Never in my time as a photographer have I encountered the amount of anticipation and general hype surrounding a camera release as is the case with the Fujifilm X-Pro2. We, the Fujifilm users, have been waiting, and waiting, and waiting. But as of today. No more. It’s finally here.
So almost 4 years on from the original 2012 release of the X-Pro1, what has changed? Well pretty much everything. Many people might argue that in the 4 year wait this camera represents nothing but a minor evolutionary step. This holds somewhat true if you place it in line with the X-E2, XT1, XT10 and so on.
But if you view it as a direct update from the X-Pro1, the minor evolution becomes nothing less than a complete overhaul.
Whichever way you view it, one thing is for certain. With the X-Pro2, the Fujifilm recipe is in full effect – Create a true-to-legacy camera for the photographer!
This “review” will definitely not be complete for me when it’s done. The amount of new things for me to write about is simply too vast. I will try to address what most of you will probably be interested in before considering if this camera is for you, which is probably image quality and functionality.
I’m not a studio photographer so my review is not based on that kind of experience. There are plenty of other reviews out there that cover that aspect much better than this one. So if thats your fancy I can’t really help you out. I tried it, it works, I have some studio samples in this review. But thats as far as I will go on that subject.
Now lets get this mother rolling. So grab a cup of coffee or whatever you fancy, cause this might get a little long.
DISCLAIMER: The camera I used during the test period is a pre-production unit. Image quality and camerafeatures might not be final. (but it probably is)
Build Quality
Size and Design
FUJIFILM really stayed true to concept with the X-Pro2. They made small but significant alterations to the exterior of the camera. In comparison to the X-Pro1 it has been made slightly larger and a bit heavier. If you, like me, were a happy user of the add-on grip, but felt that it was making the camera just a tad too tall, the X-Pro2 size is just right in that sense. It really has a great size.
One of the things that probably has made the body bigger is the addition of the much awaited weathersealing. This puppy will now take sub zero temperatures and torrential downpour like a boss! This shows and feels in every aspect of the camera, where especially the hinges and flaps have been made much sturdier. I can’t tell you at present time if the bending-latch problem from the XT1 has been addressed, but it seems much improved build-wise.
On the front the most significant update to the design is a MUCH improved grip. This thing feels just right! Combined with the larger exposure control dial and the “column” beneath it on the back, this new design gives you a very good hold on the camera. I for one will not be adding an add-on grip.
Of the smaller design changes I will note are
- New designline on the front of the top plate above the lens
- Square focus assist led, and mic holes moved to the top plate
- Center placement of the tripod mount at the bottom plate.
- Removal of the Fujinon logo on the top
- Removal of the “slope” on the far left side of the top.
What was really striking to me, was how right it felt when I got it in my hands for the first time. It’s one of the things that I like most about these Fujifilm X cameras. That feeling of getting a really nice piece of gear in your hands that is not just a digital camera, but a photographers tool. It’s really striking. And the X-Pro2 takes this even further. It really looks and feels absolutely stellar.
Button Layout
There are a lot of new features in the button layout department. Let me start by addressing the most prominent one; The combo Shutter Speed-ISO dial.
The way this works is if you press the middle button it unlocks the Shutter speed dial if it’s in “A” position. If it is not in this position it isn’t locked. (Same as always) – In addition to this you have an oldschool ISO dial “inside” the shutter speed dial. You adjust the ISO by “lifting up” the “collar” of the dial, and turn. It works very well, and it’s a joy to use.
A joystick-type control! – This little “knob” mainly serves as an AF point selector, but also functions as a menu navigator. If you don’t use it it doesn’t get in the way, if you use it it’s perfectly placed.
Exposure compensation dial is now larger and as previously mentioned forms part of the rear grip. It dials from -3/+3 and it has a C mode where if you place it there, you can adjust it further from -/+5 by turning the front function dial.
A little touch of genius is the little Fn button they put on the front. The “hinge” of the EVF/OVF lever switch is actually a button. In OVF mode I assigned this button to a new function where you get preview framelines of 35, 56,60 and 90mm when in the normal magnification and 18, 23, 27 and 32 (?) when in the wideangle magnification mode. I LOVE this little touch!
Fujifilm also added a function wheel to the front which (just like on the back) can be pressed to act like a button as well. Just like is known from e.g. the XT10.
All the buttons on the back have been laid out for easy one-handed usage. The screen has been moved to the far left, and the buttons that was on the far left of the X-Pro1 now align the right hand side. It’s a great layout, and it didn’t take me more than a few hours for it to feel completely natural. It’s great.
The buttons all have amazing tactile feedback, and only the “Q” and “AF-L” on the “column” below the exposure wheel are recessed so you won’t accidentally press them. The X-Pro2 buttons are by far the best on any X-series camera (even the X-E1)! They FINALLY got it right!
New Features
Fujifilm put a lot of new nifty things inside the X-Pro2, but not just superfluous things. They really seem to have listened to the feedback they have been given from various sources.
One of those things is undeniably the Dual SD card slot. Just like on the XT1 they put the SD card slot on the right hand side of the camera away from the battery compartment. It has been implemented well. Slot 1 is an UHS-II compliant slot, where as slot 2 is UHS-I compliant. You can choose to write sequential, mirrored backup or write jpegs to one card and RAW to the other. All options work incredibly well, and especially for documentary or wedding work I can see this as being a welcome data-safety feature.
They finally fit the Tripod mount in the center position, and when used on my tripod it doesn’t block the battery compartment. FINALLY!
Now…. something that took me by complete surprise, and something which has given me a complete addiction is….. the shutter!
