In addition to the X-Pro2 announcement, Fujifilm also announced the release of the X-E2S, X70, and XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens, each helping to further refine and round out Fuji's mirrorless lineup. The X-E2S is largely similar to it's predecessor (the X-E2), but improves ISO performance and offers several software enhancements. The X70 offers the same 16-megapixel X-Trans II CMOS sensor as the X-E2S in an appropriate update to Fuji's more affordable, fixed-lens XF line-up with an 18.5mm f/2.8 (28mm in 35mm equivalent) lens. And the 100-400mm lens fills out a part of Fuji's XF platform that has historically been in sore need of bolstering: it's lens selection.
The X-E2S doesn't offer much over the X-E2 at first glance, hence it's simple and subtle name change. It does, however, improve upon ISO performance, bringing it up to 51,200 at the high end. And true to Fuji's great commitment to the extension of life for its current and past line-up, the software features coming in the X-E2S will also be available for X-E2 users in a firmware update.
The 16-megapixel X-E2S will be available February 2016 for $699.95 (a welcome $100 discount from the X-E2). The same cash will score you Fujifilm's new X70 with similar features, but with a fixed 28mm-equivalent f/2.8 lens.
The X70 seems an awful lot like an X-100T with a tilting touch screen at a much more affordable price and with a slightly wider, but also slower 18.5mm f/2.8 lens compared to the X-100T's 23mm f/2 lens. The X70 also lacks built-in ND filters in favor of a smaller body, but otherwise features the same 16-megapixel APS-C X-Trans II CMOS sensor, 1/32,000 minimum electronic shutter speed, up to 1080p60 video features, and likely overall image quality. All this comes at a price of $699 $799.95 (update: the original press release and article was incorrect), which seems reasonable in comparison to the X-100T's cost of $1,299.95. Still, the lack of a hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder (assumed, but not confirmed since official information on the viewfinder is currently lacking) in addition to the smaller and differing body format of the X70 might mean the X-100T is still the better shooter. But at almost half the cost, it'd be hard to argue not going for the X70, which will start shipping February 2016.
Perhaps the most exciting announcement in this series is that of the massive 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens (152-609mm equivalent in 35mm format) that features weather resistance (WR), optical image stabilization (OIS), and twin linear motors (LM) to move all the glass housed within this beast of a lens. Fuji's largest lens by far is the perfect complement to the also-announced X-Pro2 with the same water, dust, and freeze resistance down to 14°F in addition to a fluorine coating on the front element to further repel water and dirt from the glass. And it's image stabilization is no slouch, either, with its claimed five-stop improvement.
The lens has 21 elements in 14 groups, including five ED lenses and one Super ED lens to reduce chromatic aberration. And the included lens hood features a sliding window for accessing a polarizing filter and locking mechanism. There's no doubt this is a pro-level lens capable of competing with its professional DSLR-category counterparts, especially with its compatibility with the XF1.4X TC WR teleconverter, which turns the lens into a 35mm-equivalent 213-853mm f/6.3-8 lens. But at $1,899.95, you will pay dearly for this kind of performance in a mirrorless system. The XF 100-400mm f/5.6-6.3 will also be available next month, as with all the products Fuji announced today.
I wonder how many people are into cameras with a fixed non-zoom lens. That was a neat idea back in the 70s.
I agree, lens design and quality is really good these days, not much need for those type of cameras, a niche product.
I was also very skeptical at first, but after trying a X100 for a while, I was sold.
Very good, biggish sensor, small body, fast but small lens, decent macro, integrated ND-Filter, 1/1000s X-Sync, big hybrid viewfinder, direct access to aperture, shutter speed and compensation. The X100 line does so many things right, it's a pleasure to use it.
I always have my X100s with me, and my big Nikon DSLRS mostly stay at home.
The only drawback, is as you mentioned, a fixed prime lens. That's fine for me, but I totally agree it's a personal choice, and that it doesn't please everybody.
If you can live with this limitation, you can enjoy a wonderful camera.
When I look back at the many thousand pictures I've done with the X100(s), it really doesn't strike me that they all have the same focal length.
The X70 could be a nice competitor to the Ricoh GR (which is also a fixed lens compact APS-C). Looking forward to the first tests.
Just look at the x100 sales.
If the x70 had an EVF or cheaper price, i'd buy that to replace my 28mm f2.8 canon FD that I use on my X-T1.
A fixed 35mm teaches you to become a better photographer. You have to think about the shot, and really learn proper composition.
Like Eric, I always have my x100s on me while my Mark III only comes out for the big work. It is an excellent travel camera, and some of my favorite photos were taken on it.
Yeah, but after shooting for over 40 years, you like to have a little variety. ;-) I always have a Nikon J4 or Sony RX100 III with me, a lot more portable, and versatile. :-)
There are trade-offs with every camera.
Nikon 1 are fun little cameras, but 1'' sensors and the lack of flash hot-shoe are deal breakers for me. The RX100 sensor is good for a 1'' sensor, but the X100s sensor is excellent. It's basically as good as any APS sensor, and almost as good as FF ones.
For sure there are trade-offs with every camera, but you don't have to make a fixed optic one of them in this day and age. ;-)