Fujifilm X-E2 Review

Because of its X-series cameras, Fuji has garnered great admiration among photographers. Others have settled with the more compact Fuji X-E1, even though many people have their sights set on the Fuji X-Pro 1. Those interested in purchasing a camera with interchangeable lenses that is even more portable have the option of selecting either the Fuji X-M1 or the Fuji X-A1.

The Fujifilm X-E2 is the first upgrade to Fuji’s X-series of interchangeable lens cameras, which was released earlier this year. Like the Fuji X-100S, this new camera has an APS-C type X-Trans CMOS II sensor with 16.3 million pixels.

The X-Trans CMOS II device uses a 6 x 6 RGGB filter array pattern, with a random arrangement of color filters within each block of 36 photoreceptors, in contrast to the majority of cameras, which use a Bayer pattern of red, green, green, and blue receptors (usually referred to as RGGB) arranged in a 2 x 2 grid. Bayer is a pattern of red, green, green, and blue receptors.

See: Best Lenses for Fujifilm X-E2 | Best Memory Cards for Fujifilm X-E2

Because of this, the sensor is less likely to produce a pattern known as a more. Consequently, Fuji can remove the anti-aliasing filter often overlaid on digital camera sensors. The advantage of this is that the camera can create crisper images and more detailed than those that might be produced by a camera model with the same size sensor and pixel count, but it also includes an anti-aliasing filter.

Fujifilm X-E2 Features

Fuji has paired the same EXR Processor II found in the X100S with the sensor used in the X-E2 camera. When taking JPEG photographs, this configuration results in a maximum continuous shooting speed of seven frames per second, a start-up time of 0.5 seconds, a shutter latency of 0.05 seconds, and a maximum of seven frames per second (with a class 10 SD card inserted).

Reports have shown that the writing speed is also 1.8 times quicker than in the X-E1. In addition, there is support for 14-bit raw, which ought to result in more seamless tonal gradations.

The sensitivity may be set anywhere within the original range of ISO 200-6400; however, JPEG files can be increased to anywhere between ISO 100 and 25,600.

Including Fuji’s Lens Modulation Optimiser technology is one of the most significant advantages provided by the X-E2 in comparison to the X-E1. This technology customizes the processing of each image to correspond with the particular lens, focal length, and aperture being utilized.

It eliminates blur caused by diffraction, resulting in crisper pictures throughout the frame. In addition, this system is compatible with all of the XF lenses that are currently available. Nevertheless, it is a feature that customers can turn on or off depending on their preferences.

Fujifilm X-E2 Build Quality

Fuji has decided to use the same body that it used for the X-E1 for the X-E2, which means that it has the same high-quality feel and conventional style with a shutter speed dial, in addition to having the flexibility to utilize lenses with (or without) an aperture ring.

As was the case before, if the dials for the shutter speed and aperture on the lens are both set to A (automatic), the camera will enter program mode, and both settings will be chosen automatically. Likewise, selecting one of the controls to the A position switches the camera into aperture or shutter priority mode, depending on which control was set to A.

The camera has a ridge on the rear and a textured grip on the front, which gives it just enough traction in hand; yet, many people will desire the added security of a strap when carrying it between photos.

Anyone familiar with the X-E1 will discover that they are on relatively normal terrain with the X-E2. However, some buttons have been rearranged in a different order than before. For instance, the AE-L and AF-L (auto exposure lock and autofocus lock) control has been split between two buttons on the ridge to the right of the thumb and rest on the back of the camera. Previously, these functions were combined into a single button.

Fujifilm X-E2 Performance

Because the sensor and processing engine were previously utilized in the X100s, it should not be surprising to learn that the X-E2 can produce high-quality photos with much information and noise that has been well managed.

However, at a zoom level of 100% on the screen, out-of-focus portions in JPEG photographs take on the look of watercolors, and sure, sharp edges come dangerously close to being oversharpened. It appears like the camera was attempting to sharpen regions that should not be sharp, which led to the produced painterly look.

Thankfully, this effect is not discernible at typical viewing sizes, and photographs appear to have a pleasing film-like feel; nevertheless, it will restrict the print sizes used and cropping options. Even more encouraging is that raw files recorded simultaneously do not appear to be affected by the issue.