Fujifilm has put a newly designed shutter in the X-Pro2 and it sounds indescribably amazing!!
The best way for me to describe the sound is if you imagine a Ninja sword slicing through a ripe watermelon! It’s truly an addictive sound. Plus it’s very muted. It’s very very silent.
The mechanical shutter speed maximum has been liftet to 1/8000sec, and the Electronic shutter takes care of the rest up to 1/32000sec.
Another great thing they put in the X-Pro2 is a diopter adjustment system. Yes, thats right. No more screw-in diopters. It’s all good for those of us who are optically disabled! 😉
Of course the X-Pro2 retains its trademark, the OVF/EVF Hybrid Viewfinder. It’s now an 2,36mill dot display just like in the XT1, but with an amazing refresh rate of 85 fps, instead of the 54fps seen in the XT1 (The 85fps is only activated when you put the camera in high performance mode). This of course means an AMAZINGLY fluid electronic viewfinder experience. It’s just a fantastic piece of tech!
Like the X100T it has been equipped with the small “center focus patch” EVF overlay when in OVF mode. To those of you familiar with the X100T you will know that it works really well when trying to do precise manual focusing! The OVF still feature the Multi-Magnification function from the X-Pro1, but the new one automatically switches viewfinder magnification according to the lens in use. Pretty damn neat!
In addition to this, the split screen focus assist is now available in color, something that isn’t possible with the X100T
In regards to power management, you now have 3 modes. “High Performance”, “Standard” and “Economy”. They’re pretty self explanatory.
Of course we now have the wifi system built in. In the current version of the Fujifilm Remote app I could not remotecontrol the camera, but I could transfer images. An update for the smartphone app is imminent. The X-Pro2 will also connect to your instax printer, if you have such a thing.
Menu system
Fujifilm decided to do a makeover on the menu system. Not that their menus wasn’t great before, but over time, the addition of many more features than originally entailed in the X-Series cameras they needed a new way to catalogue the different features.
They cleaned up the lefthand side of the menu with larger iconography and given it colorschemes according to function. Sub menus are easily selected, and you always have a page indicator in the top right hand side when you go into the deeper levels. It is fast and functional.
They’ve put in a new menu item called “My Menu” where you can assign different menu items that you use the most, into one single page “supermenu” – Very great addition!
Focus & Imaging System
A lot of people using mirrorless cameras have been accustomed to Fujifilm having a slower autofocus performance than the competition. Even though a lot of things changed with the XT1/XT10 FW 4.0 it still wasn’t as fast as its competitors’ AF.
Now, just to express my blunt and honest opinion about this: I don’t require speed, I require precision in my autofocusing! – Who cares how fast it locks on if it locks on to the wrong thing.
This is one area where Fujifilm has really been getting things right since summer of 2015. And now with the X-Pro2 they’re taking it a step further.
Autofocusing is fast! – just around 30% faster than the FW 4.0 equipped XT1. In addition to the speed it’s bloody precise. In normal light it nails my focus every time! In subpar lighting conditions e.g. complete darkness, of course it will have a tougher time. Thats just the way it works. Fujifilm did also take extra measures to ensure good lowlight AF performance by further increasing the lowest focusable EV threshold from -1EV to -3EV. Let me just tell you this: It shows!
Hence forth I won’t really talk about Autofocus performance anymore. In the X-Pro2 it’s simply so good that it’s not the AF thats hindering me from getting my shot.
Fujifilm decided to up the ante on the focus points. They went from 77 AF points to an amazing 273 points. This is of course the reason for the added precision and speed. The phase detection (PDAF) area of the sensor now covers 75% of the height and 50% of the width of the sensor area.
There is a new metering mode called “center-weighted metering” – It’s a really nice compromise between the harsh “spot metering” and the “multi metering” modes. It really serves its purpose in sunlit situations. I almost predominantly spot-meter, but I have found myself using the centerweighted option quite alot.
As I said in the beginning I don’t really do much studio work, so the flash sync speeds aren’t really that important to me. However flash sync is now up to 1/250s from 1/180s. A welcome change, which puts Fujifilm X-Pro2 up to date with the competition.
The 3 shots above were all shot using a standard one strobe approach. Shot using a Hoya ND8 filter.
The X-Pro2 also does video. But Fujifilm (wisely I think) toned this feature WAY down. No dedicated record button is the clearest sign of that. I think it’s great that they make a camera that DOESN’T focus on video, but focuses on being a great still camera. If you ask me they can always put video functions in other type cameras….and honestly who uses a rangefinder type camera for video?
I didn’t really test the video function since it has no interest to me. In terms of specs, it will do up to 1080p at 60 fps.
Image Quality
For the first time in four years we get a higher megapixel count than 16, in the Fujifilm X series cameras. I’m pretty sure Fujifilm waited until time was right. Great ISO performance has always been a trademark of the Fujifilm X system, and I’m pretty confident that Fujifilm did not want to compromise themselves in this regard. My best guess as to the long wait is that Fujifilm wanted all the technology perfectly ready for prime time. Did they deliver? You bet!
The new sensor, dubbed the X-trans III, is a 24.3 megapixel APS-C sized sensor. It has incredible dynamic range. The ISO performance has been bumped one whole stop. ISO 12,800 is now equal to the old 6400. What Fujifilm has managed to do is getting even more resolution and even better signal-to-noise ratio.
There has been a lot of speculation as to whom has been manufacturing this sensor, and if it’s old tech. I don’t know, and I really don’t care. All I know is that it’s an amazing performer!
