Menu

My Review Of The Fuji X-T2: The Ultimate 4K Mirrorless For Narrative Filmmakers

A couple of months ago I picked up the Fuji X-T2 to round off my current lineup of cameras which was sorely lacking in the DSLR/Mirrorless category…

After selling my Lumix GH4 back in 2015 and “upgrading” to a Sony A7S II – which I also sold not long after due to issues with it’s color science – I was left with a gap in my camera bag.

I found myself owning cameras such as the URSA Mini Pro which covered my larger narrative and commercial projects, and cameras like the Leica Typ 109 really tiny shoots… But I didn’t have any interchangeable lens mirrorless/DSLR option for those mid level projects that called for a camera that could deliver beautiful quality footage with a minimal footprint.

I had been keeping my eye on the market for a while, and knew that ultimately my decision would come down to the Lumix GH5 and the Fuji X-T2. Both are excellent cameras, and while the GH5 is likely a better option for many filmmakers, based on my unique needs I chose to go with the X-T2.

The only other Fuji I have ever owned is the X100T, which is a gorgeous stills camera that severely lacks in the video department… With that in mind, I knew there was a possibility the X-T2 would let me down when it came to it’s video capabilities, but decided to take a gamble on the camera as I truly believe in Fuji’s color science and was impressed by the test footage I had seen online.

Having now shot with the camera quite extensively, I’m very happy with my choice.

While the X-T2 is not perfect in every way (no camera ever will be), there’s no question that it’s one of the best choices for low-budget narrative filmmakers looking to benefit from the DSLR form factor.

I expand on this and much more in my full review below…

Let’s jump in –

BUILD QUALITY & FUNCTIONALITY

One of the first things I look for in any piece of gear is build quality. This is especially true when it comes to camera equipment. Gear is meant to be used, and a camera that shoots well but isn’t designed to stand up to real shooting conditions is not a camera I’ll feel that I can trust on a critical production.

Fortunately, the X-T2 truly excels in this department. The body, while relatively small (at least by DSLR standards), feels strong and robust, and is even weather sealed. Perhaps more impressively though, are all of the manual controls on the camera body.

For instance, the shutter speed and ISO can both be controlled and locked  in using physical wheels at the top of the camera. This allows for quick and easy exposure tweaks on the fly, and can be a lifesaver under certain shooting conditions.

The body also features two SD card slots, which is one of my favorite little perks of the X-T2.

Although dual card slots are not necessarily an essential feature, they are an excellent luxury to have and allow you to focus on one less thing (swapping cards) while rolling.

The opposite side of the camera body has a mic/headphone jack, a micro HDMI port, and a full size USB 3 connection, which can be used to both charge the camera and download files. No complaints here, although if I’m going to nit pick, a full size HDMI port would have been preferable…

The 3” LCD screen pulls out and swivels up and down, but not side to side. I actually haven’t found this to be problematic, despite the fact that I am used to DSLRs with more of a full rotation/flipping capabilities when it comes to LCD screens.

I find myself using the EVF far more than the LCD, even when shooting indoors… This isn’t because the LCD is sub par, but rather because the EVF is just so good. The colors are vivid, the resolution is crisp, and the image being displayed is an accurate representation of the recorded file.

All things considered, the X-T2 is undeniably well constructed and is clear designed purposefully. It’s a pleasure to shoot with.

MENU SYSTEM

The menu system on the camera is quite straightforward and relatively intuitive to use. That said, I don’t rely on it much while shooting, as the physical dials on the camera and lens (including the manual aperture ring on my 35mm lens), allow me to adjust most of my critical settings without stepping into the menu at all.

When I do need menu access, I try to use the quick menu whenever possible (which is activated using it’s dedicated button on the back of the camera), since that’s usually the fastest way for me to get where I need to go.

The regular menu system is of course slower to navigate when compared to the quick menu or manual dials, but is otherwise fine to work with. My only real complaint with it is that the wi-fi setting by default is buried fairly deep in the menu, but this is really a minor issue in the grand scheme of things.

RECORDING OPTIONS

As is standard with most DSLRs and mirrorless cameras today, the Fuji X-T2 has the ability to record 4K internally, which is a big selling feature. While 4K is certainly not the be all end all (I would happily still take 1080p footage from an Alexa classic over most other cameras!), it is a nice feature to have and something most of us have come to expect on cameras released in this day and age.

The 4K recording on the X-T2 is UHD (not DCI), meaning the resolution is 3840 x 2160, or 16:9. It will record UHD in 23.98, 24, 25, or 29.97 frames per second, each at a bit rate of 100 Mbps.

In 1080p, the camera uses the same 100 Mbps bit rate, but can record up to 60p, which looks absolutely beautiful when slowed down. Here is a little sample clip of some raw footage from the X-T2, shot handheld at 60p with the Astia Soft film emulation, and slowed down to 40% in post –

[tg_vimeo width=”700″ height=”394″ video_id=”226995886″]

In 720p, you have the same recording options as 1080p, although the camera will record at a lower bitrate of 50 Mbps. There is no ultra slow motion option in 720p, so really the only reason to shoot in 720p is if you are in desperate need of card space.

