After months of rumors and anticipation, Fujifilm today launched the second generation version of its flagship rangefinder-like interchangeable-lens camera, the Fujifilm X-Pro 2. The company also announced the Fujifilm X-E2S, a compact interchangeable-lens camera with an electronic viewfinder and retro, street-smart design, and the Fujifilm X70, a fixed-lens premium digital camera with an APS sensor and a 28mm (35mm equivalent) built-in lens. To top it off, Fujifilm also announced a Fujinon XF 100-400mm tele-zoom lens.
Watch this video for a first look at the X-Pro 2 and Fujinon 100-400mm lens:
Fujifilm X-Pro 2: Should You Upgrade from the X-Pro 1?
When Fujifilm launched the X-Pro 1 in 2012, it became an instant classic, thanks to its combination of retro design, old-school exposure controls, new APS sensor, and an all-new lens mount and interchangeable lens system, and the unique hybrid analog/digital switchable viewing system. The camera was quickly embraced by street photographers, photojournalists, travel and wedding photographers as the “poor man’s Leica M.” After three years and numerous firmware updates, the camera has aged well, but technology has changed, and Fujifilm has vastly expanded the ecosystem that started with this one camera and a handful of lenses; it was overdue for an update—which has finally arrived.
The Fujifilm X-Pro 2 is based on the same design concept as the X-Pro 1, with the unique dual optical/electronic viewfinder that was pioneered in the X-Pro 1 and X100. However, from the new 24.3MP APS-C sensor to a ruggedized construction and improvements in ISO, Video capture, and the addition of a second memory card slot, the X-Pro 2 offers significant upgrades over its impressive, but long in the tooth, predecessor.
Fujifilm X-Pro 2 Key features:
- World’s First Hybrid Multi Viewfinder with 2.36 million dot resolution and 85fps refresh rate
- 24.3MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS III sensor
- Dust/Splash resistant body
- Works down to 14 degrees F
- Dual memory card slots, incl. 1 compatible with UHS-II
- ISO range 100-51,200
- Full HD Video at 1080p/60fps
- Creative filters
- 256-zone TTL metering
- Shutter speed range 4-1/32000 sec when using Mechanical + electronic shutter
- 8fps
- Intelligent Hybrid AF (TTL contrast/phase detection)
The key upgrade here is the sensor, bumped up from the original 16MP version to an all-new 24.3MP APS-C Trans CMOS III sensor. Its native ISO range, 200-12,800, is expandable down to ISO 100 in the low end, and up to ISO 51,200 in the upper range—one stop faster than its predecessor The sensor retains the same semi-randomized pixel array, which has impressed users with its more film-like image characteristics in earlier models. In addition to higher still image resolution, the camera can capture full 1080p HD video at a faster frame rate of 60fps.
Also new is a dust- and splash-resistant body with more than 61 points of weather sealing. The camera is also freeze resistant to 14 degrees F. It sports dual memory card slots; Slot 1 is compatible with UHS-II standards.
Fujifilm claims the X-Pro 2’s new X-Processor Pro will deliver “dramatically quick response times” for shutter lag and focus acquisition. The 3-inch LCD monitor’s resolution has improved from 1.3 to 1.62 million dots. Fujifilm has added new advanced creative filters, and says a new electric charge transfer rate will improve readout speeds. The camera can record up to 83 consecutive JPEG and 33 lossless compressed RAW at a burst rate of 8fps; at 3fps, it can record an infinite number of JPEGs without slowing down.
Also new in this model is a selection of advanced filters including Toy camera, miniature, pop color, high-key, low-key, dynamic tone, soft focus, and partial color. The camera offers a 2.5mm stereo mini microphone connector, as well as HDMI and Micro USB ports.
The Fujifilm X-Pro 2 will be available from Adorama February for $1,699.95. It can be pre-ordered now. Orders will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Credit cards will not be charged until orders are shipped.
