ANNOUNCED: Fujifilm X-A2 and XQ2 (LIVE BLOGGING – REFRESH THIS PAGE)

115 Responses

1. Cannot wait to see it come to developing country market like Indonesia

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   1. kenapa emang? u think it tastes better with sambel terasi?

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2. What’s missing is touchscreen focusing (like EM5 from 3 years ago), stabilization, and decent video. Hopefully the autofocus is improved.

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   1. there’s no PDAF, so that’s doubtful. I don’t really know whats going on in the low end, but it seems like its an XA1 with a tilty screen.

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      1. probably better AF tho. hopefully

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3. Just curious — how many of us are eagerly waiting for the X-Pro2 vs how many are waiting for the X-A2?
   50/50 ratio? 90/10 ratio?

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   1. 98/2….?

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   2. I thought XPro2 was scheduled for 2d part of 2015?

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   3. This obviously is not for those who are waiting for x-pro2 , which will easily be 3-4 times costlier and definitely be something fresh.

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4. Looks like a low-cost retooling of existing body so I can’t imagine much R+D was spent getting this to market. Solves a few user issues, selfies yes, easy and accurate face detect AF, better close ups with kit lenses… It also clearly advertises the out-of-the-box function to direct print to instax. yes that was available via firmware on the previous model but how many casual users would have gone looking for that?

   Its not a camera for me and likely many of you reading this but a very decent camera nonetheless with plenty of good Fuji DNA inside to produce great images.

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5. I do find it interesting that they decided to do a XA2 over a XM2, maybe X-Trans wasn’t very profitably on the low end? I don’t see any reason to get this thing over a Sony or a m43. I see it in a no mans land where it’s not really the best buy in the segment (some people have a fascination with Fuji but for some reason decide not to pickup a dirt cheap X-E1, which offers better usability, albeit lacking classic chrome and wi-fi…big loss….), and its not really the best camera to be building a new X-System….maybe someone will think its a good backup camera.

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   1. I agree, I am surprised they did not redesigned 16-50 to be retractable like Sony A6000, and did not go up to 24MP. A6000 kit costs $599 and is actually pocketable in my coat due to kit lens design. XA2 won’t fit in any pockets.

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      1. It won´t fit, but they can hold the IQ of the lens, which is still far away from the limited 16-50. A different approach, for a different user.

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         1. Yes, but the question is: who is this user? Not me, because I want a better camera (and processor, and lenses). Not the selfie person, who wants a SMALLER camera, and/or better specced. This camera can’t compete with the Sony because it is BIG, and has an older sensor, for the same price. This is what the selfie person will see, and think.

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            1. Then it´s not for you, and not for the selfie lover who needs the most pocketable camera. This camera can´t compete with Sony when it comes to pocketability, but the X-A2 + 16-50 can surely compete against the A6000 + 16-50 PZ when it comes to image quality (surely it can´t compete in another parameters, as the A6000 is another level, and the A5000/5100 is a more adequate competitor), as the older but capable sensor takes some real world advantage through much better optics. It´s all about circumstances and personal needs – btw the X-A1 sale numbers clearly showed that this concept of quality optics and lower specs body is not best suited for the amateur/low end market, as the typical entry-level customer won´t spend more money for another more expensive X lenses, and most of them have no ambitions to go for higher levels of Fujifilm. The X-A2 is no real competition for actual APS-C E-mount cameras, it follows it´s own way, and is surely not suited for everyone, but Fuji works on their products and when this model is more responsive and easier to use, it will be a solution for a few people. I know very, very few X-A1 users – but they are really satisfied and amazed about the IQ and low-light performance. Of course the Fuji entry-level offers will never be a major market success, but they will find some users who have enough place in their bags and want something different – if they will be enough for Fuji to produce such cameras, that´s another question.

