Fuji X Pro 2 review - a Leica killer. Also a surprisingly capable Super 35mm cinema machine? Let's find out...

[Andrew Reid]

Leica are really going to after pro video shooters with the SL.

Meanwhile RED are persuading medium format photographers to use a 6K Dragon or Weapon.

A gap in the space/time continuum captain?!

Step forward the next specialised tool to turn camera-chameleon: the Fuji X Pro2.

Read the full review on EOSHD here

[karin]

Andrew, thank you for writing this, the very first article about the X-Pro2 I have seen from someone who really knows their video stuff. I have not been able to try out an X-Pro2 to shoot video or stills yet but this article has given me even more incentive to get my hands on one again soon. Cameras and lenses continue to be in short supply here though. 

I relied on Leica M cameras for commissioned work for more years than I can count, built my stills photography style on the unique features of optical viewfinder cameras' window into the world, and have missed that terribly during the digital hybrid stills+video era. EVF-only and DSLR cameras don't cut it and cannot deliver what I most need, an OVF deep-space window on the world.  

Like you I want 4K and full control over video in the X-Pro2. I am not going to be an X-T2 buyer - I already have EVF and DSLR form factor cameras. Please apply all the pressure you can to Fujifilm to improve the X-Pro2's capabilities if it is technically possible. 

[theSUBVERSIVE]

I've read in an interview that although capable the X-PRO2's form factor doesn't allow reliable 4K, it would overheat, it would need a different body for that, so it needs to wait until X-T2 probably.

“[X-Pro2 sensor and processor] is fast enough and powerful enough to do 4K movie. […] I think that there’s some limitation, because with a 4K movie, for example, we need to sort out heating issues also. So I cannot say it’s impossible, but very difficult to put, you know, 4K capability into the X-Pro2. If we develop 4K movie-capable cameras, we will need to change the form factor.”

They also talk about some other things 4K-related, an interesting read: http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2016/03/21/fujifilm-interview-cpplus-2016-inside-x-pro2-leap-forward-phase-detect

[The Chris]

Hey Andrew, any chance for a ISO comparison with other cameras? Would like to see how the XP2 stacks up against others through its range.

Details look great, movement looks very natural, not the Sony stutter look. Fuji is so close, a few more stabilized lenses and unlocked 4k would get me to buy two and sell everything else...

Thanks in advance. 

[tupp]

Nice look in the video.  No discernible hint of English in the skin tones.

[Guest Ebrahim Saadawi]

What a colour signature! Both stills and video, a tad better than Canon & Arri actually!

[frontfocus]

6 hours ago, theSUBVERSIVE said:

I've read in an interview that although capable the X-PRO2's form factor doesn't allow reliable 4K, it would overheat, it would need a different body for that, so it needs to wait until X-T2 probably.

And I though overheating with 4K was the way to go since most manufacturers go that route  (but yes, I heard too, that 4k produces too much heat on the X-Pro2) 

[DayRaven]

7 hours ago, tupp said:

Nice look in the video.  No discernible hint of English in the skin tones.

No, but more than a hint of Wonkaland, though it's hard to tell if that's the camera or fake tan!

[Rich]

"If I'd asked my customers what they wanted they would have said a faster horse" -Henry Ford.

"It's really hard to design products by focus groups. A lot of times, people don't know what they want until you show it to them.”
— Steve Jobs

You're right Andrew. 

[Guest Ebrahim Saadawi]

If they enable the 4k in the firmware it will result in one similar to the a6300, overheats and compromises the internals and unreliable but able to get a few short takes, they'd be fried with negative reviews just like the a6300, so Fuji is just doing it the Canon way, don't give 4K until it has zero negative effects. I sort of don't agree as getting 4K bursts with overheating as a CHOICE would be better, but again hurt the company's image. It's a delicate gray area, not as simple as do or not. 

[The Chris]

So cap 4k at 5 minutes like the RX100IV or the upcoming Nikon. Fuji's big blunder was simply revealing its capable of 4k. The RX isn't suffering under a wave of negative reviews because of the limitation. The a6300 is getting hammered (and rightfully so) because the Sony junket testers said there was no overheating at all, but actual buyers are reporting shutdowns not only shooting video, but just using the camera for long periods while shooting stills or even while navigating the menus for long periods setting the camera up.