BATTERY LIFE

On a scale of 1 to 10, I’ll give the Fuji X-T2 a 6 with regards to battery life. It’s not awful, but certainly not something to write home about.

Under normal shooting circumstances – recording 4K internally and powering the camera down in between takes and setups – I’ll typically get about 2 hours from a stock Fuji battery. This is certainly workable, and a step up from what I had come to expect from Sony’s batteries on the A7S II, but it’s nowhere near the battery life I was used to on the GH4.

That said, the X-T2 does have an optional battery grip, which of course will extend the camera’s battery life significantly. If I were to shoot any larger scale projects on this camera, particularly anything where the schedule is highly demanding, I would definitely opt to bring along a battery grip.

IMAGE QUALITY AND DYNAMIC RANGE

Unsurprisingly, the bread and butter of this camera is it’s image quality… That’s ultimately why I bought it!

While the X-T2 lacks some video features found on it’s competitors (more on that below), it makes up for any shortcomings by delivering some of the most beautiful images on the market.

I haven’t shot any test charts with this camera as I prefer to make my judgments on cameras based on how they perform in the field… That said, based on real world shooting experience, I would estimate the dynamic range of the X-T2 to be in the 12 – 13 stop range, which is very strong.

In order to get the most DR out of the camera, I have generally found that protecting the highlights and lifting up the shadows 1 – 2 stops in post is the way to go. The highlight rolloff is very organic on this camera, but if you want to retain detail in the highlights it seems to be best to slightly underexpose.

Shooting in F-Log or with certain film emulation settings will also help you squeeze the most DR possible out of the camera. We’ll touch on this in more detail in the next section.

The X-T2 has excellent color science. It’s so good that I would argue that it beats out every one it’s competitors in this department…

Lumix’s color science has come a long way over the years, but in my opinion Fuji still has them beat by a long shot… Sony’s color science is by far the weakest of the other major brands (at least to my eye), and Canon sits right up at the top with Fuji. Both Canon and Fuji are capable of rendering gorgeous colors, but subjectively I still prefer the Fuji look.

Below are a few screen grabs from some recent test footage I shot with the X-T2. These shots were a mix of 4K and 1080p (all recorded internally), and they were mostly shot with the Classic Chrome or Astia Soft film emulation modes –

The X-T2’s colors are very film-like, and the built in film simulations (picture profiles) open up a lot of creative possibilities in-camera.

Below is a quick test video in which I compare identical shots from the X-T2, each captured with one of the film simulations: Provia, Velvia, Astia, Classic Chrome, Pro Neg. Hi, Pro Neg. Std, Acros, Monochrome, and Sepia.

My personal favorite profiles are Classic Chrome and Astia, both of which are highly adaptable and work beautifully on portraits, landscapes, and any number of scenes.

In the future, I plan to release a separate article that will outline some of my optimal settings – both in camera and in post – to enhance these two film simulation modes, so be sure to stay tuned for that.

With regards to resolution, clarity, and motion cadence, the X-T2 is absolutely superb. It delivers detailed images that are clear and crisp without being overly sharp, and it handles panning shots and other motion very well, with less motion judder/artifacts in 24p than what I have come to expect from many other cameras.

I also love the fact that the X-T2 has a Super 35mm (APS-C) sensor, which is my personal favorite sensor size for narrative filmmaking. Smaller sensor sizes (such as MFT) and larger sensors (Full Frame) offer many benefits of their own, but I’ve always found Super 35mm to be the perfect middle ground. S35 gives you more shallow DOF than Micro Four Thirds, but doesn’t limit your lens choices the way that Full Frame does. Not to mention, the Super 35 field of view is the most true to traditional motion pictures.

F-LOG

The X-T2 is capable of recording in Log color space using it’s F-Log setting, however it can only do so via HDMI to external recorder. I’m not sure if this will change in the future with a firmware update, but I’m also not hugely surprised that Fuji has opted to go this route.

From my experience shooting and grading internal Log footage from other DSLRs/Mirrorless cameras such as the GH4 and A7S II, it can be very hard to work with – particularly in post as you bring the image out of the Log color space.

Internally, the X-T2 records in 8 bit at 4:2:0, which is perfectly fine for most applications, but can pose issues for Log footage which typically calls for at least 4:2:2. For this reason (I would assume), Fuji has opted to limit their Log record to external use only, since the X-T2 can output an 8bit 4:2:2 signal which is far more suitable for Log recording.

There is no 10bit option available, but from my experience so far this has never been an issue and the 8bit 4:2:2 externally has been perfectly fine.

