At F2.8-4 wide open, this fast lens is perfect for low-light photography or scenes beckoning a beautiful bokeh effect.

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The result is expressive background defocusing and sophisticated bokeh, plus the flexibility to use short, blur-free exposure times in low light.

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The lens' wide F2 maximum, 9-bladed circular aperture enable beautiful background defocus ('bokeh') effects to rival or exceed professional-class DSLR camera lenses.

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We weren't able to examine samples in order to evaluate the camera's bokeh capabilities, but Canon reps said that the effect is on par with the G1 X.

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The camera captures images in a wide variety of settings and its fast lens makes creating beautiful focusing effects and bokeh achievable, enabling heightened creative expression and artistic personalization.

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When set at maximum aperture and widest angle of view the photographer can use fast shutter speeds in dimly lit locations and take advantage of a beautiful bokeh (out-of-focus) effect in the background.

ENGADGET: Pentax launches brass-bodied MX-1 point-and-shoot: 12MP with 4X zoom (update: now with hands-on photos)

In addition, you can now use Monochrome or Film Simulation modes when video recording and even take advantage of the X-E1's large sensor and bright XF lenses to capture movies with beautiful bokeh effect.

ENGADGET: Fujifilm grows X-series mirrorless lineup with 16.3-megapixel X-E1

The great advantage of a more light-sensitive camera is that you can make radical adjustments to the aperture, allowing filmmakers to indulge in what's become known as "bokeh porn" shallow depth-of-field shots in which sharply defined subjects are placed against artily smeared backgrounds.

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