Fujifilm X-Pro2 Review

Takashi Euno the X Series Product Manager from Fujifilm Japan introduced the new Fujifilm X series of cameras including the new Fujifilm X-Pro 2.

The Fujifilm X-Pro 2 is the evolution of the X-Pro 1 - the World's only digital autofocus rangefinder with OVF, first introduced in 2012, and designed for Professionals and advanced amateurs. Improvements found in the new X-Pro 2 include a new 24 megapixel sensor, new processor, faster AF, better operability, better performance, improved feel, better weather sealing, and improved design. FullHD video is included, but not 4K video recording.

The X-Pro 2 will be available from the 22nd of January with a body only price of $1800, £1349, and will be introduced with a new optional handgrip, and a new leather case.

Fujifilm X-Pro 2 Features

The new Fujifilm X-Pro 2 is designed to have: Higher Image Quality, Faster AF, Better operability, Better performance, Improved Luxury feel, Better weather sealing, and an Improved design.

The X-Pro 2 features a new 24 megapixel X-Trans CMOS III APS-C sensor - with good low-light performance, faster reading speed that is 2x faster than X-Trans II, tracking AF, 85fps readout for better EVF (XVGA), X-Trans sensor is designed to give better resolution than Bayer sensors without false colour. New EXR processor, 4x faster, with 40% faster EVF - new processor and image sensor is designed to give improved colour reproduction over the X-Pro 1.

There is a new focal plane shutter - with 150,000 actuations, still very quick with low vibration, 1/8000s shutter speed mechanical, 1/250s flash sync speed. 

The Hybrid Viewfinder is new - called the "Advanced Hybrid Multi ViewFinder" - you can see EVF whilst using OVF or switch to full EVF, 92% coverage OVF, 0.36/0.6x magnification, 100% coverage EVF, 2.36m dots, 0.48inch, 0.59x magnification, 85fps high performance mode, and internal dioptre adjustment. An improved 3inch screen can be found on the back with 3:2 aspect, 1.62m dot pixels, and 60fps refresh rate.

The auto-focus system features 77-points, with 49 of these phase detection points, that can be extended to 273 points, with 169 phase detection points (234% larger phase detection area). The AF is designed to be faster, more accurate, with wide-tracking, and zone AF options.

New power management options:

• High performance: EVF: 6000x1000 res, 85fps refresh, 210 shots, Very fast AF
• Standard perf: EVF: 6000x1000 res, 54fps refresh, 250 shots, Very fast AF
• Economy mode: EVF: 3000x1000 res, 54fps refresh, 330 shots, Fast AF

The camera adds a new film simulation mode called "ACROS" which is a monochrome film simulation with improved contrast, tonal curve, fine grain and good reproduction of texture, with grain effect options of strong, weak, and off.

The camera body is constructed with a magnesium molding body made up of 4 pieces, with a new bottom plate, semi-gloss black paint, and weather resistant seals. Improved operations include a: Focus lever, Joystick, improved menus, and the shutter speed dial includes ISO dial, you pull the shutter speed dial up to change the ISO. There is a new design for exposure (EV) compensation with +/- 3, and C position lets you change it with front dial for +/- 5 EV. There's also a new front command dial.

The camera features 8fps continuous shooting, and a Dual SD card slot (UHS-II for one of them), with sequential / backup / raw/jpeg options. The ISO range is ISO200 to ISO12800, which expands to 100 - 51200, with raw ISO200 to 51200 (plus 1 stop over the X-Pro 1) available.

The Hybrid Viewfinder has 3 modes of operation: OVF / EVF / RVF 

• Rangefinder EVF mode
• OVF: New bright frame simulation - see angle of view of lenses
• EVF: New film format depth of field display in EVF (pixel format on X-Pro1)

There's also a new colour digital split image focus mode, as well as the mono. We've recorded a quick view showing the different view modes here.

Key Features

• New 24 megapixel X-Trans CMOS III APS-C sensor (Copper process)
• New X-Processor Pro - 4x faster
• New focal plane shutter - with 150,000 actuations
• New Hybrid Viewfinder, 2.36m dot EVF, OVF
• New 3inch, 3:2 aspect, 1.62m dot pixels
• 77-point, 49 phase detection points (can be expanded to 273 point, 169 phase detection points)
• New power management options
• New film simulation: "ACROS" monochrome
• Magnesium molding body with 4 pieces
• Dual SD card slot
• Improved operations
• New GUI (Graphic User Interface)
• 8fps continuous shooting
• ISO200 to ISO12800, expands to 100 - 51200
• FullHD video recording at 60fps
• 4K video recording added with firmware update

Fujifilm X-Pro 2 Handling

The dimensions of the X-Pro 2 match that of the X-Pro 1 and for those that are looking to upgrade from the X-Pro 1 they will find the X-Pro 2 re-assuringly familiar. With improvements to handling and design, the X-Pro 2 feels good in your hand, with a new front command dial, it's easy and quick to change settings on the camera. Whilst larger than other Fujifilm X series mirrorless cameras, the size and weight of the X-Pro 2 quickly becomes comfortable.

The front hand grip has been made larger, and the top shutter speed dial includes the ISO dial, you pull the shutter speed dial up to change the ISO. This means it's not as quick as it could be to change the ISO speed and unfortunately, you can't customise another button to change the ISO speed. There's a joystick on the back that can be used to move the focus position, and the rear thumbgrip has been improved. There is a Q button on the back, giving quick access to settings on the rear screen, although the camera does not feature a touch-screen, instead sticking to physical controls to change settings. The buttons and controls are all on the right hand side of the camera now making it easier to change settings with your right hand. The tripod socket has been moved to the middle of the camera, in line with the lens.

The screen and electronic viewfinder are both improved, with a higher resolution electronic viewfinder, with 2.36 million dots, instead of the 1.44m dots on the X-Pro 1. The Hybrid viewfinder has three modes of operation: Optical, Electronic, and Rangefinder EVF, where a smaller portion of the image is shown in the corner, to aid and confirm focusing. In addition, there is a new colour digital split image mode for manual focusing, as well as a monochrome digital split image. The Hybrid viewfinder modes can be toggled between using the front switch, which is easily within reach using your right hand. The screen has been upgraded to a resolution of 1.62 million dots, and looks excellent.

The GUI (Graphic User Interface) has been updated with MyMenu where you can put your favourite options (upto 16), and the menu is split into: IQ, AF/MF, Photo, Flash, Video, Setup and MyMenu making the menu system seem much more logically and clearly laid out.

The Wi-Fi app, Fujifilm Camera Remote, has been updated and is available for iOS and Android devices. You can use the app to remotely control the camera, add geotag information to images, as well as transfer images. You can also setup PC Auto Save to backup images wirelessly, or send images to the Fujifilm Instax printer. 

Battery life - Battery life is rated at 330 shots when set to economy power mode, 250 shots on standard power mode, and 210 shots on high-performance power mode. This is noticeably short when not used on economy mode, and therefore a spare battery is definitely recommended.