One of the most notable things with the X-Trans III is the incredible Dynamic Range. When using the in camera RAW converter you can now push highlights and shadows to an extreme +/-4 whereas the X-Trans II only lets you push +/-2.
This dynamic range boost really shows when doing landscape photography. I like my shadows dark and without much detail, but I love the fact that I have all the information present in the shadows of the RAW file and I can easily push them if I want to.
The gallery below are all full sized jpegs at 6000×4000.
One of the things that had me thinking when learning about the new sensor was if Fujifilm was able to hold on to their colours. I just love the jpeg simulations and the skin tone renderings of the old X-Trans sensors. So I was worried they might not deliver with the new sensor tech. But for no reason apparently. It is all still there! The Fujifilm colours are there. Film simulations are as colourful and perfect as ever and skintones as great as ever.
The reason why I sometimes still pull out my X-Pro1 (besides from the OVF experience) is the ability of the X-Trans I sensor to render high ISO jpegs without the excessive noise reduction that the X-Trans II cameras apply at these high ISO values. The result of this noise reduction is the dreaded “waxy skintones” problem! – Fujifilm solved this issue as far as I can tell in my testing. I have had zero “waxy skintones” even at ISO 10000! – You can actually also set the noise reduction to -4 now instead of -2. THANK YOU Fujifilm!
When shooting RAW you now have an option to chose either “Lossless Compressed” or “Uncompressed”. Uncompressed is the same as always, whereas the compressed option will result in RAF files only half the size of the uncompressed ones!!! I wasn’t able to tell the difference between the two. I know that nothing is free, so compressing away 30MB of data could potentially result in a degradation. The difference should theoretically be possible to see in colorgradients, but I haven’t done thorough testing. I just like that it saves me loads of HD space while still retaining the development flexibility.
EDIT: I’ve been made aware that compressing doesn’t degrade image quality if bit levels stay the same. It’s merely up to the RAW file handler to decompress the information when reading the files. Fact remains. No visible difference between compressed and uncompressed and you get files only half the size.
Fujifilm put pixel mapping in the firmware! – You can now remap the pixels if you start to encounter dead or stuck pixels after extended use. A very welcome addition.
Of course all of this info requires a new processor. The new X-processor Pro makes everything very very snappy, and the camera feels very fluid and responsive even though the file sizes have grown considerably. You can shoot 8fps in continuous mode, with the buffer filling up at around 50 images.
High ISO on the X-Pro2 is just amazing. I’ve already talked about the refined skin rendering at high ISO, but other than that it retains the familiar organic looking grain. Just as I’ve come to know and love. Base ISO is still 200, and in RAW it now goes up to 51.200 in High ISO mode. So you’re no longer limited to using Jpeg only at the high ISO settings.
The noise levels at 12.800 is equal to, or better than, the noise level at 6400 on the old X-Trans II sensor. So a 30 percent resolution boost in addition to an ISO improvement of a full stop.
It is very dark during winter here in Denmark, light is quite sparse. So I really got a chance to test the ISO on the X-Pro2. And it really is phenomenal. Most of my sample shots are ISO 800 and above. It’s so nice that we in this day and age have no limitations in regards to low noise ISO performance.
For this review my usual RAW developer of choice, Lightroom, did not support the files, so I have used a beta version of Silkypix for all my RAW conversion needs. I’ve never come to terms with that converter so most of the pictures in this review are jpegs from camera that I have slightly tweaked to my liking in Lightroom 6.
That new film simulation and grain control!!
This is something I want to dedicate a little writing space to, since this has me in complete awe! Fujifilm decided to develop and include an entirely new film simulation in the X-Pro2. And it’s a Black and White film!!!!
They decided to use the Neopan Acros 100 film as a base. I have shot it with my Leica M6 a couple of times and it’s a fantastic film. It has broad tonality and incredibly fine grain as well as great sharpness! – It’s PERFECT for digital conversion!
And let me tell you… all the characteristics are there. Its so good! – The highlights are almost impossible to blow out and the shadows keep that extra detail. Put the X-Pro2 into this simulation mode and you will get scarily close to the Leica Monochrom! It’s THAT good!
The unaltered Acros simulation is rather flat because of the shadow detail and highlight control, but in camera settings lets you boost either highlights or shadows from -2 to +4 . My prefered settings, and settings used in the mini gallery above, is +2 highlights, and +3 shadows. Those will give a little extra contrast.
In addition to the Acros film simulation Fujifilm put an entirely newly designed grain control in the X-Pro2. You can now choose to add grain to your images after the fact. Options are “Strong”, “Weak” or “Off”. If you so wish you can also add it in the built-in raw converter after the image has been taken. This doesn’t only work with the Acros filmsimulation, but in all of the other simulation as well. It’s very cool, and it gives your jpeg images from the camera even more of an already brilliant film’ish feeling. – I havn’t printed any of my grainy images yet, but according to Fujifilm this is where the effect really shines.
The above image shows my (very patient) daughter photographed using the XF56mm at f/1.2 wide open, ISO250, 1/125s. from left to right: no grain, weak grain, strong grain. Click them for large and chose the link in the lightbox for full resolution. (she swayed a bit the little thing, so it’s actually the zipper thats in focus! sorry!)
My thoughts
This “review” certainly is different from the ones I usually do. I always try to keep things in balance in regards to the technical aspects and the usability aspects of the cameras/lenses. But the new X-Pro2 is so filled with new tech that I simply cannot write my initial thoughts about it without touching down on tech. (The 3000 words above shows that clearly!)
