Fuji X-T2 – Performance and AF 

The X-T2 is a great camera to use for a variety of different subjects, with one of the main reasons being its speed. Start-up time is great, as is shot-to-shot time, and you can flick through menus and images in playback without any noticeable delay.  
 
When shooting continuously, the buffer can hold around 25 uncompressed RAW files before it starts to slow down. If you’ve timed your subject well, that should be more than enough; luckily, it refreshes quickly enough if you need to go again quite soon.
 
Tracking focus is also superb. It coped very well with shooting a fast-moving dog, getting the focus spot on in the majority of occasions.  
 
In general conditions, AF snaps into focus almost instantly. With some of the lenses that Fuji offers, such as the 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens, focus can take a little longer to be acquired.  
 
You can switch on High Performance mode if you invest in the X-T2’s additional battery grip. This provides room for two extra batteries, giving you the power you need for a faster frame rate, as well as allowing you to shoot 4K footage for longer periods of time.

Related: Nikon D500 review
 

Fuji X-T2 – Image Quality 

Images directly from the X-T2 are superb. They’re full of warmth and depth, with beautiful colours. It can be worth switching between the various film-simulation modes the camera offers, with Classic Chrome a particularly great example. If you shoot in RAW format, you’ll be able to revert back to a “clean” version should you need it.
 
There’s also a great amount of detail, with images shot across the native sensitivity range being particularly impressive. If you examine images shot at the very high ISOs at close scrutiny, then it’s possible to see some areas of image smoothing and a sort of painterly effect. It’s likely that unless you prefer to regularly shoot in very dark conditions, you’ll never come across this issue.  
 
Exposures are generally accurate and well served by the camera’s all-purpose metering system, aside from some very high-contrast situations. Automatic white balance does a decent job, but it can be somewhat confused by artificial lights on occasion, producing tones that are very slightly more on the warmer side than we’d like. Switching to a more appropriate white balance setting will solve this problem, though.

You can see sample images below

Fuji X-T2 – Video

The X-T2 is Fujifilm’s first camera to offer 4K video recording – something that’s fast becoming the accepted norm, especially at the higher end of the market.  
 
You can record 4K for up to 10 minutes, but attached to the additional optional battery grip this time extends to around 30 minutes.
 
Videographers will appreciate HDMI output, audio monitoring and a headphone jack. You’ll need the battery grip if you want a microphone jack, though.  
 
For those who simply want to shoot a quick video, in the highest quality possible, the X-T2 offers “quick 4K”. This allows you to do capture footage without worrying too much about settings. You can also apply any of the film simulations to video.
 
Video is smooth and high quality. It would be helpful if the camera had a touchscreen for easier focus pulling than the joystick that’s on offer, however. When you do change the focus point, the focus transition isn’t instant, sometimes presenting a small delay in getting from unfocused to completely sharp.
 
In short, this is a good camera for getting started with 4K, but there are other cameras on the market that are aimed more squarely at videographers.

Related: Best cameras

Should you buy the Fuji X-T2?

Cameras such as the X-T2 must leave traditional DSLR manufacturers with a cold feeling. This is a camera that competes extremely closely with traditional cameras, and in some ways even outperforms them.
 
As CSC technology gets better and better, there will be fewer reasons to burden yourself with the cumbersome equivalent in DSLR.  
 
However, making the switch isn’t as simple or easy. The X-T2 isn’t cheap, especially if you want to equip yourself with a full arsenal of lenses. That said, perhaps you already jumped ship with the X-T1, in which case, the X-T2 represents a significant and worthwhile jump in quality and performance.  
 
In short – get saving now: you’re going to want to buy the X-T2. 

Verdict

The Fujifilm X-T2 is an excellent camera that produces beautiful, high-quality images – and with the battery grip offers greater flexibility when shooting high frame rates and 4K video. A touch-sensitive screen would have been the icing on the cake.

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