Fujifilm X-E2 Review

Based on a production Fujifilm X-E2 running firmware v1.2

The X-E2 is the mid-range model in Fujifilm's X system of mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras, sitting between the relatively affordable X-M1 and X-A1 twins, and the unashamedly high-end X-Pro1 and X-T1. It's an update of the X-E1, which we liked a lot for its combination of 'old school' handling and excellent image quality, giving it our Gold award in our review.

The X-E2 is superficially very similar to the X-E1, with the same basic body design and control layout; at a quick glance it's almost impossible to tell them apart. It keeps the same top-plate layout, including analogue shutter speed and exposure compensation dials, and has the same 2.36M dot OLED electronic viewfinder. The rear of the camera is still covered in buttons in much the same places as the X-E1, but their functions have been rearranged.

The headline updates are the sensor and processor: the X-E2 sports the same X-Trans CMOS II sensor as we first saw in the X100S, which includes on-chip phase detection elements for autofocus, and in concert with the EXR Processor II promises much improved autofocus speed. It also gains Fujifilm's rather basic but easy-to-use Wi-Fi system for sharing images. There's also a much nicer rear screen: a 3", 1.04M dot 3:2 aspect ratio unit, and a whole host of further tweaks and improvements. The net result is a camera that retains all the best bits of its predecessor, but has also been improved in many respects.

Fujifilm X-E2 key features

16MP X-Trans CMOS II sensor
EXR Processor II
ISO 200-6400, plus 100 - 25600 expanded (JPEG only)
7 fps continuous shooting; 3 fps with continuous AF
Lens Modulation Optimizer (for sharper JPEGs when shooting at large or small apertures)

2.36M dot OLED electronic viewfinder
Top-plate analogue shutter speed and exposure compensation dials
3" 1.04M dot 3:2 fixed LCD (non-tilting, not touch-sensitive)
Built-in Wi-Fi for image transfer to smartphones or computers
Full HD movie recording (1920x1080/60p, ~38Mbps bitrate), with built-in stereo microphone
2.5mm stereo microphone socket, also accepts electronic remote releases
Available in silver or black

The X-E2 - not revolutionary, but distinctly evolved

Alongside the most obvious changes, the X-E2 adds a wide array of improvements and refinements compared to the X-E1, including a sensibly-revised control layout. The top-plate shutter speed and exposure compensation dials have been tweaked, with the latter now offering a range of +/-3 stops in 1/3 stop increments. Instead of a combined AE-L/AF-L button the X-E2 has separate controls for each, whose behavior can be user-defined. The rear plate controls have been rearranged, and four buttons are now user-customizable. There's also a number of small changes in response to user feedback, including the ability to specify a minimum shutter speed for Auto ISO, and live view exposure preview in manual exposure mode.

The back of X-E2 is slightly rearranged compared to the X-E1 (right), with some of the the buttons serving different functions. It's dominated by the 3" 3:2 1.04M dot screen - a big improvement over the X-E1's 2.8" 4:3 420k dot LCD.

The result may not be enough to tempt existing X-E1 owners to trade in their year-old cameras and upgrade, but that's not necessarily the point. In general, the days when photo enthusiasts could expect significant advances in speed and image quality with each year's new model are long gone. Instead the X-E2 is designed to keep the line up-to-date against the current competition, to draw new users into the system, and it does that pretty well. Impressively, Fujifilm has extended many of the firmware-based improvements to X-E1 customers - the company seems determined to be seen to support its existing customers.

Changes/improvements compared to X-E1

The list below summarizes changes relative to the X-E1 - some more significant than others (Fujifilm says there are more than 60 in total). Many of these reflect users' requests for operational changes and new features; some of them count more as bug fixes than anything else. But Fujifilm has to be given huge credit for listening and actively responding to such feedback.