But when all is said and done it isn’t, and never has been, about the tech for me with the X series. Sure this is stretching it somewhat, but in essence it doesn’t really matter much. All of the above features are nice to have, and they aid in achieving images that was once much harder to come by, but it doesn’t help you one bit if you don’t connect with your camera and use it as an artistic extension of your own vision. YOU are the creator, and the camera is your tool.
THIS is what I think Fujifilm does so amazingly well. They create cameras that demand your attention, but in return gives you a feeling of attachment that rewards your imagery. The X-Pro2 is NOT an exception from this, rather it feels to me like it’s the epitome of it.
Conclusion
The X-Pro1 had that “special something”. It had (and still has) that ability to get you to see. To REALLY see what you want to capture, and through that express your distinct vision. So in all this X-Pro2 spec-craziness could Fujifilm keep the “X-Pro1 mojo”? Short and honest answer is YES!
From the last two months with the camera I can easily state that the X-Pro2 is nothing less than a stellar camera. It packs technology and emotional attachment both wrapped up delicately in that little black metal enclosure. I cannot wait to explore this camera further, and push my imagery even further.
Samples
Most of the samples are jpegs that I tweaked to my liking in Lightroom 6 as I always do. For a camera review this is far from ideal, but I’m not a proper reviewer now am I? It’s how I’ve always done it at this blog, and it is how I will continue to do it. If you want straight out of camera image samples there are a lot of other places to see those in the coming days.
Some of the samples are converted from raw to tiff using a beta version of SilkyPix. This was mostly for me to test out the dynamics of the files. I will note in the captions which ones are from RAW.
The X-Pro2 is a great camera, but eventually we will all capture completely different images, since the camera is merely a tool with which we channel our individual creativity. So in the sample gallery I will show you my visions. Take from that what you wish. 🙂 I have, of course, tried testing it with a lot of different lenses from both Fujifilm as well lenses from other brands.
100 X-Pro2 samples – exif data in all files
Stunning. I am an Xpro1 user and have waited patiently to see your images and review. I have spent 5 years shooting Fuji with joyous results. You, and Fuji, have met my expectations and I can’t wait to receive my own Fuji X pro2.
Thank you so much Gnat! Thank you for reading along. /J
Thanks for putting in the hard work for this review. Looks awesome. Can’t wait to get my hands on this camera and take it around the world. Well done Jonas 🙂
Hej Morten.
Tusind tak! – I think you will enjoy the camera enormously. The new improved DR is perfect for travel and landscapes.
Cya /J
Beautiful pictures, accompanied by a suitably impressed text. I can feel the gas bubbling away already..;)
hahahaha. That GAS! – Thank you so very much. Thank you for reading. /J
Lengthy but informative review Jonas! I like how you really personalized this review to your experience using this beast. I love the images!
Hi Bobby. Yeah, its much longer than I usually write them, but there is a lot of new ground to cover here!
Thank you for reading. /J
Great review Jonas, and your mouthwatering choices of words 🙂 I am sure some will make up their minds about the new X-Pro2. You wrote it correctly as of the leap from the X-Pro1 to the X-Pro2 is BIG, but the mistake most make is to compare the leap as a small one compared to the already existing X cameras. We all were worried about the new sensor i guess, so was I. But it seems there is no reason for that at all 🙂 Looking forward to inhale all the reports an video reviews within the next days and thank you that yours was the first 🙂
Hi Bruno. Exactly. The comparison is indeed twofold, since a lot of people are updating directly from the X-Pro1. /j
Fantastic review and really stunning photos. Thanks!
Thank you Ben! Tried my best 🙂 /J
Thanks a lot Jonas. Gorgeous pictures. The XPRO2 keeps the philosophy of XPRO1 alive ! I love it so much.
Hi JB. It sure does! – And thank you! /j
Thanks for the review.
One comment. You are talking about lossless compression and say “I know that nothing is free, so throwing away 30MB of data will result in a degradation”. This should not be true. Lossless means that nothing is lost and everything can be returned back to normal. This is achieved through “computational wizardry” (which is nothing special really).
I know nothing about these new Fuji cameras but that is the meaning of lossless elsewhere in the computer science,
I was thinking the same thing. Think of it like ZIP, or PNG, both compress files and pictures without any loss of information. The trick is looking for repetition and replacing it with shorter sequences: “here comes one hundred black pixels” is shorter to encode than each black pixel individually – the actual wizardry is of course real wizardry and much more complex. Compare this to JPEG compression or how I assume Sony’s compressed RAW files work: they look for blocks of similar looking pixels and encode them with rectangles with the same value, the key here being “similar”, not “identical” – and the idea is to find similarities that are so small that you don’t notice when they are evened out.
It’s not for free, certainly, but the cost is computation not quality, so it might use more battery, but it shouldn’t be noticeable. It might even end up being a net gain in battery life since the camera will be spending 30% less time writing to the SD card (it depends on whether it takes longer to compress or to write to the card and my guess is write to the card).
In short: I think lossless compression is more or less a free lunch. It’s a great new feature.
Lossless is lossless, it’s always a free lunch for end result at least.
What it’s less clear is that pretty much all manufacturers’ raws are lossless compressed (uncompressed is really rare). The lossy raws like Sony are just an extra size lower. The free lunch is always there, you just don’t know it since you never had to pay for it.
So comparing png vs jpeg comparing fuji vs sony (or any other manufacurer with lossy raws) is just misleading.
Thank you very much for the explanation. Could very well be true. I simply cannot tell the difference. Thank you for reading. /J
Exactly. Nothing at all is thrown away. It’s just stored in a compacted fashion. The images look the same from a compressed raw as an uncompressed one because they ARE the same; they are identical.
hello jonasrask,thank for very nice review. you are my idol !
ps. how about a new fuji flash? thank.
