Originally posted by NickLarsson Hi ndjedinak, how would you compare the K-01 vs X-Pro 1 in terms of handling, AF and IQ ?
It's a bit early for a conclusive answer, as I haven't had the K-01 at home for more than a week, and I've had the X-Pro 1 since May. But my first impressions after pulling it out of the box and playing around with it (can't resist shiny new toy) are that all three of those categories notch a "win" for the X-Pro, for my style of shooting and my preferences. But the K-01 has some irresistible strengths.
Handling: the K-01 handles much better than it looks, but there are some ergonomic niggles (the green button placement is unfortunate, there's no exposure comp dial), and its a heavy brick of a thing. But it's a Pentax--it's still a photographer centric camera, even with all the odd design choices, and I'm fine with the handling. No doubt the Fuji "disappears" better in your hands, though, if you're like me it feels like every camera you've shot since your film days. Very well designed and thought out, IMO.
AF: speed is no question, the X-Pro. A lot has been made of the lack of speed, but IMO ever since firmware 1.1 it's perfectly acceptable in use. 2.0 was an improvement in low light, and with the 60 especially, but I didn't notice the night and day difference some have reported. In accuracy, though, I think the k-01 comes out on top. The X-Pro can misfire at times, and even when you get a good lock its not always dead nuts on. The pentax seems a little slower, but more accurate. In poor light I've had to shift to MF with the Pentax whereas the X-Pro is still pretty quick. I can live with either system after adjusting to its quirks. There ARE some tricks and working method changes I had to make before I was happy with the Fuji. Now, I'm happy, and can keep up with my toddler. The pentax poses a bit bigger challenge if you like to be in close and wide open as I do.
IQ: the K-01 images are fantastic. The fuji's are decadent--but its not a totally fair comparison as i have all 3 fujinons and only the "kit" 40xs for the pentax. That said I have a general "feel" after some shooting and pixel peeping. I have a sense the Fuji has sharper fine details and better micro contrast, and detail is maintained better at high ISO. Colors are different--I think both are viable and valid, but I give the nod to the Fuji overall which allows subtle, lovely, and genuinely useful shifts with the film simulations. The Fuji emphasizes blue and greens, the pentax is warmer ( more yellows and reds, maybe? i havent nailed this down yet). The fuji can struggle with red on occasion, one of the only negatives of that sensor IMO. I have been really impressed with the way the K-01 draws light, though; it has a lovely manner of recording the finest nuances of light and its interplay with your subject. I love that. Pentax has HDR, Fuji doesn't, Fuji has DR modes which take advantage of the high ISO capability (200-800 is essentially the same IQ on the Fuji), both approaches have validity and use, you may prefer one over the other.
The Fuji is a much bigger camera. It's thinner, but taller, longer, and of course with a lens much thicker (if you use the 40XS on the pentax). Until the Fuji pancake comes out, and only if paired with the smaller X-E1, the Pentax is actually pocketable whereas the X-Pro really isn't. That's a win for pentax. I'm honestly considering making the K-01 my daily camera, as its just so easy to carry, unassuming while shooting (its more disarming than the x-pro in my limited experience), always impresses with IQ, and I find the 40mm lens fantastic, to be honest.
I should mention movies: the K-01 does well, the Fuji really doesn't. In fact, I prefer the Q over the Fuji for movies. It's unfortunate, but there is a ton of artifacting in X-Pro movies.
Of course, the Fuji has a viewfinder, if you like that. I'm a viewfinder guy, but I've adapted to screens and shoot more like using my rolleiflex. That's viable for me. Some won't bend on the viewfinder thing.
One more thought: I'm a Leica shooter, but I have struggled a lot with the Fuji's viewfinder. Not the finder itself, which I like... But confirming focus. I miss quite a bit more with the optical finder, if you shoot as I do (in close, wide open) you should really use the evf. And in that case... The X-E1 looks like a mighty fine deal to me. I was an early adopter, so I pay the price (literally and figuratively!)
As I found with the Q, my first pentax, there's something great about these cameras in use. I've been shooting with the K-01 for the last few days and have really enjoyed it. I like both cameras. I'd love to try it with some other pentax lenses. I tried a few legacy lenses, but aside from a vivitar series 1 tele zoom which had good IQ but was too unwieldy, and an old Takumar 55/2 which was surprisingly good, I haven't tried any of the newer pentax stuff, and I should.
A bit of a ramble, but I hope it proves useful.