            2. Look Tomás, I am with you with what you say.
               I am here on this very forum because I am looking for something like this camera, or, better, I am looking for a decent camera with a top-notch sensor for using the excellent+ Fuji lenses. I don’t care about all gymnicks of menu-driven cameras. It annoys me, though, that Fuji uses a sub-par sensor just because they don’t want to compete with the x-trans, implicitly admitting the fact that the x-trans can’t really stand against the new 24mp sony sensor.
               So: you buy a camera for the excellent lenses but the sensor is not the best out there. At this point, though, lenses like the Sony 50 / 1.8 look suddenly interesting, coupled with the sensor of the new Sony cameras: overall less expensive (by a good margin), more portable, the final IQ ends up being roughly the same. So, while targeting the wrong market (low-end / selfie users) Fuji shoot itself in the foot with the amateur market. This is why I am disappointed, and vocal about this.
               So said, I know that the camera & sensor are very good indeed, and I am sure people will take magnificent pics with it. But if I have to invest my money, I want a maker to give me the best they can, even in this segment of the market.

            3. It´s not easy to satisfy customers, and nearly all producers have to move forawrd with their technology. In the sensor case, Sony has made the step, and Samsung too, but others are not so far for a new generation, and it will take more than one year for Fuji to get a new sensor in all their cameras (m4/3 has it even harder, as they are reaching the technical limits of their sensor size). It´s not easy to choose between all the compromises, and a camera manufacturer that will give the best in every product would be a sci-fi made real.

      2. A6000 costs $599 but kit lens on it is a no match for say x-e2 with 18-55 kit. If you buy a good glass for A6000 (zeiss 16-70) then it’ll cost you more than x-e2 kit.

         Pocketable it is not but Fuji hopes that’s the reason people get x30 or x100s 😛

         Retractable lenses can’t give you as good a image. Fuji perhaps does not want to compromise on one of the major selling points (IE Quality Glass. X-e2 with 16-50 XC will cost 200-300 cheaper and provide better IQ than A6000 kit can.

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   2. X-A2 X-M2, same market segment, just like Olympus E-Pl and E-Pm, both bodies chasing same buyer, sense to merge into one.

      Like you I also suggest picking up a new X-E1 while you can, with the better 18-55mm and the 50-230mm as a freebie while available, £130 more in UK.

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6. Well, it seems true that Fuji is concentrating on the high end – they surely did not use too much R&D power into the X-A2. But it´s a nice upgrade, that makes the X-A line better suited for the current market. The flippy selfie screen is what the people like, wifi is also a nice toy for the social network generation, and if they did something with video quality (when it would be on par with X30), this can be a nice camera for someone who don´t tries to go to higher levels, and the high ISO performance and jpeg output of the sensor together with Fuji colors are well known. Actually, this is a relatively extensive upgrade for a camera whose sale numbers crawled somewhere down on the ground (compared to the competitors). And when it sells well, and gives Fuji money for high end cameras, we can be satisfied.

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7. It’s a nice camera with good performance. In a way it’s a good thing they’ve upgraded this entry-level model, if they are sure this will bring consistent money to the company. But from a different point of view, Fuji should focus on the high-end zone – that’s where the big expectations are. For me, a camera without VF represents little to zero interest.

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   1. I’m not sure they make much money on such models, but I’m sure Fuji sees every X-A2 purchaser now as a potential X-E or X-T purchasers a few years down the line, along with all the associated lenses and accessories.

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   2. I think the main idea with entry level offerings is to lure in customers who might go for sony or oly cameras because fuji is costlier and from there they hope some will upgrade to x-trans eventually. Margin on entry levels is usually very less, premium offerings is where the money is. But yeah a camera without VF is not for me either.

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8. The X-A2 is a major disapointment. Fuji could have installed most of the new features with a kaizen firmware update to existing X-A1 bodies. Fuji stated that they want their users to use their camera bodies longer instead of releasing small updated cameras every now. I can’t see this really happen. The X-E1 doesn’t receive major kaizen updates anymore and the X-M1 and X-A1 not one at all. Prices of the X-A1would not be that low if Fuji had not dumped this low level model. Every sane customer has to ask itself why he or she should buy this small upgraded X-A2 for a premium price when there is a dirt cheap X-A1 or even a X-E1. Fuji that was no smart move.

