FIRST LOOK: Fujifilm X-Pro2

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      In summary

      In looks and handling the X-Pro2 combines familiar functionality with improvements to handling that combine with the camera’s increased sensor resolution to present strong arguments for updating from earlier X-series models. The increased viewfinder resolution combined with dioptre adjustments make the camera more competitive with similarly-positioned mirrorless rivals.

      Whether it also delivers faster response times is something we’ll need to assess when we’re able to spend time with the camera. We hope to be able to check this (and other aspects of performance) out when review units become available in February. For more information, visit  www.fujifilm.com.au.  

       

      Full review

      We’ve been expecting a  successor to Fujifilm’s X-Pro1 since Photokina 2014 so it was no great surprise to get a confidential preview of the camera just before Christmas ahead of the company announcing the X-Pro2 camera today. Building on the capabilities of the earlier ‘flagship’ model, the X-Pro2 comes with a new 24-megapixel X-Trans CMOS III sensor and a new EXR Processor II processor chip, along with a new 273-point AF system with 169 phase-detection sensors embedded in the surface of the sensor.
       

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       Angled view of the new Fujifilm X-Pro2 with the 35mm f/2 lens fitted. (Source: Fujifilm.)

      Physically, the new model continues the rangefinder styling of its predecessor, although its body is more rounded and there have been some improvements to the handling and user interface designs.  

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      Front view of the Fujifilm X-Pro2 with no lens fitted. (Source: Fujifilm.)
       

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       Back view of the Fujifilm X-Pro2. (Source: Fujifilm.)
       

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       Top view of the Fujifilm X-Pro2 with the 35mm f/2 lens fitted. (Source: Fujifilm.)

      Internally, there have also been improvements, as you’d expect given the four-year gap between models. The key new features are outlined below.

      What’s New?
       We’ll start with the internal improvements, which centre on a new sensor and image processor and then move to the external changes that improve overall functionality. Listing is in order of priority with respect to imaging performance.

      Internal changes:

      1. A new X-Trans CMOS III sensor with an effective resolution of 24.3 megapixels, the highest  pixel count so far for an X Series camera. The sensor size remains at 23.6 x15.6mm (APS-C) but the maximum image size increases from 4896 x 3264 pixels in the X-Pro 1 to 6000 x 4000 pixels in the new camera.

      New copper process wiring technology means wiring in the sensor and between the sensor and processor chip is thinner and has less resistance, resulting in faster data transfer. A new floating diffusion amplifier (FDA) reduces noise to 1.0(e). As in the X-Pro1, the design of the X-Trans CMOS sensor eliminates the need for a low-pass filter to counteract moirø©.

      2. The EXR II   processor chip (which is also used in Fujifilm’s latest X-series cameras) claims to be four times faster than the previous model’s processor. According to Fujifilm, the camera’s start-up time is just 0.4 seconds, its shot-to-shot interval is 0.25 seconds, shutter time lag is 0.05 seconds and the fastest AF speed is 0.06 seconds. Although the X-Pro2 is not set up to record 4K movie clips, the new processor is fast enough to support it, allowing this capability to be added later via a firmware update.

      The new camera can record continuous bursts of still frames at up to eight frames/second (fps). The buffer memory can accommodate 83 high-resolution JPEGs, 33 losslessly-compressed RAF.RAW frames or 27 uncompressed raw frames. An alternative low-speed burst shooting mode is available with a frame rate of around three fps. The buffer memory claims to be ‘endless’ for both JPEGs and compressed raw files but fills with around 36 compressed raw frames.

      3. A new focal plane shutter, which is rated for 150,000 cycles and supports both mechanical and electronic modes. The mechanical shutter supports shutter speeds between 30 seconds and 1/8000 second as well as a Bulb mode (up to 60 minutes) and a Time mode (30 to 1.8000 second). The electronic shutter ranges between one second and 1/32000 second in all three modes. Both shutters can be combined to encompass the entire range. Flash synchronisation is at 1/250 second or slower.

      4. The Intelligent Hybrid autofocusing system has been upgraded and now provides a total of 273 sensor points, 169 of them phase detection sensors. The X-Pro2 offers a wider choice of AF frame selections with five area selections between 11 x 7 and 21 x 13 points in Single AF mode plus 3 x 3 , 5 x 5 and 7 x 7   Zone AF sizes on an 11 x 7 grid. Wide and Tracking AF are also available across up to 18 areas.

      Because fast autofocusing requires more power, the X-Pro2 provides three mode performance settings: High, which samples at 85 fps and reduces battery capacity to around 210 shots/charge; Standard with a sampling rate of 54 fps and capacity of 250 shots/charge and Economy, which also samples at around 54 fps but extends battery capacity to 330 shots/charge.

