FUJIFILM Plans to Launch Ultimate Mirrorless Camera in September 2016
FUJIFILM Corporation (President: Kenji Sukeno) has announced that, in September 2016, it will release the FUJIFILM X-T2 - the ultimate mirrorless camera that uses advanced technologies to achieve premium image quality, outstanding operability and beautiful design reminiscent of traditional cameras.
The X-T2 combines the sensor and image processing engine developed by Fujifilm, with an ultra-sharp range of FUJINON lenses for excellent image resolution. Fujifilm's color-reproduction technology, formulated over 80 years, delivers images of unparalleled quality and realism, recording a subject's textures, three-dimensional feel and even the atmosphere surrounding it.
The X-T2's compact and lightweight camera body is also dust-resistant, water-resistant and capable of operating at temperatures as low as -10¡ÆC. Its autofocus and electronic viewfinder performance have both been substantially improved, making it more adaptable than ever before at shooting a moving subject under difficult conditions, such as sports or wildlife photography, which had previously been considered difficult with mirrorless cameras. For the first time in the X Series, the X-T2 supports 4K video recording. The Film Simulation modes, used for still images, can be applied to video to easily produce premium-quality footage.
The X-T2's design is modeled after the ¡°central viewfinder style¡± of the FUJIFILM X-T1, which has been popular since its launch in 2014. This proven stable form factor provides a camera that is perfectly sized with ergonomic dials laid out exactly where they are needed for excellent, intuitive operability. Coupling the X-T2 with the optional grip offers a superior balance, especially when mounted with a telephoto lens. The large viewfinder with the magnification ratio of 0.77x will immerse yourself in photography. The sense of perfect alignment from the center of your body to a subject through the lens creates an illusion that you have become one with the camera for the ultimate photographic pleasure.
The full lineup of 22 FUJINON lenses covers a wide range of focal lengths from ultra wide angle to ultra telephoto. The compact and lightweight lenses are all optimally designed for APS-C sensors, and incorporate standout features including large maximum aperture and powerful image stabilization to meet photographers' diverse demands.
The X-T2 becomes the X Series' flagship model along with FUJIFILM X-Pro2, the world's only rangefinder-style camera with the Hybrid Multi Viewfinder, released in March this year. The two models deliver unparalleled performance in their distinctive fields, with the X-T2 excelling in portraiture, nature and sports photography, and the X-Pro2 ideal for snapshots and discreet documentary photography.
Highlight features of X-T2
(1) Fujifilm's excellent reproduction of colors and gradation of tones capture premium image quality in both stills and video recording
The X-T2 features the 24.3MP X-Trans¢â CMOS III*, an APS-C sensor with no low-pass filter boasting the highest performance in the history of the X Series, as well as the X-Processor Pro high-speed image processing engine to deliver outstanding color reproduction and gradation of tones in both stills and videos with high ISO sensitivity and low noise. The Film Simulation modes, developed with Fujifilm's philosophy of color reproduction nutured in over 80 years of photo film research, have further evolved to capture a subject's textures, three-dimensional feel and even the atmosphere surrounding it. The X-T2's video function supports 4K video recording, which is the first in the X Series of cameras. Approx. 1.8 times the amount of information needed to produce a 4K video file (3840x2160) video is packed in to create stunning image quality.
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(2) Fast response to capture a decisive moment with any type of subject
Basic response specifications, such as startup time, shooting interval and shutter release time lag, have all been improved to the extreme in pursuit of a camera that operates exactly as the photographer demands.
The high-speed processing power and the improved algorithms have significantly improved the basic autofocus performance which enables the focusing performance on points of light, low-contrast objects and subjects with fine and delicate textures such as bird feathers and animal fur, which have previously been the weakness of phase detection AF. The X-T2 also features AF-C Custom Settings for even higher accuracy in focus-tracking moving subjects. You can customize settings to optimize AF characteristics according to the type of subject movements.
The electronic viewfinder, which is used to continuously track a moving subject, is capable of displaying up to 100 frames per second, while also maintaining the magnification ratio of 0.77x and the display time lag of 0.005 seconds. The duration of the viewfinder blackout for the live view display while the camera reads picture data, has been reduced by more than half, enabling up to 5fps, instead of 3fps in previous models, during continuous shooting in the Live View mode, a better option to ensure tracking subject movements.
(3) A perfectly balanced, compact, lightweight and rugged body made possible with the APS-C sensor
The X-T2's compact and lightweight body, weighing just 507g (including memory card and battery), is dust-resistant, water-resistant and capable of operating at temperatures as low as -10¡ÆC. The use of the APS-C sized sensor offers the camera body mounts more compact and lightweight lenses, so that you only need a small camera bag to head out for all types of field photography. With the optional Vertical Power Booster Grip (VPB-XT2) you can shoot up to approx. 1,000 frames per charge.
(4) Practicality-oriented design that brings back the operability of traditional cameras
Mechanical dials are provided for intuitive operation of all basic camera settings, including the shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, exposure compensation, drive modes and metering modes. The settings can be instantaneously adjusted even when the camera is turned off, so that you can be always ready for the next shot. The rear panel of the camera body features the Focus Lever which can make quick changes to the focus area for accurate focusing by moving up / down, right / left and diagonally . The rear LCD screen is the X Series' first three-direction tilting display, which tilts up and down when shooting in landscape, and upward when shooting in portrait. The screen remains positioned on the optical axis of the lens even when tilted, facilitating easy high-angle and low-angle shooting. When not tilted, it fits flush to the body to maintain its streamlined design.
(5) Supporting an appealing lineup of lenses, and perfect match for FUJINON Red Badge zooms
Of the diverse lineup of FUJINON lenses, the Red Badge zooms, namely XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR, XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR and XF100-400mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR, are the perfect fit for the X-T2. The Vertical Power Booster Grip offers a more comfortable grip, while bringing out the features better available for the entire system such as higher-speed AF and faster continuous shooting.
* X-Trans is Fujifilm's trademark and registered trademark.
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