Fuji X-T2 First Impressions and Images!

Fuji X-T2 First Impressions and Images!:

So, I’ve had the Fuji X-T2 since it was released last week, and I’m still super excited about it.  I’ve waited a long time for the X-T2, and it wasn’t an easy wait considering how much I enjoyed my time with the X-Pro2 when I was reviewing it.  The significant improvements found in the X-Pro2 made the camera so much more user friendly than its predecessor that I was so tempted to buy one.  But I pretty much went through every single X Series camera starting with the X100, and discovered over time that the X-T body fits me best.  I love the shape, the dials, and the awesome EVF.  So, I decided to wait (rather impatiently), and I’m glad I did because the X-T2 has proven to be better than I ever expected!

For one, the X-T2 body is actually better in many ways.  The door panels like the ones for the battery and SD card slot are built better.  Also, I love the fact that the X-T2 has two SD card slots.  In terms of size, it’s larger but surprisingly, I don’t really feel the increase in size.  Instead, it’s just more comfortable, and I noticed that instantly.  You could buy the Fujifilm VPB-XT2 Vertical Power Booster Grip, if you shoot a lot in the vertical position but even without it, it feels more comfortable to hold the X-T2 in the vertical position than the X-T1.  Personally, I’m still on the fence with the Power Booster Grip.  I appreciate the boost in performance, and it would really help out with portrait work but at the same time, it makes the camera significantly larger.  Plus, it’s heavier, especially with two extra batteries.  So, I guess I will decide later on this matter.

fuji-x-t2-review-first-impressions-5

↑ The Fuji X-T2 with the XF 35mm f1.4 lens.

fuji-x-t2-review-first-impressions-2

↑ The battery door now has a little switch on it.  It’s also made a bit better in general.

fuji-x-t2-review-first-impressions-1

↑ Dual SD card slots.

In addition to the more comfortable body, there are dials for a lot of the controls and functions, which should be familiar to anyone who has used an X-T1.  Minus a few differences, the dials are essentially the same as the ones found on the X-T1.  However, I really love the new lockable function on the main dials like the ISO and shutter speed dials.  With the X-T1, you had to press and hold the lock button to rotate the ISO dial, for instance, which sometimes was a bit annoying especially when it was winter, and I had my thick gloves on.  But it’s easy on the X-T2: you simply press the lock button once, and you can freely rotate a dial.  It’s similar to the one on the Pen-F.  When you’re done, press it again to lock it.  It’s that easy.

fuji-x-t2-review-first-impressions-3

↑ I love the 3 direction tilting display!

Now, let’s talk about the electronic viewfinder.  You’re still getting a 2.36 million dot EVF with the large 0.77x magnification (which is one of the main reasons I prefer the X-T body over any of the other X Series bodies).  When you hold the camera vertically, you still get the Vertical Mode, which rotates the information display making it easier to read.  So, it may seem that not much has changed but that’s not true.  For instance, the EVF is two times brighter than the previous model, and features automatic brightness adjustment function.  Plus, while the standard refresh rate is 60 fps, it jumps to a whopping 100 fps in Boost Mode.  Viewing becomes so fluid that it’s seriously comparable to an optical viewfinder.

fuji-x-t2-xf-18-55mm-f2-8-4-r-lm-ois-lens-manhattan-bridge-chinatown-1

↑ This was taken with the XF 18-55mm f2.8-4.

fuji-x-t2-xf-18-55mm-f2-8-4-r-lm-ois-lens-canal-street-art-new-york-city

↑ Here’s another taken with the XF 18-55mm.

As for the autofocus, it is pretty much perfect for me.  Here’s a taste of it: It has contrast and phase detection AF, it offers a whopping 325 AF points, there’s the joystick on the back that a lot of us love from the X-Pro2, which allows easy selection of a focus point, and Eye Detection AF, which works really well.  I will have more to say about the autofocus system in my review but so far, I am so happy with it.  It’s not only blazingly fast, it’s very accurate and intuitive, which to me, is more important.  It seems to know exactly what I want, it focuses on it, and then just nails the shot.  I reviewed the Olympus Pen-F a while ago, and while I haven’t done a direct comparison yet, I feel the Fuji will really give it a run for its money.  The Pen-F is definitely fast but it’s not just about the speed; the X-T2’s autofocus is so accurate, and seems to know exactly what I want all the time.

fuji-x-t2-xf-18-55mm-f2-8-4-r-lm-ois-lens-manhattan-bridge-chinatown-2

↑ One more taken with the XF 18-55mm.

fuji-x-t2-xf-35mm-f1-4-r-lens-portrait-candid-night-new-york-city

↑ This was taken with one of my favorite lenses from any manufacturer, the XF 35mm f1.4 at 3200 ISO.

The new Fuji X-T2 has a lot of amazing features, which I will go into more detail in my review but none of them would really matter much if the image quality wasn’t good.  Well, with the same 24 MP X-Trans CMOS III sensor that the X-Pro2 has, image quality is fantastic.  First off, the color rendering is absolutely beautiful, and so is the contrast.  Combined with the sharpness that you can expect from Fuji, you’re getting images that have so much life and pop to them.  Of course, the image quality doesn’t stop once the sun goes down because high ISO is also excellent.  For those who were happy with the X-T1’s image quality, they will simply love what the X-T2 produces!  I do!

fuji-x-t2-xf-18-55mm-f2-8-4-r-lm-ois-lens-canal-street-candid-new-york-city

↑ Here’s one taken with the XF 18-55mm.

fuji-x-t2-xf-56mm-f1-2-r-apd-lens-portrait-candid-san-gennaro-feast

↑ This was taken in the San Gennaro Feast with the XF 56mm f1.2 APD lens at 3200 ISO.