      5. Although the Quick Menu (Q) button remains unchanged, the menu system has been redesigned to make it easier to locate camera settings. A separate tab has been allocated to image quality settings and all functions can be located by name, rather than number in a panel on the left of the screen. An additional My Menu function has been added to enable users to assign up to 16 items to different function buttons.

      6. The X-Pro2’s native sensitivity range spans from ISO 200 to ISO 12800 (a full stop higher than the X-Pro1) and the camera provides three auto settings. Extended output sensitivity pushes it downwards to ISO 100 or up to ISO 51200 through settings in the shooting menu.

      7. New Film Simulation modes have been added. Titled ‘ACROS’ they are designed to produce monochrome images with rich details, maximum sharpness and a wide dynamic range. In addition to the unfiltered normal mode, users can select from three different colour filter simulations: ACROS+Ye Filter, ACROS+R Filter and ACROS+G Filter.

      8. In response to user requests, Fujifilm has also added a new Grain Effect mode that simulates film grain. Three settings are available: off, weak and strong.

      External changes:

      1. The new camera’s body is built from four pieces of robust magnesium alloy and finished in black with a semi-gloss cladding. The 61 weatherproof seals on each section make the camera dust and splash resistant, and also enable the X-Pro2 to operate in temperatures as low as -10 ° Celsius. The dials are milled from aluminium to ensure a stylish appearance plus robust functionality.

      2. For the first time in an X Series camera, dual SD slots replace the single slot on the X-Pro1 to ensure more reliable image storage. Both slots are compatible with SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards and slot I supports UHS-1 and UHS-II card formats.

      3. The Advanced Hybrid Multi Viewfinder is based on the viewfinder in the X100T camera and has the optical and electronic components with the same resolution and frame coverage. With a resolution of approximately 2,360,000 dots, the EVF has roughly twice the resolution of the X-Pro1’s viewfinder and offers three viewing options: 100% field of view, 2.5x magnification and 6x magnification. The optical viewfinder (OVF) covers 92% of the frame and provides two magnification settings, 0.36x for 18mm lenses and 0.6x for 35mm or 60mm lenses, with automatic bright frame reduction with the latter. The Electronic Rangefinder (ERF) mode places a small window in the OVF, enabling users to check focus, angle-of-view, exposure and white balance in real-time, while the Optical Rangefinder (ORF) mode provides the same type of view as a normal optical viewfinder.

      Dioptre adjustments of -4 to +2 dpt have been provided (the X-Pro1 lacked dioptre adjustments). The EVF also has a 16 mm eyepoint, measured from the rear of the camera’s eyepiece.

      4. The EVF/OVF lever on the front panel can be moved in both directions instead of just one way. A button has been added to the lever to display bright guidelines for lenses in the camera’s viewfinder.

      5. The grip has been redesigned to make is a little larger to improve handling comfort, particularly for photographers with larger hands.

      6. A new ISO dial has been embedded in the shutter speed dial on the top panel and the range of the exposure compensation dial has been increased from +/-3EV to +/-5EV. Aside from these adjustments, the control layout on the top panel is unchanged since the X-Pro1.

      7. A new joystick on the rear panel makes it easy to move the AF point or selected area around the frame.

      8. The resolution of the LCD monitor has been increased to 1,620,000 dots and its refresh rate is boosted to 60 fps. The screen still covers an area with a 3-inch diagonal and is fixed to the rear panel.

      9. All the buttons and dials have been moved to the right hand side of the monitor for easier access.

      Who’s it For?
       The target market for the X-Pro2 is essentially the same as for its predecessor: serious photographers who want the advantages of a mirrorless APS-C camera but the option of an optical viewfinder and traditional stills-focused control layout. The improvements listed above bring a flagship camera that was showing its age right up to date.

      Since the X-Pro1  was released, Fujifilm has expanded its lens offerings to encompass most of the lenses photographers require and provide a good mix of prime and zoom lenses. The addition this year of the just-announced XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 IS zoom and the 1.4x teleconverter brings coverage from 10mm to 560mm for the X-mount format.

      Conclusion
       In looks and handling the X-Pro2 combines familiar functionality with improvements to handling that combine with the camera’s increased sensor resolution to present strong arguments for updating from earlier X-series models. The increased viewfinder resolution combined with dioptre adjustments make the camera more competitive with similarly-positioned mirrorless rivals.

      Whether it also delivers faster response times is something we’ll need to assess when we’re able to spend time with the camera. We hope to be able to check this (and other aspects of performance) out when review units become available in February. For more information, visit www.fujifilm.com.au.  

