I know that I said in a recent post that I am perfectly happy with my Fujifilm X-E1 body. And, in fact, I really am. However, I have decided that I am going to upgrade to an X-E2(almost)s, instead of upgrading some of my audio gear and buying stage lighting.
So, what changed my mind?
First, a few improvements between the X-E1 and the original X-E2:
- Upgraded sensor and processor: While the resolution of the X-E2 sensor is the same as on the X-E1 — 16MP — the X-Trans II sensor offers hybrid phase detection and contrast detection autofocus, which increases both speed and accuracy in tricky situations. It’s not that I regularly shoot in situations where I need this, but on the occasions that I do, well, I do.
- Improved LCD display: The LCD on the X-E2 is slightly larger than the one on the X-E1 (3.0″ vs. 2.8″), but more importantly, the resolution of the display is nearly doubled, from 460K pixels to 1,040 pixels, which will make it easier to check or confirm focus accurately.
- Exposure compensation range is increased by 2 stops on the X-E2, to +/- 3 stops.
- WiFi: This is a big one. While I do have an EyeFi card, and it generally works okay to transfer image files from the camera to a computer or iPhone or iPad, it’s not the smoothest of transfers on the planet, and the version that I have doesn’t allow me to transfer only JPEGs to my iOS devices. Other functions of the built in WiFi allow full remote operation of the camera, as well as geotagging of images. And, from what I’m told, the software works very well.
- Nifty “Advanced Filter” effects are available. I have them on the X10, and while I don’t use them often, they are fun, and I do miss them on the X-E1.
As desirable as these upgrades were, I didn’t feel it worthwhile for me to upgrade. However, the available firmware upgrades allow upgrading the camera to within a hair of the new X-E2s, and some very special pricing, have made changing some priorities and making the upgrade a no-brainer.
Key additions with the version 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 firmware, which did figure into my deciding to go ahead and upgrade include:
- Improved focus peaking manual focusing aid.
- In-camera intervalometer.
- Vastly improved autofocus system as found in the X-T1 and X-T10.
- Face- and eye-detection and motion tracking autofocus.
- Electronic shutter mode which allows completely silent shooting at shutter speeds up to 1/32,000 second.
- “Natural Live View” mode simulates an optical viewfinder.
At this point, I plan to order the new body tomorrow.