In this article we’ll take a closer look at the differences between five Fujifilm mirrorless cameras, the Fujifilm X-Pro2, X-Pro1 (it’s predecessor), X-E2S (announced with the X-Pro2), X-T10 and X-T1. The X-Pro2 is an expensive camera, but is it worth the price or the other cameras might be better alternatives for some of you, let’s check it out.
Before we start, let’s take a look at the pricing, so we know what we are up against.
- Fujifilm X-Pro2 – $1699.95 (Jan 15, 2016)
- Fujifilm X-T1 – $1299.00 (Jan 28, 014)
- Fujifilm X-E2S – $995.95 (Jan 15, 2016)
- Fujifilm X-T10 – $799.00 (May 18, 2015)
- Fujifilm X-Pro1 – $499.00 (Jan 9, 2012)
* prices for body only, via amazon.com as for 1.17.2016. Visit amazon.com for updated prices.
As you can see from the above price comparison table, the X-Pro2, a\s expected from a new flagship model, is the most expensive camera among the five. The X-Pro1, is the oldest and the cheapest. Before we move further, let’s first take a look at what’s new in the X-Pro2 and how it stacks up against it’s predecessor, the X-Pro1. Then we’ll move on comparing the the X-Pro2 versus all the other cameras, to see whether other cameras offer a better value and learn about the key differences between those five cameras.
Fujifilm X-Pro2 vs X-Pro1
The Fuji X-Pro2 maybe very closely resembles the X-Pro1 design, but it’s almost completely different cameras on the inside.
We can first notice some button’s layout changes. The ‘Drive’, ‘AE’ and ‘AF’ buttons were removed from left side to give more room for a grip on the right side. The ‘Drive’ button is part of the selector top function button. You now have dedicated Playback, LCD and Delete button right near the rear LCD display. Fuji also added a new Focus stick (focus lever). This is a very handy feature, because it allows you to select AF points “on-the-fly” and very fast while framing the shot in both MF and AF, easier than using the selector buttons. The camera was designed well to be operated single-handedly.
At the top you’ll find a single dial for both ISO and shutter speed. Instead of being on top of each other like other cameras, the ISO is visible in an inner dial through a little transparent window. Toe change the ISO, you’ll need to lift the outer portion of the dial. I can’t recall any other camera that does it this way. Fuji also added a new front command dial in addition to the rear one, which is useful for changing shutter speed or shutter speed priority modes when shooting manually. You can also use it to change programmed exposure sequencing in Program mode.
Fuji also improved the X-Pro2 durability with magnesium alloy body that utilizes 61 seals that are sealing the camera against dust and moisture (“dust-resistance” and “water-resistance” according to the official site). The X-Pro1 is not weather-sealed. The X-Pro2 can also shoot down to 14°F (-10°C) freezing temperature, which all in all, makes this camera an excellent choice for outdoor photographers as well.
At the heart of the X-Pro2 lies a brand new 24.3MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS III sensor and new X-Processor Pro image engine. This extra power promoted faster operation (0.4s start up speed, 0.25s shooting interval, 0.06 AF speed, and 0.05s shutter time lag). In comparison, the X-Pro1 has a 16.3MP X-Trans CMOS sensor and EXR Pro processor. This is the highest resolution one among its X Series cameras to date. This sensor can shoot natively at one stop higher ISO sensitivity and one stop faster in boost mode.
Here’s a video by London Camera Exchange that demonstrated some of the camera features.
The X-Pro2 has an amazing Hybrid viewfinder, allowing photographers to instantly switch between the electronic and optical variations. It’s the first mirrorless camera to feature a Hybrid AF. The X-Pro1 also has an Hybrid VF, but the X-Pro2 has better optical coverage, and it’s electronic viewfinder is slightly larger and has 2.36-million dots compared to 1.44-million dots on the Pro1. The rear LCD resolution was increased from 1.23M dots to 1.62M, but unfortunately the LCD is still fixed in place, not rotational.
