Fuji X-T2 Launched

2016.07.07

Today Fuji took the veil off the widely anticipated X-T2, successor to the flagship X-T1 Graphite and boasting the same 24 megapixels APS-C X-Trans CMOS III sensor as the X-Pro2 reviewed here. This sensor features built-in Phase-Detect AF which combines with Contrast-Detect AF to provide 325-Point autofocus. Fuji is emphasizing the X-T2 as a significant upgrade with ultra-fast performance beyond that of the already capable X-T1.

The 24 MP sensor has a native ISO 200 to 12800 sensitivity range and expands to cover 100 to 51200. With a new hybrid shutter, the X-T2 can reach speeds of 1/32000s. It can also capture full-resolution images at 14 FPS with the electronic-shutter or 8 FPS with the mechanical one. Actually, the mechanical shutter can run at 11 FPS even when the camera is powered by an optional grip which delivers higher voltage, allowing the X-T2 to process faster, improving shutter-lag, black-out and shot-to-shot speed. The optional grip houses 2 additional batteries and provides a number of controls for vertical shooting.

The Fuji X-T2 is aimed directly a professionals with a solid magnesium body which is weatherproof and freezeproof down to -10C. It offers dual control-dials plus direct dials for ISO, Shutter-Speed and EC, in addition to the Aperture-Ring found on most XF-mount Fujinon lenses. It keeps the same super 2.4 MP 0.5" EVF panel with 100% coverage and 0.77X magnification but now manages to refresh it at 100 Hz instead of 60 Hz.

This mirrorless is the first Fuji to record 4K Ultra-HD video. It does so from a 1.17X crop-area, reducing the field-of-view compared to still and full HD, and can normally sustain it for 10 mins. The optional battery-grip can push this out to 30 mins. The camera has dual SDXC memory card slots, both which can operate at UHS-II speeds, unlike the X-Pro2.

Fuji is expecting to ship the X-T2 in September for a suggest retail price of $1599 USD. Pricing in Canada has not been announced yet. B&H Photo and Adorama are already accepting pre-orders and do ship to Canada.

• Digital Camera