Now, you can believe the “high demand” story or not. But according to FR-sources, there is also some firmware fix to be made (post here)… and personally I would not be surprised if Fuji would also have to fix some minor hardware things.
Take your time Fuji, fix it… we have waited 4 years for this camera, so we can also wait a bit more. However, try to ship that good thing within 2017, ok?
After eoshd here, now also dpreview confirms: for Fujfilm, the X-Pro2 marks a huge step forward. No 4K, no S-Log, sure, but what it does, it seems to do really good. Here is what dpreview says:
“Video has previously been one of the great weaknesses of Fujifilm’s X-Trans cameras but that’s all changed with the X-Pro2. We’ve shot our test scene, pounded the streets of New York and captured all the visual clichés we could, to show you what the X-Pro2 can do.
The X-Pro2’s headline video specs are broadly unchanged compared to previous models but the quality has moved forwards dramatically. It’s still not going to be the first choice for professional use but it’s now more than competitive amongst its 1080-shooting peers. Add in the ability to apply Film Simulations to your shooting and video becomes another storytelling tool in the camera’s arsenal.“
Fuji X-Pro2 First Shots: Flagship Fuji rangefinder-styled body struts highest resolution X-trans sensor. See the comparometer studio shots at imaging-resource
No Backlit sensor, not more than 24MP, and not even IBIS… no, it’s not the Fujifilm X-Pro2, but the long awaited successor of Sony’s best selling mirrorless camera (Sony A6000)… the Sony A6300!
Opinion Piece: I never hold an X-Pro2 or A6300 in my hands… and my local store is not the fastest to get new stuff
Evolution (no Revolution)
Don’t get me wrong: the Sony A6300 is a very nice camera (on paper… the look is… well, if you like it, it’s ok). No revolution over the A6000, but a nice evolution (just like the X-Pro2 is an evolution of the X-Pro1).
AutoFocus
The most noticable difference compared to the Sony A6000 is for sure the wide Phase Detection area that covers the entire sensor. This promises a great AF-performance (at least in good light conditions). And I’m sure it will perform great. Sony just makes great sensors… that’s why Fuji buys them from Sony ;) .
But here is the thing: I hear of a vastly improved Contrast (& Phase Detection) AF also on the X-Pro2. Sources confirm that the X-Pro2 can “see in the dark” and the first reviews seem to confirm what my sources say. Let’s see if the Sony A6300 can match (or even beat) this amazing Low Light Performance.
Also, with all these AF-points, the X-Pro2 joystick for quick AF-point selection is a very welcome addition… and this is missing on the A6300. Fast AF-point selection could be a rather cumbersome thing on the A6300. But as said… I never had the A6300 (or X-Pro2) in my hands, so I’ll wait go for my local dealer to have them at the store to compare them.
Image Quality
Regarding the Image Quality, I doubt the Sony A6300 will beat (or even equal) the X-TransIII X-Pro2 (focus-numerique tests say that the X-Pro2 X-TransIII is as good as Full Frame Sony A7II at ISO 6400). But we obviously have to wait for more A6300 reviews, before we can make any conclusions. Maybe it will even beat the X-Pro2… who knows. We need reviews, samples and comparisons. It’s too early now. For sure both cameras will deliver more or less great images, depending on the lens you attach on it.
Video
Videographers will for sure be happy about 4K, but probably even more about the S-Log in the A6300. And while eoshd says here, that the video quality of the Fujifilm X-Pro2 is “seriously impressive & enormously satisfying“, it has neither S-Log nor 4K. So if Video is your thing, the Sony A6300 wins hands down.
Lenses
Oh… and never forget, when we talk about Fujifilm, we always should keep in mind the great glass we X-shooters have. I don’t know if Sony’s APS-C lenses are on a par with Fuji’s lineup… for sure Sony’s glass is not superior, nor it has a wider range of available lenses. At the end of the story, everyone should just look at the lenses available for both systems, and decide which one fits better to his needs. So no winner here… even though I think that Fujinon glass is hard to beat.
Price
Now that’s the best argument to go for the Sony A6300 over the X-Pro2.
So what?
In my eyes and for my needs, the only advantage I see for the A6300 is AF… in theory. But if the X-Pro2 AF is really as good as all the reviewer (and my sources) say, then I can’t see myself ditching the great Fujinon Glass, the vintage design, the timeless “analog-alike” controls and Fuji’s Kaizen spirit for the Sony.
