X-E1 is a smaller version of X-Pro1

Few more images of rumoured system camera from Fujifilm are available on the web. I will miss White Balance button. While Auto WB on Fuji X10 is good in most situations sometimes I use Custom WB. It should not be a big issue for me. The Fn button will be set to iso. I generally use camera in Aperture priority mode, so the Shutter speed dial is essentially useless for me. I guess it is very handy for Shutter priority mode, so I may change my shooting habit. It seems that the X-E1 is slightly smaller than Fuji X-Pro1.

It looks like another great camera from Fuji. If the price will be below 1000 USD, the camera will be instant hit. In Australia Olympus E-P3 kit is priced at 1000 AUD, and Sony NEX 7 kit costs 1500 AUD.

It is not pocketable camera. It was not designed to be pocketable. It should be very comfortable camera.

Rumoured price of rumoured Fuji X-E1

According to photo rumours the new "Enthusiast" mirrorless camera from Fuji, X-E1, will have the same sensor as X-Pro1, light body, and cost below 1000 USD. If true, the body price will be similar to top models of other manufacturers such as Olympus OM-D E-M5 or Sony NEX7, and here, in Down Under, it might be even cheaper than the top offers from Oly and Sony because cameras from Olympus and Sony cost here more than in the US. Obviously, the main spending will be in glass :), and hopefully Fuji will produce enough 18-55mm lenses. If the rumoured price is correct, the body-lens kit will cost slightly more than Fuji X100, so the company will keep a price niche for the Fuji X200 (if there will be one), and sell a lot of glass.

It seems that even at that price point X-E1 would not kill X100 sales: for less money you get a relatively compact camera with very good viewfinder and amazing image quality. By camera here I mean body/lens combo. It might undercut the X-Pro1 but frankly, some people will pay premium for the hybrid viewfinder, and for others X-Pro1 is just expensive.

At that price point the X-E1 has all chances to repeat the success of Fuji X100, which probably will bring better support/processing of the proprietary RAW format by other converters such as Lightroom and hopefully reduce the colour bleeding issue of the sensor.

Santa might be busy if the camera will be available before Christmas :)

Fuji X-E1

Several images of an anticipated cheaper X system camera from Fuji appeared on the web. Some time ago the company announced plans for development of the affordable version of Fuji X-Pro1, so it is an expected camera. I would say, it is highly anticipated camera: in Brisbane Fuji X-Pro1 is available in essentially all main camera shops while cameras such as Olympus OM-D E-M5 are rather scarce. The images of the second X system model, X-E1, were leaked simultaneously with specs of the first zoom lens for X mount. I am curious to know the numerical definition "affordable" camera :) Top models of mirrorless system cameras with viewfinder cost over one grand with lens (NEX-7, OM-D E-M5), so I would not be surprised to see the price on top of this range, probably over 1500AUD (price of NEX-7 with lens).  

It seems that Fuji X-E1 is slightly smaller than X-Pro1 but it is still a big camera for me. Handling probably will be very comfortable (I tried the X-Pro1, it is just right camera to keep in hands for me). The 18-55mm F2.8-F4.0 lens is relatively bright for kit lens but it is also bigger than standard lens for m43. It is smaller and lighter than  14-54mm F2.8-F3.5 ZUIKO lens for 4/3. Because the new Fuji zoom is above the standard zoom lens, the price will be high but probably below 2,000 AUD for the X-E1 with the zoom lens.