Fujifilm Fujinon XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR Lens
Ruggedized to match the X-Pro 2 and with a 35mm equivalent range of 152-609mm, the Fujinon XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR is a high-performance lens with five ED elements and one Super ED element to reduce chromatic aberrations. A Fluorine coating repels water and dirt. An all-weather lens, it is weather-sealed with 13 weather and dust-resistant seals, and can operate at temperatures down to 14 degrees F.
The lens’s stabilization is claimed to have five stops of effectiveness, a welcome feature for handheld long-focal-length shooting for sports and wildlife photography. Fujifilm Fujinon XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR will be available from Adorama in February for $1,899.95. It can be pre-ordered now. Orders will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Credit cards will not be charged until orders are shipped.
But Fujifilm wasn’t done yet with today’s dramatic new product introductions…
Fujifilm X-E2S: Lower Price, New Features
Next down the line is Fujifilm X-E2S, which replaces the X-E2 in the Fujifilm lineup. Also an interchangeable lens camera, the X-E2 is based on the same 16.3MP APS-C X-Trans sensor as its predecessor, but offers a new autofocus system with 49 focus points and new Zone and Wide/tracking modes with a 77-point area to capture moving subjects.
Fujifilm X-E2S Key Features:
- 16.3MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS II Sensor
- 3” LCD display with 1,040K dot resolution
- New AF system has 49-point Single Point mode
- New Zone and Wide/Tracking modes with a 77-point area to capture moving subjects
- Maximum ISO up to 51200
- Near silent electronic shutter up to 1/32,000 second
- Two command dials and seven customizable function buttons
- Auto Mode Switch for quickly changing to an advanced auto mode with optimized settings
- Pop-up flash
- Full HD video 1080p at 60fps
- Advanced creative filters
The camera features milled aluminum dial controls and a classic look and feel, but there have been several improvements under the hood. The EVF’s display lag time has been reduced to 0.005 seconds, which is virtually instantaneous; the focus system and grip have been improved, and the new electronic shutter offers an action-freezing top shutter speed of 1/32,000 second.
Interestingly, the X-E2S’s introductory price of $699.95 body only is $100 less than the older X-E2 and when kitted with the standard 18-55mm f/2.8-4-R lens the price difference is $200. The Fujifilm X-E2S will be available in Black or Silver from Adorama in February for $699.95 body only. It will also be available in a kit with the 18-55mm f/2.8-4 Fujinon lens, also in either Black or Silver, for $999.95. It can be pre-ordered now. Orders will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Credit cards will not be charged until orders are shipped.
Fujifilm X70: Wider Built-In Lens, APS Sensor
With all of its popularity among photojournalists and street photographers, the Fujifilm X-100 series of cameras had one drawback: Its 35mm lens was not wide enough for some photographers’ needs. Fujifilm has finally addressed this by introducing the Fujifilm X70, a fixed-lens camera with the same highly-rated 16.3MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS II sensor found on its interchangeable-lens siblings, and a built-in 18.5mm f/2.8 lens that has the same angle of coverage as a 28mm lens on a 35mm format camera.
Fujifilm X70 Key features:
- 16.3MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS II Sensor
- Fujinon 18.5mm F2.8 lens
- 1.04 million dot touchscreen 3” tilting LCD
- Top ISO 51200
- New AF system with 49-point Single Point
- New Zone and Wide/Tracking modes with a 77-point area
- Near silent electronic shutter up to 1/32,000 sec
- Digital teleconverters extend range to 35mm and 50mm
- Full HD video 1080p at 60fps
- Advanced creative filters
The X70 is the first X-series camera to offer a touchscreen display that rotates 180 degrees up/down. An Auto Mode Switch lever selects full automatic Advanced SLR Auto mode, which lets the camera automatically choose optimal settings for any given scene. The lens includes two high-performance aspherical elements, and has a total of 7 elements in 5 groups as well as aperture settings in 1/3-stop clicks. The camera lacks an eye-level viewfinder; a stand-alone finder such as the Voigtlander 28mm viewfinder, which fits in the flash shoe, might be a useful framing tool for users of this camera.
The Fujifilm X70 will be available in Black or Silver at Adorama starting in February for $799.95. It can be pre-ordered now. Orders will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Credit cards will not be charged until orders are shipped.
