X-E2 vs A7r (JPEG comparison), X-E2 vs X-E1 (write speed performance) + subliminal message :)!

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subliminal message: the X-E2 is “seX-y too” (shared by Jan at the FR-facebook wall: “Hello folks, a X-E2 mirrored is just pure S3X!!!!”)

USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline / EUROPE: wexphotographicUK / DigitalRev / Fotomundus24 GER / PCHstore / AmazonDE (via DR)

1) FF vs APS-C, an unfair comparison… or Sony A7r and Fuji X-E2 JPEG comparison at soundimageplus here: “I’ve been writing in the last few posts about how good the OOC jpgs. are from the A7r and how they are better than the Fuji X-E2. Fuji is known for the quality of its jpgs. but they are no longer the best I’ve used. I’ve been writing (as well as Imaging Resource) that the Sony A7r files have the best jpg. rendition currently available. […] As you can see there is a significant difference and the reason that I’m so enthusiastic about what the A7r produces is that these files aren’t what I expect out of camera jpgs. to look like. Imaging Resource made the point in the above link, that Sony A7r jpgs. look much more like raw files very carefully sharpened with a small radius point.”

In another post soundimageplus says that, although the A7r is better, he still loves the X-system here: “the cameras look great and are incredibly good to handle.  […] The X-E1 in the picture above is a wonderfully light little high quality combination for unobstrusive shooting and of course there is a fine lens system that the Sony A7r can’t as yet match. […] Finally, I like the Fuji X system because it’s different. That doesn’t mean that it’s better (or worse for that matter) but it does offer something different. Plus it still has it’s ‘jewel in the crown’ that super special high ISO quality.”

2) Jordan Steele did a test in write performance between the X-E1 and X-E2 on Admiring Light here: “So, it seems Fuji was a bit conservative when they said the X-E2 had write times 1.8 times faster than the X-E1.  In practice, when the card isn’t a limiting factor, it’s closer to three times faster.”

3) Shooting football with the X-E2 and the 55-200mm lens at mikecroshaw here: “Overall I was very impressed and enjoyed the experience.  If someone was paying me to get the shots I’d dig out the D800 of course, but the fuji was more than capable for the purpose I needed it for in this case and I’ll probably take it again just to get more practice with the camera.”

4) Fujifilm X-E2 Initial findings and settings for portraiture at prophotonut here: “’I’ve had the Fujifilm X-E2 for just a couple of weeks but I’ve already studied the camera and the manual in detail to work out how I’m going to shoot with it. Here are three main ways I have established for shooting portraits with the Fujifilm X-E2 camera.”

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XF 23mm available at AmazonUS & Adorama + photoreview’s 23mm, X-E2 and 27mm test

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[shopcountry 16128]

The XF23mm is in stock at Adorama & AmazonUS (one left, but more on the way).

Reviews

– photoreview’s test of the XF 23mm can be read here: “Our Imatest tests showed the review lens to be capable of very high resolution, which exceeded expectations for 16-megapixel sensor on the X-E2 camera we tested it on. Both centre of field and near-edge resolution were well above the 8-megapixel equivalent measurement we would normally expect, which seldom happens with JPEG files. If this lens has a slight weakness it’s slight edge softening at wider apertures. However, centre sharpness is excellent right up to f/8 where diffraction begins to take effect. Peak performance was between f/4.5 and f/6.3.”

– photoreview tested also the X-E2 here: “The X-E2 will appeal to anyone who liked the appearance and functionality of the X-E1. Essentially, Fujifilm has taken a very good Compact System Camera (CSC) and improved it in response to requests from owners of its predecessor. Buyers of this camera will be primarily raw shooters who want sophisticated controls in a compact camera body that doesn’t compromise on performance and build quality. Its user interface will appeal to traditionalists and serious photographers.  Documentary photographers and photojournalists will appreciate a camera that is responsive and easy to configure.”

