Fujifilm X-Pro2
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Mirrorlessrumors calls it “the battle of the Giants“. And sure, in the APS-C world, these are the two hottest cameras of the moment: the Fujifilm X-Pro2 and the Sony A6300!

Both cameras seem to winner for the respective brand and sell like hot cakes at AmazonUS. But which one performs better in terms of Sharpness (both cameras sport a 24MP sensor)?

Cameralabs compared the X-Pro2 with the (currently discounted) XF10-24mmF4 and the A6300 with the Zeiss 16-70mmF4 zoom. They say that “both lenses used are high quality and shouldn’t limit the sensor in each camera.”

The difference is overall quite noticable. Camerlabs mentions 3 reasons for the better results of the X-Pro2 (except the last crop, the Palm): 1) X-Trans 2) Lens Quality 3) Internal Processing. Here an excerpt:

“The Fuji architecture [X-Trans] allows it to deliver typically crisper results than most rivals, especially when coupled with a quality lens like the XF 10-24mm. This is most obvious in the first two rows where the Sony crops look comparatively soft in comparison. I’d say some of this is due to differences in optics towards the edges of the frame – where the Fuji lens is clearly performing better – but also in terms of the sharpness delivered by the Fuji sensor and its subsequent processing.”

As you judge the remaining crops towards the centre of the frame where the optics perform more similarly, there’s roughly the same degree of detail recorded by all three models. Certainly the Fuji sensor and processing are delivering a crisper-looking result using the default settings, but I wouldn’t say there’s more detail in there – it’s more that Fuji’s in-camera processing is doing a better job at delivering a crisper result, if of course that’s what you want. I reckon you could get a similar result from all three if you adjusted their in-camera JPEG settings or processed a RAW file with similar parameters.”

It’s really true when they say: “We buy cameras, but we invest in good glass“. As for many of you, the Fujinon Glass always was for me the main reason to stick with the X-series.

X-Pro2 IN STOCK at BHphoto and Adorama

HUGE Fuji US-X Sale now also at BHphoto & Adorama (save up to $400)

In the meantime, I’ve finally had my first 30 minutes flirt with the X-Pro2… that little thing is pretty damn hot!

X-Pro2 + 35mmF2 now $100 off – More here

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

The Fujifilm X-Pro2 is shipping, and I guess many X-shooters will know exactly what to do this weekend: shoot, shoot and shoot!

One of the aspects you can now finally test by your own, is if the X-Pro2 AF-speed is really better than on the X-T1. From the first feedback I’d say definitely yes. And it’s not only about the wider Phase detection pixel area. Also Contrast Detection AF (CDAF) has been improved, which is very important, since in low light the Phase Detection pixels do now work well. So it is of crucial importance to improve CDAF, and fujifilm-x explains how Fuji achieved this improvement:

“In order to enhance the contrast AF performance of X-Pro2, the system as a whole has been looked over.

First is the X-Trans CMOS III sensor. To read the contrast, it drives at the speed of 384fps. This is double the speed of the X-Trans CMOS II, 4 times faster than the original X-Trans CMOS. And the readout signal are processed, in a timely manner, by the X Processor Pro.

Next are the lenses. In order to work with the readout and the processed signals, the microcomputer of the lenses need to be updated. 

The physical parts (optical design and mechanical design) also need to be compatible with the fast readout that are driven from the microcomputer. In essence, the fast and accurate focus lens unit and actuator are required. With all this in place, fast contrast AF is realized. 

Unfortunately, there are only 5 XF lenses that can receive the benefit of the fast contrast AF: XF16-55mm, XF50-140mm, XF90mm, XF35mmF2, and the XF100-400mm.“

And here is the AF-improvement, measured according to CIPA standards:

More X-Pro2 Reviews

Becoming Lawless with the X-Pro2 at olafphotoblog / Test at dc.watch (translation) / X-T1 or X-Pro2 at the Spanish site quesabesde (translation) / Arcos Samples X-Pro2 at ipernity / X-Pro2: the Game Changer at ehnamour / The Perfect Combo: Fujfilm X-Pro 2 and XF35mmF2 WR at fujilove / Why should you buy the new X-PRO2? at robvisualfuji / The Fuji X-Pro 2 Feels Like Home at digitalrev / X-Pro2 test in Spanish at natan (translation) / Unboxing and First Impressions at Nils Pickert youtube

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

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There are massive Reviews out there about the Fujifilm X-Pro2, mostly very positive, but some aren’t. And on this blog I feature everything I find regarding Fuji: The Good, The Bad… and also some aspects of a review that I consider rather strange.