Exposure compensation dial offers expanded range of +/-3
Shutter speed dial adds 1/180sec X-sync position, and increases separation of 'A' position
Separate AE-L and AF-L buttons
AF point selection moved to 4-way controller (reflects recent X-E1 firmware revisions)
Old AF point selection button is now customizable Fn2 - sets white balance by default
Four customizable buttons in total (Fn1, Fn2, AF, AE)
Repositioned 'Q' button (less likely to be pressed accidentally)
View mode button removed (now a menu setting)
Low-speed (3 fps) continuous shooting mode, with focus tracking and live view between frames
AF-C no longer limited to centre of frame - uses same 49 point array as AF-S
Configurable Auto ISO (max and min ISO, minimum shutter speed)
Exposure preview in Manual exposure mode (can be disabled in menu)
Three manual focus aids (magnified view, peaking display, digital split-image)
Face detection autofocus/autoexposure available (enabled as menu setting)
JPEG-only bracketing modes hidden when shooting RAW
'Advanced Filter' creative shooting modes (JPEG-only)
Multiple exposure mode moved to drive menu, grouped with panorama mode
14-bit Raw recording
1.8x faster file write times
Improved EVF framerates in low light (60 fps vs 20 fps)
Zoomed-in focus check view available in AF mode (by clicking rear dial)
Conventional playback and file naming of images shot in continuous drive mode
Images can be deleted when viewing them zoomed-in
Exposure settings can be changed when AE-L is engaged

The world's fastest autofocus?

At launch, Fujifilm proudly claimed that the X-E2 offers the 'world's fastest autofocus' of 0.08 sec - an attention-grabbing statement designed to dispel the reputation the X system gained in its early days for slowish performance. The small print is revealing though - Fujifilm's tests used the XF 14mm F2.8R wideangle lens and the camera's 'High Performance' mode, which is disabled by default and has to be turned on in the menus. As tends to be the way with these things, you're not quite going to see that speed in day-to-day shooting.

The X-E2's tracking autofocus is substantially improved too - on paper at least. With the camera in its 3fps 'Continuous Low' speed and the focus switch set to AF-C, the camera can re-focus between frames, and show a live view display too. The focus point for AF-C is no longer limited to the centre of the frame, but can be moved around freely. Strangely though the live view feed doesn't show up during continuous shooting in other focus modes - the camera plays back your just-taken shots between frames instead.

Lens Modulation Optimizer

The X-E2 is Fujifilm's first interchangeable-lens camera to offer its 'Lens Modulation Optimizer', as previously seen on the X100S and X20. This uses Fujifilm's knowledge of each lens's characteristics to adjust the in-camera processing and sharpening, in an attempt to combat diffraction and lens aberrations. The idea is to give sharper out-of-camera JPEGs when shooting at large or small apertures. The concept isn't exactly new - Raw developers such as DxO Optics Pro and Canon Digital Photo Pro do much the same thing - but it's only just starting to find its way into in-camera JPEG processing engines.

The Lens Modulation Optimizer function is compatible with all of Fujifilm's X-mount lenses, although it appears the camera firmware will need updating when new lenses are launched to fully understand their characteristics. It can be turned on or off in the menu, so you don't have to use it all the time if you don't want to, and it can also be applied to individual images during in-camera Raw conversion.

Movie mode updates

The X-E2's movie mode still feels like something of an afterthought on what is primarily a stills camera (there's no record button, so it's accessed as a drive mode), but Fujifilm has added some extra capabilities. It's now possible to choose a Film Simulation mode, and adjust exposure compensation during recording. You also get a choice of framerates, but this is limited to 30fps or 60fps.

Fujifilm X-Trans CMOS II sensor

The X-E2 uses Fujifilm's X-Trans CMOS II sensor, which employs a novel color filter array to suppress color moiré. This in turn means it doesn't need an anti-aliasing filter, and can therefore (in principle) offer higher resolution compared to other cameras with the same 16MP pixel count but conventional Bayer-type sensors. You can read more about the technology behind this in our in-depth review of the X-Pro1.

When the X-Trans CMOS sensor it first appeared, third-party Raw support was patchy at best, with even the mainstream converters struggling to deliver sharp, artefact-free results. Since then, though, much has changed, and recently we've both seen a wider variety of choices, and a general improvement in results. Most recently, in a hugely welcome development, Adobe has started to add support for Fujifilm's Film Simulation modes.

The X-E2's sensor also includes phase detection pixels to assist autofocus, as previously seen on the X100S. There are 86,000 of these all told, arranged across 36% of the sensor's area in the centre of the frame.

Kit options and pricing

The X-E2 is available in a choice of silver and black finishes, either body only at a list price of $999 / £799.99 or bundled with the premium XF 18-55mm F2.8-4R LM OIS zoom for $1399 / £1199.99. These are the same as the X-E1 at launch.

If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help you understand some of the terms used).

Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions.
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