– The photoreview trinity is complete with the XF 27mm review here: “One of the drawbacks of pancake lenses is that they tend to be slower than conventional designs. However, with a maximum aperture of f/2.8, this lens is fast enough to suit most photographers and its the compact size and light weight make it ideal for situations like travelling and hiking. It is also relatively inconspicuous, which is excellent for street photography. This lens is better suited to still photography than video because its DC coreless AF motor isn’t totally silent. However AF speed was fast on the X-E2 camera the lens was tested on.”

X-E2 : USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline / EUROPE: wexphotographicUK / DigitalRev / Fotomundus24 GER / PCHstore / AmazonDE (via DR)

XF 27mm: [shopcountry 13829]

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The X-Trans sensor and the false details

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The Yin & Yang, the good and the bad, of the X-Trans sensor, goes into the next round.

Now, we all know about the benefits of this technology… but occasionally also critics circulate on the web. Sometimes these critics turn out to be unfair (for example the “Ghosting Issue” where X-Trans was accused to create, rarely, red dots / artifacts when shooting against the sun… it turned out to be an issue with all mirrorless cameras) but what about the “false details” issue raised by Zachery on his google+ account? Is this another “unfair criticism” or not?

Now here is what I’ve found until now on the web:

The problem

1) In his post here Zachery says: “The fact is, the X-trans sensor design utterly fails at its implied capability: It does not produce better details than a 16mp sensor with an anti-aliasing filter. It just produces wrong details. And this is best case. If you were to take this same image except use green lines, it would just be a blurry smudgefest due to the blocks of 2×2 green pixels on the X-Trans “semi-random” color filter array. And to add insult to injury, this sensor design does not entirely prevent moiré, which was the entire impetus behind a 3×3 semi-random color filter array.”

The reactions

1) Donovan sent me his post about this issue via FR-twitter: “The false detail does seem to be a real thing, but from what I can tell, it isn’t going to appear in much real-world photography. This building image has to be on the bad end of the spectrum, and I haven’t noticed anything like this at all in other images, and I’m just shy of having created 5,000 images on X-Trans sensors. For me, it’s an acceptable trade-off for the kind of shooting I do, and all the benefits the sensor brings. If you’re a heavy-duty architectural shooter, you might want to give this some consideration, but this is truly the only time I’ve noticed this behaviour.” Read more on his website.

2) And here is soundimageplus answer to this issue: “Now it’s easy to just say that this is all the result of some pixel-peeping nerd taking things to far. But then from time to time, I’m a pixel-peeping nerd too. It IS important to be critical of what we see, and if there are faults and / or things that could / should be improved then we need to say so […] But it’s important to put these things in context. […] For me and what I shoot, the Fuji X-Trans sensor gives me a lot of what I want, fulfills my ‘vision’ and gives me something close to what I wanted to capture when I pressed the shutter. And it does this a way that I find more appealing than many other camera / sensor combinations.”

3) And, when there is something wrong with Fuji cameras, you can also check out photosfujiscanttake here and his sarcastic answer to Zachery’s post.

4) Frank did a bit of pixel peeping and wrote me this email: “look at the DPreview new test scene at the floor of the black and white painting (left middle) where the small dog is. You see the diagonal stripes going just in the wrong direction (compare with Phase One IQ180). Canon, Nikon and Sony, even the new A7 seem to have the same problem. So if this is the same problem, it might not be caused by the X-Trans sensor? Have fun with pixel-peeping. Here is the link for the DPreview site.  The zoom window is already located on the right painting. Tear down this zoom window a bit to the floor (below the tripod) of this painting and you see the diagonal lines directing in the wrong direction. That’s not only true for the X-M1 but also the NEX-6 and the EOS 100D. Select Phase One IQ180 in one window and you see how it should look like. A lot of cameras have problems with these diagonal lines even the new 24 megapixel Sony A7 has big problems. So there seems to be no specific reason to worry about the X-Trans sensor.”

Now what is your experience? Did you ever noticed this issue? Feel free to drop a comment.