Hey Basz. Thank you very much! I’m flattered.
I havn’t used or seen the flash. It’s not really my thing 😉
your my hero in street photography. real funny how sneaky you are capturing those moments . love the review on the new pro 2. specially where the price stands the most!!! all that?!?!?! wow! impressive. can’t wait to purchase one.
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Thank you so much my friend. Thats very kind of you! Thank you for reading. /J
Thank you for a great walk through, and for the beautiful images. All those weeks of reading spec rumours, but this is exactly the article I needed to understand how the thing *feels* to use.
Hi Luke. Yeah the specs doesn’t really matter that much. Its a “nice-to-have” But its not a “need-to-have”
The feeling of this camera is amazing!!
/J
Thank you for writing a terrific review on the X-Pro2!
You’re very welcome Gary! Thank you for reading! /J
A question – did you try the 10-24 with the OVF? How do wider focal lengths work with it?
I didn’t, sorry. I didn’t have it at my disposal. Sorry. /j
And the 8mm – can you use the OVF?
So here comes my temptation as a Nikon Wedding shooter. I had an X series system next to my FX Nikons and after a year I sold it and stayed with Nikon. Xpro2 looks very capable and will give it a try to see if it is for me again 🙂 Very nice review, Thank you Jonas.
I think it’s definitely matured to the point where its very usable even in such a setting. /J
Thank you for this review, awesome mix of great images. Makes me want to sell my x100t and get the x-pro 2 instead. Do not care much about the strong grain option while pixel peeping but then again in print it probably looks amazing, time will tell.
Thank you! – Yeah I have since writing the review seen prints of the grain effect. And it looks pretty damn good! /J
I use my Fuji X-cameras mainly for B&W work and that’s where they shine. Great to find out that X-Pro2 won’t be a disappointment in that sense either. Would like to know if the framelines of the OVF are 100% accurate or just somewhere near? Thnx!
Hi Simo. They are quite accurate, but they show a little bit more than what you get in the frame. As an added safety I think. For tru 1:1 capture representation you should switch to the EVF /j
Thanx! Better more than less. Gives you less guesswork 🙂 Also read your review of the new X70. XF 18/2 has been my weapon of choice during my latest project but you can never be inconspicuous enough when beating the streets. Believe X70 will be very handy in that sense.
Stunning review man, the first one i’ve checked out for the xpro2. great sample photos and what I felt was an honest overview, easy to relate too as a Fuji user, with really nice product shots which are so important to see it in the flesh presented beautifully.
Thank you very much man! Glad you liked it!
Hey, what a great review. Thank you very much!
I some questions:
Is it possible to activate the “dual EVF view” of the x-t1 as well? Or does one need to use the “100T mode”?
I saw that you used the Voigtländer 50mm 1,5 on the X-Pro 2. Do you also have the “new” 35 mm 1,7 ? If “Yes”, how does it perform? This would give me a 50 mm equivalent (which is my favorite focal length).
Hey. No dual EVF mode. It doesn’t make sense on this smaller EVF.
Havn’t tried the Voigtländer 35mm f/1.7. I would LOVE to try that lens though! 😀
I can’t wait to mount the Ultron to the Xpro2. It’s my favorite manual focus lens on the Xpro1.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gnatlikesbikes/23721635013/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gnatlikesbikes/23721635013/in/dateposted-public/
You should try it Jonas!
Great review Jonas! I thought my GAS was over, but…. Looks like a fantastic camera. Keep up the good work, and hopefully we will meet in the streets some day 😉
/Jan
HAHA. Tak Jan. Thanks for stopping by. Definitely we should go for a meet up someday soon! 😀
Thanks for a terrfic review! Just got my X-T1 about 14 months ago and I´m still in love but on a hunt for a back up camera. After reading this my X-T1 might end up as a back up…
Keep up the god work, the sunlight is slowly returning (at least up here in North)!
haha. Yeah. Sparse lighting sucks! Although its great for moody shots! 😀 Thank you for reading! /j
Thank you for writing this extensive review. Gorgeous images as well! I have mine in pre-order. After four years of using the X-Pro1, I can’t wait to use the new X-Pro2 🙂
Thank you so much Serge! Thanks for reading!
Big favour – any chance you can upload an original video file for us to see? I haven’t seen anyone show sample video on other reviews… Thanks!
Havn’t done any video at all. Sorry 🙂
Excellent write up Jonas the best I have read so far! I loved my X Pro 1 but I now really want the updated version!
Hi Martin. Thank you very much. I know how you feel. G.A.S in full effect eh 😉 /J
Hei, Jeg har tenkt å kjøpe X-T1, men etter å ha lest dette får jeg jo lyst på en X-Pro 2. Men for en hobbyfotograf som meg som mest bruker halvautomatisk, og bare justerer lyst/mørkt med knappen med +- 1-3, så trenger jeg kanskje ikke så dyrt og avansert kamera som dette?
Når jeg nå går og kjøper et X-T1 kamera, vil jeg kunne være sikker på at jeg får det sist oppdaterte (har lest at de har gjort forberedelser underveis på dette også)?
Hei Synnøve. Hvis du køber et nyt X-T1 da skulle firmware være 4.2 🙂 Det kan kamerabutikken hjælpe med /J
Great review mate! Well done…
At the moment Im using with satisfaction XE1 and XE2, but yes….this PRO2 is another world.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, your feelings and your emotion…Fuji with these Xcameras started a new emotional way to capture images….