Below is a quick comparison video showing some externally recorded 4K F-Log footage and internally recorded 4K using Astia Soft film emulation. This clip includes graded and ungraded shots for each camera, making it quite apparent that the F-Log material not only has more dynamic range, but also has more detail thanks to the ProRes HQ codec –

LOW LIGHT

The standard (non-expanded) ISO range on the X-T2 is 200 – 12,800, which is more than enough for virtually any narrative shooting scenario.

Generally, I find the X-T2 handles low light extremely well – particularly up to ISO 3200 which shows very little noise at all. Even at 6400 the images are quite clean, although I personally don’t like to shoot above 3200 on any camera, regardless of how clean the images may be…

No matter what you’re shooting on, you lose color information and dynamic range as you increase your ISO, so as a general rule of thumb I try to keep my ISO as close to the base as possible. That said, in a pinch I would certainly consider shooting above 3200 on the X-T2. While I’m certain an A7S II (or other full frame DSLRs) will perform better under no-light circumstances, the X-T2 has no problems with low light scenarios provided you don’t push it to the extremes.

OTHER FEATURES & CONSIDERATIONS

The Fuji X-T2 is packed with lots of other great features and capabilities, and we’ve really just scratched the surface so far. Video-driven features like focus peaking are essential for those of us shooting as single operators, and overall it really feels like Fuji have designed this camera with the filmmaker in mind.

That said, there are a few features not included on the X-T2 that I would have liked to have seen. For instance, the camera doesn’t have the ability to display zebra stripes, which can pose challenges for those of use who rely on them for quick exposure changes… F-Log recording is great, but it is only available externally and you can’t simultaneously record to the SD cards. The X-T2 also doesn’t have in-body stabilization, which has recently become one of the hottest new features available on DSLRs and mirrorless cameras today..

All that said, none of these considerations are deal breakers for me. As I said at the top of this review, no camera is perfect, and no camera can do it all… Every camera purchase will always call for you to sacrifice some quality, feature, or capability to gain some other benefit, so it really just comes down to prioritizing your needs as a filmmaker. For many of us, the features the X-T2 lacks are a small price to pay for all of the benefits it offers.

WHO IS IT FOR?

As a narrative filmmaker myself, I was drawn to this camera largely based on it’s abilities to capture filmic looking images. As such, I would highly recommend the X-T2 for any visually inclined filmmaker working on films, commercials, or other scripted content – especially those that need to keep a small footprint.

While I can also see documentary filmmakers using this camera, it may be the less obvious choice due to it’s slightly more limited low light capabilities (when compared to the A7S II), the lack of in body stabilization, and the shorter battery life (compared to the GH5).

That said, for documentary filmmakers that do want to benefit from the X-T2’s tremendous color science and tactile controls, it can easily be adapted to work under run and gun conditions. For instance, Fuji offers stabilized lenses that solve the issue of needing internal IS, and the optional battery grip can be added to increase shooting time.

There have never been so many incredible camera options available to filmmakers in this budget range, and we are fortunate as filmmakers to be able to choose between so many great tools. The X-T2 isn’t going to be the right camera for everyone, but for many of us in the narrative space, and even some of us in the documentary world, it just may be the best option on the market today.

Check back soon for more updates on the X-T2, as I plan to release some more video material shot on this camera in the coming weeks and months.

And for more content like this, be sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!

About Author

Noam Kroll is an award-winning Los Angeles based filmmaker, and the founder of the boutique production house, Creative Rebellion. His work can be seen at international film festivals, on network television, and in various publications across the globe. Follow Noam on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for more content like this!

84 Comments

  • JEANICE CABALE
    at

    Love thus article! How much shooting time do you usually get while shooting in 4k?

    Reply
    • Thanks! I can’t remember as it’s dependent on card sizes (and I tend to alternate between them), but I definitely get much more record time than I’m used to with raw shooting cameras like Blackmagic or my new Sigma FP.

      Reply
  • Richard Wilt
    at

    Great article! I’m really wanting to pull the trigger. I currently have a Canon 80D and a Panasonic GX85. Love the Panasonic as a backup and B-Roll camera with five axis IBIS and 4k. Keeping that. The only reason why I pause is because being a one man show I really love Canon’s DPAF–the autofocus is second to none. I know a proper filmmaker uses manual focus only but having acted professionally for over 10 years there are times I do some fiilming with myself in the video and have no one else to shoot me. The Canon is so good I can set it and forget it. How good is face/subject tracking on the XT-2? Thanks again for thee great information. Great footage too by the way.

    Reply
    • Thanks for the note, Richard! Honestly – the autofocus/face tracking on the XT2 will not match your Canon… If that’s a deal breaking feature for you, I might suggest sticking with the Canon, as their system is still the one to beat. Otherwise though, XT2 might be the way to go!

      Reply
  • Carolyn t
    at

    Hi Noam, thanks for all the information, can you recommend a supportive rig for run and gun style work?

    Reply
    • No problem! Check out some of Tilta’s rigs, they are quite good.

