The Fujifilm X-Pro 1 was first presented to BJP in December 2011, and has been the subject of countless leaks over the past two weeks on various rumour websites. It comes as Fujifilm has been rebuilding its reputation in the advanced and professional sectors of the photographic market ever since the release in early 2011 of the X100 camera.

The X-Pro 1 series is the first camera to feature the 16-megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensor, a brand new sensor that Fujifilm claims will offer a resolution equivalent to that of a full-frame sensor.

The sensor does not need an optical low-pass filter and has been reconfigured to offer a newcolour filter array that is inspired by the random arrangement of fine film grain. The red, green and blue pixels are arranged in 6x6 pixel sets with "high aperiodicity, which increases the degree of randomness," and help eliminate the fundamental cause of moiré and false colours, claims Fujifilm.

The X-Pro 1 also features a new image processing engine - the EXR Processor Pro - to deliver high-speed shooting capabilities of up to 6fps. It also sports a new Hybrid Viewfinder - first introduced in the X100 - that will enable photographers to choose between an optical and electronic viewfinder. "When attaching a Fujinon XF-series lens on X-Pro1, both the viewfinder magnification and bright frame size automatically switch to support the lens focal length," adds Fujifilm. "Viewfinder magnification switches to 0.37x for the 18mm lens, and to 0.60x when the 35mm or 60mm lens is mounted, letting you compose your shot with the bright, crystal clarity of an optical image."

The three lenses are also being introduced in March, when the camera will be released in the UK - they are the XF 18mm f/2 R, the XF 35mm f/1.4 R and XF 60mm F/2.4 R Macro. "All three offer precise control over depth-of-field and deliver excellent out-of-focus bokeh thanks to the design of the moulded aperture diaphragm blades," says Fujifilm. "The blades are curved to create a circular image at all aperture settings, while the very edges of each blade are meticulously rounded off rather than simply cut off, which delivers a sharper image. In addition, the solid feel of the high-quality metal barrel and detailed exposure setting in 1/3 step increments using the aperture ring fuel your desire to capture more photos with every shot."

The X-Pro 1 has been designed with professional photographers in mind, says a Fujifilm representative in an interview with BJP. "It's dedicated to professional users who don't have a compact system camera that they can trust. We believe this is the first compact camera that will really appeal to professionals that are conscious about sensor quality. We also wanted to release something that unique and different from what others are doing in the market."

Nikon, Panasonic, Olympus, Sony and Samsung have all released mirrorless, interchangeable lens camera systems over the past three years, with Canon remaining the only major camera manufacturer that has yet to unveil its plans for this segment of the market.

Fujifilm's X-Pro 1 camera will be released in March. Exact pricing has yet to be confirmed, but BJP understands that it will retail at £999 body only, with the lenses available from £450 to £500.

For more details, visit www.fujifilm.co.uk.