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   1. You’re simply not the target market, Fuji isn’t trying to sell you an X-A2, although I’m sure they’d like it if you bought one anyway. Their target is non-Fuji owners. You also have to realise 95% of entry level camera purchasers would never even think about updating their firmware and I doubt what meagre profit Fuji likely makes in selling such models would ever justify developing firmware for the 5% who would use it. Sorry but you have highly unrealistic expectations.

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      1. The problem is that the “target market” is not there at all. Or, to rephrase it a bit, this camera is completely off target

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         1. Maybe it is, but then most negative comments you see on any new product release are from people who assume if a product isn’t designed specifically for their needs, it has no market 😉

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            1. Yes, what you say it’s true.
               But in this specific case the camera is very close to the previous one, the XA1, which was indeed off-target, and Fuji apparently didn’t figure out why. The most obvious thing they added is the tiltable screen. But meanwhile the rest of the market has changed even more drastically, from better cameras in Iphone/Android phones to other camera makers producing cameras that on paper are more appealing.
               I know this camera was never meant for me.
               But does anyone seriously think that a non-photographer / selfie person, even if buying a camera (which is not granted at all) would choose this camera (relatively big with kit zoom, does not fit into a pocket / purse, has outdated sensor) over any compact camera (smaller and more convenient, probably cheaper), or a Panasonic Gm5 (smaller, fits into a purse or big pocket and has same mp count), or Sony ilce6000 (marginally larger, but lighter, with a collapsible zoom that allows the camera to fit into a purse, and has better sensor quality, at least on paper)?
               No, the camera is not for me, but someone at Fuji should do better market studies.

9. Cute, but I’m no selfie and glad I got second-hand x-E2 for $450. I could go to sleep now 🙂

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10. I expect Fuji did this just they can tell Best Buy they have new model. Since Fuji said they will sell X-series at big box stores, I’m sure Fuji want to sell newest model to retailers to sell to consumer. I don’t get how Fuji only has two XC lenses, and already updates them to an mk2 status already.

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    1. Well they’ve only improved the OIS, they are otherwise the same lens. I imagine the 18-55 may get similar treatment, but that will likely be announced along with an X-E3 or similar.

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    2. I haven’t seen a Fuji ILC in a “big box” store at all (Best Buy or otherwise). Online, yes, but not in a store.

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11. So, mostly firmware thing. I’d like to see the wifi remote option added to my x-m1, or the smarter focusing algorithm (if it’s not RGB-related.) But buying a new camera for this? Nope. (I don’t care about the selfie screen)

    What do you guys think? Willl be a firmware update for the x-m/a1, or on the low end we don’t get the Fuji update policy?

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    1. Obviously there is no Kaizen for the low end consumer. The only X-A/M1 firmware upgrade to expect will bring usage of the new XC lenses.

       I was hoping for an upgrade of the X-A1 but this is only another update of it. Sony would get away with this kind of think because they release this kind of updates every year and don’t offer firmware updates in the way Fuji does. The X-A2 is the improved body after 2 years and if Fuji want to get rid of the whole low end camera segment they should have canceled the X-A2 at all. No customer was asking for this camera. The consumer can by a X-A1. The enthusiast is asking for a cheap X-E2 with bayer sensor and tilt screen.

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    2. I imagine the X-M1 is probably dead now. I’d start saving up for an X-E body if you want new features I’m afraid.

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12. Such a disappointment!!! such a waste of resources that could have been used elsewhere. This could have been Fuji answer to Olympus Pen and Omd10, as well as cheap Sony NEX. But no, it is just same old XA with some useless features they could have realised as firmware update in new colours… please tell me it is at least cheaper and has slightly less plastic toy feel…

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13. So XQ1 + Classic Chrome = XQ2… As personally I don’t like the Classic Chrome “look” this is good news for me as I have no need to upgrade my XQ1: I can keep my money for an X-E3 whenever that may come.