But I’m a fanboy.. so feel free to drop your thoughts in the comments down below. ;)
“AUTOFOCUS: Studio, reinforced X-Pro2 of 16-55 mm f / 2.8 is very reactive and beyond the X-T1 . The focus is always less than 0.3 s and the wide-angle, latency is 0.2 s. Excellent performance that hoist the new housing at the best hybrids.
On the ground, we confronted the X-Pro2 equipped with 16-55 mm Panasonic GX8 with the 12-40 mm f / 2.8 Olympus . In bright light, the Panasonic Hybrid dominates: the focus is almost instantaneous, but the X-Pro2 is not far. Night photo (without AF), the Fujifilm takes clear advantage. The X-Pro2 will be perfectly comfortable in all light conditions. We noted that the development time greatly depends on the optics used. Thus, the 23 mm f / 1.4 was less reactive, with a much more sensitive pumping effect.
In the darkness, he holds a candle to the best Micro 4/3 and outperforms some reflex. In bright light, the contrast detection Olympus or Panasonic is a bit more responsive. In all cases, the progress made by Fujifilm in the field are impressive.
On the subject tracking burst mode, progress is notable and in our tests, we managed to capture moving subjects with an excellent success rate.“
HIGH ISO & IQ: Even at ISO 12 800, the X-Pro2 images are impressive. While the grain is visible, dynamic drop, borders are increasingly blurred, but overall, the picture is easily readable and keeps the material. The texture is fine and light-colored and therefore quite pleasant.
It is interesting to compare the performance of the X-Trans III APS-C sensor of Fujifilm those of Sony A7II24×36 sensor. Both imagers have the same resolution (24 megapixels), but the sensitive surface of the photosites is very different, the side measuring 3.9 microns at Fujifilm and Sony almost 6 microns. Yet the images are quite similar and it is not easy to separate the two housings to ISO 6400: a good performance for an APS-Ccase.
Faced with the X-T1 and 16MP, the X-Pro2 also fits easily comparison despite a much higher definition. Again, the performance is outstanding. Canon’s CMOS sensor in the 7D Mark II pales in comparison and it sports the Canon case is far behind in the management of electronic noise.
The magic of imaging X-Trans always work and this 3rd iteration reveals splendid, with excellent noise control up to ISO 6400 and usable images up to 12,800 ISO”
More X-Pro2 Feedback
Most of us were really excited, when we’ve read how, according to lesnumerique tests (Test 1 and Test 2), the X-Pro2 basically sees in the dark, beating all the various flagships to what belongs AF-speed in low light. FR-reader Michael had the opportunity to play shortly with the X-Pro2 (with the 35mmF1.4) and shared the video on youtube here.
So, what do I think? The new sensor, OVF, dual card slots, joystick and ISO dial are nice improvements over the X-Pro 1. I’m looking forward to trying this camera out some more and perhaps having a bit more comprehensive review later on.
ISO seems great from 100iso – 3200 and useable above depending on what you’re using it for. Personally I’ll be keeping 6400 as my max, with 3200 and below being my safe zone. But YMMV.
“AF speed. It is not an exaggeration if I say it is a thousand times faster than the X-Pro1. The Fuji X-T1 post firmware 4.0 is already quite fast and reliable, but the X-Pro2 takes it to another level, specially in low light. […] I’m pretty happy with the X-T1 AF speed, but the X-Pro2 just upped the game in that department.”
Samples and comments on Fuji’s improved RAW quality at the Spanish site dslrmagazine (translation).
Ok, we have seen, how lesnumerique tests show that the Fujfiilm X-Pro2 focusses faster in low light than the Olympus, Panasonic and Samsung flagships.
After I’ve published the test, there were strong cirtics basically pointing towards 3 aspects:
the test is not objective
why compare with M43?
We want comparisons with Sony, Canon and Nikon!
To the first critic I can just say that lesnumerique is a highly respected and extremely popular French webiste, that has proven in the past not to be afraid to say the truth. They work seriously and professionally. Honestly, if we can’t trust lesnumerique, then we should also stop to trust dpreview, admiringlight, imaging-resource, DxOmark and all the other sites, that work with passion and dedication to deliver the best reviews out there.
To the second critic, I will just say that to me Olympus and Panasonic are the benchmark to what belongs AF-speed. It’s widely known that their AF is blazing fast, faster than any other mirrorless camera (and those who own them – like me in in the past – will be able to confirm this)… and that’s the record Fuji has to break.
What you can see, is that the Fujifilm X-Pro2 beats them all in low light focussing and writing speed. The Sony A7RII is the worst of the bunch.
