Fujifilm X-E1 Samples

The Fuji X-E1 is compared to the K-5 IIs
Pentax K-5 II below. While the Fuji is mirrorless and the Pentax is a traditional DSLR, they both feature a 16 MP APS-C CMOS sensor without anti-alias filter but with different designs. The K-5 IIs uses a traditional Bayer filter while the X-E1 uses the Fuji X-Trans 6x6 color-grid. All images below are 100% unmodified crops from their respective cameras. Both cameras were set on aperture-priority mode with fixed ISO. The remaining settings were left on automatic. Cameras were each independently calibrated to deliver optimal image quality.

These crops help determine which ISO sensitivities are acceptable to used on these cameras. Most cameras compensate with noise reduction as noise increases but this introduces softness. The point at which a print becomes unacceptably noisy is a matter of personal taste.

Fuji X-E1	Pentax K-5 IIs
ISO 100	ISO 100
ISO 200	ISO 200
ISO 400	ISO 400
ISO 800	ISO 800
ISO 1600	ISO 1600
ISO 3200	ISO 3200
ISO 6400	ISO 6400
ISO 12800	ISO 12800
ISO 25600	ISO 25600
Despite the same resolution and lack of anti-alias filter on both cameras, the Pentax K-5 IIs produces much sharper output. This can be attributed partly to the lens with the Fujifilm Fujinon XF18-55mm F/2.8-4R LM OIS Fujifilm Fujinon XF18-55mm F/2.8-4R LM OIS lens not being super-sharp compared to the superb Pentax FA 31mm F1.8 Limited Pentax FA 31mm F1.8 Limited. The Fuji demoisaic algorithm may also be the culprit since it has to be completely different. Still, when seen on its own the Fuji X-E1 does very well in a much smaller body.	ISO 51200

Interestingly, this reversed the results seen when comparing the Fuji X-Pro1 and Pentax K-5 last year. The X-Pro1 has the luxury of a sharper prime lens while sharing the same sensor as the X-E1. The K-5 on the other hand, unlike its IIs successor, has an anti-alias filter to soften details.