      Reply
  • Achef
    at

    Hi Noam, really nice blog with many useful things. I’m on a budget, do you also recommend the X-T20 ? I mean , is there something thats makes it a no-go for narrative versus the X-T2 ?

    Reply
    • Not at all – I haven’t shot with it myself, but hear amazing things. It’s a very similar camera, so if it’s a better fit for you I would say go for it!

      Reply
  • Thank you for your excellent review and cinematic insights Noam! I’ve been looking to upgrade from my GH4/Speedbooster/Sigma 18-35 + other Nikon glass. In your opinion, would the GH4 make a good B cam to use with an X-T2 or X-H1 or would they be tricky to color match? Can you recommend an adapter that would allow me to use my existing Nikon glass on the X-T2/X-H1? Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • Hey Darren! I definitely think it would be tricky to match the GH4 footage to Fuji. You could likely get them close, but never identical… That said, having a perfect color match may not be essential for every type of project (especially if you aren’t shooting narrative). As for adapters, you should be able to find a dumb Nikon to X-Mount adapter on Amazon or eBay, which will work well if you have manual Nikon glass.

      Reply
  • Hi Noam! Great blog, some very interesting content.

    I was wondering, after all is said and done, would you still recommend the GH4 in 2018 for someone coming off from an oldie DSLR like the Canon 6OD? Mainly, in regards to cinematic looks vs. videobroadcast look (which I’ve read this camera suffers much from).
    I have shot mainly narrative shorts and feature films wih my Canon, all independent and zero budget and I have squeezed its potential as much as possible I reckon, but I think it’s ran its course for me, so I’m looking at differet options.

    Keep up the good work, cheers!

    Federico

    Reply
    • Thanks Federico! I still do really love the GH4, but if your primary goal is to get something more cinematic looking, I would also consider cameras from Blackmagic, or the one on this article, the X-T2. The GH4 does many things very well, but I wouldn’t say it’s color science is one of them. It can certainly look filmic, but it might need a bit more work in post when compared to the Fuji, or even a Canon 5D MK IV for that matter. Hope this helps!

      Reply
  • J. Russell Johhnson
    at

    Hi Noam,

    Great articles on the Fuji system. I’m waiting to see what develops with the Fuji X-H1 and I might go for it since if will have IBS. However, it seem there is one big downside to getting into the Fuji eco-system and that is a lack of fast lenses. Fuji has gone with its X mount and there isn’t a lot of support for that, even with adaptors. For instance, there’s no viable way to use Sigma lenses with the X-mount. Do you have any insight into this? Thanks for any information and thanks for your great web site.

    -Russ

    Reply
    • Hi Russ! With regards to the Sigma lenses, if you are using the cine versions, you could get a dumb EF – X adapter and go that route!

      Reply
  • Great article.

    I recently replaced my Canon 7D with an X-T2 for video and so far I’m rally happy.

    I’m glad there are resources like this, and I’ll be looking out for future X-T2 articles.

    Cheers

    Reply
    • Awesome to hear, Sean! Looking forward to putting out more X-T2 content soon…

      Reply
      • I’m shooting some interviews with local store owners about their stores and their products, in a trendy downtown area of Calgary. The budget is miniscule.

        I’m shooting with my X-T2, battery pack, RODE Viedomic GO and the Fuji 35 f/1.4 and Fuji 16 f/1.4, in available light. I’ve got a tripod and a Manfrotto MHXPRO-2W fluid head. I’ve used the standard profile on some test footage and it’s OK.

        The vids are for Instagram, FB and the owner’s sites only.

        I’m following the 180 rule and using 1/60th as I’m shooting at 30fps in HD. How far can I push ISO on the X-T2? Is there a different profile that you’d shoot in?

        I have not given any thought to a ‘look’ I’m aiming for other than to make the stores and owners look good to help their online marketing and to get me more work.

        Any advice and insights appreciated – thanks!

        Reply
        • Great question – and it really depends on how much noise you consider acceptable. Personally, a bit of noise doesn’t bug me too much so I am fine shooting up to 3200 or so. That said, if you want to keep your grain to a minimum, 1600 or below would be optimal. Hope this helps and best of luck!

          Reply
  • […] Even still, I continued to have a need for a DSLR/mirrorless camera for some projects, but no longer needed a swiss-army style camera like the GH5 that could do it all. I didn’t need all the bells and whistles. What I did need though, and what I sought out, was the best color science possible which is ultimately why I switched to the Fuji X-T2. […]

    Reply
  • […] necessarily fit the bill of the perfect run and gun camera. For instance, I absolutely love my Fuji X-T2 and will happily use it for guerrilla shoots, but it doesn’t have internal IS and some of the […]

    Reply
  • Martin Treacy
    at

    In relation to the last point, there are two aspects I think. Noam is rightly saying the battery lasts in total for around 2 hours in 4k. However Evan is also correct (I believe) that the X-T2 will only shoot 10 min in 4k in a single take. (You could of course immediately restart for a new take, but there would be a short gap).