Keep in mind though, that it also depends on which lenses they used for testing. I doubt the 35mmF1.4 will perform that good, while the 35mmF2 could perform even better. Also other brands will have variations according to lenses used.
Anyway, the improvement seems to be significant and the best part of all this? The X-Pro2 uses still a pre-production Firmware, so there is still room for improvement until its launch :-)
I know it’s hard to accept, especially for those, who are used since years to criticize the AF-speed of Fuji cameras. But we all should try to be objective here, and so far the best elements we have to judge AF-speed of the X-Pro2 is the feedback that some of the best and most respected reviewers out there give us… and lesnumerique made the start.
Sure, we have to wait for the final X-Pro2 Firmware to judge the real AF speed of the latest Fuji gem. But, at this point, the X-Pro2 seems to do pretty well, at least according to lesnumerique, who compared it with the AF-speed demons and flagships of Olympus (OM-D E-M1), Panasonic (GX8) and Samsung (NX1).
In Low Light situation, the AutoFocus of Fujifilm X-Pro2 (with XF 16-55mmF2.8 WR) beats them all (with non-final Firmware!!!). There is a slight advantage for the 43 cameras in good light… but who knows if the Fujfilm X-Pro2 will break also this record, once the final Firmware is out.
Also the writing speed (RAW / JPEG) is the best amongst all the cameras.
Digging into the Fujifilm X-Pro2: Studio analysis and full-production sample gallery added at dpreview :
“It’s widely assumed that Fujifilm’s X-Trans sensors use low-noise Sony silicon behind their unusual color filter arrays, and the performance of the X-Pro2 is certainly up to that standard. Compared here with the Nikon D5500 (using the same shutter speeds so that they are working with the same amount of light), you can see very similar amounts of noise up to a 4EV push, and possibly a fraction more after a 5 stop push, though the difference may simply be one of grain structure, caused by the different demosaicing processes.
This performance gives plenty of flexibility when it comes to pulling extra tonal information out of the shadows. It means there’s more scope for processing than with the likes of the Canon EOS 70D, and very similar to the results of the Samsung NX1.”
“The Fujinon XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR is the best Fujifilm lens that we have tested so far. It is exceedingly sharp straight from f/2 and the low amount of lateral chromatic aberrations provides an extra kick here. Distortions are basically absent and vignetting isn’t an issue under in most situations as well. Unlike most mirrorless lenses, it is fully corrected and doesn’t really rely on any digital image auto-correction.”
“Ultimately the XF 90mm f2 is another superb addition to the growing X-system and one which will delight portrait photographers, not to mention anyone who shoots close-range action or likes to capture tighter details on landscapes and buildings. It excels at subject separation with well-behaved bokeh, but is also one of the sharpest and fastest focusers in the range.”
I never had such a busy time on Fujirumors. Several New Products, new Firmware announcements, an infinite Number of Reviews.
In this huge flow of rumors and information, it’s easy to miss something. In fact, I’ve receive a lot of emails from readers, informing me for example that the X-E2 will get a new Firmware on the 4th of February… an information that I did share on the Fujirumors blog right when the Firmware was announced, but got lost somewhere in the big news stream.
So I thought I should invest a bit of my time to make a summary of 10 news you might have missed
BHphoto & other stores initially displayed availability for X-Pro2 at the beginning of February. It then changed to late February (Read more here)
A Fuji Manager said that Fuji is testing Medium Format sensors. There are no plans for now to really make it. Also talk about the X-Pro2. Read more here.
the X-E2 will get a new Firmware update on February 4th. It will include the new AF-system, the Electronic Shutter, Interlocking of Metering and Focus areas and a lot more (see here). It will basically become an X-T10 in rangefinder style.
the X-E2s will have an Auto button instead of FN2 button (X-E2) for Scene Recognition mode.
the X70 price dropped from $799 to $699 just 2 days after the announcement (Read more here)
there is an WCL-X70 (wide angle converter) for the X70. There is no information (or rumor) about a Teleconverter. I guess we will only see one, if the X70 sells well.
Fujifilm launched the new version Camera Remote that supports all of Fuji wireless-equipped digital cameras (see here).
Fuji announced a New Flash, the EF-X500. It will be available in May (read more here).
I finally slept for the first time after several weeks for more than 4 hours!!! :-)
One of the questions in this DPReview youtube video is: is the Hybrid Viewfinder Useful or Not? Two reviewers, two different answers. So let’s see what FujiRumors readers think about it:
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