In case you are one of the very rare FR-readers who didn’t read Rico’s (p)review of the X-E2, then check it out here. Also riflessifotografici (Max & Donato) will share their X-E2/XQ1 review soon. A first sample is already online at their website.
So, one by one, the reviews and first impressions are coming… and here is a quick first look of thephoblographer.
“The X-E2 is a camera that in all honesty, feels like an old [shoplink 18115 ebay]Leica CL[/shoplink]. […] We didn’t notice any major differences in the autofocusing speed between the X-E2 and the X-E1. In fact, the X Pro 1 isn’t far off from this either. To be fair, we tested it in a very low light area–and convention centers aren’t the best test environments. We’ll have to really put this through a thorough runthrough when we get a review unit in.”
For the XQ1 first impressions of thephoblographer click here:
Though we don’t think that there is anything wrong per se with the XQ1, we’re not sure who may purchase it with Fujifilm also pricing interchangeable lens cameras at such low points. Additionally, we also think that the camera may need more features and a larger sensor for us to want to pick it up as an everyday camera.
Pre-orders
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X-E2 – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline / EUROPE: wexphotographicUK / DigitalRev / Fotomundus24 GER / PCHstore /
XQ1 – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / EUROPE: wexphotographicUK / DigitalRev / PCHstore /
25 Responses
The Phoblographers’ impression is mainly “not much different from the XE1” to which I ask — then what’s the point of the camera?
Great impressions! Check Ming Thien’s preview on X-E2 as well here: http://blog.mingthein.com/2013/10/18/review-the-2013-fujifilm-x-e2/
I really like his blog, he is a really good photographer and honest in his assumptions..
so XS2 seem still slow and laggy…
Regarding the AF speed in Mings review: that’s not what most of the other reviews said. The review generally sounds like the X-E2 is pretty close to the worst cam ever produced in this class. Also the issue with the shutter button wasn’t mentioned in any other review i read. I feel its also a bit about the brand he has issues with…
Guys The lens software isn’t out yet Got to have that before testing or making up ones mind
I like some of his work too, but his “preview” or “reviews” sadly are sometimes quite buggy.
The X-E2 feels like a Leica CL? The XQ1 has an APS-C X sensor? No way.
That was a pretty good read. Ming really has an eye for details, Fuji could do a lot worse than look at his suggestions to improve the design.
Just wondering if the difference in opinions about the AF is not due to the fact that some reviewers tested it with the 23mm (which, as Rico told us, needs no firmware update to take advantage of the pdaf AF) and others with other lenses – in the photoblogger review the lens appears to be a 27mm 2.8.
I agree that the X-E2 does not look like a HUGE upgrade, but since all that’s ever left me down in a X-Pro 1 (coming from a Canon 7D) was the AF speed, a noticeable improvement there is all I need to have the perfect camera :).
the first image show a 23 1.4
True, but the article never goes into any detail as to which lens was used when determining that the AF was laggy…so still not convinced that it’s a proper AF review 🙂
I agree – I’ll wait for the reviews of the camera with updated lenses. There is no point listening to a preview without updated lenses.
Pär
I’m awfully suspicious… I’ve probably read 10 previews of the X-E2, and this is the only one that doesn’t think that the difference in AF speed or EVF is huge. I’m not ascribing this to malice, but I’m wondering if their reviewer simply hasn’t had much experience with an X-E1?
I don´t think the “Phoblographer” is aware that the lenses have to get firmware updates first… not a very substancial “first look” post. He didn´t even had a camera to try for period of time like other reviewers, he just “fondeled” with it at Photo Plus Expo 2013.
As a previous owner of a Leica CL and the X-E1 I can not really follow his “conclusions”
Some other reviewers, which actually had a preproduction camera think it´s a major upgrade under the hood.
Glad I did not run and pre-ordered the e2. E1 is already a bargain when some stores are selling the kit in $800 range. E2 u would have to pay $1000 alone for body. The only difference I see that I appreciate is a larger display as display on e1 is really crappy in my opinion. All the talk about improved af should be checked. AF on e1 was already decent in good light and lagging in low light. Pdaf on e2 turns off in low light anyway so not sure how much faster it would get there. Time to relax and wait for thorough intelligent reviews from independent sites not associated with Fuji.
Why the X-E2 has the a black bar on the right hand side of its screen. I’ve seen it on numerous reviews. At first I thought the menu is not using all the screen estate and then I see it appears in live view as well.
The screen border do make X-E2’s screen looks huge but consider that black bar, it’s not so much of an improvement.
All depends what ratio is it set at if all the screen is needed, For 2 of them like 9×16 the top and bottom isn’t needed.
Please check out my comment below. The black bar is on the right hand side of the screen, not top or bottom.
Viet,
I can’t find any reviews with what you mentioned, so I don’t know.
Either way, the size has never been my problem with the X-E1, it is the low resolution. The new screen more than doubles the resolution, so even taking into account any wasted space on the screen (again, I’m not seeing it, but I’ll take your word), we’re looking at a big jump in resolution.
Will
http://blog.mingthein.com/2013/10/18/review-the-2013-fujifilm-x-e2/
In this you can see the there’s a black bar in the menu screen.
http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/124383-hands-on-fujifilm-x-e2-review
And in this you see it in live view.
I agree with you the big jump in resolution can cover for this shortage but I’ve never have any problem with the lower res X-E1 screen. I pass this upgrade and order a new X-E1 kit after my previous kit has a problem with the 18-55 lens. The spare cash goes toward a new XF 35mm from Ebay 😀
I can see it. You’re right that’s odd. It’s like the screen is 16:9 and the shown user interface is 3:2.
Patrick maybe you can ask Fuji about that or your sources?
So they did a preview in low light, without any possibility to judge the rendering, and they only talk about the ergonomy, which is basically the same as the XE1. Waow, that’s useful… It obvious that it deserves a paper ^^
Just got back from PhotoPlus, checking out the x-e2 and 23/1.4 combo. Compared to my X-Pro 1 the AF seemed much faster. Whether that was the body or lens I wasn’t able to determine in the very limited time I had at the Fuji counter. On the lens, it felt smaller in the hand than it might be expected from photos (without lens hood, which is indeed gigantic), balanced very well on the x-e2. At 1.4 there was great separation of subject from background.
I liked the comment: “Photography is about photography, not about cameras.”
Of course, I’m guilty as charged reading every little bit I can about the X-E2. I have an X-E1 and pre-ordered the X-E2 on the day it was announced to be in line and make the decision later rather than have to wait for months like was the case with my X-E1.
Can’t wait to get my hands on that XQ1 with APSC sensor. At least that’s what the phoblogger says it has.
🙂
This guy. No idea.