XQ1 has a zoom lens built in (6.4-25.6mm f/1.8-4.9), which, in full frame equivalent terms, provides a focal length range from 25 to 100mm. The camera is, hence, ready to shoot, while remaining more compact in size than an interchangeable lens camera with an optic that offers similar focal length and aperture specifications.

Further information on the features and operation of the XQ1 can be found in the free online Fujifilm XQ1 Manual or on the Fujifilm support site.

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Expert reviews

While the specs-based evaluation of cameras is instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the XQ1 handle or perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate. This is where reviews by experts come in. The table below summarizes the assessments of some of the best known camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

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Review Scores
     Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Fujifilm XQ1........4.5/54.5/5 Oct 2013 US$ 499ebay.com
2.
 
Canon G164/5+....4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2013 US$ 549ebay.com
3.
 
Canon S120..+ +....4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2013 US$ 449ebay.com
4.
 
Canon SX603/5+ +..75/1004/54.5/5 Sep 2014 US$ 549ebay.com
5.
 
Fujifilm X204/5+ +..77/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2013 US$ 599ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm X304/5....76/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2014 US$ 599ebay.com
7.
 
Fujifilm XQ2........4/54/5 Jan 2015 US$ 399ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon P78003/5......4/54.5/5 Sep 2013 US$ 549ebay.com
9.
 
Panasonic FZ2003/5+ +..80/1004.5/54.5/5 Jul 2012 US$ 599ebay.com
10.
 
Panasonic LF13/5+....4/54.5/5 Apr 2013 US$ 499ebay.com
11.
 
Panasonic LX73/5+ +..75/1004/54.5/5 Jul 2012 US$ 499ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Fujifilm XQ1 FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the XQ1.

What technology is the imaging sensor in the Fujifilm XQ1 based on?

The camera has a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor at its core.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Fujifilm XQ1?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 12800.

Is it difficult to use manual focus lenses with the Fujifilm XQ1?

The XQ1 offers focus peaking as a manual focus aid. This feature works by placing a colored highlight on in-focus zones within the image.

Does the Fujifilm XQ1 feature an autofocus assist light?

Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.

Does the Fujifilm XQ1 support the Ultra High Speed (UHS) bus interface for SD cards?

Yes, the camera can indeed use UHS-I cards (data transfer speed of up to 104 MB/s).

Which battery does the Fujifilm XQ1 use?

The camera gets its power from the Fujifilm NP-48 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Camera to camera comparisons

In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities with other camera models, just use the search menu below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Fujifilm XQ1
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens 25-100mm f/1.8-4.9
    Launch Date October 2013
    Launch Price USD 499
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology CMOS
    Sensor Format Two Thirds Sensor
    Sensor Size 8.8 x 6.6 mm
    Sensor Area 58 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 11 mm
    Crop Factor 3.9x
    Sensor Resolution 12 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4 000 x 3 000 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 2.20 μm
    Pixel Density 20.66 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 12 800 ISO
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type No viewfinder
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View
    LCD Size 3.0 inch
    LCD Resolution 920k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen
    Touch Input No touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System On-Sensor Phase-detect
    Manual Focusing AidFocus Peaking
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 12 shutter flaps/s
    Silent Shootingno E-Shutter
    Time Lapse Photographyno Intervalometer
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash no Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in
    Body Specs
    Battery Type Fujifilm NP-48 power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)240 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 100 x 59 x 33 mm
    (3.9 x 2.3 x 1.3 in)
    Camera Weight 206 g (7.3 oz)

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