Have a great day…Cheers,
Felice
Hi Felice! Thank you very much. Yeah, I really try to emphasise this fact. For me photography is about my emotions. Specs are nice, but they’re secondary! /J
What a review 🙂 Thanks Jonas – I’m on my way to the photoshop. I must have this X pro2.
Just 1 question: What is a bending-latch ??
Tak Marianne!! 😀
The bending-latch is the fact that the latch covering the hdmi ports etc on the XT1 gets “wobbly” and bends over time.
Vi ses. /J
Hej Jonas!
Lidt i tvivl. er der kun elektronisk søger i, som i reglen er forsinket. Eller kan man slå den fra så man bare har almindelig rangefindersøger så man ser direkte! Har haft et fuji x100s hvor der var begge dele, fortrød jeg solgte det :O)
Hej Sean. Det er nemlig lige præcis en blandet søger. Både elektronisk og optisk 🙂 Ligesom i X100 serien.
Nice review. Beautiful photos.
Thank you Parka! Thanks for reading!
Hey Jonas, may I take the opportunity to thank you for the time, writing this amazing review as well as the stunning shots. It is always a pleasure reading you. Being a huge fan of XT-1, I was thinking to hold until I see the new XT-2, but after reading this it’ll be very hard not to go and get the X-Pro 2. Feel guilty?
Just for my curiosity, would you please be so kind and share your favorite in camera settings for highlights, shadows, color, sharpness and noise reduction? I always shoot RAW+JPG, so I can quickly grab some of the shots, download it on my phone/tablet, tweak it a little in Snapseed and fire it up on the social networks, but I often feel I am still missing something in the jpg.
I’ve seen you shared yours above, but I think it is only for the Acros simulation. Correct me if I’m wrong.
Warmest,
Alex
Thank you so much for the kind words Alex!
For everyday settings for color I switch between classic chrome or Velvia.
With X-Pro2 I’ve been using highlights +2/+3 and shadows +3. Sharpness 0 or +1 and noise reduction -4. Works very well if you like contrasty files 🙂
Hi and thanks for a great review! This might be a long shot, but do you know if the possibility to set noise reduction all the way down to -4 is a feature of the updated hardware in the X-pro2, or if it is part of firmware/software setup? The reason I ask is that I have an X-T1 and would really love to get that option in some future firmware update. 🙂
Best regards,
/Sara
Hi Jonas,
Thanks for your great review. I use the XT-1 as my primary camera and was waiting for a Fuji camera with a new sensor to buy as a 2nd camera. Looks like the XPro-2 might be the one! I have only one question, something that you didn’t cover in the review. How’s the battery life? Is it any better than that on the XT-1 ? Are the WP126 batteries compatible?
The battery life in high performance mode is the same as with the XT1.
Thank you very much for reading! /J – And yes this is using WP126 battery/j
Thanks Jonas, one more question. How easy or difficult is it to use the ISO control? I find the one one the XT-1 with the push button extremely cumbersome.
I didn’t have a problem with it. But my use of ISO is often limited to 3 scenarios. ISO 200 in bright light, ISO 6400 for indoors, or auto for when I don’t need fine control. SO I’m not a “heavy ISO dial user”. if you’re REALLY using your ISO dial all the time I’m thinking that it would be about the same as using the button on the XT1 although the lift and turn action is much easier to do than the “center finger and push while turing with other fingers” 😀
Very good review and photos!!
Thanks for the effort, i really like your photos and of course this new camera!
Congratulations also to Fujifilm that once again just did it right!
Thank you very much! And yes, Fujifilm indeed did it again I think!
WOW! Thanks for share this detail review and stunning sample!
Thank you Pandu! 😀
Excellent review. I much prefer these kinds of reviews to the typical spec masturbation that is so common.
However, you’ve made things a bit tricky for me… I decided just a day or two ago to sell a lens of mine (currently mostly a Nikon shooter) to fund a Fujifilm X100T, since I’ve honestly been using the mrs’s Fujifilm X30 more than my D700 lately. However, with the release of the X-Pro2 I’m seriously tempted to sell my Nikon gear in favour for a X-Pro2… How would you say the X100T stacks up with the X-Pro2? Other than the obvious difference in one having interchangeable lenses and the other a fixed one.
My initial thought is to go on selling the aforementioned lens and buy a X100T, to get a general feel for the system, at a more advanced stage than a X30. And if I do enjoy it as much as I suspect I will I can always upgrade to an X-Pro2 at a later point in time. Any suggestions?
Hi Kristoffer. Thank you for the kind words!
Its a tough question since I’m a HUGE X100T fan. It totally fits my shooting style. But the X-Pro2 is a much more refined camera. What you can learn from the X100T in regards to the X-Pro2 is the feeling of handling the EVF/OVF hybrid viewfinder. Other than that they’re totally different beasts.
/J
Cheers mate. I have a feeling the X100T will fit my shooting style pretty well too. I think I’ll go ahead with selling that lens of mine and getting a X100T for now. If nothing else, the X-Pro2 will only be cheaper if I feel like upgrading at a later point. Thanks a lot for the response!
you can buy my X100T as new (low amount of clicks) with both conversion lenses, two batteries, a better grip and some other bits and pieces. Original boxes included 😛
Is this posted for sale someplace or something you are offering only here. Please email me the detail. Thanks.
Thank you so much for this amazing review – it’s rare to get so much text-based analysis coupled with truly impressive photos that leave no doubt about this camera’s abilities (esp. when matched with a skilled photographer like yourself)
Thank you so much for those kind words Beth! Have a great weekend! /J
Great review. extra points for the lens info included in the images !
Thank you Marco!
