What do you like best about the X1 ?

[carcam]

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We all know the limitations- pretty obvious. However, I'm getting some amazing pictures that I didn't expect. I find I'm taking it everywhere and maybe that's part of it. I took my S90 with me a lot but never got the quality images that I get with the X1. My M9 is a destination camera for me and I love the files and the prints are like no other, but i find it too expensive to take all the places I take the X1- hiking, mntg bike riding, kayaking, etc. I find I can live with the slow autofocusing (probably because it takes me at least that long to focus my M9) and the loose dials are a pita and an obvious design flaw (come on, Leica engineers- how hard can that be) but it's so easy to check and correct that it's not a deal breaker for me.

 

So back to my original question-

 

I like the small size, the Leica look and ease of menu/adjustments. And the pictures that come out that little camera are beyond my expectation and worthy of big prints.

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[NZDavid]

1) Image quality.

2) Controls. They may be overly loose, but simple direct dials for shutter speed and aperture are so much easier to use than fiddling with menus and scroll wheels and squinting into an LCD.

[jmteno76]

1. Very light camera to carry all day

2. Image quality - with great High iso performance

3. Retro style

4. Simplicity in it's use

[ijam]

I like my X1

1- The image quality!

2- The design!

3- The size!

4- The simplicity-basic!

[leicashot]

I like the fact that those people dismiss it cause it cant focus fast enough or can't cook them breakfast in bed are missing out on a neat little camera, that in the right hands, can do just about anything. It isn't meant to be a mass market product which is part of its appeal to me. I'm glad it has shortcomings or it would probably be double the price and every rich amateur would own one.

[peterb]

Its global availability.

[nippa]

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Image quality

simple controls

classic looks

quiet shutter

[ocho]

I don't have to put my specs on to navigate endless menus.

 

Very light to carry.

 

Unobtrusive.

 

Silent.

 

Astounding IQ.

 

I like that it takes a DNG and a B&W jpeg, I find this very useful.

 

It's a wolf in sheep's clothing

[peapodesque]

I have a question,I am a dvlx4 owner which i absolutely love,,and am thinking of an x1 for more "serious" shots,,! and love the integrity of design,the bigger sensor ,etc of the x1 however whats the difference when compared with lumix gf 1 and its interchangeable lens capacity,,as it has a pretty large sensor as well? thanks for any feedback!

[jsrockit]

Image quality

simple controls

classic looks

quiet shutter

 

Yep...

[nippa]

I have a DLux4 so I know how you feel about the camera. It really is something special and for Macro Shots in good light it's still the best camera I have.

 

I also own the GF-1 with 3 lenses and this is also rather good. It's easy to handle ,very flexible and delivers more detailed images than the DLuxe4.

I could recommend this to you without a qualm AND it delvers the same resolution as the X1. ( mind you it's still useless for fast action where only a DSLR will do )

 

On paper my X1 should produce images no better than my GF-1.

I've seen the test results and read the reviews .

In real life my X1 images blow the GF-1 and 20mm pancake away! The difference in colour , contrast and blur gives life to large prints.

 

That's why for all the niggling quirks you'll find me and other owners still in awe of what this small package can do when things go right.

[carcam]

nippa- I agree. I also have and really like the GF1 but there's no comparison in image quality. It does focus faster and I thought the images were pretty good for a small camera until I got the X1.

[jsrockit]

I like the fact that those people dismiss it cause it cant focus fast enough or can't cook them breakfast in bed are missing out on a neat little camera, that in the right hands, can do just about anything.

 

I think the price is precisely why most people talk themselves out of buying the X1 and I cannot blame them.

[jdlnmia]

I think the price is precisely why most people talk themselves out of buying the X1 and I cannot blame them.

 

I thought the same thing. I bought a GF1 & 20mm f/1.7 pancake which at the time was $1000. I liked some of the images but hated the controls. Its shutter was very noisy too. I did LOVE the fast AF. Once I started seeing the images coming out of the X1, though, I sold the GF1 and got the X1. It is well worth the extra $995 to me. Maybe not to others, but to me it is.

 

I also love the small size of it, even with the handgrip attached. The X1, combined with an iPad and camera connector kit, is a great travel setup!

[Ecaton]

I thought the same thing. I bought a GF1 & 20mm f/1.7 pancake which at the time was $1000. I liked some of the images but hated the controls. Its shutter was very noisy too. I did LOVE the fast AF. Once I started seeing the images coming out of the X1, though, I sold the GF1 and got the X1. It is well worth the extra $995 to me. Maybe not to others, but to me it is.

 

I also love the small size of it, even with the handgrip attached. The X1, combined with an iPad and camera connector kit, is a great travel setup!

 

Only if you found a way of transferring raw files from the X1 to the ipad and from the ipad to your Mac or PC for processing. I have not found a solution yet, so I'm interested to learn how you deal with it. Shooting jpegs only with a camera like the X1 is a waste.

[ChiILX1]

Only if you found a way of transferring raw files from the X1 to the ipad and from the ipad to your Mac or PC for processing. I have not found a solution yet, so I'm interested to learn how you deal with it. Shooting jpegs only with a camera like the X1 is a waste.

 

No doubt not having an SD slot like the MacBook Pro 13'' and the imacs killed a huge photography market for the iPad. But iPods had a $29 usb adapter a while back (I still have mine). Look for it soon for the iPad.

[reginaldwatkins]

Image quality, image quality and image quality.

[h00ligan]

To add some levity albeit off topic. I received my 15-85 canon lens which by all accounts is great - placed on my old rebel xt.. and proceeded to feel like a dunce.. what a dud. I look at the x1 and its IQ, and it may have the sole mission of destroying my wallet. So much for the plans of a semi decent lens on the old dslr for the 10% i have to shoot fast... apparently I need to go back to the drawing board.. damn you x1 iq for spoiling me, while simultaneously pissing me off with speed issues.

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[NZDavid]

I have a question,I am a dvlx4 owner which i absolutely love,,and am thinking of an x1 for more "serious" shots,,! and love the integrity of design,the bigger sensor ,etc of the x1 however whats the difference when compared with lumix gf 1 and its interchangeable lens capacity,,as it has a pretty large sensor as well? thanks for any feedback!

 

What's a "serious shot"? Apart from points of difference you've already mentioned, the only other main difference between the X1 and the GF1 is the simplicity of the controls. Low light capacity of a bigger sensor (less noise) should be better -- otherwise from what I've seen the D-Lux produces great shots. Maybe try out both, but I wouldn't rush.

[carcam]

To add some levity albeit off topic. I received my 15-85 canon lens which by all accounts is great - placed on my old rebel xt.. and proceeded to feel like a dunce.. what a dud. I look at the x1 and its IQ, and it may have the sole mission of destroying my wallet. So much for the plans of a semi decent lens on the old dslr for the 10% i have to shoot fast... apparently I need to go back to the drawing board.. damn you x1 iq for spoiling me, while simultaneously pissing me off with speed issues.

 

Edward- I also have the Canon 15-85 that I use on a 7D. I use it when I want something quick and need the flexibility of fast focusing and a variety of quick focal lengths. Unfortunately, I am also underwhelmed by the quality of the images. No easy solutions or magic bullet, yet...