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    1. As a u43 user, I came into the Fuji system through picking up an almost new X-F, I now use an X-E1 with a few lenses. Your notion of going from an X-Q1 to an X-Q2 as an upgrade is a joke, the upgrade from X-Q1 should be an X-30 with current Fuji range (or a used X-10/20). As a Christmas present to myself I got hold of a used X-100S (features of the T were of little or no interest to me, so I saved about £450 on a mint S). The ‘F’ is now in the pocket of my working clothes or as a loaner to friends for their holidays. Instead of waiting for an X-E3 to come along why not look at a 100x and get used to it, then when you do go X-E you will be almost fully conversant with that camera, you might well find a decent 100 or even an S for little more than the cost of the X-Q2.
       By the way I still use my u43 system, as well as the X system

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       1. I think you misinterpreted my post 😉 I currently have an X-E1 (and several lenses) which is my main rig. For those times when I want to just have a camera in my pocket I have the XQ1. This combination works perfectly for me as both cameras work in a similar way in terms of menu structure, so swapping between the 2 is easy. Also, having similar colours from both cameras means that all my shots have the same “look” about them, so there’s consistency there. My point here is that I have no interest in the XQ2 whatsoever, and the X-E2 was never enough of an upgrade to justify replacing the X-E1. I prefer the X-E1 form factor to the X-T1, so I’m interested in what Fuji come up with on their next-gen rangefinder-style cameras, be that the X-PRO2 or an X-E3. Until then I’m quite happy with my current setup 🙂

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    2. I forgot to add. Please Me Fuji bring CC to the X-E1 and 100S, it is you who spoke of Kaizen, not us the users.

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14. Dissapointed. Fuji is deaf on users requests, this is sure. No EVF, no PDAF, no Kelvin WB, no deeper grip, Yeah “Selfies” – this was main improvement in their mind, Piteous. Fuji makes too much faults, last one with bulky X30 with tiny sensor, now with X-A2. The only plus is they stayed in X-A2 with Bayer.

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    1. This so reminds me why I hate internet comments. Too many idiots running around. Get a freaking X-E2 for goodness’ sake. It has everything you want if you add a deeper 3rd party grip. It’s as if people were complaining that the Nikon D5500 doesn’t have a FF sensor and 10fps.

       Seriously people, stop the whining. Fuji listens more to user requests than anyone else in the market. They know their numbers better than you and if they believe this will earn them some money they will do it. This costs close to no R&D. Copy-paste the new AF algorithms and the CC simulation and you’re done. Add new OIS 2 (already developed) – done. This does not cut R&D from the X-Pro2, don’t worry. Instead this allows Fuji to push down prices on the X-A1 and lower the bar even further for entrance into the X-System.

       And please stop that nonsense about entry-level kaizen. You do know Fuji still has to make some money right? Kaizen makes sense for enthusiasts because they will reward you with buying more lenses. But Best Buy customers won’t ever even download the firmware update let alone buy more lenses.

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       1. Jano, the unfortunate thing about your post is that I’m only allowed to like it once 🙂

          Agree on all points.

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       2. +1

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       3. Jano, you seem to have no glue on business. Fuji will burn serious money on the X-A2. The introduction of a new product even if its only a cut&paste update of an existing one costs major money. There are a lot of people and departments involved in this process. In the end there is a whole production line that has to be created. You can’t print new cameras yet!

          I can’t imagine that Fuji will sell a lot of those X-A2s. The selfie tilt-screen, the flashy colors and the auto AF appeals to young female (asian) buyers. But there are “better” offerings for those kind of customers. Take the Olympus, Panasonic or Sony offerings with pancake zooms that will fit in every bag and offer better grip, more Megapixel and are even smaller and lighter.

          Enthusiasts like me want a stepup bayer Fuji camera body that can compete with the likes of a Sony A6000. Not everyone is convinced by the magic of an X-Trans sensor. So the X-E2 is not an option for everyone. If you want to use those great Fuji glass you are forced to live with X-Trans or a cheap bayer camera without EVF.

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          1. If all those great photographers out there taking amazing pictures aren’t enough to convince you I’m not sure what would. Just buy yourself a Sony and be happy.

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             1. +1

          2. People who don’t care for x-trans are usually fans of other systems. I
             doubt it makes any business sense for Fuji to develop a product line for
             those who dont want to get stuck with X-Trans. Fuji is for people who
             want X-Trans cameras. You will be better off buying Zeiss lenses for
             Sony cameras instead.