Fuji also added a 1/8000 sec shutter speed and up to 1/32000 available via the electronic shutter. The camera can shoot at 8fps, 3fps faster than the Pro1. In my opinion, one of the most interesting changes was done to the AF system. This new AF system has 273 AF points, which 77 of those are used for phase-detection. The AF points cover around 40% of the frame, promoting better target acquisition when shooting fast-moving subjects. This is a vast improvement over the X-Pro1 that uses only contrast detection autofocus. I personally didn’t find the AF to do well in AF-C (Continuous AF mode) mode he X-Pro1, and especially when shooting in low-light. According to Fuji, the contrast AF readout is not 2x times faster than previous generation cameras.
There are many new improvements made to this new model, including among others: new shooting modes, Film Simulation “ACROS”, compressed RAW file format, improved interval timer function, 1080p60/30/24 Full HD video recording, dual memory card slot and more. We’ll talk about more of those differences next in the comparison section.
The X-Pro2 is a vastly improved model compared to the X-Pro1, but it’s also much more expensive. It’s seems like two generation, but indeed, the X-Pro1 was announced four years back. Fujifilm put a great deal of attention to the most important aspects of a camera that meant to be used also by professional photographers. Every important aspect was given a great deal of attention, not just to improve upon the older model, but to compete well against some of the newest DSLR cameras. Fujifilm doesn’t make DSLRs, so it’s important for the company to improve the hardware components that can improve the camera’s performance compared to its DSLR equivalent and in some ways, even surpass it.
X-Pro2 vs X-Pro1 vs X-E2S vs X-T10 vs X-T1
Alrighty, now that you’ve become a bit more familiar with the new X-Pro2 features and learned about some of its new features, it’s time to dig a little deeper. In this section you’ll learn about the key differences between all the five X-series cameras in our comparison and see how the X-Pro2 is compared to the X-Pro1, X-R2S, X-T10 and X-T1, all are mirrorless cameras.
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Conclusion
The X-Pro2 is Fujifilm’s top-of-the-line flagship camera. Although it replaces the X-Pro1, it improves upon its predecessor in almost very aspect possible, including adding weather sealing, upgrading the sensor and image processor, making changes to the button layout and menu system, adding superb Hybrid AF system m Lossless compressed RAW, new Focus Lever functionality, Dual-function ISO dial, front-back command dials, faster shutter speed with much larger buffer, more frame rate options including 1080p60, ic input, wireless, dual card slot and much more.
There is no doubt in my mind that the X-Pro2 is a must upgrade model from the X-Pro1. It obviously costs much more, but as you can see, it’s certainly worth it. The X-Pro2 sample images that are coming in showing superb color definition and image details. The X-T1 and the new X-E2S are excellent cameras as well. They are less expensive, but have a wide range of useful features, including a Hybrid AF, high-resolution EVF, fast burst speed, 1080p60 video recording and built-in WiFi among others. But all the other cameras don’t enjoy the new sensor, image processor, a new Hybrid VF, Weather resistance, Compressed RAW and AF system of the X-Pro2 that are so essential for professional photographers. I’m sure that many enthusiasts photographers will settle down for the less expensive models, which are excellent alternatives of course. But if you planned getting the X-T1, you need to think twice and maybe opt for the more expensive flagship.
The Fujifilm X-Pro2 lacks 4K video recording and other features that makes it less attractive compared to other hybrid cameras. The X-Pro2 main focus is on stills shooting, rather than trying to be the ultimate multimedia machine, which it’s ain’t. The X-Pro2 is now more ideal for wildlife and even shooting action with its fast burst and advanced AF system, and it will focus faster under limited lighting conditions as well. I also assume that for many photographers this will be the ultimate camera for street shooters!
If you really love the X-Pro2 but can’t afford it, you might also want to wait a bit to see what the future X-T2 brings, and maybe it will inherits some of the cool X-Pro2 features but for a more reasonable price. I’m pretty sure that the Hybrid Viewfinder has a lot to do with the high price. I think that if we’ll see the X-T2 this year, it won’t have a hybrid VF in it.
The X-Pro2 will definitely have tough time competing against some of the latest FF cameras at this price. Due to its price, it might even categorized as a niche camera instead of appealing to a wider audience, which I think Fujifilm needs to aim for.
What’s your opinion, did you like the X-Pro2 camera features? – share your opinion in the comment section below.