Focus groups are a good way to make sure you have all the "must have" features covered, but will stifle innovation. As the Jobs quote says, you never know till you see it. 

[Andrew Reid]

The 5m limit would work brilliantly. If Nikon has chosen to limit the D5 to 3 min (or is it longer now?) then it won't harm Fujifilm's reputation a jot to limit the X Pro2 to 5 min and stop it from being used by people who need 2 hour takes for live event shooting.

Sony's mistake was to not mention a sizeable limitation and allow such long continuous recording times. What do they expect to happen? You will get people like me taking it to shoot a 5 hour recording session for a band, that's what...

[kidzrevil]

Not sold on fuji for video until they stick 4k recording into the xt2 or a completely new line of fuji video oriented cameras?

[rak_heri]

Interesting. Anybody knows if the new Fujifilm X70 has similar video quality? It was released at the same time

[BrorSvensson]

28 minutes ago, rak_heri said:

Interesting. Anybody knows if the new Fujifilm X70 has similar video quality? It was released at the same time

doubt it, it uses the old 16mp sensor.

[Dave Maze]

This is all great and dandy and good for fuji for finally stepping up the video quality for once...but by no means should anyone go buy this camera only for video. Photo is another story obviously because this camera is a beast for images...but if anyone here is reading this review and is thinking to themselves to go buy this camera for video alone should definitely consider the fact that you can buy a Canon C100 used on eBay for essentially the same amount. The C100 is a camera people seem to dismiss and forget about. Sure its older and has a less powerful codec than others and doesn't shoot slow motion...but the skin tones it produces and the ease of shooting it gives you in a professional environment is hard to dismiss. 

POINT OF THIS POST

Don't forget there are SO many options out there and please rent and do camera tests before you make any purchase decision. 

RESPONSE TO ANDREW'S FUJI POST

I really loved the article and am genuinely excited about the possibility of a 4k capable, more video suited Fuji X camera. They are the sexiest looking digital cameras right now and they make a gorgeous image without a doubt. I just dont think X Pro-2 has what it takes in 2016 when it comes to video. If it was 2012 it would be a different story. 

[Mattias Burling]

9 minutes ago, DaveAltizer said:

...but by no means should anyone go buy this camera only for video...  you can buy a Canon C100 used on..... If it was 2012 it would be a different story. 

You mean when the c100 was announced

[Andrew Reid]

In decent light and with a human subject, you'll be surprised at how close the X Pro2 and C100's images are.

Ergonomics wise, of course the C100 can do longer takes, massive battery life, easier to manually focus, a tad easier to expose with zebra, waveform, etc... but the X Pro2 is smaller, lighter, more simple, more direct, and has a MUCH better EVF. So again it's not quite so simple as writing one off because it is mainly a photo camera.

Biggest difference is on the audio side... Obviously if professional onboard audio and XLR is a priority then C100 is going to give you that.

[Dave Maze]

56 minutes ago, Mattias Burling said:

You mean when the c100 was announced

Lol! No kidding. I agree but again, as boring as the camera is...its been a workhorse. 

52 minutes ago, Andrew Reid said:

In decent light and with a human subject, you'll be surprised at how close the X Pro2 and C100's images are.

Ergonomics wise, of course the C100 can do longer takes, massive battery life, easier to manually focus, a tad easier to expose with zebra, waveform, etc... but the X Pro2 is smaller, lighter, more simple, more direct, and has a MUCH better EVF. So again it's not quite so simple as writing one off because it is mainly a photo camera.

Biggest difference is on the audio side... Obviously if professional onboard audio and XLR is a priority then C100 is going to give you that.

Fair enough. I need to get my hands on one and do a test myself. My buddy just got his so maybe he can let me borrow it. If the XT-2 has 4k and more video centric features, I think that would be a great cam to get. 

[Mattias Burling]

7 minutes ago, DaveAltizer said:

Lol! No kidding. I agree but again, as boring as the camera is...its been a workhorse. 

Its awesome, I was so close to getting one the other week, got a great offer.