             People who are looking for every possible
             feature in entry-level cameras are the ones who don’t understand how a
             business works. It’d be disastrous for Fuji’s x-e2 if they launched a
             camera at half the price that had all the basic features of x-e2.

             X-e2 is in direct competition with Sony A6000,Fuji’s kit lens alone is $500. If you buy a Sony with 16-70 f4 zeiss ( closest competitor to Fuji’s kit lens) then you’ll end up spending $400-600 more than x-e2. And people who can’t appreciate X-Trans are better off spending their money elsewhere.

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             1. You are probably right. But it’s a pity (or Fuji fault) that Fuji put so good Bayer in its entry level X-A1 that performs better than Sony’s Bayer and even Fuji’s X-Trans.

             2. I don’t think it does. Bayer did out perform x-e1 sensor but only under certain circumstances and even then only a pixel peeper could tell the difference. X-trans isn’t a better sensor by leaps and bounds anyways. Differences have been marginal anyways. I doubt it makes a much of a difference in real world. As much as I want a cheap Fuji with EVF, I know that’s not gonna happen. X-a2 is already priced at 550, adding a EVF would make it be close to 700 or 750, that’s just way too much for an entry-level and way to close to x-e2 for it to sell. Adding an EVF will also add bulk and make it similar in size to x-e2.

                x-e1 makes for a better and cheaper camera if you can live with the AF speed it offers.

             3. Only point I don’t agree is “if you can live with the AF speed it offers”

                Coming from high end Nikons, I wanted to “test the water” and did not want to spend too much to try the X system. So I went X-E1 and XF 18-55. Bracing myself against a crippled AF and all the possible other failings.

                And within weeks I started thinking to myself that the AF was Not so bad->not bad->good and that the image quality was there anyway. When the AF clearly cannot cope, let’s revert to manual AF techniques : manual PRE-AF, Zone focusing …

             4. Well, not “every possible feature”, but, since you are releasing a camera with a bayer sensor in 2015, at least use the best one. The fact Fuji decided to not use it is an admission that the 16 mp X-trans is not that much better than the 16mp bayer from Sony (otherwise they would have had no problem is using the 24mp sony sensor in this camera).
                The problem of all this is: photographers do not want to buy a camera; they usually want to buy a specific lens, or some specific lenses. Fuji lenses are excellent, and that’s why I’m interested in the system. But, aside the Xt1 (which is too expensive for me) no Fuji camera looks interesting. If I could use the Fuji lenses with the Sony 6000, that would be a great deal.

          3. Ryu, I really don’t have any “glue” about business 😉

             Actually, I don’t have and “clue” either but I trust Fuji – who seem to be intelligent enough to make pretty awesome cameras – to have a clue or two about business.

             I firmly believe they know their numbers better than you do. And I’m pretty sure they have enough common sense as to not build a camera that just costs them money. Obviously I was exaggerating about the cost for R&D that an X-A2 requires. But it still is close to nothing compared to the costs for developing something like the X-T1. On the other hand it even saves Fuji money in some sense. If they update the X-A2 to use more of the internal parts that the other up-to-date X-cameras are using then this will lead to cheaper buying prices instead of buying lower volumes of different items. Also they will not build a new production line, they only need to modify the one from the X-A1. And honestly, that won’t require too many changes…

             I see your point and I have read of many people who would like a higher level X-camera with Bayer CFA. I haven’t actually compared the two so I can’t comment on the question of which is better. I love the images from my X-Trans sensor and right now that is all that counts for me. Let me ask you: Is X-Trans THAT bad in your eyes that it’s not worth accepting the compromises in order to have the many benefits?

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       4. X-E2 does not have Bayer but raather overrated X-Trans that performs pretty bad in mixed and artifical light, not to mention ugly pink/magneta cast on skin at high iso. You will not see it on Bayer’s X-A1 image. No, X-E2 does not have “everything you want”, you forgot about it has not received most of upgrades X-T1 has received, so X-E2 is rather “a forgotten Fuji child”. Many X-A1 users loves and bought this cam for Bayer sensor but needed EVF, and has been asked for it, now they feel disappointed. And Fuji can make bad decisions, X-30 is good example.

