A reader asked me via Twitter here, if the X-Pro2 sensor if made by Sony. I’m saying it since years now here on FujiRumors, but repetita juvant: all APS-C X-series cameras use the isoless Sony Sensor. The 2/3 sensors are made by Toshiba (now aquired by Sony, too). And the X-Pro2 sensor is once again an isoless Sony sensor, just with special Fuji-designed X-Trans CFA. Fujifilm sold it’s sensor business long ago. Will they be back in the sensor business with the organic sensor one day? Time will tell.
A New Hope: The retro-styled X-Pro2 kicks off Fujifilm’s next generation of enthusiast X-series cameras, based on a state-of-the-art 24.3 MP X-Trans sensor and a much more powerful processor. At first, everything seems strikingly familiar, but a closer look reveals that quite a lot has changed.
A Fujifilm X-Pro2 after a few days of light use
Four years after the introduction of the X-Pro1, Fujifilm is finally ready to open a new chapter in their book of mirrorless cameras. At first glance, the X-Pro2 looks just like its predecessor. However, it’s a different story on the inside (click here for full camera specs and here for more than 150 straight-out-of-camera and Lightroom CC RAW conversion sample images).
After many hours of extreme X-Pro2 live blogging, I finally found the time to go through some of the plethora of first looks published about the X-Pro2… and each one is triggering my GAS more and more.
One of these was an interview with Fuji Manager Takeshi Ueno atbjp-online. The talk was about the X-Pro2, but at the end the journalist asked about Medium Format (rumored here), and Takeshi Ueno answered:
“We are in a very good position to make a medium format camera, as we make camera bodies, sensors and lenses. We already make the lenses for Hasselblad, so we have that expertise.
At the moment Fuji is not planning to launch a medium format camera, but we are conducting research and testing sensors in this area.
We have a good history in the medium format market, and I think we would be successful again. We have the technology to make a very modern and high quality camera, but right now we are only investigating.”
At the end the journalist said:
“Ueno agreed that now would be a very good time for Fuji to enter the market, but it seems that not everyone in the company is quite as convinced.”
Now add to this this rumor of one of our sources, who was right in the past, and we can start to be cautiously optimistic. In any case, if it ever becomes true, it probably won’t see the light that soon.
And just in case somebody at Fuji would be interested in our opinion (and you know they do, right?), then let’s say it in the comments and drop your vote in the Poll.
I don’t know you, but after looking at the first samples and reading the first reviews, I have the feeling that the X-Pro2 delivers so much more than some would have expected.
X-Trans III Rocks :)
RESOLUTION: Fuji said that the new 24 MP X-Trans III MP has the same resoution of 36MP Bayer sensor. And this might be true, since already dpreview tests show how the 16MP X-Trans sensorII has a “Bayer-equivalent” resolution of 24MP.
So that’s the first good news. But there is so much more
High ISO + AF: One of the big surprises was the high-ISO performance, which is just absolutely amazing. It has been pointed out in several reviews, and now also the very Popular German site Chip.de says it in this Video here: “High ISO is excellent, even at 12,800!” Moreover theypraise the AutoFocusand say that the X-Pro2 can convince all along the line and will satisfy the needs of every Pro photographer. And if we can trust jonasrask in his review here, the waxy skin tones are gone!
I remember launching a poll time ago, where I asked you if Fuji should go Bayer or keep the X-TransIII sensor. I voted for X-Trans… and after the X-Pro2, I’m even more sure of my choice.
More X-Pro2 links
First of: Rico Pfirstinger is working on the most amazing and comprehenisve X-Pert Corner First Look ever about the X-Pro2! So stay tuned, and in the meantime enjoy his Flickr images and images ISO range from 100 to 25600. For the official Fuji Samples click here.