Hi Dan, have heard good things about the Fuji cameras. Have also heard good things about the SONY cameras. Both are mirrorless, but the SONY is a full-frame while the Fuji is APC/1.5X. Is there a reason you would choose the Fuji over the SONY – you indicated in the article you have been using the X-Pro1 and will be moving up to the X-Pro2… Illuminate me on the subject
That is a great subject to consider, Greg. Both Sony and Fujifilm are making some very fine mirrorless cameras these days, but for my purposes the Fujifilm is a better fit than, say, the Sony a7R II full frame mirrorless camera that Greg is thinking of. (Small correction: I have not been using the X-Pro1. I have used the X-E1 for the past three years and I now use the X-Pro2.)
Before I explain, I must acknowledge that the Sony is an excellent body, and another photographer may well find it to be the best choice for his/her needs. The Sony a7R II is, as you point out, a full frame body and the current version has a 42MP sensor rather than a 24MP sensor. The sensor is known for its low noise and excellent dynamic range. Sony has some native lenses, but lots of folks are using their Sony cameras with a range of third party lenses, including those from their Canon and (now) Nikon DSLRs.
Fujifilm announced the new X-Pro2 digital mirrorless camera today., The announcement provides very interesting opportunities for photographers — one being the new camera itself and the other being an extraordinary low price on its predecessor, the X-Pro1. (TheX-Pro2 is now available for pre-order at B&H.)
The New X-Pro2
Fujifilm X-Pro2
The X-Pro2 is the updated successor to XPro1. The newer camera will feature:
A compact rangefinder style mirrorless design
24 MP 1.5x cropped format sensor
Improved autofocus capabilities
A hybrid optical-electronic viewfinder
Manual controls for shutter speed, aperture, ISO, more
TheX-Pro2 is now available for pre-order at B&H. I’m almost certain to upgrade to the X-Pro2 from the X-E1 that has been my primary street and travel photography camera for the past three years. (The current updated equivalent of my camera is the X-E2.) Since I’m sold on the Fujifilm system — bodies and lenses — the X-Pro2 will bring features that I’ve wanted for some time.
While the X-Pro2 most certainly brings useful advances, the X-Pro1 is also a fine camera, and at this very low $499 price (it was originally $1299) it is a tremendous bargain right now. If you poke around a bit at the B&H website, you can find it with a lens for $699.
Other New Fujifilm Gear
Fujifilm also announced several other new products including…
X-E2s Mirrorless Digital Camera — This updates the popular X-E1 camera, improving the autofocus system, among other things. This camera is a great deal at only $699.95.
This website has an affiliate relationship with B&H Photo. Your purchases through website links return a percentage of the sale price to this website — but your cost remains the same.
One More Thing
Regarding Fujifilm cameras, a quotation from Fuji X-series senior product manager Takashi Ueno in the British Journal of Photography says a lot:
“We are in a very good position to make a medium format camera, as we make camera bodies, sensors and lenses. We already make the lenses for Hasselblad, so we have that expertise.”
Fujifilm, a company with a history of producing some excellent medium format film cameras, is becoming more open about their interest in medium format digital. (Note that they have not actually announced a product. Yet.)
If you have wondered why those of us using the Fujifilm system are so enthusiastic about the beautiful Fujifilm lenses, re-read the quote if you missed it the first time and note whose lenses they currently make.
I recently posted an article about the Fujifilm X-Series camera system that included a list of some impressive price reductions that are part of a current Fujifilm promotion. These prices are still available, making this a great time to acquire a Fujifilm X-Series camera or lenses. Here is the list once again.
X-Pro1: Fujifilm’s innovative interchangeable lens camera combining an optical rangefinder design with an electronic viewfinder.
Fujifilm lenses for X Series interchangeable lens cameras
Summary: Based on my own experience with a number of the lenses and confirmed by many other reports, the Fujifilm lenses provide first-rate optical performance. The range from very small prime lenses up to large aperture zooms that are competitive with the best from the DSLR manufacturers. I have marked lenses that I own and use with asterisks — *.
Links go to site-affiliate B&H Photo, and purchases through these links return a small percentage of the sale price to support this website. Your price will be the same as if you clicked directly on the vendors own links. Thanks for your support!
A Fujifilm “Instant Savings” promotion just started today (November 15, 2015), and it brings some excellent price reductions on all of the current X-Series cameras and a whole bunch of lenses. This is a great opportunity to acquire or upgrade a Fujifilm system!
People in front of a San Francisco storefront at night
If you follow this website and my photography, you may already know that I’m a big fan of the Fujifilm X-Series cameras and lenses. I rely on the little X-E1 plus a small set of the excellent Fujifilm lenses for my street and travel photography. This 1.5x cropped sensor camera system performs beautifully.
The list of cameras and lenses is too long for me to describe each piece of equipment. I’ll mention a few, but feel free to leave a comment if you have questions about anything on the list.
Fujifilm X Series Cameras
Summary: The X-Pro1 feels like an old-school interchangeable lens rangefinder camera. The X-Pro1 is the current high-end in this series — and probably the body I would get for my own use if I were buying right now. The X100T is a rangefinder body with a fixed 35mm-equivalent lens. The XT-10 shares many features with the X-T1, including its sensor, but at a lower price. The X-E2 is a very compact rangefinder-style interchangeable lens body with an electronic viewfinder. (It is the updated version of my X-E1.) The X-30 is a very small camera with an integrated zoom lens and a smaller sensor. With the exception of the X-30, all of these cameras use the excellent 16MP, 1.5x cropped sensor Fujifilm x-trans sensor.
X-Pro1: Fujifilm’s innovative interchangeable lens camera combining an optical rangefinder design with an electronic viewfinder.
Steep, tree-covered cliffs along the shore of the Konigsee, Berchtesgaden National Park, Germany
Fujifilm lenses for X Series interchangeable lens cameras
Summary: Based on my own experience with a number of the lenses and confirmed by many other reports, the Fujifilm lenses provide first-rate optical performance. The range from very small prime lenses up to large aperture zooms that are competitive with the best from the DSLR manufacturers. I have marked lenses that I own and use with asterisks — *.
Links go to site-affiliate B&H Photo, and purchases through these links return a small percentage of the sale price to support this website. Your price will be the same as if you clicked directly on the vendors own links. Thanks for your support!
