Fujifilm X-E2 16.3 MP Compact System Digital Camera Review

Product Description

X-E2 Kit with 16.3 MP APS-C X-Trans II CMOS Sensor with Phase Detection and EXR Processor II.

From the Manufacturer

• X-Trans* CMOS II & EXR Processor II, harnessing the full potential of each lens to capture breathtaking quality in every image.
• World's fastest auto focus speed of 0.08 sec.** achieved by Fujifilm's unique phase detection AF system.
• The design of prioritizes "photographing" enabling instinctive operation and high-speed responses.
• X Mount Lens - the product of integrated lens & sensor development with original digital technology.
• FUJIFILM X-E2 Evolution: Impact on Shooting & Playback Functions.

Sensor: APS-C "X-Trans CMOS II"
Effective Pixels: 16M
LCD Monitor: 3.0-inch (1,040K-dot)
Sensitivity: ISO 25600

Even faster so the moment cannot escape.

World's fastest AF speed of 0.08 sec.** achieved via the integration of phase detection pixels into the advanced sensor.

High-speed responses from the on-sensor phase detection AF system. Accurate focusing in dark scenes that only contrast AF can deliver. The FUJIFILM X-E2 has both, plus Intelligent. Hybrid AF for automatic switching to the optimal focusing system for the scene and conditions. A newly developed algorithm improves AF accuracy when shooting low- contrast subjects and dark scenes. The evolved AF system of the FUJIFILM X-E2 brings your subject into sharp focus so quickly that priceless moments will never escape your lens.

Even more beautiful color reproduction and even higher definition image capture. The ultimate sensor, APS-C 16M X-Trans CMOS II.

X-Trans CMOS II for unmatched color reproduction.

Fujifilm's unique X-Trans CMOS II array eliminates the need for an OLPF, enabling the sensor to capture unfiltered light from the lens for an precedented level of resolution.

Lens Modulation Optimizer technology brings out the full potential of the XF lens.

The advanced Lens Modulation Optimizer (LMO) technology in the FUJIFILM X-E2 was made possible by the integrated development of the lens, sensor and processor. For each mounted lens, LMO high-precision processing of the lens focal length and aperture, as well as data from the screen center to the edges, corrects diffraction blur when shooting with a stopped down aperture and compensates for the slight blurring in the lens periphery. The result is edge-to-edge image quality with incredible sharpness and a sense of dimensional reality.

* Lens firmware update required.

X-Trans CMOS II Sensor

Capture each strand of hair in crisp detail.

Due to the X-Trans CMOS II sensor architecture that eliminates the need for an optical low-pass filter (OLPF) and integrates FUJFILM's originally developed color filter array, the FUJIFILM X-E2 reproduces scenes with resolution and clarity rivaling a larger sensor.

Conventional Array

Repeating pattern in the case of an array of 2 x 2 pixel units.

New Filter Array

Higher degree of randomness with an array of 6 x 6 pixel units.

X-Trans CMOS II sensor incorporates an original color filter array with a highly random pattern, eliminating the need for an optical low-pass filter (OLPF). These filters are used in conventional systems to inhibit moiré at the expense of resolution. The X-Trans CMOS II sensor array lets the sensor capture unfiltered light from the lens, achieving an unprecedented level of resolution.

Intelligent Hybrid Auto Focus

World's fastest AF speed of 0.08 sec.* achieved via the integration of phase detection pixels into the advanced sensor.

High-speed responses from the on-sensor phase detection AF system. Accurate focusing in dark scenes that only contrast AF can deliver. The FUJIFILM X-E2 has both, plus Intelligent Hybrid AF for automatic switching to the optimal focusing system for the scene and conditions. A newly developed algorithm improves AF accuracy when shooting low-contrast subjects and dark scenes. The evolved AF system of the FUJIFILM X-E2 brings your subject into sharp focus so quickly that priceless moments will never escape your lens.

Manual Focusing

Digital Split Image**, the world's first manual focus system to exploit the power of phase detection pixels.

Tapping the power of the phase detection pixels integrated in the X-Trans CMOS II sensor, Digital Split Image helps you manually focus your shot with greater precision. While checking the split image displayed in the LCD monitor or EVF, you can manually adjust for pinpoint focus, especially helpful when working with an open aperture or macro shooting.

