Fujifilm Claims World's Fastest Auto Focus with X-E2

A little over a year ago Fujifilm announced the X-E1, the second body in its X system of mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras, designed as a more-affordable option for enthusiast photographers than the unashamedly high-end X-Pro1.

The X-E2 is superficially very similar to the X-E1, with the same basic body design and control layout; at a quick glance it's almost impossible to tell them apart. It keeps the same top-plate layout, including analogue shutter speed and exposure compensation dials, and has the same 2.36M dot OLED electronic viewfinder. The rear of the camera is still covered in buttons in much the same places as the X-E1, but their functions have been rearranged.

Following on the heels of the Fujifilm XQ1 compact digital camera recently announced, the camera maker has also introduced the interchangeable lens X-E2. With this camera comes the ability to swap out lenses for more demanding photography needs, bringing along an APS-C sized variety of the X-Trans CMOS II 16.3-megapixel sensor.

In addition to the X-Trans sensor, Fujifilm is boasting the X-E2 as having the world’s fastest auto focus, with the camera clocking in at an AF speed of 0.08 seconds. Such is said to come from the EXR Processor II in the camera, which has more than double the processor speed of the last iteration. There’s also a hybrid AF that combines contrast and phase detection.

Key features

• 16MP X-Trans CMOS II sensor
• EXR Processor II
• ISO 200-6400, plus 100 - 25600 expanded (JPEG only)
• 7 fps continuous shooting; 3 fps with continuous AF
• Lens Modulation Optimizer (for sharper JPEGs when shooting at large or small apertures)
• 2.36M dot OLED electronic viewfinder
• Top-plate analogue shutter speed and exposure compensation dials
• 3" 1.04M dot 3:2 fixed LCD (non-tilting, not touch-sensitive)
• Built-in Wi-Fi for image transfer to smartphones or computers
• Full HD movie recording (1920x1080, 60fps, 36Mbps bitrate), with built-in stereo microphone
• 2.5mm stereo microphone socket, also accepts electronic remote releases
• Available in silver or black
• The X-E2 - not revolutionary, but distinctly evolved