    If using the battery grip, this 10 min limitation for a single take would then become 30 min (presumably because overheating issues are less of a problem with the power requirements shared around three batteries instead of just one).

    I suppose it depends what kind of film-making you are doing as to whether this is a limitation or not.

    Reply
    • Thanks so much for clearing this up Martin. You are correct and I couldn’t have put it better myself.

      Reply
  • Hi, I just found your page earlier today and like what I have seen today.
    Anyway, I’m interested in the X-T2 or the GH4. I would prefer the Fujifilm, but the only thing making me leery of it is that I’ve heard that the battery only last 10min capturing in 4K. I see though, that you said it will have you about 2hrs. Can you confirm this? This could change my final purchase decision.
    Thank you. Greetings from Baton Rouge.

    Reply
    • Hey Evan! The X-T2 battery definitely lasts longer than 10 minutes at 4k. No question. I haven’t timed exactly how long you’ll get from it when rolling 4K continuously, but it will be far longer than 10 minutes. Not to mention, you could always get the battery grip too, which will increase your battery life significantly.

      Reply
  • Alvin
    at

    Hi Noam, I really admire your works

    Can you share your camera setting?

    If you use Astia Soft, do you edit you shadow, highlight, color saturation, and dynamic range setting?

    I would like to buy your cinematic LUT..I want to know what is best setting in XT2 camera..

    Thank you 🙂

    Reply
    • Thanks Alvin! I actually have been shooting a lot with Astia Soft lately, but I typically don’t change any other setting (shadow, highlight, saturation, etc). This seems to be optimal for use with my LUTs. Enjoy!

      Reply
  • alaa
    at

    hi there
    is that fuji perfect for wedding and portrait business?
    in terms or image quality , autofocus and low light
    thanks

    Reply
    • I think it would make for an excellent wedding camera. There are cameras out there with better low light performance, but the X-T2 does quite well even at ISO 3200 or 6400. Image quality and colors are fantastic. Autofocus is good, but again you will likely find better autofocus on other cameras. There are always trade offs…

      Reply
  • Chris
    at

    Thanks for the review Noam!

    Looking at some videos that were made with the XT2 on YouTube, including ones that Fuji uploaded not long after the camera was released, I noticed that pretty much all the videos have a particular aesthetic look…a certain “pop” in their look that is really different from many other videos that have a cinematic look.

    Is the XT2 able to be set in a way that has a more cinematic look, or is the look this camera makes pretty much the way it will always make videos? I hope that makes sense…the XT2 videos have a particular look to them aside from their colors, which I absolutely love the colors I’ve seen. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Good point, Chris – I definitely think a lot of the X-T2 stuff online has a look to it. I think sometimes people have a tendency to push the colors pretty far on Fuji cameras (either in camera or in post) since that’s their strong suit… But at the same time, much subtler and more refined looks are also possible by modifying saturation and tweaking color balance in post. I’m aiming to share more X-T2 footage soon, so hopefully that will help give you a better sense of what the camera is capable of!

      Reply
  • Mark
    at

    Do you have thoughts on the brand new Fuji X-E3 4k camera? It’s half the price and has sll the same 4k film emulations. Thanks for all your great content.

    Reply
    • Thanks Mark! And great question… I haven’t shot with the X-E3 myself (and haven’t seen much test footage either), so it’s hard to say… That said, if I were to guess, I would assume the video quality would be quite good thanks to that excellent Fuji color science under the hood. I’ll be sure to follow up on this in the future when I get a chance to try it out.

      Reply
  • Hi Noam – like another poster above I just bought 2 of these, mainly for photography but also to handle any video work I might want to do (I sold my C100 mkii to finance them).

    The video footage is beautiful, but I was intrigued by your comment about motion cadence. I’m a real stickler for nice motion and so far I’ve only been able to get pleasing movement shooting 30p/1/60th. I’d far prefer to shoot 24p and I wonder if I’m missing something in my other settings – can you shed any light on this? I also suspect that motion and RS might be slightly better when not using AF, especially AF-C – have you noticed anything like that or am I imagining it? It’s not a huge issue for me as any serious video I use the cameras for would be using manual glass, but it’s annoying for casual family stuff.

    Great review, anyway- thanks very much.

    Reply
    • Thanks so much, Tim. With regards to the motion –

      It can be very subjective. At 24p, no matter what camera you’re shooting on, medium-speed pans and other camera movies can look jittery (as I’m sure you know). Some people like this look (myself included) provided it doesn’t look digital, which is where the problem lies. There is a fine line between a camera that does 24p well and one that doesn’t, and you have to have a pretty fine eye to tell the difference sometimes.

      30p will always look smoother than 24, and for some people that’s the look they want to go for – which is a totally valid choice of course! But for those that don’t mind the 24p jitter, so long as it is somewhat film-like, the X-T2 delivers quite well.