The noise is controlled exceptionally well over the native sensitivity range, which extends from ISO 200 to 6400. Even pictures produced at an ISO of 6400 have very little chroma noise; all that can be seen is some very faint colored speckling in the picture’s deeper (but not black) regions. This colored speckling may be eliminated very quickly, for example, by using the Colour slider in the Noise Removal section of Adobe Camera Raw. This will leave only the luminance noise behind.

Fujifilm X-E2 Image Quality

The Fujifilm X-E2 is capable of producing photographs of exceptional quality. It captured noise-free JPEG photos at ISO 100 up to 6400, with only a little noise at ISO 12800 and more noticeable noise along with a small desaturation of color at the fastest ISO 25600 setting, which is an astounding performance for a camera with an APS-C sensor. The RAW files were also very high quality, providing useable photographs over the whole ISO range (200-6400).

The photographs were soft right out of the Fujifilm X-E2 when the sharpness setting was set to default. For the best results, you should do further sharpening in an application such as Adobe Photoshop; alternatively, you may modify the setting inside the camera.

The night image turned out quite well. The camera’s maximum shutter speed of 30 seconds was sufficient for most after-dark shots, and the Bulb mode enabled considerably longer exposures if necessary.

Fujifilm X-E2 Specs

Body type	Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor
Max resolution	4896 x 3264
Other resolutions	4896 x 2760,3264 x 3264, 3456 x 2304, 3456 x 1944, 2304 × 230, 2496 x 1664, 2496 x 1408 , 1664 × 1664
Image ratio w h	1:1, 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels	16 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors	17 megapixels
Sensor size	APS-C (23.6 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor type	CMOS
Processor	EXR Processor II
Color space	sRGB, AdobeRGB
Color filter array	X-Trans
Image
ISO	Auto (200-6400), Manual (200-6400)
Boosted ISO (minimum)	100
Boosted ISO (maximum)	25600
White balance presets	7
Custom white balance	Yes (1)
Image stabilization	No
Uncompressed format	RAW
JPEG quality levels	Fine, Normal
File format	JPEG (Exif 2.3), RAW (RAF format)RAW+JPEG
Optics & Focus
Autofocus	Contrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousFace DetectionLive View.
Autofocus assist lamp	Yes
Digital zoom	No
Manual focus	Yes
Lens mount	Fujifilm X
Focal length multiplier	1.5×
Screen/viewfinder
Articulated LCD	Fixed
Screen size	3″
Screen dots	1,040,000
Touch screen	No
Screen type	TFT color LCD monitor
Live View	Yes
Viewfinder type	Electronic
Viewfinder coverage	100%
Viewfinder resolution	2,360,000
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed	30 sec
Maximum shutter speed	1/4000 sec
Exposure modes	Program AEShutter priorityAperture priorityManual exposure
Built-in flash	Yes (Pop-up)
Flash Range	7.00 m (@ ISO 200)
External flash	Yes (via hot shoe)
Flash modes	Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear-curtain
Flash X sync speed	1/180 sec
Drive modes	SingleContinuousSelf-timer
Continuous drive	7.0 fps
Self-timer	Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Metering modes	MultiAverageSpot
Exposure compensation	±3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
AE Bracketing	±1 (at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps)
WB Bracketing	No
Videography features
Resolutions	1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p)
Format	MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone	Stereo
Speaker	Mono
Storage
Storage types	SD/SDHC/SDXC
Connectivity
USB	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMI	Yes (mini-HDMI)
Wireless	Built-In
Wireless notes	Image playback/sharing, geo-tagging
Remote control	Yes ( Optional RR-90)
Physical
Environmentally sealed	No
Battery	Battery Pack
Battery description	Lithium-Ion NP-W126 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	350
Weight (inc. batteries)	350 g (0.77 lb / 12.35 oz)
Dimensions	129 x 75 x 37 mm (5.08 x 2.95 x 1.46″)
Other features
Orientation sensor	Yes
Timelapse recording	No
GPS	None

Fujifilm X-E2 Verdict

Although the improvements that have been made with the Fujifilm X-E2 may not immediately catch your notice, there are around sixty of them. For those who are accustomed to Fuji’s X-series, they are substantial, making the new camera more straightforward to use than the one that it is replacing. Additionally, the screen exposes a greater level of information.

Even while it can’t follow a subject that’s moving quickly across the frame as some other small system cameras can, the autofocusing technology in continuous AF mode has seen significant upgrades that make it particularly impressive. Because of this, it is pretty doubtful that genuine sports photographers will use it, but even if they did, it is not intended for that kind of photography.

Fujifilm X-E2 Pros & Cons