Do you think a extra handgrip comes in handy when using the larger primes ? (for example the 56mm f1.2 or 90mm f2)
Thanks for the interesting thoughts and great photographs. It’s time for me to upgrade the XE-1, I think!
Thank you for reading Mike 😀
One thing that really irritated me about the previous Fujifilm X cameras is that AEB was limited to only 3 frames and +/- 1 EV between each exposures. Have Fujifilm improved the AEB feature for the X-Pro2? Can it shoot more than 3 frames and hopefully more than +/-1 EV between each exposure?
Still 3 images at a time, but now with AE bracketing from -2 / +2
Man… you really know how to write “reviews” :-), I love your style.
As a xpro1 user I will switch… but probably in a year or later. The original still needs a lot of attention and mastering… I had it only for a year and a few months so I feel that there is a lot for me to discover and learn yet.
I guess it would be a waste just to get a new body straight away. Though I have never been excited about a camera this much (with the possible exception the original) :-).
Thanks for the write-up, and all the best.
Thy
Thank you so much my friend! I guess I’ve had a lot of practice over the years! I just really like to write! Plus I’m a total tech geek who believes that emotion is the most important thing in photography. A WEIRD mix! 😀
Thanks for reading /j
I am more interested in video these days and I own the Panasonic Gh4. I have to say, this Fuji has caught my eye for stills. Thank you for your very detailed review. The images look so clean and so detailed.
Yeah for video Fujifilm is not there yet. This is a dedicated still camera as far as I’m concerned. Thank you for your kind words! /j
Thank you for this review. One correction however.
Lossless compression is truly lossless, the only tradeoff might be processing time to compress, which is probably made up with writing a smaller file.
Looking for differences in the photos between uncompressed and lossless compressed is a waste of time, there is none. The raw converter uncompresses before processing.
Think of it as ‘zip’ ,nothing is lost, these algos are well known for forty years.
I am a data management professional
Thank you Harold. Thank you for clearing that up. Although I still cannot understand why they would still include the uncompressed option then 😉
the answer is already there: speed
if your computer only consisted of compressed files it would be slower too as it needs time (and space) to uncompress before it can start processing the contents. Maybe these days with fast flash storage and ssd this is less of an issue but you know…every nanoseconds counts when getting THAT shot 😉
Thanks for the great review.
One thing that I’m curious about this camera is it how does it stack against the X-T1 in low light conditions. The out of wack ISO It’s my only complaint about the Fuji.
Hi Gus. Thank you.
I will do a head to head once I get some more time. This review is probably going to be part 1 of many, since there are many many things to explore and compare. But so far let me tell you. Hi ISO blows the XT1 out of the water. ISO12800 is better than than the old 6400. And the new image processor handles the files much better than before.
Really nice review. That X-Pro2 is a very welcome evolution and I can’t wait to try it !
Thank you! /J
Great review and fantastic photos.
Thank you Brandon!
I my humble opinion, I honestly believe that even if all you had to shoot with was a Kodak Brownie, you would still take great photo’s Jonas. This tool, in your hands, truly renders your mind’s eye beautifully. So many great shots…
Hi Mark. You always make my day with these kind comments. Thank you very much my friend. Glad to have you reading all this time! /J
One day perhaps you will come to NYC or I will cross over to your side of the Atlantic–it would be great to meet you. I would love for you to shoot some shots of my wife and I. I know you would capture the essence of our romance…God Bless you, your beautiful family and your many good works. Respect, M
I am slayed ! Yass Fujifilm !
Take my money 😉
Excellent pictures !
Good job Jonas
HAHA. Thank you Mark!
Amazing Pictures Jonas, i do love especially your b&w photographs, way contrasty, great street art.
Another Fine review, i am getting jealous at X-Pro2 Users. ;-))
Thank you Marc. Glad to have you reading! /J
Great review.
3 quick questions.
1. Can I change first 4 characters of the the file name, like I can on my X100t (I change the file name when I have
multiple rental bodies).
2. Is there a way to input my Owners Name or copyright in the camera. So every raw and jpeg has that metadata embedded.
3. Does it have a 2x or 3x ND setting like the x100t?
Hi Brian. Thank you for reading!
1. Yes.
2. Still, stupidly, NO
3. also no.
So if this was American Idol it wouldn’t get three yes’ 😛 /J
Nice review and fantastic example shots. I’ve never been much of a fan of the rangefinder ‘brick’ shaped body. I still think the XT1 is beautiful. Will you be upgrading your XT1 for this? Cheers
Hi Marcus. Thank you. Yes, I always preferred the rangefinder style, and had to spend almost a year looking at the XT1 before buying it. So this one is a no-brainer for me. 🙂
/J
Nice review but i can not see this camera being any better or as good as the now $400 Sony a6000 i had the X100T and sent it back and got the a6000 and wow it is everything this new camera is and more all ready. I do not see any advantage over the Sony with this new Fuji. Plus its $1300 more that a lot more to pay for what? Vs the a6000
Hi Edward. Then you should be happy with your a6000 which is indeed an excellent camera!
You need to handle both to appreciate the differences I think. Specs alone is never to Fujifilms advantage. The feeling of the camera almost always is 🙂
Choose whatever makes you happy, and go shoot. Thats the important thing 🙂
Thank you for reading /J
Great review !! The best one I’ve read from all that was posted so far …and it really resonates with my approach of Fuji X cameras and the very reasons I’ve been shooting an X-Pro1 since it came out and still do ! Interesting tech observations but the practical as well as the emotional and subjective parts are there. And THAT made it an interesting read for me. So THAN YOU Jonas.