So, my review will come soon but overall, this is how I feel about the Fuji X-T2.  You know how I said in the beginning of this post that the X-T2 has proven to be better than I ever expected?  Well, I loved my X-T1, and it was hard for me to see how Fuji would improve on it significantly.  To me, it really was (and still is) a fantastic camera with huge capabilities.  But they really have done an amazing job on this new camera.  The X-T2 may look just like its predecessor on the outside but it is definitely more than just a polished version of the X-T1.  Anyway, this will definitely be one of my favorite reviews to write!  Stay tuned!

For those interested in the X-T2:

Fuji X-T2 at B&H Photo, Amazon or Adorama

Fuji X-T2 with XF 18-55mm kit at B&H Photo, Amazon or Adorama

6 comments… add one
  • Dane Link Reply

    Hi Patrick,

    Great images! Love the high ISO photos. When does is it start to get grainy? 3200 looks so clean. I like the dynamic range, tons of detail.

    Dane

    • Patrick Link Reply

      Thanks Dane!

      The high ISO is awesome. There was no noise reduction done to these photos at all. You can shoot at 6400 ISO with great results. I think once you get to 12,800, that’s when things get grainier but definitely still useable. Overall, I’m just loving this camera but if you want something a bit different that also produces tons of detail, you should check out the Sigma SD Quattro, which I also have for review purposes right now. I will post some stuff from that soon but in terms of image quality, it’s a killer!

      Best,

      Patrick

  • Dane Link Reply

    I saw some video review of the Sigma from The Camera Store in Calgary.  At least I think it’s the same camera.  From what I remember is that it performs well in controlled lighting.

    I love my X-Pro1 but its a far cry from competing in the higher ISO noise. I’d like to think of it as using 100-400 ASA film only use hehe.

    Dane

    • Patrick Link Reply

      Hi Dane,

      I saw a video on a different Sigma from The Camera Store, and I was originally kind of nervous to try one because I saw how slow the editing program was but it looks like Sigma did some upgrading since then :). I’ll be straight with you: the camera can be slow, the high ISO isn’t as good as something like the Fuji, it’s large for a mirrorless camera but the image quality is incredible. It’s not even an exaggeration; I am so amazed by the image quality that I don’t even know if I want to return this camera. It gives the user such a unique look, the color rendering is absolutely superb (the color is truly incredible), and it is SHARP!!! With my recent X-T2 purchase, and an X1D coming, I shouldn’t even consider a new camera but the Sigma can really produce the goods. If anything, I may consider the Quattro dp2 (45mm equivalent) instead, since it is on sale right now. It’s a fixed lens but all I would want is a 50mm equivalent anyway. But I would have to sell off something because I promised myself, no more cameras lol!

      As for the X-Pro1, there’s nothing wrong with it! Some of my favorite photos were taken with it :).

      Best,

      Patrick

  • Jed Orme Link Reply

    Hello Patrick,

    Congrats on the new X-T2, & those first images are very encouraging. I will look forward to reading your complete review of it. I know you are pleased with the faster refresh rate but would be interested in your thoughts about the dynamic range capability of the EVF (always a problem with them compared to an OVF). And wonder what the auto focus speeds will be with all but the newest glass. Finally, have also read some concerns about editing programs not being able to fully manage the larger 24 megapixel X system sensor, so hopefully you might have some thoughts about that as well.

    I love my Leica Q (does everything better than my original X-100) but I still have some interest in an interchangeable lens system, & think it would likely be a Fuji based on my earlier experience with it. Thus probably either the XP2 or XT2. So most interested in your findings about both of these great new cameras. Cheers,

    Jed

    • Patrick Link Reply

      Thanks Jed!

      As for the EVF, I’ve always been completely okay with the one on the X-T1 and now the X-T2. I’ve accepted that nothing will give me the same realism as an OVF but at the same time, there are a lot of useful features an EVF has that an OVF doesn’t. In terms of the autofocus speeds with the older lenses, I actually only own the older lenses :). My favorites are still the XF 35mm f1.4, the XF 18-55mm, and my XF 56mm APD, which as we know, has slower focusing speeds than the non-APD version. So, other than a 23mm f2 that I will get in for review at a future date, and maybe one or two more newer lenses, most of my testing will be done with the lenses mentioned. In terms of editing programs, I am a Photoshop/Camera Raw user. I know that some don’t like it but there are some that do, and I am definitely one of those guys :). It has always produced images to my satisfaction, so I’ve stuck with it. So, I’m not sure how the files would be with other programs but I personally love the results from Camera Raw. I didn’t have any problems with my X-Pro2 files back when I reviewed them, and so far, I don’t have any issues with the X-T2 files. Anyway, thanks for stopping by, and I’ll post my review soon!

      Best,

      Patrick

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.