Fujifilm X-E2 Review

Fujifilm X-E2

The Fuji X-E2 is the first Fuji mirrorless to feature the unique 16 MP X-Trans CMOS II sensor with built-in Phase-Detect autofocus. Like the one on the X100S
Fujifilm X100S, this APS-C sensor has a 1.5X crop-factor and 3:2 aspect-ratio except that it forgoes an anti-alias filter thanks to its unique color-filter which is not prone to Moire.

The X-E2 uses Fuji's own XF lens mount which has a very short flange distance. This makes it easier to design high-quality lenses and lens-mount adaptors, including one made by Fuji for the Leica M-mount. Fuji launched a total of ten lenses so far, mostly bright prime lenses, rather than the usual zooms, reinforcing the X-E2 as a high-end offering with a small footprint. This is crucial for SLDs since they must provide a clear advantage over DSLRs which have an iron-grip on the high-end digital camera market.

This digital camera follows the X-E1 with the same design, including a class-leading 2.4 MP EVF with Eye-Start sensor in a retro-styled body. Its highly mechanical interface offers a classic shutter-speed dial, plus an EC dial and a control-dial to use instead of the aperture-ring on entry-level lenses which do not have one.

Since the Fuji X-E2 is quite similar to its predecessor, large parts of this review are taken from the X-E1 Review. Differences are highlighted below in green, just like this text.

This digital camera review analyses the usability, performance and image quality of the Fuji X-E2.

Fuji X-E2 Features

The Fuji X-E2 features a 16 megapixels sensor with a unique color-filter array which does not require an anti-alias filter. Normally, an anti-alias filter is placed right in front of the sensor to very slightly blur light reaching the sensor. This avoids the sensor trying to resolve details which are too fine and could result in Moire artifacts. The side-effect of this is that most camera sensors never get as much details as they can capture, assuming a high quality lens, of course.

Having such a high-resolution sensor without an anti-alias filter makes the X-E2 suitable for large prints with extremely sharp details, as long as the lens in use is sufficiently sharp. This is probably why Fuji started the XF-mount with high-quality prime lenses. Otherwise, they might have wiped out the resolution advantage of the new X-Trans technology.

The APS-C sensor of the Fuji X-E2 is the same size as sensors found in most digital SLRs. Only a handful of mirrorless cameras have larger sensors. This gives the X-E2 good resistance to image-noise. With a standard ISO range reaching 6400, the Fuji X-E2 can work in rather low-light. Those shooting JPEG also have access to expanded sensitivities up to 25600 and ISO 100.

Shutter-speeds from 1/4000 to 30s are available at any ISO. It is also possible to perform bulb exposures for up to one hour. For this, it is highly recommended to use a remote-release and the X-E2 supports both a traditional mechanical and an electronic cable.

This digital camera is built in a tough metal body with plenty of external controls including direct dials for shutter-speed, exposure-compensation and aperture (on the lens) for efficient access. Despite the high-end build, the X-E2 is not weather-sealed and neither are any current XF-mount lens. This makes it suitable for professional use but not in adverse weather conditions.

The Fuji X-E2 features a class-leading EVF with Eye-Start sensor. The EVF measures 0.5" and is made of an OLED panel with 2.4 megapixels of resolution, the second highest resolution available today. The image is extremely detailed, bright and shows good contrast. Motion is quite fluid too but slows down a little in low-light.

The EVF, just like the rear LCD, shows 100% coverage. Sadly, this view is not Exposure-Priority, negating the most fundamental advantage of EVFs over OVFs. The optional Live-Histogram is of no help either since it is based on the display brightness.

A full complement of manual controls, including manual focus, choice of metering modes and custom white-balance gives photographers complete control over the creative process with the X-E2. There is also a RAW mode for those who with to process their images differently than the camera. The buffer-depth for the 7 FPS continuous drive is 20 JPEG or 12 RAW.

The Fuji X-E2 is suitable with most types of photography within the limitations of available lenses which span from ultra-wide to medium telephoto. The lack of weather-sealing seems a curious choice by Fuji and should also be considered when deciding if the X-E2 fits your needs.