Should I get the X-Pro2 now or wait for the X-T2? A hot question in these days.

Recently we’ve tried to highlight the strengths of each camera:

• 10 Reasons Why the Fujifilm X-T2 is (probably) better than the X-Pro2 (Based on Rumors & Fuji Manager Statements)
• 10 Reasons Why the Fujifilm X-Pro2 might still be the Better Choice over the Fujifilm X-T2!

Of course there is no final answer. It depends on your preferences and needs, what kind of photography you shoot and lenses you use.

For example, what do you prefer: shooting portraits with the huge EVF with the X-T1/X-T2 or take advantage of the corner placement of the viewfinder (X-Pro1/X-Pro2)? And when you are out on the street, do you prefer to attach the gorgeous, yet non exsitant 23mmF2 WR on the X-Pro1/2 or on the  X-T1/2? And what if you shoot wildlife with the huge XF100-400?

I know, some (many?) will make no difference between the X-Pro2 or X-T2, but maybe there are certain categories, where it’s slightly better to use the X-Pro2 over the X-T2… or vice versa.

Think about it before you drop your vote… think about the camera/lens combination, about the different features each camera has to offer and also about the details that influence the shooting experience (the look, the button layout, the grip and what not).

I’ve selected some categories. If there is something I should absolutely add, just let me know in the comments.

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Billy of the Fuji Guys was interviewed by ArtoftheImage about the X-Pro2. There are a few of Billy’s statements I’d like to highlight.

If you don’t have time to watch the entire 27 minutes video, then here is the transcription I’ve made for you of the most important parts (you’re welcome ;) ).

1. The X-Pro2 is overengineered
   Billy: “The processor allows us future expansion, when we need to do so. There is a lot of potential still in the X-Pro2 that has not been harnessed yet.”
   Interviewer: “In terms of how Fuji is constantly doing updates via firmware?”
   Billy: “That’s right. Whether it’s the controls or the AF-system”.
   Interviewer: “So you overengineered the X-Pro2, anticipating advancements you are going to offer in firmware down the road”.
   Billy: “That’s right, absolutely”
2. AF speed
   Billy: “Faster contrast detection AF over previous models. Firmware has been fine tuned, but there is still room for growth based on combination of sensor and processor”
3. Kaizen + EVF Refresh rate higher than 85fps? It’s possible!
   Interviewer: “That’s one of the neatest things about Fuji. You buy the camera, and it doesn’t end there. Like 2 years later you get a 50% better camera because you keep giving the consumer updates, whereas other camera manufacturers are like –ok, you bought your camera, we are done with that-”
   Billy: “Well, when you look at Fuji cameras, the design is timeless. The idea is to try to keep the camera as long as possible. Fuji obviously has to balance between how long you keep the camera to when you buy a new camera. Because, at the end of the day, when someone buys a Fuji camera, it really helps keep Fuji in business and gives us the ability to do things we want to do, which is to close the gap between this and a DSLR. We have done that with the Viewfinder [of the X-Pro2], offering extremely fast refresh rate. […] The human eye recognizes the difference in motion about 120 fps. We are actually at 85fps, so very very close. […] And the processing power is actually already there in this camera to eventually even reach 120fps!
   Interviewer: “So you might even tweak that?”
   Billy: “Absolutely! But as I said, it’s also a balance between performance and power. Make 80 shots and have incredible performance or make 200-300 shots and get decent enough performance.”
4. Why no tilt screen?
   Billy: “When you develop a product, there is a path you have to go through. It’s also based on budgets. If you do this, you can’t do that. Or the cost of the product goes up. The idea is to keep the product at a certain price point and follow that.”
5. 4K… why not? And will it come via Firmware Update?
   Billy: “The X-Pro2 is 4K capable. The processing power and sensor is there. The issue is heat. The required heat dissipation is not built into this camera. You can put 4K in, but after 30 seconds or something like that the camera is going to be super-hot and you can’t use it. […] Eventually I assume Fuji will get there [X-T2 anyone ;) ], but the X-Pro2 was designed with photography in mind.”
   Interviewer: “So we can’t expect 4K to come via Firmware update?”
   Billy: “Heat would be an issue. There would be battery issues, too. But you never know… I can’t say never.”

Fujifilm X-Pro2
USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / CANADA: AmazonCA / EUROPE: AmazonDE / AmazonUK / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA / AmazonFR / AmazonESP / AUSTRALIA: CameraPro

But there is smaller, yet strong, well-informed and passionate alliance of rangefinder and OVF aficionados, who dropped their own valuable considerations in the comments.

Therefore, to bring the Fuji-World in the right equilibrium again, I decided to write the whole story again, from the X-Pro2 lovers point of view, featuring your feedback in this blog post.

So here we go… these are the 10 reasons why the X-Pro2 will kick the X-T2’s ass :-) .

1. The Fujifilm X-Pro2 is already available! Stop waiting for the next thing… enjoy your summer holiday with the X-Pro2 (because you can forget to get the X-T2 in time)
2. The Fujifilm X-Pro2 has the Hybrid Viewfinder with ERF technology. OVF Lovers will know what the advantages are. For example: you can see the scene that is actually happening outside your frame and the OVF is also handy for shooting fast-moving subjects in CH… no lag at all, cristal clear view all the time. But there is more, like no noise (more detail) in very low light. And manual focus lovers will appreciate the electronic rangefinder in the OVF.
3. The Fujifilm X-Pro2 has a longer battery life if you use the OVF. Ok, that’s part of the advantages of the OVF (point 2), but since it influences battery life positively, it deserves a separate mention.
4. The Fujifilm X-Pro2 has the corner placement of the Viewfinder: right eye on the viewfinder, left eye free to see the scene and interact with your subject… and the extra space for the nose is good too
5. The Fujifilm X-Pro2’s sleek design makes it fit better in hard cases & messenger bags
6. The Fujifilm X-Pro2 is a more anonymous concept for street- and event photography. Allows you to remain 100% in the background
7. The Fujifilm X-Pro2 is Scarlett Johansson and the x-T2 is Angela Merkel. Which one do you take out for dinner? – brought to you by WTF via Twitter. Of course this is subjective, but if you are a rangefinder style fan, then the X-Pro2 is the camera to go.
8. The Fujifilm X-Pro2 has no big branding that shouts ‘Fujifilm‘ on front of the camera
9. The Fujifilm X-Pro2 has the better controls/ergonimics. All dials and buttons on right side = better ergonomics = faster changes while shooting… and never move your eye from the viewfinder.
10. The Fujifilm X-Pro2 has a fixed screen, hence is more robust

Some very good points, don’t you think? For me personally, the HVF, the corner placement of the viewfinder and the rangefinder design are the biggest arguments in favor of the X-Pro2.

Round 2 of the X-T2 Vs. X-Pro2 debate is now open in the comments. Have fun!

have a great day ;)
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Earlier in May I told you how the creators of RAW digger & FastRAW Viewer needed the feedback of X-shooters to optimize the compressed Fuji RAW support. Well, it’s done now.

I remind you that many Raw Converters, including open source ones like RawTherapee, Darktable and UFRaw, use this algorithm to decode FujiFilm compressed raw files.

Here is the press release: