FUJIFILM X-Pro2 Review – Real-World Video Samples & First Impressions

by Johnnie BehiriMarch 23^rd, 2016

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Let’s imagine that I am a small, but quality, camera manufacturer. What could I do to increase my sales? My business logic would drive me to look for a niche where my products shine, allowing them to sell more than they would elsewhere. When looking at the current DSLR/Mirrorless market, we can safely assume that my logic is completely twisted and worth nothing.

If I was right, companies like Fuji, Pentax, Olympus, and Sigma would have spotted the trend of shooting video with photo cameras in time to ask their engineers to produce a product for that market—putting them in the spotlight for aspiring movie makers. Because none of these companies have an upper-level video market to protect, is that too much to ask?

That’s why I was excited to get hands-on with the new Fujifilm X-Pro2 Mirrorless Digital Camera. Previous Fuji cameras didn’t show much hope for video quality, but with the X-Pro2, I was extremely curious and wanted to try out a camera from a manufacturer whose products I have not used before. After all, we’re blazing through 2016 and with the market declining (but no less competitive), I was interested in finding out if my business logic was still “wrong.”

First of all, I must take my hat off to Fujifilm for not pretending that they have created an “amazing broadcast quality camera” as so many marketing teams have done before. On the contrary, the video features of the X-Pro2 are well hidden in the official publication. Within the camera’s menu, the video page is the shortest I think I have ever seen—choose a MOVIE MODE (1080 up to 60p), MIC level adjustment (more on that later), MIC/REMOTE RELEASE, and… well, that’s it! All other features (focusing mode, white balance, saturation, etc.) must be found from within the still image menu.

Make no mistake; the X-Pro2 is a photo camera that can (in a “by the way” fashion) shoot HD video.

Fujifilm X-Pro2’s very modest movie settings menu

Ergonomics

The X-Pro2 is built like a little tank. While it is robust and weather-sealed, it feels decent in your hand—in fact, it reminded me of holding a “mini” Leica SL. Of course, it took me a while to get familiar with its structure and button layout. I’m still not entirely sure how photographers operate this camera, but for video shooting, it was a bit uncomfortable. I would say that you should take my opinion on the camera’s ergonomics with a pinch of salt—it could be that spending more time with the camera would make the layout feel comfortable, perhaps even natural. If you are coming from a PAL country, on the mechanical shutter wheel you won’t find the number “50”. This can be achieved electronically by turning (a different) front wheel

• A dedicated REC button. I’ll save you the time. Don’t look for one—it doesn’t exist. Press “Fn” and the camera will start recording video.
• Looking for a shortcut button to change ISO values? Look elsewhere. Go back to the shutter wheel, lift it, and change the ISO value as required
• Articulated screen? Next
• Standard or long tripod plates? Try your luck. With the
  supplied Fujinon XF 16-55mm f/2.8 lens, there is no way to use either of those

Functionality

I’ll start with charging the battery. How many times you put a battery in the charger to charge and the light goes green immediately? That was a bit confusing. Apparently, in Fuli’s philosophy, green light is “charging” and no light is “battery charged.” Way to take a global standard and flip it on its head!

As this is my first encounter with a Fuji camera, I did stumble a bit at the beginning with the X-Pro2’s buttons and menu structure (God forbid, I even looked at the camera manual once or twice). However, after getting used to it, my two major concerns when working it are as follows:

• Twice after removing the battery from the camera for recharging, my settings were reset, and I had to start from scratch
• After pressing the REC button, not much can be changed. Not the audio recording levels, ISO setting or even how to monitor the video (via the LCD or EVF). Whatever you’ve been using last when pressing record, that’s what you are stuck with for the rest of your shooting sequence

There are other limitations that should be taken into account. You get the 16×9 video aspect ratio only AFTER pressing the REC button. Autofocus is truly good, but not in the continuous mode. On the positive side, EVF is nice and easy to work with (although it’s going to be next to impossible to change the rubber eyepiece to a better, more comfortable one) and the light meter is easy to work with—and effective.

Video Quality

There is something very pleasant in the aesthetics of the pictures this camera can produce. It is sharp and detailed. On the other hand, Moire and aliasing are very present in the finer details of some shots. Also, noise will kick in very fast when using ISO 1000 and above.

