The X-E2 is the mid-range model in Fujifilm'south Ten system of mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras, sitting betwixt the relatively affordable 10-M1 and X-A1 twins, and the unashamedly high-end X-Pro1 and X-T1. It's an update of the X-E1, which nosotros liked a lot for its combination of 'old school' handling and excellent image quality, giving it our Gilded honour in our review.

The X-E2 is superficially very like to the X-E1, with the same basic body blueprint and control layout; at a quick glance information technology's almost impossible to tell them apart. Information technology 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 photographic camera is still covered in buttons in much the aforementioned places as the 10-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-bit stage detection elements for autofocus, and in concert with the EXR Processor Two promises much improved autofocus speed. Information technology besides gains Fujifilm's rather basic simply easy-to-use Wi-Fi system for sharing images. There'due south also a much nicer rear screen: a 3", i.04M dot iii:ii aspect ratio unit of measurement, and a whole host of further tweaks and improvements. The cyberspace upshot is a camera that retains all the best bits of its predecessor, but has likewise been improved in many respects.

Fujifilm Ten-E2 key features

  • 16MP X-Trans CMOS II sensor
  • EXR Processor Two
  • ISO 200-6400, plus 100 - 25600 expanded (JPEG only)
  • vii fps continuous shooting; iii fps with continuous AF
  • Lens Modulation Optimizer (for sharper JPEGs when shooting at big or small apertures)
  • 2.36M dot OLED electronic viewfinder
  • Top-plate counterpart shutter speed and exposure compensation dials
  • 3" 1.04M dot 3:ii fixed LCD (not-tilting, not touch-sensitive)
  • Born Wi-Fi for prototype transfer to smartphones or computers
  • Total Hard disk drive movie recording (1920x1080/60p, ~38Mbps bitrate), with born stereo microphone
  • two.5mm stereo microphone socket, also accepts electronic remote releases
  • Available in argent or black

The Ten-E2 - not revolutionary, but distinctly evolved

Aslope the well-nigh obvious changes, the 10-E2 adds a wide array of improvements and refinements compared to the X-E1, including a sensibly-revised control layout. The elevation-plate shutter speed and exposure compensation dials have been tweaked, with the latter now offering a range of +/-iii stops in 1/3 finish increments. Instead of a combined AE-L/AF-L button the X-E2 has separate controls for each, whose beliefs can be user-defined. The rear plate controls have been rearranged, and four buttons are now user-customizable. At that place's likewise 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 Ten-E1 (right), with some of the the buttons serving dissimilar functions. Information technology's dominated by the 3" three:2 1.04M dot screen - a large comeback over the X-E1'south ii.8" 4:3 420k dot LCD.

The result may not be enough to tempt existing X-E1 owners to merchandise in their yr-former cameras and upgrade, merely that'due south not necessarily the point. In general, the days when photograph enthusiasts could look pregnant advances in speed and epitome quality with each year's new model are long gone. Instead the X-E2 is designed to keep the line upwardly-to-date confronting the current competition, to draw new users into the system, and information technology 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 beneath summarizes changes relative to the X-E1 - some more significant than others (Fujifilm says there are more 60 in full). 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 exist given huge credit for listening and actively responding to such feedback.

  • Exposure compensation dial offers expanded range of +/-three
  • Shutter speed dial adds 1/180sec X-sync position, and increases separation of 'A' position
  • Dissever AE-L and AF-L buttons
  • AF bespeak selection moved to 4-way controller (reflects recent X-E1 firmware revisions)
  • Old AF bespeak selection button is now customizable Fn2 - sets white rest past 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 card setting)
  • Depression-speed (3 fps) continuous shooting mode, with focus tracking and live view betwixt frames
  • AF-C no longer limited to eye of frame - uses same 49 indicate array as AF-S
  • Configurable Automobile 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-paradigm)
  • Face up detection autofocus/autoexposure available (enabled as carte du jour setting)
  • JPEG-only bracketing modes hidden when shooting RAW
  • 'Avant-garde Filter' creative shooting modes (JPEG-just)
  • Multiple exposure mode moved to drive menu, grouped with panorama mode
  • fourteen-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 manner (by clicking rear dial)
  • Conventional playback and file naming of images shot in continuous drive mode
  • Images tin exist deleted when viewing them zoomed-in
  • Exposure settings tin be changed when AE-50 is engaged

The world'south fastest autofocus?

At launch, Fujifilm proudly claimed that the 10-E2 offers the 'world's fastest autofocus' of 0.08 sec - an attending-grabbing statement designed to dispel the reputation the X system gained in its early on days for slowish performance. The small print is revealing though - Fujifilm'due south tests used the XF 14mm F2.8R wideangle lens and the camera'due south 'Loftier Performance' mode, which is disabled past default and has to be turned on in the menus. Every bit tends to be the way with these things, yous're non quite going to see that speed in day-to-twenty-four hours shooting.

The X-E2's tracking autofocus is essentially improved besides - 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 betwixt frames, and testify a live view display also. The focus point for AF-C is no longer limited to the centre of the frame, but can be moved effectually freely. Strangely though the alive view feed doesn't show upward during continuous shooting in other focus modes - the photographic camera plays back your just-taken shots betwixt frames instead.

Lens Modulation Optimizer

The X-E2 is Fujifilm'southward commencement interchangeable-lens camera to offering 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 Eyes Pro and Canon Digital Photo Pro practice much the aforementioned thing - but information technology's simply just starting to discover its manner into in-camera JPEG processing engines.

The Lens Modulation Optimizer function is compatible with all of Fujifilm'southward X-mount lenses, although it appears the camera firmware volition demand 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 lot don't desire to, and it can also exist practical to individual images during in-camera Raw conversion.

Motion-picture show mode updates

The X-E2's picture mode still feels similar something of an afterthought on what is primarily a stills camera (there'due south no record push, and then information technology'due south accessed as a drive mode), just Fujifilm has added some extra capabilities. Information technology's now possible to choose a Movie Simulation mode, and accommodate exposure compensation during recording. You also get a choice of framerates, but this is express to 30fps or 60fps.

Fujifilm X-Trans CMOS Ii sensor

The Ten-E2 uses Fujifilm's X-Trans CMOS II sensor, which employs a novel color filter array to suppress colour moiré. This in turn means it doesn't demand 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 tin read more about the applied science backside this in our in-depth review of the 10-Pro1.

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

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

Kit options and pricing

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