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          1. Addition of an EVF would have resulted in a costlier camera (easily $100-150 more). No one wants to buy an entry level camera that costs $700-750.

             And I dont get it, if you don’t like x-trans then you are better of buying cameras from Sony or m43. x-trans is Fuji’s niche market and there is no point in expecting them to dump that to please potential entry-level buyers who won’t want to upgrade to x-trans in future

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          2. As an X-E2 owner, I have been very happy with both firmware updates. I didn’t get everything the X-T1 got, but then again, I didn’t spend as much on my camera. I did get a much improved EVF, Classic Chrome, AF+MF, and Interval shooting. Would it be nice to have gotten all the extras that the X-T1 got? Sure, but if I was so concerned about having all the bells and whistles, I would have bought the X-T1.

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       5. or too many fanboys around.

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       6. As usual, these Canon releases are very underwhelming.

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15. Fuji had a lot to ‘say’ last year with the x-t1, but looking at todays announcements i think: if you have nothing to say, just keep your mouth shut!

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    1. Sadly, camera buyers have made camera manufacturers like sharks. They have to keep moving or they are dead. Even if that ‘keep moving’ means incremental changes to questionable cameras. If Fuji didn’t launch any new cameras this season, it would be seen to be asleep at the switch, it would begin to be forgotten about, and sales of higher-end cameras like the X-T1 would begin to suffer.

       We’re a fickle bunch. Eventually (in fact, it may have already happened), camera brands will release ‘new’ cameras simply to keep the name in the public eye, with no mind to sales or marketing. Even bad publicity is still publicity, and in a world where you are three tweets away from being forgotten, publicity is all-important.

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       1. Yeah, you are absolutely right; I know the mechanisms of the market. Better to release something slightly updated than nothing at all. And yes, costumers want something “new” every few month…even if they are given the same product with a different name. Yet, I still think it´s a shame to sell an almost completely identical product (XQ2) under a different name. I know it´s hard times for camera manufacturers, but dissing costumers is not the right way.

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       2. This may seem off topic but every year golf club manufacturers introduce a new and “better” driver. Of course there is about an eyelash bit of difference between the new and previous model. But if the advertising claims were true we would all be hitting the ball 500 yards by now.

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16. Given the X-A2 does not feature a Xtrans sensor and it supports Classic Chrome, I guess the reason for Classic Chrome not making it to some of the older bodies is the use of the earlier EXR processor chip. While that would spell no Classic Chrome for X100, XPro1, and X-E1, it could be applied to X100S, X-M1, and X-A1, all of which use the EXR II chip found in the X-E2, X-T1, X100T, and now the X-A2.

    So, where’s my kaizen Classic Chrome upgrade for my X100S?

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    1. Zack Arias the guy who represents fuji, has x100s with instaled Clasic Chrome firmware. Please google.

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    2. I doubt it’s any technical reason holding it back, at some point Fuji has to draw a line in the sand and say ‘if you want new features you need to buy a new camera’. I think the feature differentiation between the X100T and S is so slim they want to keep classic chrome as an exclusive T feature.

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       1. You’re right. They just shouldn’t make such a fuss about “Kaizen” then. Adding support for converter lenses to X100s was a benefit for Fuji as well, because so X100s owners could go and spend their money for these lenses. But that’s hardly to be considered “Kaizen” – no improvements of existing functionalities were delivered (such as improved AF or overall speed), no additional functionalities were delivered (such as classic chrome filter). The update only adressed compatibility issues, which is a “service” you could expect from any other company as well.

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          1. The problem is if you give people an inch they demand a mile. Fuji goes way beyond nearly every other camera manufacturer with support for older models. Because one pet feature doesn’t get ported to an older model people whine and complain like their camera suddenly caught fire and became useless.

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             1. +1000

                As an aside Fuji may be making a deeper dent in the market than we believe: I read last week that Nikon decided to /ADD/ 2 or 3 features (nothing complex, but still an addition) on some high end body via a firmware update!!!
                I was a Nikon user from the D1x era to the D4 era and from the top of my head it is the first time I see this.