Focus Peak Highlight for pinpoint manual focusing

When manually adjusting focus, this function highlights high contrast areas of your subject for smoother and more accurate focusing.

Effortless and wireless camera-to- smartphone photo transfer. Original "one touch" wireless transfer to your smartphone or PC lets you share high image quality on the spot.

You can easily transfer images wirelessly from the FUJIFILM X-E2 to your smartphone or tablet after installing the free FUJIFILM Camera Application app. There are no troublesome ID and password settings; just press the Wi-Fi button of the top of the camera and then add the images easily to your blog or share them with friends on your social networking site. You can also use the FUJIFILM X-E2's built- in Wi-Fi to save your photos to your PC.

Browse the pictures on the camera from your smartphone or tablet, and select just the photos you want to download to your smart device.

* "FUJIFILM Camera Application" for iOS may not be able to save certain movie file sizes / formats that cannot be played back on the smartphone. Please try a movie mode setting of HD (1280 x 720) or lower.

Select and send up to 30 photos at a time.

Highlight up to 30 images and transfer them to your smartphone. You can send them in the existing photo size or choose the "3M compressed image" option.

* Maximum multiple image transfer is 30 photos or 2GB.

"Location Search" lets you find photos using location data downloaded from your smartphone to your camera

Just install the free "FUJIFILM Camera Application" in your smartphone, and you can download location data from the smart device and tag your photos with the data.

Share images with a friend with the free app "Photo Receiver"

Just have your friend download and install the app in their smartphone or tablet. No passwords or other troublesome steps. Photo Receiver makes it simple to send your photos to anyone.

Automatically transfer and save photos on your PC via Wi-Fi***

Turn on your personal computer and select "PC AutoSave" in your camera for automatic and effortless backup of your photos to your home PC.*

* Wi-Fi CERTIFIED logo is a certification mark of the Wi-Fi Alliance

Each different lens opens a door to new possibilities.

FUJINON XF & XC LENS

Every facet of the development and design of Fujifilm's original X Mount began with a clean slate. The result was the marriage of high-precision optical engineering with the latest digital technology. From the acclaimed high resolution XF lens series to the compact portability of the XC lens series, each lens exploits the full potential of the X Mount's descriptive performance.

User rating and reviews

This is a really fantastic camera if you're an enthusiast who enjoys adjusting settings, playing with film modes and getting really high quality photos without having to carry a much bulkier camera or pay thousands for a Leica.

If you want a camera you can set on sports/portrait/landscape or "green" and click away. or you think P stands for "Professional mode" this camera is not for you. Yes, you can set aperture, shutter speed and ISO to auto and shoot, and there are a few modes like panorama, toy or miniature mode but to really enjoy the camera you need to be familiar with exposure and how to adjust for it.

I have the X-E1 and takes great shots but it has three shortcomings that matter to me. Focus wasn't fast enough, the electronic viewfinder, though beautiful, would stutter if you moved quickly and you couldn't set a minimum shutter speed. These issues don't bother a lot of people who don't shoot moving objects but they did bother a lot of people and Fuji has addressed all three issues (among others) and focus is now very very fast, the electronic view finder is the same one as in the X-E1 but a better processor means it's smooth as butter and you can now set a minimum shutter speed!

Other improvements include a screen that's just a little bigger but has about twice the pixels and the change of placement of a few buttons for the better. There's also a new lens correction feature called the Lens Modulation Optimizer that I doubt you'll ever notice unless you're a pixel peeper and there's one new feature I'm, so far, unimpressed with and that's the new split image focusing. Maybe I'm holding it wrong ;-) but I just barely see the split image box. I've owned the Leica M9 so I'm really familar with the concept but on the M9 though the focus box was smaller it was much more visible. Perhaps it's just a result of shooting mostly using one particular background so I'll give it more chances in other situations.

The only other downside I have is the battery indicator. I usually get 300-400 shots on a charge, and since I have the X-E1 and they use the same battery I now have two batteries so I won't be running out of power anytime soon, but the battery indicator isn't accurate. Twice recently a battery has gone from four bars to three bars to one bar skipping right over two bars. On the positive side another new feature of the X-E2 is improved power management. You can now set the camera to only use the electronic view finder. When you put the camera to your eye the viewfinder will turn on like usual but the LCD will never be on. You can review pics and adjust the menu using the viewfinder and this should save a lot of battery life as the LCD is the main drain on it.