New features of the Fuji X-T2

At first glance it doesn't look much different from the X-T1, but once you hold it in your hands and start to fiddle with the controls, the differences become apparent. It is slightly larger, which is probably a good thing. The controls are all updated but still retain their old look and feel. There is the new joystick focus that I've come to love on the X-Pro2. And then there is the new dual battery grip that lifts the camera into the realm of a serious contender speeding up the camera and extending the capture range.

There are also a whole bunch of little niceties that show, once again, that Fuji is listening to its user base. The shutter speed and ISO dials can now spin freely with the click of a button. One of my favorite small improvements is the reintroduction of the screw thread for a traditional release cable on the shutter button. Call me a retro addict, but I still prefer the simplicity of these old cable releases.

The Fuji X series has come from behind as a non-contender in the video field to being a serious tool with 4K capture and other video niceties. Because of its small size I am looking forward to shooting some professional video with the X-T2.

There's already been enough ink -- or is it bytes now that we're in the digital age -- spilled on this new camera so I'm just going to list the highlights of the improvements and additions until I can get a real camera to put through its paces for a week or so.

Improved features:

24MP X-Trans CMOS III sensor
2.36M-dot OLED EVF with 0.005 sec refresh time (60 fps or 100 fps in boost mode)
325 AF points (169 with phase detection)
Side tilt to the articulating LCD screen
8 fps continuous shooting with AF (11 fps with booster grip)
5 fps continuous shooting with live view updates between capture
3" 1.04M-dot articulating LCD
4K UHD video at up to 30 fps for up to 10 min (30 min with dual battery grip)
F-Log flat profile and 4K out over HDMI


New features:

Joystick AF point selection
Clicking shutter-speed and ISO dials allows them to turn freely
Front and rear dials can also be used as function buttons
TTL wireless flash control for a new Fuji flash
Accessory hand grip holds two batteries to extend battery life ($199)
Dual SD card slots (UHS-II compatible)
USB 3.0 socket

All the photos in this article were taken at the Fujifilm announcement event in New York, which I had the good fortune to attend.

Exploded view of an X-T2 camera.

Along with the announcement of the camera came the introduction of the new Fuji XF-X500 TTL flash with wireless control in three groups.

Fujifilm EF-X500 flash:

Guide number 164' at ISO 100 and 105mm
Zoom range of 24-105mm in 35mm terms, or 16-70mm for APS-C format
High-speed sync of 1/8000 possible with select cameras
Manual power control of 1/1 to 1/512 in 1/3 stop steps
Multi repeating flash mode with setting of 1-500 Hz for 2-100 flashes
Requires master EF-X500 on the camera body for wireless operation
Optical pulse communication has four channels and three groups
Runs on four AA batteries of EF-BP1 battery pack

The Fuji X-T2 can be pre-ordered for $1599.00  now from dealers for anticipated delivery in September. The EF-X500 flash is also available for pre-order at $449.00.

If you are planning on buying this camera or flash, you can help support this site at no extra cost to you by clicking the link and purchasing from one of our affiliate sellers listed below -- and thanks for your support.

The Fujifilm X-T2 camera body can be ordered from:  BH-Photo  Amazon 

The Fujifilm EF-X500 flash can be ordered from:  BH-Photo 

The Fujifilm EF-BP1 Battery Pack can be ordered for $199 from: BH-Photo