As requested by many, Moire and aliasing sample footage.

Fujifilm X-Pro2 Pros (in no particular order)

• Weather sealed, mirrorless APS-C sensor, exchangeable lens camera
• Nice color rendering and fuji’s famous “film simulation” is built-in-camera (available options: Provia/Velvia/Astia/Classic Chrome/Pro Neg. Hi/Pro Neg. Std/Acros/Monochrome/Sepia)
• Clever viewfinder system. You can change between Optical or Electronic in a flip of a button. In my opinion, the Optical is suited more for taking photos while the Electronic is better for video as it is a very high-quality one!
• An assortment of focus aid tools to ensure that you are in focus while filming (peaking, digital split image à la film camera style)
• World camera and up to 1080/60p
• Camera light meter is accurate and helps in exposing correctly
• Manual audio recording is possible, but no displayed visual meter layout after pressing the REC button
• Mic/remote jack (but with 2.5 jack instead of the standard 3.5)
• Rolling shutter is well controlled
• At the back of the camera, a responsive joystick is located for quick and accurate focusing positioning
• Battery life is good (if you remember that the green light means “charging,” not “battery full”!)

Fujifilm X-Pro2 Cons (in no particular order)

• 14:32 min per clip recording limitation
• LCD screen is secure; there’s no flip or tilt
• No Log picture profile
• I would not recommend shooting video above ISO 1000. It gets noisy and mashy
• Continuous auto focus when shooting video is possible but not reliable
• No zebra for helping in judging exposure
• Limited 36Mbps data rate
• No external recording via HDMI (the HDMI connector is for playback only)
• No headphone jack
• You CAN’T change many in camera settings or values AFTER pressing the REC button
• It is not possible to change audio levels after staring recording
• Dual SD card slots for photo but only slot number 1 is dedicated to video
• Automatically switching between the LCD or EVF when looking through them is possible only before recording. Once you press the REC button, you are stuck with your last viewing device
• Very evident moire and aliasing

Regarding the lens used in this video, the Fujfilm XF 16-55mm f2.8 R LM WR. It’s Fujinon’s flagship “XF standard zoom lens” with a focal length equivalent to 24mm – 84mm and a constant F2.8 aperture throughout the range. Here is a quick list of the Pros and Cons I found while combining it with the X-Pro2:

Pros:

• Excellent sharpness throughout the zoom range.
• Constant f/2.8 aperture.
• Weather-sealed design.
• Speedy focus motor.

Cons:

• No optical stabilization.
• Heavy!

Note: The combination of the Fujifilm X-Pro2 and the Fujinon XF 16-55mm f/2.8 lens is nice, as long as you work from a tripod. The minute you take the camera in your hands, be prepared to witness annoying micro-shakes. Neither the lens or camera body has a build in stabilizer to compensate those.

My Conclusion: 

The Fujifilm X-Pro2 is a nice addition to Fuji’s camera line and if they are looking to capture the attention of film makers, that camera is definitely a (small) step in the right direction. If they want to compete well in this sector, against more established companies, it shouldn’t look as if the video function was “accidentally implemented” as it does in the X-Pro2.

I hope that functionality, image quality, sound, and resolution can seriously be considered by Fuji as legit when it comes to shooting videos with their future cameras. After all, they have the potential to deliver the best next thing. It’s only a matter of taking the decision to develop it!

Will you be considering buying the Fujifilm X-Pro2 for shooting videos? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below

About the above video: Shot in 1080/25 mostly in up to ISO 800 (basement shoots were taken in ISO 1000). “Picture profile”- “Pro Neg. Std”. Edited in Adobe Premiere CC latest edition. No color correction was done, but there was a minor change in exposure in 2 shots. The audio was recorded in camera and was later treated with audacity to help with some of the excessive background noise at the restaurant. (Sorry about the knife “loud knocks” at the background. Chef assistant was busy making lunch)….

Music supplied by Art-List Title: Sunny Days by Binary Love

Thank you to Andreas, Julian, and the entire Otto Bauer restaurant staff for their help and contribution for that short video.