      As for AF, it is certainly possible that in certain circumstances it might have an affect on motion cadence, but I wouldn’t think it would be too significant. That said, I do find image stabilization can have a pretty obvious affect on motion… Hope this helps clear things up in some way.

      Reply
  • Joshua
    at

    Hi, great stuff! I just figured out the perfect and easy way to grade my X-t2 footage, I use Pro Neg Std and set both everything to lowest -2 and -4 for the “color,,high,shadow,sharpness”. And then use the official F log luts from Fuji website, F Gamut to WDR version onto an adjustment layer. And from there, I just adjust the opacity from the adjustment layer and it looks great!

    Reply
    • Great tip, Joshua. Thanks for sharing this! I’m shooting a ton with the X-T2 right now and will experiment with this type of setup too.

      Reply
  • Jack Motif
    at

    Good stuff Noan !!! Between XT2 and GH5, overall, by the image quality, who wins?

    Reply
    • For me, the X-T2! For almost everyone else, the GH5 – haha! I don’t mean to confuse things, but they are both great and it really comes down to personal choice and your needs in terms of their respective feature sets.

      Reply
  • ALEXANDRE
    at

    Excellent review ! Very pleasant to read
    Bravo from a little village in France near Poitiers.
    I own an X-T20 for wildlife photography and hope to go to X-T2 for 4K movies on nature and wilderness.
    Thanks and long way to your business!

    Reply
    • Thank you Alexandre! I love France and was just there last year. Hope to see you around the site again soon.

      Reply
  • Mo
    at

    I remember coming across your LUTS for the Panasonic cameras years ago so a belated ‘Thanks’! I’m glad you’ve been working with the X-T2 and enjoying it. I’ve been shooting with it professionally since it came out and have really enjoyed the Fuji system of lenses as well as their colors (but I’ve had the X-E2 since 2011 so that was no surprise).

    The best part is how skin tones come out on the vectorscope – almost perfectly on the skin tone line! I still use a Pan G7 as my B Cam with an Olympus 45 1.8, but getting them to match up requires a bit more work.

    One thing to note is the Continuous AF system – it is very reliable with the right setup. I use the X-T2 on a Zhiyun crane often and rely on the AF-C exclusively. I also have young kids running around and it manages to capture them very well.

    Other lenses I’ve really enjoyed for video – 16mm f1.4, 50mm f2, and 18-55 with OIS is great for outdoor run-and -gun shoots with an ND filter and a gimbal. Vello extension tubes on the 50 for macro shots have been pretty nice as well. The 10-24 also has OIS that I’m considering purchasing if Fuji will have their sales again.

    Where can we find some of your finished work with the X-T2? I have not shot with F-Log and am debating the need to for ‘Youtube work’. Thanks again.

    Reply
    • Thanks for the kid words, Mo! And I appreciate your insight on all of this. I am working on a few projects with the camera as we speak, and am aiming to release some new X-T2 content here on the blog soon!

      Reply
  • Kyle
    at

    Sorry if someone already asked, but I was curious what external recorder you are using when capturing F-Log? I’m currently using the Black Magic Video Assist 4k and I’m seeing some spots of data loss and the image dropping out to black while shooting. I wanted to see if you had any recommendations for a reliable 4k HDMI recorder?

    Reply
    • Hey Kyle – I actually used the same monitor as you with no issue. Is it possible you’re having a problem with the SD cards? Maybe they aren’t fast enough?

      Reply
  • ronald
    at

    I love how u took away slow motion 1080p 60fps, so how about the editing? I mean the tone n more slower like 120fps? What should I do then?

    Reply
    • Sorry, Ronald – not sure if I quite understand your question…

      Reply
  • Chris
    at

    The XT2 is great as a video cam (I have two) with a few caveats. If you’re shooting 4k, then you’re not shooting S35 because of the crop – its about halfway between s35 and m43. That and the lack of video exposure tools are some of the drawbacks. And of course the rolling shutter in 4k is absolutely awful – which means you have to use zooms or a gimbal for stabilization. But Fuji’s zooms aren’t without issue either – internal lens compensations change exposure when you change FL’s. It can be frustrating at times.

    But it is an oversampled image so its beautifully detailed. I wish Fuji would allow Flog to be recorded to the SD card.

    Reply
    • Thanks for your thoughts, Chris! Appreciate your point of view on this.

      Reply
  • Carsten
    at

    Any update on additional reviews and footage. I’m especially interested in the settings you use and in the results that this gives you.

    Reply
    • I am working on it, and will be sure to follow up on this when I can!

      Reply
  • I’ve really enjoyed reading your reviews of the xt2. I’m trying to decide between that and the a7sii. I shoot with the xt1 now so I’d love to stay Fuji if I can.

    Does not being able to shoot 120 fps bother you? Thanks!

    Lucas

    Reply
    • Good to hear, Lucas! 120fps does not bug me at all. I rarely shoot above 24p, so 60p is plenty for my needs.