       

      SPECS  

       Image sensor: 23.6 x 15.6 mm  X-Trans CMOS III sensor with 24.3 megapixels effective
       Image processor:  EXR Processor II
       A/D processing: 14-bit RAW
       Lens mount: Fujifilm X-mount
       Focal length crop factor: 1.5x
       Image formats: Stills: JPEG (Exif Ver.2.3), RAW (RAF format), RAW+JPEG; Movies: MPEG-4 AVC/H264 with Linear PCM/stereo audio, 48KHz sampling
       Image Sizes: Stills ““ 3:2 aspect: 6000 x 4000, 4240 x 2832, 3008 x 2000; 16:9 aspect: 6000 x 3376,  4240 x 2384,  3008 x 1688; 1:1 aspect: 4000 x 4000, 2832 x 2832, 2000 x 2000; Movies: [Full HD] 1920 x 1080 at 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p or 24p up to 14 min; [HD] 1280 x 720 at 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p or 24p up to 28 min
       Image Stabilisation: Supported with OIS type lenses
       Dust removal: Ultra Sonic vibration
       Shutter (speed range): Focal-plane shutter; Mechanical – 1/8000 to 30 sec., Bulb up to 60 min; Electronic – 1/32000 to 1 sec.; flash synch at 1/250 sec. or slower
       Exposure Compensation: +/- 5EV in 1/3EV steps (+/-2EV for movies)
       Exposure bracketing: +/-2EV, +/-5/3EV, +/-4/3EV, +/-1EV, +/-2/3EV,+/-1/3ev
       Other bracketing options: Film Simulation (any 3 types), Dynamic Range, ISO sensitivity, White Balance
       Self-timer: 2 or 10 seconds delay
       Focus system: Intelligent Hybrid AF (TTL contrast AF / TTL phase detection AF) with single-point, adjustable size (5 types), Zone AF and Wide/Tracking AF (up to 18 areas)
       Focus modes: Single, continuous, manual focus
       Exposure metering:   TTL 256-zone metering with Multi, Centre-weighted and Spot metering patterns
       Shooting modes: Program AE, Aperture-priority AE, Shutter-priority AE, Manual exposure
       Film Simulation modes: 15 modes (PROVIA/Standard, Velvia/Vivid, ASTIA/Soft, Classic Chrome, PRO Neg.Hi, PRO Neg.Std, Black& White, Black& White+Ye Filter, Black& White+R Filter, Black& White+GFilter, Sepia, ACROS, ACROS+Ye Filter, ACROS+R Filter, ACROS+G Filter)
       Dynamic Range settings: AUTO, 100%, 200%, 400%; ISO restriction: DR100% – No limit, DR200% – ISO400 or more, DR400% – ISO800 or more
       Advanced filter modes: Toy camera, Miniature,  Pop colour, High-key, Low-key, Dynamic tone, Soft focus, Partial colour (Red / Orange / Yellow / Green / Blue / Purple)
       Colour space options: sRGB and Adobe RGB
       ISO range: Auto (up to ISO 12800), ISO 200-12800 in 1/3 Steps; Extension to ISO 100, ISO 25600, ISO 51200  available
       White balance: Automatic Scene recognition, Fine, Shade, Fluorescent (x3), Incandescent, Underwater, Custom (x3)  
       Flash: External flash only (Dedicated TTL Flash compatible)
       Flash modes: Auto, Forced Flash, Slow Synchro, Suppressed Flash, Rear-curtain Synchro, Commander; red-eye reduction is available
       Flash exposure adjustment:
       Sequence shooting: Max. 8 shots/sec. 3.0 fps also available  
       Buffer capacity: Max. 83Large/Fine JPEGs, 33 losslessly compressed RAW frames or  27 uncompressed RAW frames
       Storage Media: Single slot for SD, SDHC, SDXC cards (UHS-I/UHS-II compatible)
       Viewfinder: Hybrid optical/EVF; reverse Galilean optical viewfinder with electronic bright frame display; approx.92% coverage of frame area,  magnifications approx 0.36x or 0.60x; 0.48-in TFT colour EVF with approx 2.36 millions dots (4:3), approx. 100% coverage, 16 mm eyepoint, -4 to +2 dpt adjustment, 0.59x magnification with 50mm lens,  
       LCD monitor: Fixed 3-inch 3:2 aspect ratio TFT LCD with approx. 1.62 million dots
       Interface terminals: USB 2.0 / micro USB, HDMI micro, 2.5mm stereo mini connector for microphone /   remote shutter release
       Wi-Fi function: IEEE 802.11b/g/n, WEP / WPA / WPA2, Infrastructure mode; supports Geotagging, Wireless communication (Image transfer), View & Obtain Images, Remote camera shooting, PC Autosave, instax printer print
       Power supply: NP-W126 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery Pack; CIPA rated for approx. 250/350 shots/charge with EVF/OVF
       Dimensions (wxhxd): Approx. 140.5 x 82.8 x 45.9 mm (excluding protrusions)
       Weight: Approx. 445 grams (body only); 495 grams with battery and card

       

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