Note: All photos below are original JPEGs from Fuji X-T2, without any editing at all. Only resized for upload on the web. The setting of the simulation film is standard provia, unless otherwise stated.
Fujifilm is famous for making products for cameras since 50 years ago. And about six years ago they introduced the X-trans sensor for their new line of mirrorless cameras which they claim can be as good as bigger sensors like full frames.
At that time I was a full frame DSLR user and a micro four third camera for a combination of photos & videos. I was not interested when I tried Fuji’s early generation camera because it was very unresponsive. Although I admit I really like the photos. When the X-T1 appeared, I bought it because it pretty much met my criteria except for one thing: video.
For me the video on the XT1 is just a joke. Even my phone can take better videos!
Until finally XT2 appeared, I was curious and tried it directly in the try out session held by the Fuji Showroom at the Grand Indonesia Mall. No need to think long after that, I bought it, it is one of the best hybrid camera out there!
For me the camera I need must meet these criteria:
- Photo color according to taste (wkwk)
- Reliable continuous autofocus in photos and videos
- Many custom function buttons
- There is a viewfinder that is large in size
- Can 4K videos
- There is a 3.5mm mic slot
- LCD that can flip forward (unfortunately Fuji doesn’t have this)
Bodynya solid quality like the X-T1. But it feels better to hold. The buttons feel good and don’t ‘stick’ like their predecessors. Rotate the iso dial, shutter speed, etc. There is also a lock-unclocked button so that it can be locked. You don’t need to hold the lock button, then you can rotate it like the XT1, more practical.
This old school loop is still maintained, although if you want to use the front and rear dual dial buttons like a standard DSLR, you can still do that. Just slide the shutter speed round to mode T.
Movie mode must now be activated by lever along with other drive modes such as CL, CH, bracket, etc. Better indeed, so the shutter button can be a record button.
However, I often take videos and photos which makes this process even more inconvenient. Luckily the movie mode dial is at the very end of the mode so I don’t have to look at it when changing the position of the dial to movie mode.
There should still be a record button so that from photo mode I can directly record movies (at least automatic mode) so I don’t have to bother. But yeah that’s just me, other people may not care.
The existence of a joystick also allows us to change the autofocus mode with ease and fun. As the name implies joystick (happy rod). #eh
The Fuji X-T2’s LCD is pretty good. Enough for outdoor use. Although not as bright as the Lumix GH5. But compared to sony camera LCD, which is absolute joke, of course very much different. Even when recording 4K, the X-T2 remains normal. LCD does not dim and does not exist overheating!
I hope there is a touch screen on the X-T2, I hope it can be on the X-T3 later. The joystick is sufficient for photos, but for video, the touchscreen is certainly more comfortable.
Fuji has a fantastic lineup of lenses compared to other systems. I counted around 30 lenses with quite reasonable prices. Most have optical quality that is above standard.
I currently wear 10-24, 35, 16, and 55-230. The lenses I want to have next are 56 1.2 and 100-400!
The X-T2 is an excellent photo camera. If you have a Fuji camera before and have sufficient funds, just upgrade right away. No need to think (think about it, it’s expensive). The X-T2 is a bit of an evolution from the X-T1. But compared to other mirrorless brands like Canon, the X-T2 is revolutionary.
Autofocus is very fast. Already rivaling the famous fast mirrorless like olympus and panasonic in AF-S mode. But in AF-C mode, because there is phase detection autofocus, Fuji and Sony are still the champions. Sorry m4/3, why are you still using the old-school contrast detection?
Autofocus compared to the X-T1 with lenses that are known to be slow like the 35 1.4 and 56 1.2 I think it’s improved. Much better.
As for the video, it’s great. 4K with 100 Mbps bitrate! Unfortunately there is a slight crop factor of 1.17x in 4K mode. There is no crop factor in 1080 mode.
In 1080 60p mode, I think it’s the best camera I’ve ever seen. Good luck! And that film simulation is really pleasing to the eye. Soft and crunchy!
Unfortunately there is no flat mode (you can log in but you have to use an external recorder) on this camera. Sometimes if I need a flat color, I use the simulation PRO film, neg hi and -2 in the shadow and highlight. Quite helpful.
I say again: no overheating and dim LCD when recording video. *looks at Sony.
For high iso in my photos, it’s still okay to use iso 6400. In fact I use iso auto up to 12,800 at the upper limit.
But for the high iso on the video, I only limit it to iso 3200. Because more than that, it’s very grainy. The shadow is crushed. And the iso on the Fuji meter is a bit different from other cameras. When I matched my other camera, the fuji exposed about 1/3 to 1/2 stop darker than the other camera. I don’t know if it’s because of xtrans or what, but you need to know this.
I don’t need to review the autofocus in photos. It’s more than enough. We can even customize the sensitivity of AF-C and there are several scenario modes for AF-C that can be adjusted for our shooting. Such as ‘suddenly appearing subject’ or ‘ignore front obstacle’.
For autofocus in videos, because there is a phase detection sensor, this is one of the best! If I may say eleven twelve is the same as sony. Even though it’s still below Canon’s dual pixel. Unfortunately there is no micro four third camera that applies this phase detection technology. *glances at GH5*
One more thing to note is that the audio monitoring metering is too sensitive. It looks like it’s clipping but in fact when I open it in the editing software it can still be boosted by about 10 dB.
This camera is not perfect for my needs. But for all around needs, this camera is one of the best. There is still a lot of room for further improvement. Fuji is very famous for its firmware updates. So I’m still optimistic. Even though the touch screen and 5 axis stabilizer can’t be added with a firmware update. #eh
The X-T2 is Fuji’s first camera that’s rather serious for video. Maybe if you add modes like 1080 120p and an internal log mode, of course it can make videographers switch. Many of my videographer friends are very impressed with the color of fuji. For an APS-C sensor photo camera, I recommend the X-T2 compared to any other brand. It’s that good.
For traveling the size of the X-T2 is also quite compact so I can still carry two cameras. I hope that in XT3 there will be upgraded features such as:
- 4K 60p (or at least without a crop factor, just call it now)
- 1080 240p (or 120p it’s okay as long as it’s sharp)
- LCD full flip can be forward.
- More reliable AF-C.
- TOUCHSCREEN ( WHAT IS SO HARD! WKWK)
- Bring back the record movie button pls!
Thank You!
And lastly, this is a sample video, still not graded in color. Don’t forget to like and subscribe.
Other photo examples:
Create by ipadguides in category of Travel Story