Fujifilm X-Pro2

The X-Pro1 is quite a special camera to a lot of Fuji shooters. Despite being the original Fujifilm X-series camera that’s turning four years old this month, many X-Pro1’s are still in active service today. In a lineup that otherwise features electronic viewfinders, the X-Pro1 still has an optical viewfinder. What’s more, it’s a rangefinder-style viewfinder, which is as rare in 2016 as…well, other than Fuji, I can only think of Leica making digital rangefinder cameras.

The button and LCD configuration on the back of the X-Pro2 has been rearranged. There’s a 3.0-inch, 1.62m dot rear LCD all the way on the left now and all the buttons have been moved right. Fuji’s added a new joystick-style controller to the back as well.

The Advanced Hybrid Multi-Viewfinder features multiple magnification levels that automatically switches depending on the lens as well as an EVF overlay that displays relevant information on screen even when it’s in optical mode.

Just like the X-Pro1 started Fujifilm on this X-Series wagon with the original 16.3MP X-Trans sensor, the X-Pro2 will be the first Fujifilm camera with the new 24.3MP X-Trans III CMOS sensor and new high-performance X Processor Pro. Combined they boast increased response time, faster autofocus, lower noise, better color reproduction and reduced moire.

Also new is an Intelligent Hybrid Phase detection autofocus system with 273 selectable autofocus points, a quicker 1/250 second flash sync speed (the XPro1 and X-T1 are limited to 1/180 s) and dual SD memory card slots with one being UHS-II compliant. The body is made of light weight (459 grams) magnesium alloy, ruggedized for outdoor conditions and weather resistant.

Full specs are available on the Fujifilm press release. We expect to see the X-Pro2 in stores soon, probably in February, at an MSRP of $1899.99.

Fujifilm X70

Rumor mills were churning earlier in 2015 regarding a Fuji compact camera similar to the X100-series, which we now know as the X70.

At first, you would probably assume this is just an X100T without an EVF but there are some notable differences between the two. At the core is the same proven 16MP X-Trans II sensor that’s also in several other Fujifilm cameras but while the X100 features a 23mm F2 lens, the X70 is considerably wider with a 18.5mm F2.8. This gives you the equivalent of a 28mm view on 35mm full-frame. A built-in teleconverter lets you select 35mm and 50mm focal lengths as well.

As mentioned, there’s no EVF but the 3.0-inch 1.04m dot LCD is a 180-degree tilting touchscreen for angle versatility and easy selfies. The X70 should also arrive in February and will have an MSRP of $899.99.

Fujifilm X-E2s

We knew that Fuji would be updating existing X-E2’s with some new Kaizen firmware in early 2016 but they’ve also announced a new model in case you really want electronic shutter capability.

The X-E2 will receive new firmware, version 4.0, that adds a new autofocus system that improves accuracy and speed but there will also be a new X-E2s, which adds an electronic shutter that can shoot as fast as 1/32000 sec. MSRP will be $899.99 for the body or $1249.99 with an XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS kit lens.

Fujifilm XF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR

The last announcement of the day for Fujifilm was for their new super telephoto zoom. The 100-400mm is equivalent to a 152-609mm focal length on 35mm, easily the longest lens in Fujifilm’s lineup. Constructed of 21 elements in 14 groups, the 100-400 uses five ED elements and a Super ED to control chromatic aberrations and high performance optical quality.

The Optical Image Stabilization is good for 5-stops of compensation while water and dust resistance make sure the 100-400 can stand up to the outdoors. It’s not light at 1.4kg but much smaller and lighter than other lenses that reach up to 600mm.

MSRP is $2149.99 and the 100-400 will arrive with everything else announced today in February.