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. (The X-Pro2 is now available for pre-order at B&H.)
The New 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
- Wifi equipped
- …and more
- Body-only price is $1699 — preordering now available..
The X-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.
(See a Fujifilm press release for the X-Pro2.)
The Old X-Pro1
The announcement of the X-Pro2 brings a very special opportunity for folks who could use the X-Pro1. The X-Pro1 provides
- The same compact rangefinder design
- An excellent 16MP 1.5x cropped format sensor
- A hybrid optical-electronic viewfinder
- … and more
- a very low price of $499 for the body-only!
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…
- XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR Lens — This lens is designed to compete with the popular 80-400mm and 100-400mm lenses from Canon and Nikon.
- 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.
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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.)
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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.
BJP article here, with the medium format discussion on page 2.
