Fujifilm X-T2: First Impressions

This entry was posted on July 7, 2016 by Gaz from Cameraworld London Branch.

FUJIFILM has announced the ultimate mirrorless digital camera “FUJIFILM X-T2” that delivers creative perfection.

The X-T2 offers outstanding image quality with FUJIFILM’s colour reproduction formulated over 80 years, advanced AutoFocus functions and 4K high definition video.

FUJIFILM Corporation has announced that, on September 8, 2016, the company will release the FUJIFILM X-T2 - the ultimate mirrorless digital camera that uses advanced technologies to achieve premium image quality, outstanding operability and beautiful design reminiscent of traditional cameras.

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The X-T2 combines the sensor and image processing engine developed by Fujifilm, with an ultra-sharp range of FUJINON lenses for excellent image resolution. Fujifilm’s colour-reproduction technology, formulated over 80 years, delivers images of unparalleled quality and realism, recording a subject’s textures, three-dimensional feel and even the atmosphere surrounding it.

The X-T2’s compact and lightweight camera body is also dust-resistant, water-resistant and capable of operating at temperatures as low as -10°C. Its autofocus and electronic viewfinder performance have both been substantially improved, making it more adaptable than ever before at shooting a moving subject under difficult conditions, such as sports or wildlife photography, which had previously been considered difficult with mirrorless cameras.

For the first time in the X Series, the X-T2 supports 4K video recording. The Film Simulation modes, used for still images, can be applied to video to easily produce premium-quality footage.

We were extremely lucky to be able to get our hands on one of very first models in to the UK and were able to get to grips with the new design, build and controls.

Simon Antoniou from our London Store gave us his thoughts...

I have been lucky enough to get my hands on the new Fujifilm X-T2 camera body for a couple of days. First, I must say I love the look of the camera, its size, and function such as the shutter, ISO and exposure compensation controls on the top and all viewable even when the camera is off.

Compared to the X-T1, I have noticed quite a few improvements.

The body size has been increased slightly as well as the ISO and shutter dial being raised, which I found useful when using the viewfinder. Also, both shutter speed and ISO have been increased by a stop. The dials have a new locking system as well so that your preferred modes never get changed by mistake.

The viewfinder has an amazing 2.3million pixels OLED display and up to 100fps refresh rate. It is, by far, the best quality electronic finder I have looked through and even comes with a comfortable eye cup. Also noticeable is the heavily reduced blackout time than the X-T1.

Even the buttons on the back panel have been raised slightly which gives for a more positive feedback.

The X-T2 has also been given a joystick type control on the back for easier menu navigation and AF Point Selection. The rear screen has been given another dimension by having an improved variable-angle LCD; making it easier for shooting in portrait mode as well as landscape for low and high angles.

Much like it's sister flagship camera, the X-Pro2, the X-T2 features a twin SD card slot both of which are capable at writing at high speed. This gives the professional the safety net of being able to duplicate the images onto both cards, or if you like to use JPEG’s as a kind of ‘contact sheet’ you can shoot one card with RAW and one with JPEG. This allows the photographer to go through the JPEG’s and quickly choose which are for keeping and which are not, and then uploading the full size RAW’s so one can play with them on Lightroom. The management control for the location of storage is easy to find and incredibly useful - especially if you are using the camera for video as well.

Fujifilm, who have said in the past that video is not thier strongest area, have completely turned this around with including 4K movie capture on the X-T2. You can even use the Film Simulation modes, such as ACROS and Velvia, whilst filming.

The sensor has been upgraded from 16.3MP X-Trans CMOS II to a 24.3MP X-Trans CMOS III which has really made a difference in lower light situations as well as extracting a huge amount of detail.

The AF Phase Detection area has been increased in size with new AF features in the menu to improve focus tracking and accuracy.

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When I recieved the camera, I decided to take it without the charger. As maddening as it sounds, I was fully aware at how well, and how fast, the camera was able to charge directly through the USB port

I didn't get a chance to try all of the new Auto Focus features but found the overall focus hit rate to be excellent. Even in the low light of the London Underground. Or in the back garden in good light with fast moving objects.

The lens I was using was the Fujifilm 18-55mm f2.8-4 R LM OIS XF. The camera would really come in to it's own with a top quality prime lens. That said, the image quality is incredible and is something that has become a signature of Fujifilm cameras.

It's a very enjoyable experience using the X-T2: it sits well in the hand and gives you confidence in getting quick snap street style photography, or with the new grip more active sports style photography.

Fujifilm now have two flagship cameras to cater for different people and their respective styles of photography. The X-Pro2 and the X-T2. For me, the X-T2 has it - with the classic looking, SLR-Style camera with a middle viewfinder that is weather sealed, strong as well as comfortable to hold and use. The controls and dials are very intuitive making it a genuinely lovely camera to use, but also producing the results that people demand and need.