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X-PRO1 to be replaced by the X-PRO1S?

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Hi

I told you, this is a really complicated rumor. I’ve heard several versions, all from new and unconfirmed sources. But which is the correct one?

Take it with a grain of salt, but here is what I think could be the correct version after working on this rumor for some time now:

The successor of the X-PRO1 could be called X-PRO1S and remain APS-C.

If it’s true that there will be “just” an “S” update, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it coming in the first half of 2014.

This could also mean that an eventual X-PRO2 could be something radically different. Full Frame? Organic sensor? I remind you that a new source told me here that there will be an FF X-series camera with interchangeable lenses coming late 2014 early 2015. Could this be the X-PRO2?

I don’t know it now, but I’m working to dig up something more for you.

Now, looking at the comments in the X-dreams post here, opinions are differing a lot on the question if Fuji should go Full Frame or stick with APS-C. Rico suggested to launch a poll so here it is:

For Weddings I prefer the...

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

cheers
Patrick (facebook, google+ and twitter)

P.S.: Keep up sharing your rumors at fujirumor@gmail.com or completely anonymously via rumor box.

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X-E2 roundup + XF23mm available at ebayUS!

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A limited number of XF23mm is now available at [shoplink 19630 ebay]top rated plus ebayUS reseller kenmorecamera[/shoplink]. BHphoto (click here) expects to have it available tomorrow.

X-E2
USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline / EUROPE: wexphotographicUK / DigitalRev / Fotomundus24 GER / PCHstore / AmazonDE (via DR)

– A good X-E2 review of Tony Bridge at the magazine f11 here. The best to summarize his review is contained in his last sentence: “I have my order in!” He also recommends Photo Ninja! Check out the review here (and the whole magazine is well worth a read!).

– AF speed video comparison X-E1 vs X-E2 here on youtube.

– Great for stills, bad for video (with lot of artifacts and moiree). Faster AF, but it still can’t break the OM-D records. Read the good and the bad of the Fuji X-E2 according to CNET here: “For its image quality and shooting experience, the Fujifilm X-E2 remains a winner in its price bracket. But it falls short for action shooting and video, for which you can get a better experience by paying a few hundred more for a camera like the Olympus OM-D E-M1 or a dSLR like the Nikon D7100.” There is also a first impression video on youtube here.

– Pierre-Simon Bouix (blog) wrote me an email with his feedback to the X-E2 which I’m glad to share with all of you:

“Hi Patrick, Quick news and feedback on the X-E2 ;) ! I recently bought the new Fuji X-E2 for my work ( + 23mm and 14mm ), luckily i guess it’s one of the few we received here in France actualy.

Overall impressions i’m very pleased with it. Focusing is pretty snappy compared to my X-Pro 1. Almost instantaneous in certain lighting situation. Even in a dark room, it gets in focus most of the time without hunting, and also very accurately !

EVF feels really nice, no more lag and very responsive with Eye Sensor. Focus peaking is better thant my updated X-Pro 1, more precise and clear.

Although i was a bit disappointed with the new ‘split screen’ like focusing method inherited from the X100s, could be interesting in some specific situations when manual focusing or with non AF lens; fuji engineers did a great job on that features but in real-use situation it feel more like a gadget compared to focus peaking.

And i have to agree with all my fellow photographers who already commented on the lack of  ‘view mode’ button…it’s a real pain, no joke…c’mon Fuji, fix that in the next firmware ! I’m real used to it on my X-Pro 1 and in my opinion it’s maybe the only major disappointment i can tell so far from the X-E2.

So is it worth upgrading ?

Well yes, for pros and street photographers who are looking for a light and very responsive camera with outstanding iQ…go for it ! If you don’t, keep your old gear and enjoy it, X-Pro 1 and XE-1 are still great cameras.

And by the way, the XF 23mm is so delicious ! A real joy to use, well built, smooth MF, AF motor is quiet compared to XF 35mm and it got that unique ‘look’ that only great lens delivers…”

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