Dissertation is a wonderous phenomenon that makes you feel like many things. (Fujifilm XT-1 included)

It makes you feel like a sloth, seeking only to sleep the moment you wake up and start staring at your 15 inch black box.
It makes you feel like days and months ceases to exist, and the only end goal is to churn out your dissertation before you hit the deadline.
It makes me feel so fat and sedentary I am starting to feel pregnant with my crummy tummy.

On the bright side, it makes me feel like going out there into the sun and spend a whole day running around and have fun.

Well, returning back to my original promise of a tech geek blog. Here's a posting of my latest impending camera review.

I had the privilege to get my hands on one of the pre-launch orders for the latest Fujifilm XT-1, the latest highly anticipated mirrorless Compact System Camera (CSC) of 2014.

Now some of you might be wondering what the heck that is. Well. In the current camera market, there are the compact cameras with slim bodies and the inability to switch lenses. They're definitely the most portable out there, although with the poorest sensor capabilities.

What a cutie eh?^

On the other spectrum, you have the DSLRs, big black sexy chunky things that I have lots of fun with. They are still pretty much one of the best you can get in terms of image quality, handling, autofocus speed etc. Not to mention you can only get full frame sensors on DSLRs (with the except of the sony A7/r). However, they are huge, heavy and with a good lens like the 24-70 or the 70-200, you're lugging 2-3kg worth of weight. Definitely not what you would call portable, though some hardcore camera warriors might beg to differ.

Yup that's a beast right there

So what is this mirrorless business then? Well, in the industry now, more companies are pushing out cameras that no longer relies on the pentaprism, which requires to have a mirror in your shutter like the traditional DSLRs. There are many advantages to it, like lesser vibrations from the shutter and stuff, but it's still a pretty new technology compared to the dslr, although many say it's the camera tech of the future. Examples include the well known micro 4/3rds, the Sony APSC Nex (or recently known as the rebranded alpha series), and more notably in our example, the Fujifilm APSC sized X series. So mirrorless cameras have started to fill the gap between compact cameras and full sized Dslr cameras, and their capabilities have grown so much that now it is starting to be possible that these lightweight medium sized cameras can take images with qualities on par with Dslr. 

Imagine, awesome images without the back breaking weight? Real sexy.

So what's a Fujifilm XT-1 you guys may wonder. If you haven't heard, it's their latest addition to their recent but outstanding X series. 

It was the camera series that sparked the recent craze over all the retro looking compact cameras ranging from the Nikon Df, gx7  etc etc.

So why is the XT-1 so exciting? Take a look for yourself.

It's Fujifilm's first foray into an SLR like body with a crazy huge and bright EVF and a WEATHER SEALED BODY all decked out in manual controls.

That means you no longer have to handle clunky stupid menus on a touch screen and jog dial that gets you to the iso menu only after 1980523 moves. Yes I'm looking at you Sony.

Fuji's main weakness throughout their first generation X series cameras like the XE-1 and XM-1 is always about their autofocus system. Fortunately the company is known to continuously improve on their cameras even after release (which boosts consumer confidence) and you'll be surprised, no other camera company really bothers. However the XT-1 is rumoured to boast of the latest 'predictive AF' system that is like the AF-C of the DSLR that actually works! At least I hope so. Now that would open up the world of sports and wildlife photography to many photographers out there.

Another thing I really like, is how Fujifilm has built a system of outstanding lenses from scratch so quickly. Have you tried any of their amazing lenses? The 56mm f/1.2R, 23mm f/1.4 R, 35mm f/1.4R, 18-55mm. Unlike most companies, Fuji's kit lens, the 18-55 f/2.8-4, is no joke at all, it's well built, sharp and compact. Only thing it costs $900+ brand new. That's insane coming from the fact I bought sigma 17-50 f/2.8 OS at only 600+ for my d7000 back then. Prices are definitely not cheap, but their lenses are definitely of fantastic quality.

Check out their roadmap, how many camera companies actually bother to publish a clear roadmap so you can save up your cash for it?

It's my first go at a CSC apart from the X100s, which gave fantastic image quality that honestly shocked me when compared to my nikon D800 full frame. Here's an example of my lovely girlfriend shot by the X100s.

I shan't bore you with all the technical details of the XT-1. But if you're interested, check out the following websites for more information.

Fuji global site

After my dreaded dissertation is over, I'll be posting up unboxing videos of the XT-1 and maybe a little review of it. So stay tuned, folks!