Oh, and amazing pictures indeed (including product shoots) and great diversity. I enjoyed them all. And I did stop a full minute on your first non-product one (I believe it is your daughter shoot with the 90mm) ! If I was you, I would definitely print that one (well I’d print them all actually…but start with that one 😉).
And here I thought I really wanted the Pro2 !….now, thanks to you, I’m DYING to get it !
Hi Mickael!
Thank you so much for those kind words! Thank you for reading! – And yes that image is of my oldest daughter. And yes I already printed it in quite a large size 😀
Thank you again /J
Hi Jonas,
Thank you so much for this very comprehensive review on the new X-Pro2. It made me put my name on the pre-order list instantaneously.
As a Fuji X shooter since 2011 I have used my cameras extensively. With the X-Trans I sensor I used to love the Jpeg colors. Especially the Astia film simulation. Since Fuji introduced the X-Trans II and the newer Jpeg engine I got of shooting jpeg and only used the raw files. Which is a shame actually as the X-Pro1 had such wonderful jpegs ooc.
Would you say the X-Pro2 is back in the jpeg water of the X-Pro1 regarding jpeg´s? I do hope you no what I mean. It´s a bit difficult to explain.
Anyway, thanks once again for your great view on this great camera.
Daniel (Stockografie)
Hi Daniel. Thank you for reading!
In regards to jpegs I will say a definite yes. The new processor and the new sensor really gives some great jpeg output.
/J
A very enthusiastic report pleasant and interesting to read.
Thnx a lot!
… and, ‘ey, some really cool pics.
Thank you very much! 😀
Great words, Fuji just gets better, it may not be a sony but its good its not, its a photographers camera, a true tool for true photographers. Mine is on order to add to my XT1 and X100T
My birthday is this month. Happy Birthday to me! My X100 is showing its age after 10.000+ shots it’s time to upgrade. Wonderful review which has sold a camera outright.
Thank you
Thank you very much Matthew. I’m sure you will love the camera once you get it! /J
Hello, thankyou for the review. I am a pro photographer in Guadalajara, Mexico. This is the camera that I am waiting for a long time. I pretty sure I will to get one soon. I shot for weddings.
Thank you for reading Bernardo! /J
Have been hype for this release for ages. Doesn’t compel me to drop Nikon, despite Fuji having some amazing glass, but it’s in the right direction for sure. Wonder when Fuji will get around to updating the X100 series with the 24mp sensor.
who knows. When they do, I’ll be in heaven! – again 😛 Thank you for reading. /J
In short, the X-Pro2 is only an APS – C and its hybrid viewfinder informed grimacing. For those who want to see what that they photograph before firing, a box with a sensor 24 x 36 is essential. Too bad.
Cual es el lente ideal para llevar en esta camara?
Totally awesome photos. And the review is nice too.
Thank you very much Thomas. Good thing that you state it in that order 😉 Tak! /J
Love the review, Jonas. Great images too.
I’ve been reading the Kage photographers’ reviews with building excitement, but yours had me grinning like a loon with your enthusiasm.
Now I just have to sell one of my kidneys so I can get me this camera.
hahahaha. Yeah, I have to bite down hard sometimes to keep that enthusiasm from being downright manic!
The Kage collective review is so very very great. They are phenomenal photographers.
Thank you for reading, and good luck with the kidneys 😛 /J
It’s nice to see beatiful pictures taken with reviewed camera. One of the best reviews I’ve ever seen.
Thank you so much for those words Alexander! /J
The rendering of Thatcher 35 f/2 though…
that*
I love it! Perfect lens for me. Thanks for reading. /J
Great review ! Does it have a RGB histogram?
Thank you. It has the same basic exposure/tonality histogram as the XT1. Not graphically colorseparated /J
Your photos are as ever, superb and inspiration to get out and shoot. Not sure if you get enough credit for your product shots, but those look evr as good or better than official product promotions. Bravo!
Your write up and enthusiasm is always appreciated as well.
After picking up the x-t10, partially based on your glowing reviews, I have to admit I have mild buyers remorse. Not because it isn’t a great camera, it is, especially for the money. The reason is that I finally realized how much I like the ergonomics of a rangefinder layout as opposed to the DSLR, eyepiece in the middle. I find that with the DSLR style I have a hard time with several buttons while my eye is on the eyepiece. This camera looks to be the perfect blend of everything that Fuji does most awesomely.
Thanks again for sharing your words, your vision and most importantly your inspiration to others such as myself.
Hi Scott. Thank you so very much for those kind words!
I have really tried to get my product shots perfect. I also want them to have that sense of “Thats a Jonas Rask product shot” – I always keep them as simple as possible with one light and one reflector.
Fujifilm has actually started using the product shots. For the X70 they’re in the brochure, and they were used in the presentation. I’m quite proud of that since I’m basically a street shooter! 😀
Sorry to hear about your XT10. I really had to get used to “the hump” when the XT1 came out. I’m also a rangefinder layout type guy.
/J
Congratulations on your product shots and I’m not at all surprised that your shots are being used as official. I think you are definitely achieving a Jonas Rask Shot®©™ feel. So awesome.
Thanks Scott! 😀
All your photos are amazing. However I am interested in these which are connected with cameras (for example photos of Fuji X-Pro2). Would you describe the lighting setup.
Thank you Jaroslaw. – I used the XT1 with XF35mm f/1.4 and the XF56mm f/1.2 with a MCEX-11 extension tube.
Lighting is a Nissan i40 through a 60×60 cm softbox. Then I lay out various reflectors to control the bounce and return light. /J
Your product shots are epic. Epic!
Thank you my friend! 😀
Thank you a lot.