Fujifilm Introduces Advanced System Camera X-Pro2

Fujifilm has announced the X-Pro2 mirrorless camera. The device has a 24-megapixel sensor of the aps-c format and a hybrid viewfinder that displays both optical and electronic images. Fujifilm also comes with the X-E2S, X70 and a 100-400mm lens.

The Fujifilm X-Pro2 is the successor of the X-Pro1 from 2012. Like that camera, the new model is a device that in appearance is reminiscent of rangefinders such as Leica. However, the technique used is slightly different: Fujifilm uses a hybrid viewfinder. Users can switch between digital or optical display in the viewfinder by flipping a lever.

When activating the digital viewfinder, a 0.48″ LCD module slides into the viewfinder. According to Fujifilm, the display has 2.36 million pixels at a 4:3 ratio. That indicates a resolution of 1024×768 pixels, a improvement over the X-Pro1, which displays 800×600 pixels.The magnification is 0.59x, making the digital viewfinder image smaller than with the Fujifilm X-T1, which has one of the largest digital viewfinders at 0.77x.

Until now, all Fujifilm system cameras had a sensor with a resolution of up to 16 megapixels. In the X-Pro2, Fujifilm uses its new X-Trans III sensor with 24-megapixel resolution. The range starts at iso 100 and goes up to 51,200. Like the earlier X-trans chips, it is a cmos design in which the color filters are applied semi-randomly. Fujifilm’s earlier cameras were therefore known for their good low-light performance and relatively ‘nice’ reproduction of digital noise. The chance of patterns in the noise, which are experienced as disturbing, is reduced due to the sensor design. Tests will show how the new 24-megapixel chip performs.

Compared to the X-Pro1, the hybrid autofocus system has been expanded considerably. The X-Pro2 gets 273 focal points, 77 of which use phase-detection focus. The maximum shooting speed is about 8fps. In the buffer there is room for 83 jpg files or 33 raw files when using lossless compression. With the mechanical shutter, shutter speeds of up to 1/8000th of a second are possible. Fujifilm also equips the X-Pro2 with an electronic shutter with the fastest shutter speed of 1/32000th of a second. Filming is possible in 1080p resolution with up to 60fps and bitrate of 36mbps. A 4k movie function, previously rumored and available on competing cameras, is missing.

According to Fujifilm, the magnesium alloy housing has been made sturdier and better sealed against dust and moisture. There are two memory card slots for SD memory. Fujifilm will release the X-Pro2 in February. A recommended euro price is not yet known at the time of writing, but in the US the body will cost $1700.

Fujifilm X-E2S, X-70 and XF100-400mm

In addition to the X-Pro2, Fujifilm also comes with the X-E2S, a cheaper model that succeeds the X-E2. Compared to its predecessor, the innovations are relatively small and many new functions can be traced back to the improved firmware, which will also be available for the old model. The most important hardware innovation is the focus system with 77 af-points, which is comparable to the system in the Fujifilm X-T10. The camera also gets the same shutter speeds as the X-Pro2, with an electronic shutter up to 1/32,000th of a second. Although Fujifilm uses the same X-Trans II sensor with 16-megapixel resolution, the ISO range has been expanded to a maximum of 51,200. The body will cost $700 separately.

There is also a new compact camera with a large sensor, whose lens is not interchangeable. This Fujifilm X70 is a smaller variant of the models in the X100 series. Unlike its bigger brothers, the new model does not have an electronic viewfinder; the 3″ screen is tiltable. Fujifilm has also opted for a lens with a different focal length, of 18.5 mm instead of 23 mm. Converted to 35 mm equivalent, the X70 has a 28 mm lens. The maximum aperture is also at f/2.8 one stop less bright than the f/2 lenses on the Fujifilm X100 cameras. The sensor used is the 16-megapixel X-Trans-II cmos, which Fujifilm previously used in cameras like the XT10. Fujifilm will sell the camera for $700 as of Feb.

Fujifilm previously showed prototypes of a 100-400mm lens for the X series, now the telephoto zoom has been officially announced. In full, the lens goes through life as Fujinon XF100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR. The abbreviations indicate, among other things, that the lens is sealed against dust and moisture and is equipped with optical image stabilization. According to Fujifilm, the OIS technique yields up to five stops of gain. The lens can also be used in conjunction with the brand’s 1.4x teleconverter. The telephoto zoom has a suggested retail price of $1900.