So let’s start

The Polish site optyczne (translation) tested the X-Pro2: Good news first: the Autofocus is faster and much more accurate :). But then they highlight 3 main critics to the X-Pro2:

1) RAW: X-Pro2 Dynamic Range worst than X-T10: I was shocked when I’ve read this, because until now everyone said that there is an improvement (some say big improvement, TheCameraStoreTV says a little improvement).

But then I saw that they used dcraw to decode X-Pro2 RAF files, which still has no X-Trans III support! I consider this a rather strange decision, I mean, using a software that still does not support the X-Trans III RAF files to judge the RAW quality…

More interesting are point 2) and 3):

2) Visible Phase Detection Pixels: I don’t know the exact exposure and test conditions, but optyczne shows visible phase detection pixels in the dark images. I’ve asked optyczne and it seems that this is nothing really new for cameras featuring phase detection pixels, since it’s common also to other brands, that use sensors with phase detection pixels.

For example the extremely popular Olympus E-M1 has this “issue” too (as also documented at optyczne).

If Optyczne is right, then I guess camera manufacutres might have made the following consideration: Outside of some very special lab tests, in real life, visible phase detection pixels will never be an issue… and actually even in lab tests it seems almost impossible to produce this effect (have you ever read anything about it on dpreview, imaging-resource, photozone & Co?). But what you will really notice in real life, is the faster AF… with every single shot you take. So let’s put those Phase Detection Pixels into the sensor.

And for what is worth, also in my thousands of shots with my X-T1 (and previously X-E2), from long exposures to the highest ISO, I could never see anything like that. I’ve also contacted my buddy Ale from 43rumors, who also never experienced anything like visible pixels on his Olympus cameras, too. I’m waiting for feedback from SonyAlphaRumors on the same thing.

Anyway, if the test is reliable (or the tested X-Pro2 not faulty), then I’m confident to say, that it’s an issue nobody of us will ever experience in 99,9% of our shots.

3) White Glow: Optyczne shows a white glow on images with a 3 minutes dark exposure. I did something I never do otherwise: I’ve contacted Fujfiilm regarding this (a very “cold” email exchange, I tell you). They say Optyczne tested 2 X-Pro2’s, which Optyczne was told by Fuji Poland to be final production models, but they actually were pre-production cameras. Anyway, they’ve read the review, tested it on several final production X-Pro2 (those that you’ll get in your hands soon), and could not duplicate the issue in any way.

Maybe the white glow might have been an issue with pre-production cameras (and real reason for the X-Pro2 delay?), but fact is that Fujifilm assured FujiRumors that this did not happen with production cameras… so there won’t be a “light-leak-alike” recall action.

So, that’s the story… now let’s go back to some more real-life reviews ;)

Fujifilm X-Pro2 Review at whatdigitalcamera :

Where the X-Pro1 stuttered for a fraction of a second on a few occasions before it acquired focus, the X-Pro2 showed no such signs of delay and locked on instantaneously. It was a similar story testing both in a low-light street scene. The X-Pro2 revealed no signs of difficulty focusing in the challenging environments I subjected it to.

Pushing the sensor to the extremes of its ISO range reveals users can shoot confidently between ISO 100-6,400 without fear of noise severely degrading image quality. Colour noise is extremely well-controlled and, although luminance noise makes its presence known at high sensitivities, the level of detail the sensor resolves up to ISO 25,600 is phenomenal.

The X-Pro2 manages to do just that and then some – it’s an absolutely stunning premium compact system camera that we can categorically say has earned its place as the flagship model in the X-Series.“

Full Review at digitalcameraworld:

“We liked
There really is plenty to like about the X-Pro. On the imaging side you benefit from a high-resolution sensor, sound metering and very good JPEGs straight out of the camera, while the addition of the focus lever and the consolidation of various other controls make for a more refined camera. Faster focusing is a bonus, as is the higher resolution viewfinder, and the ability to extensively customise the camera and develop a personal menu just makes it even better.

We disliked
Not all the physical controls have been changed for the better and the grip, exposure compensation dial and rear command dial can be troublesome. Even on the Standard performance setting battery life is fairly unimpressive, and while it’s possible to achieve more shots than stated, you’ll likely to need another battery if shooting over the course of a day. The lack of an articulating or tilting LCD screen is also a shame.“

MUST READ: X-Pert Corner X-Pro2 First Look / X-Pro2 with Samyang 12mm F2 NCS and XF18mm F2 at f16.click / Fujifilm X-pro2 newborn photos (back lit images) at williamchua / Facade at olafphotoblog / Heritage Day In Port Moody at olafphotoblog

Acros film simulation with the Fuji X-Pro2 at prophotonut