    3. Of course there is no technical reason for that. ANY color profile is just another set of coefficients into RAW-JPEG conversion algorithm.

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17. X-A2 got minor improvements, no one I expacted, I waited for viewfinder, PDAF and – yes – hoped it will get also 24MP Bayer. Maybe Fuji will put Bayer in X-E3? They should offer 24MP Bayer in one their higher X-cams. X-T1 & X-100T for X-Trans, X-Pro2 for “organic”, and X-E3 for Bayer. It makes sens to me.

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    1. A more Fuji thing to do would be to come out with an X-Trans 3 with a new colour filter pattern just to screw up everybody’s workflows again 😉 Personally I suspect that 24 megapixels is probably enough to resolve some of the detail smearing issues you get with X-trans at 16 megapixels.

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    2. Fuji would never launch a 24MP sensor in a lowend body. It would pissoff all users with highend bodies. Expect a 24MP sensor with a future new highend camera..

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       1. Sure, and in order not to pissoff the “highend users” Fuji is the only maker releasing a new APSC camera with this old Sony sensor, even at low-end.
          If this strategy is dictated by the X-trans sensor promotion, then better be they switch to being a sensor-maker company only, ’cause they are loosing potential clients, here.

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          1. You have any sales figures to back this up?

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             1. The XA1 sales figures are out there, and this is the same camera two years later (with the rest of the market drastically changed, and the Iphone getting a better 8mp camera which is definitively enough for any non-photoamateur user).

             2. I’m referring to the total sales figures. Not the XA1 alone.. You state Fuji is losing potential customers. I think your wrong. So get me these terrible figures to backup your bold statement.

       2. It really doesn’t compete that much with the other cameras because of the Bayer sensor. That what makes the X-Line unique is the X-Trans sensor.

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          1. But an upgrade from 16 to 24MP would be rather big news and it doesn’t make sense to do this upgrade on an entrylevel camera first. I dare to bet with anyone that such an upgrade will be first performed on a flagship model.

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18. XQ2 is a waste of a release. Fuji tried selling the XQ1 for $500 until it dropped to around $300 and even at that price there was little or no interest. How sad 🙁

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    1. Fuji probably has a better idea of how well the XQ1 sold than you do 😉

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    2. When RX100 can be had for about as much, you must be mad buying XQ1/2/123 etc… At least XF1 was stylish and unique. XQ is just another poor P&S.

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19. Then please by all means, go ahead and by one for $500. 🙂

    Or save $200 and buy an XQ1 and just slap a “2” on it. LOL

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20. Am I the only one who thinks that an eye detection AF is a freakin’ promising improvement?

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    1. Doesn’t everybody have it for, like, 10 years already?

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       1. You mean, a feature that usually makes one list with the smile shutter? It typically missed the eyes when used with the fast glass, indeed, for 10 years or so already. Hopefully this iteration would be better.

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          1. With the fast glass, it rarely possible to get both eyes in the maximum focus – that is why Olympus cameras let you choose left eye, right eye or closest eye, like, forever. Does X-A2 have the choice? Otherwise, don’t expect the sharpest focus.

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             1. I don’t expect anything until I have a chance to handle production sample. If you scroll up a little bit, you may have a pleasure of reading what I have to say about this feature one more time. Promising. Improvement. Here, I just saved you a scroll. Now feel free to go over m43 forum and mock them about lack of PDAF in their new camera, that’ll stir a bigger wave.

             2. The lack of PDAF on the new EM5 makes some sense, in that Olympus seems to mainly use it to support big, legacy 4/3 lenses, not for focus speed. On the EM1, PDAF also kicks in when in continuous autofocus mode, but they seem to downplay that.

             3. In short, Olympus doesn’t know how to properly cook PDAF pixels, at least not yet. Basically they’re relying on a sheer processing power for the time being.

             4. They’ll get there. Fuji too. And Sony. And Panasonic, And Samsung. I’m really looking forward to the day when mirrorless can track focus better than a DSLR for sports and wildlife shooters. It will happen.

