Fuji: People don't like to be seen with a 'great big camera'

Fuji X Pro1
Fuji says that its the small form factor of its cameras that is of big appeal

Fuji has said that it believes its X series of cameras have really taken off because people are put off by the weight and bulk of DSLRs.

First launching in 2010 with the X100, a premium compact camera housing an APS-C sized sensor, the X range now includes the X100, the X10 and the most recent addition, the X Pro1, the company's first compact system camera.

Although the price points aren't too dissimilar from some DSLRs, one of the biggest advantages of these cameras is their small size and weight.

Speaking to TechRadar, Fujifilm Imaging's senior vice president Adrian Clarke said, "A lot of people are beginning to feel that - no disrespect to SLRs - weight is becoming more of an important factor with photographers, and, something that works well and is easy to use but is very pocketable is very attractive to them."

Comeback

The X Pro1 marks Fuji's return to interchangeable lens cameras, after it bowed out from the DSLR partnership it had with Nikon.

"I think nowadays, people don't particularly like to be seen with a great big camera, it looks like showing off, it's too much, it's too obvious. People like to take great pictures with minimum effort and you can do that now with modern equipment."

The X Pro1 currently retails for around £1500, body only. Last week, Clarke also told us that he hopes it will be the first in a long line of interchangeable lens cameras for the firm.

Amy Davies

Amy has been writing about cameras, photography and associated tech since 2009. Amy was once part of the photography testing team for Future Publishing working across TechRadar, Digital Camera, PhotoPlus, N Photo and Photography Week. For her photography, she has won awards and has been exhibited. She often partakes in unusual projects - including one intense year where she used a different camera every single day. Amy is currently the Features Editor at Amateur Photographer magazine, and in her increasingly little spare time works across a number of high-profile publications including Wired, Stuff, Digital Camera World, Expert Reviews, and just a little off-tangent, PetsRadar.