I entered the world of Fujifilm mirrorless cameras a year ago with a Fujifilm X-E2 and a 27mm lens. I loved the camera but decided I didn’t want to own another interchangeable lens camera system. I already shoot with a Nikon D600, 85mm lens, and 35mm lens, so I really didn’t need another camera with interchangeable lenses. I love Fujifilm cameras so I researched what else they offered that might work for me. I wanted something extremely compact, a large zoom range that went very wide, and wireless transfer capabilities. I really needed a camera I could always have with me that produced better results than my camera phone. So when I stumbled upon the Fujifilm XQ1 I got excited and quickly hit the buy button. I knew immediately it would work perfectly for what I needed. Now that I’ve consistently used it for almost a year, I can quickly rattle off the qualities that make it a winner in my book:
- Wireless transfer: I can share my pictures in an email, text, or on social media just as fast as I take them using the Fujifilm app.
- SR+ (Scene Recognition) mode: I shoot in this mode 90% of the time. It’s an advanced automatic mode, and I only switch to manual when I want to intentionally over or underexpose or try something creative.
- Size: It’s so small! It’s about double the thickness of my iPhone 5c, but the length and height of it is identical. I always carry it in one of my purse’s slip pockets.
- Easy charging: There is no separate battery charger. Just plug the USB cord into the camera and it’s ready to charge.
- Sensor: The Fujifilm XQ1 features a 12 MP 2/3″ X-Trans II sensor. In broad daylight, the quality is great and in low-light conditions, good results are attainable up to ISO 1600. My iPhone doesn’t stand a chance!
- Macro mode: I don’t have a dedicated macro lens for my DSLR so the macro mode on the XQ1 substitutes nicely when I want to capture macro photos.
- Aperture: Probably my favorite aspect of this camera is the f/1.8 aperture available at the widest angle (25mm). I like shooting wide open with wide angles, and this suits me perfectly.
If you’re looking for a camera that fits somewhere between your camera phone and your DSLR, this camera is definitely one to consider. There are many great features, plus it’s so compact that it makes it easy to carry with you all the time. I’m so pleased to have mine!
