I Enjoy Both The X-M1 And X-E2...: Fujifilm X System / SLR Talk Forum

...but since you are using the qualification of "upgrading for IQ purposes," you have to be the judge of that.  IQ-wise, I find them both to be exact.  Both use a 16 MP sensor, albeit the X-E2 uses a newer version of the X-Trans sensor.  The X-M1 has the same sensor as the X-E1.

Now here's where it gets dicey because I'm now going to resort to describing the X-M1 color in intangible terms (that is, not necessarily easily measured).  The reason I kept on using the X-M1 is that it has a very "rich," dynamic color tonality.  And here goes the clincher - in that for me, it is richer than the X-E1 (to my eyes).  By rich, I mean to imply images (well-taken images, that is) that portray lots of depth and the colors appear "fuller."  Hmnnnnnn, now here's where lots of folks are now thinking that "Ben is off his rocker - what the hell is he talking about here?"  OK - please read on.

To resort to some vague comparisons with let's say "being an audiophile."  I can recall years ago that die-hard audiophiles (audio purists looking in the ultimate in dynamic audio transparency) would label images as having either a "Ying" or "Yang" effect.  If you've ever read the old audiophile publication, The Absolute Sound (ahhh yes, reminiscing about Harry Pearson - HP - the editor), you'd often hear reviewers talking about these two sound descriptors.

The term "Ying" was coined to reflect sound that seemed thinner, less fuller - almost astringent (clinical) in sound.  "Yang," on the other hand was sound that displays a dynamic depth and fullness to it that just lured you into the performance.

The X-M1 has that "Yang" effect for me when capturing colors.  Some other cameras I've used in the past - in particular "some" (not all) Micro 4/3 cameras - gave me "Ying" color impressions (am I making sense here).  In other-words, the images looked just fine, however, the rich depth of the scenes were somehow missing - some appearing entirely too clinical (emotionless?).

So that's why the X-M1 is such a nice camera (I know, I know - this is all my opinion only).

Now enter the X-E2.  What a wonderful camera that is and with the FW update that Fuji released for it - basically bringing it on line with the X-E2s - there was absolutely no reason to update to the newer "s" model unless you felt the need.  Images taken from the X-E2 are outstanding also - but to be quite frank, trying to figure out the differences in IQ would be difficult.

Now where the X-E2 shines over the X-M1 are the inclusion of an excellent EVF, more AF options, additional menu option selections, and faster performance parameters in different areas.  If those are important to you then yes, I'd upgrade to the X-E2.  But if IQ is all you are judging here, then trying to decipher which is best in this arena between the two would be a bit more difficult.

OK - I'm done blabbering...

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Sincerely,Bernd ("Ben") HerrmannFuquay Varina, North Carolina USA