             5. Exciting times indeed. Evolution, natural selection and all that darvinistic jazz happening right now, in front of us. Some companies are borrowing good traits from the others (Samsung rolling out Kaizen firmware), some others caving into patent wars (Sony and Nikon)… Low life forms (smartphones) eating the tails of higher life forms, etc, etc, etc. The times they are a-changin’.

       2. 1 year, not 10 years. It was introduced in the A6000, which is the latest APS-C camera from Sony.

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          1. cppguy16, eye/face detection was in other cameras for much longer.

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       3. Yes, my Canon A2E (at least 10 years ago) has eye sensor focus and it worked.

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          1. You’re a champion either in sarcasm or in ignorance. But a champion nevertheless.

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    2. Huge! Eye detection on M43 cameras is amazing. Olympus cameras let you specify which eye to favor. I don’t own the latest Panasonic cameras, but I believe you can select “nearest eye.” I hope that Fuji gets it right and brings it to the rest of the lineup and doesn’t consider it a low end feature.

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       1. My thoughts exactly.

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21. So, no improvements?

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22. Eye Control Focus looks interesting. How does it differ from Facial Recognition? And does ECF simply detect eyes or does it accurately focus on them?

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    1. correction: should have read ‘Eye Detection’

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       1. Eye Control Focusing is a much better idea.

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23. What a joke

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    1. What a constructive criticism 🙂

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    2. So these two cameras walk in to a bar.
       They order some beers.
       Bartender says “That’ll be $100 thanks. Hey… we don’t see many cameras in here”.
       Camera says “At these prices, I’m not surprised.”
       What?

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    3. Je suis Fuji..

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24. These cameras are very pretty and seem a great match for the “selfie mode” tilting screen intended market. A touch screen would have been even better.

    This camera isn’t for me, and probably not for many people here, but seems like it fits a segment with big potential. Fuji and Olympus’ PEN7 are both aiming for this group.

    If serving this market helps Fuji’s bottom line, I’m all for it. There will be something for enthusiast and high end fans in the coming months.

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    1. It seems like the X-A1 and the 27 are made for each other, They should make that an option for a kit lens. Much more pocketable, and seems more in line with this camera than the big zoom. Maybe they could even put a strip of the brown faux leather around the lens barrel.

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       1. Yes, an XC27 or thereabouts.

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    2. As it was said in past discussions, the problem here is that this camera is “not for us”, nor for the selfie crowd. They already use the smartphone for pics, and they will not see why they have to carry around one more technological item, which btw unlike RX100 or similar is not compact and requires a small bag, plus not so simple to use in action, plus very quirky in how it handles the files (many selfie persons don’t know what an sd card is, and can’t imagine the need of transfering files to a computer for posting online, just saying), PLUS it is not state-of-the art from any point of view (sensor, video, etc), AND priced to compete against cameras from other producers that are either smaller or with better specs on paper. My guess: it will end out like the X-A1: nobody will buy it, and Fuji will not understand why.

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25. given that some feel the AF on the FUJIs doesnt match perhaps the best mirroless – say sony A6000 im really intrigued as to the multi target and eye AF modes and whether these would work on a camera with PDAF sensors – eg x-e2 and x-t1 ?kaizen?. I once borrowed a nex-3 and its autofocus appeared to be like this multi target. it also is what my aging canon appears to do – ie more than one point lights up. though its unclear from the description is this a target tracking system or just a single shot AF.
    the eye feature could be interesting as thats what i do most of the time taking a portrait – find the closest eye and focus on it – automating that would be cool.

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    1. Yes my 2009 Canon 7D does this in what canon calls AI servo mode. I love I love the X system as a manual focus camera with the large high resolution EVF and the zoom in focus peaking makes it usable the AF makes me want to smash it!!! For sports and action I still love my OLD 7D

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26. I just noticed the waterproof case for the XQ2. Was there such an accessory for the XQ2?

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27. As usual, these Canon releases are very underwhelming. Come on Canon, time to innovate!!!

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28. X-A2? X-Q2? Dandy, I guess but what’s up with the X-E line? Where’s the X-E3???

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29. Am I the only one that finds the new version of a lens promising? Here’s hoping they’ll come out with a XF35 II

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