      Reply
  • Florian
    at

    Noam, thanks for finding the time to write all these amazing blogs & reviews! I was actually looking around for some new body and always liked to fuji colors and their robust cameras. Im shooting on a G85 at the moment but I don’t really want to buy a Speedbooster for 800 Euro to adapt Canon EF or Nikon Lenses. Micro43 is really great and there are a lot of good lenses but I prefer the S35/APS-C Look. And I want to shoot on native lenses too and dont deal with Adapters all the time. Sony A6500 and A7sII look way to expensive with all the overheating, bad screens and expensive native lenses. Are the stabilized lenses good on the Fuji system? IBIS would be great but im willing to sacrifice that.

    So im looking for the ultimate hybrid camera to shoot awesome stills and Video. I don’t really see much out there apart from the Fuji XT2/XT20 at the moment. Please correct me if im wrong (means before I buy into the system). 😉

    Cheers, Florian

    Reply
    • Thank you! It definitely sounds like the X-T2 may be the right choice for you… There are other options out there (including the 5D MK IV which has close to a Super 35mm FOV with it’s crop in video mode), but right now I think the X-T2 is the camera to beat. Best of luck!

      Reply
  • Thanks for this quick review! It’s about time this camera got some love for it’s video capabilities.
    I bought 2 of them for photography and they have not disappointed , but I did not expect them to be as good as they are for video! So good in fact, that I often leave my Ursa Mini Pro at home these days because these cameras make my life easier, and my clients don’t really seem to notice the difference. It actually has me considering selling the UMP.

    My one real gripe with the camera is the lack of 10bit external recording. It’s why i haven’t really been shooting F-log. Do you find that the 8Bit 4:2:2 is robust enough for Log?

    Reply
    • Thanks Christian! So far I’ve had no issues with the 8bit image externally… It seems to be really clean and I haven’t noticed any artifacting, banding, etc.

      Best of luck with the camera, and thanks for the note!

      Reply
      • Trey
        at

        I just bought the xt2 based off of this post lol (needed/wanted a great smaller camera) . I almost feel the same way about my UM46k except I don’t think I could sell mine b/c of the extra DR and raw option it has over the camera.

        But I must say that the image quality on the xt2 is very close to the quality of my UM46k. I’m glad I purchased it!

        Reply
        • Really glad to hear you’re happy with the purchase, Trey! And I hope you continue to enjoy it. I’ll be sure to post my X-T2 projects on the blog soon for those interested.

          Reply
  • Really excellent piece, Noam. Really appreciate it, as I’ve been shopping the Fujifilm X-T2 a while, comparing it to the Sony A7RII, which I love, but for those goofy colors!

    Your review is not unbiased, thank goodness, I’m listening for the sound of “I have one of these, and it’s awesome,” and I hear it, so this review is most useful.

    Thank you, I’ll let you know how it works for me.

    Sam Longoria

    Hollywood CA USA
    sam@longoria.com
    samlongoria.com

    Reply
  • Adam Kuźniar
    at

    Thank you for this review. I’m currently using G7 for vlogs/travel videos and I was thinking about switching to X-T2 for colors and better lenses.

    Reply
    • Glad to hear this was of some help, Adam! Best of luck with your projects.

      Reply
    • ahmed
      at

      hello adam kuzniar, im your subcribed fan.

      Reply
  • William
    at

    Have you decided which settings (sharpness, contrast, etc.) that you prefer for video? I just bought the T-20 and am trying to decide on settings.

    Reply
    • So far I have only shot extensively with the stock settings on the camera and have had great results. I’m not sure that I will ever reduce contrast in camera… I’ll have to do some tests, but I have a hunch that it won’t really affect DR all that much, although I could be wrong of course. As for sharpness, I could see myself dialing it back a touch, but again will need to experiment a bit more before giving exact settings. I’ll be sure to do a follow up post on all of this (and more) in the future.

      Reply
  • Malik Bagwala
    at

    Now this might be something off topic but I would absolutely love if you did a comparison between
    RED Raven and Ursa Mini Pro …Love your content!

    Reply
    • Thanks Malik, and great suggestion! I would love to do this… I don’t own any RED cameras but perhaps I can get a Raven on loan one of these days.

      Reply
  • Kyle
    at

    I agree with a lot of your opinions on cameras so after you wrote that you bought the camera before your review I looked more into it. I first rented it and fell in love with the image immediately. I have since purchased the camera and a 4k recorder and I absolutely love the images I’m getting out of it. I’m glad to see with this review you’re happy with your purchase as well.

    Reply
    • Wow – so glad to hear that Kyle! Enjoy the camera and thanks for the kind words.

      Reply
  • Attila Bakos
    at

    I also use F-Log with the Video Assist 4K, and I like it very much. When you work your way through noise and the obvious green cast, the details and DR it offers is very nice. Too bad you can’t choose F-Log in 1080p60.

    Reply
    • I haven’t had much of an issue with a green cast – perhaps it’s your ND filters? Either way, glad to hear you’re enjoying the cam!

