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Hands-on with the Fujifilm X-Pro2

At its core, the X-Pro2 is a rangefinder style camera (and one that actually works a little like a rangefinder, thanks to some clever digital technology) that should appeal not only to the traditional rangefinder crowd, but also to enthusiasts who may be more accustomed to other styles of camera as well.

The X-Pro2 is technically the successor to Fujifiilm’s original X-mount camera, the X-Pro1, however in the context of Fujifilm’s camera business it’s much than that. In many ways the X-Pro2 raises the bar for the entire Fujifilm line of interchangeable lens cameras, including the current top of the line X-T1. Headline features include a 24MP X-Trans sensor, a new hybrid AF system, and picture-in-picture viewfinder design borrowed from the X100, along with improved video quality.

Hands-on with the Fujifilm X-Pro2

With its 24MP X-Trans III CMOS sensor the X-Pro2 sets a new resolution standard for Fujifilm cameras, most of which have utilized 16MP sensors for a number of years. We’ve generally been impressed with how much image detail the company has been able to extract from those 16MP, and so far our impressions of the X-Pro2’s images have been positive, too.

The camera’s shutter has been uprated, too. The mechanical shutter can shoot as fast as 1/8000th of a second and can flash sync up to 1/250th. An electronic shutter mode expands the range up to 1/32000th of a second.

Hands-on with the Fujifilm X-Pro2

Just as important as the additional resolution is the X-Pro2’s new autofocus system. With 273 AF points (including 77 phase detect points) the AF system is actually more advanced than Fujifilm’s existing flagship model, the X-T1. Importantly, the phase detect region extends beyond the central third of the frame, and the system supports AF tracking as well as eye-detection AF. Ultimately, however, the rate-limiting step when focusing some of Fujifilm’s lenses may be the lenses themselves: a few of them have to move a lot of glass around and may not react as quickly as the camera.

If you find 273 points too many to cope with, you can limit yourself down to 77 points to make them quicker to select – you retain the same coverage across the frame, though.

Hands-on with the Fujifilm X-Pro2

The top plate of the X-Pro2 should be fairly straightforward to most experienced photographers, however it’s worth noting Fujifilm has added a nested ISO dial inside of the shutter speed dial. As neat as it looks, you probably won’t utilize this dial much if you use the camera’s Auto ISO settings. One quirk when using Auto ISO is that while you have the ability to specify a minimum shutter speed threshold, there is no option to relate minimum shutter speed to focal length. This is fine when using prime lenses but works less well for zooms, where the shutter speed required to avoid shake changes as you zoom.

There’s good news, though. The X-Pro2 includes the ability to save three Auto ISO settings in camera (compared to one on many previous Fujifilm models). It’s also possible to assign a custom button to switch between these settings for quick changes while shooting. Maximum standard ISO is extended up 12800 – one stop more than on previous Fujifilm models – and there’s an extended ISO mode that expands out to ISO 51200. For the first time, you can shoot Raw files at every setting.

There’s also a manual exposure compensation dial which can be set as much as ±3EV. However, this can be extended out to ±5EV in combination with the front dial.

Hands-on with the Fujifilm X-Pro2

Looking at the rear of the camera we see one of the most important design elements of the X-Pro2: a small joystick just to the right of the screen. The joystick is useful for a couple reasons.

First, it can be used to manually select any of the camera’s 273 AF points – a much easier arrangement than trying to do so with four directional buttons. Second, and possibly more important, using the joystick to select AF points means that you don’t have to assign your four-way controller buttons to perform this task, effectively giving you extra buttons for custom functions.

In fact, the X-Pro2 has six customizable buttons. With the addition of the joystick, this means you really can assign six custom functions even with manual AF point selection. For shooters who like to manually select AF points this will be a significant enhancement to the shooting experience. 

Hands-on with the Fujifilm X-Pro2

Even the original X-Pro1 had a viewfinder lever on the front, but now the lever’s presence has taken on new significance. On the X-Pro2, Fujifilm has added the ‘Advanced’ hybrid viewfinder, similar to the one in the X100T. While shooting with the optical viewfinder, a quick push of this lever will bring up a small, magnified live view window in the lower right corner to use as a focusing aid. It’s then possible to focus on the magnified region (as seen through the lens) while composing with the OVF. There’s also a function button at the center of the lever.

In addition to the viewfinder lever there’s also a new command dial on the front of the camera, bringing the X-Pro series into the twin dial control era.

Hands-on with the Fujifilm X-Pro2

The X-Pro2 has the standard connections you would expect on a Fujifilm camera. In addition to the traditional PC sync socket for connecting a flash there are USB and micro-HDMI ports. That microUSB port is also where Fujifilm’s optional RR-90 wired remote control plugs in. There’s also a 2.5mm microphone-in jack for shooting video, though no headphone jack to monitor sound. 

For those wanting to shoot video, we’re happy to report that video quality on the X-Pro2 is notably improved relative to previous Fujifilm models. Whether this is a result of the new sensor or better algorithms for converting X-Trans data into video we’re not sure, but it’s fair to say that movie quality is fine for casual use. Video enthusiasts concerned with absolute quality will still want to look elsewhere, however. The X-Pro2 supports 1080/60p recording at around 36mbps.

Hands-on with the Fujifilm X-Pro2

Another area in which Fujifilm has improved the build of the X-Pro2 is with additional weather sealing. A quick look at the inside of the card slot door reveals a good example of this in the form of a rubber gasket. The X-Pro2 is also Fujifilm’s first camera to support dual card slots, one of which supports UHS-II speeds.

What will go on those cards? Photos with beautiful Fujifilm colors, of course. Fujifilm has a well-deserved reputation for both JPEG color and B&W rendition based on classic film stocks, and the X-Pro2 continues the trend with a new one: Neopan Acros, a black and white film known for its rich gradations and fine grain. By default it features a very fine grain but there’s now an option to apply an additional grain effect to this and all the camera’s film simulation modes.

Hands-on with the Fujifilm X-Pro2

Thankfully, Fujifilm has been fairly consistent with batteries, and the X-Pro uses the same NP-W126 battery as cameras such as the X-T1 and X-Pro1. It’s rated at 350 shots (250 if using the EVF) according to CIPA standards, which is about average for similar Fujifilm models, but it does come in below average for its APS-C sensor peers.

Hands-on with the Fujifilm X-Pro2

We end with a slide from a Fujifilm presentation highlighting some of the X-Pro2’s sensor capabilities. The X-Trans color filter array (CFA) sits atop a traditional CMOS sensor, which we expect is Sony or Toshiba sourced, based on the low noise characteristics of previous Fujifilm cameras. The specs indicate a higher sensor readout rate, which if utilized properly, could lead to increased autofocus performance and may have an impact on video – which appears to be improved on the X-Pro2 relative to the X-T1 for example. Fujifilm is also claiming a 7.6 dB improvement in SNR, and we’ll be curious to see if this translates to increased low light performance in our controlled studio tests. 

For more information about the X-Pro2 and what it’s like to use, read our first impressions review.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)