      Reply
  • Gedas
    at

    Great review, Noam! Although surrounded by high end cameras (we’re a rental), I’m always searching for a perfect DSLR size camera for a one-man-band gigs. Don’t get the praise for Sony, colours are damn ugly. BMPCC is nice, got that filmic image texture, excellent DR, but HD only sensor lacks a bit.. I guess it would be great with some 2.5K sensor downsampled to 2K output. And it’s limited to that specific desatured color range, you could call it “BMPCC film stock”. I guess I’m spoiled by Alexa image, get to look at it all the time :). Red is quite good too, but starts falling apart colorwise sooner in challenging lighting situations. And both Red and Alexa mini are still unwieldy for run and gun. They are film crew cameras after all. So here comes Fuji. Gorgeous colors. I opted for X-t20 for now as I didn’t want that small crop. Although I guess will have to put it side by side with X-t2 to see if I loose something imagewise due to that line skipping.

    Reply
    • Thanks for the note, and great points all around. Can’t wait to try out the X-T20 myself… Looks great!

      Reply
  • Ken
    at

    Ordered the X-T2 just three days ago. It’s scheduled to arrive tomorrow. Can’t wait, especially now after reading your review!

    I’m curious – how do you go about grading the F-Log footage? Do you use one of your LUTs? Thanks.

    Reply
    • Glad to hear, Ken! I think you’ll really like it… I do use my LUTs to color grade footage from the X-T2. To convert the footage out of Log, I usually manually apply contrast and saturation to my taste, and then make other color adjustments/add LUTs afterwards.

      Reply
  • Sandeep
    at

    Hi Noam
    Many thanks for producing this review for us. We are eagerly waiting for the video samples of XT2 as well. I wonder if you will still be doing a lecture on how to record a best dslr image for big theatre screen via DCP so it can hold projection like celluloid film? I requested this topic discussion on your last Fuji lecture.

    It will be of great help if you could show this post production step considering FUJI XT2 as your teaching style os one of the best on the internet in film making area. Thanks

    Reply
    • Thanks for the kind words, Sandeep! I will definitely share some more video samples in the future… If I have time, I’d love to shoot a little short film with this camera to really put it to the test.

      I will also definitely still considering posting about the DCP process in the future too. For now, I would research Easy DCP as a starting point.

      Reply
  • Petar
    at

    Just got X-T20 because X-T2 was over the budget for me. Looking to get more lenses besides 18-55mm kit. What are your go-to Fuji lenses and why?

    Reply
    • I’ve heard great things about the X-T20 too! Honestly, so far I have been shooting almost exclusively on the 35mm F2 prime lens. I’ll aim to do a follow up post on lenses down the road when I have a chance to test out some more Fuji glass extensively.

      Reply
  • trey
    at

    Interesting. I was thinking of getting the micro cinema camera. I already have the um4.6k but want a smaller camera that would give me a cinematic look.

    Do you like the image quality of the X-T2 over the BMMCC?

    Reply
    • I love the Micro Cinema Camera, and truthfully I would find it very hard to say which is better (between BMMCC and X-T2) from a general standpoint as they are such different cameras. I own both, and although I think the BMMCC has some of the best image quality of any sub $10K camera on the market, ergonomically it isn’t always ideal for my needs. Of course it can be rigged up, etc… But sometimes I just need the DSLR form factor for one reason or another. If you like the Super 16mm look and are okay with rigging your camera up, the BMMCC might be the way to go. For Super 35mm and ease of use, the X-T2 could be right call. Hope this helps!

      Reply
      • trey
        at

        Yes. Thanks.

        What external recorder do you use for the x-t2?

        I’m guessing the ninja flame or blackmagic 7″ monitor would work?

        Reply
        • No problem! I was in fact using the 7″ Blackmagic video assist 4K. It worked perfectly with the X-T2.

          Reply
  • Benjamin
    at

    Noam, thank you vey much for your review! I appreciate your emphasis on the color science, as I too consider it the most important trait of my cameras. I have been debating between Sony A7RII and Fuji X-T2 as my next camera purchase. Coming from Canon, I had never considered Sony mirrorless because of what used to be their atrocious color. However, I hear a lot of reviewers say (and some footage online seems to corroborate) that Sony has been improving their color science with every new iteration of their A7 series and now, the A9. In particular, A7RII has been said to be a great improvement color-wise. Yet, you mentioned that you found A7SII color unacceptable. Do you have any way to judge the difference/commonality between A7SII and A7RII colors. Would you consider A7RII unacceptable too, for your taste?

    Sorry for the long question 😀

    Reply
    • Thanks for the feedback Benjamin! In terms of the A7R II, I personally put it in the same category as the A7S II with regards to color science… That said, I know many people that own both cameras and love them, so it’s really just my subjective opinion! If you are picky about your colors though, and especially if you come from Canon (and you’re used to great colors), the X-T2 may be the right choice!

      Reply

Leave a Reply