Published: September 2, 2016
The Fuji X-Pro2 utilizes an APS-C sensor in a rangefinder-styled camera. It offers various improvements over its predecessor, the X-Pro, as well as the the X-T1 which was released on the interim. The sensor represents a significant upgrade in resolution, now reaching 24 megapixels, up from the 16-megapixel X-Trans sensor found in the previous cameras. The X-Pro2 also boasts a new 273-point auto focus system, including 169 phase detect points, all directly selectable. Similar to the original X-Pro, there is a hybrid optical viewfinder but the resolution has been increased to 2.36 million dots and upgraded using organic LED technology. The frame rate has been increased to 8fps, the same as the X-T1, while the shutter is upgraded to offer up to 1/8,000 shutter speed. The previous cameras topped out at 1/4,000 second shutter speed. The X-Pro2 shares the X-T1's ability to record 1080 HD video at up to 60 fps.
The X-Pro2 has dual card slots, a first for Fuji, and supports UHS-I and UHS-II Secure Digital cards (UHS-II is supported only in Slot 1). To evaluate memory card write performance 82 SD cards were tested in the X-Pro2. Results are shown in two charts below. The first shows write speed for RAW images during continuous shooting. The second table compares the number of images that can be shot in 30 seconds during continuous shooting for various image modes: RAW+JPEG, RAW and JPEG. A detailed analysis includes information observed during the tests. Based on the results Recommended SD cards for the X-Pro2 outlines the fastest cards for the camera.
The X-Pro2 test uses a detailed picture subject with controlled lighting. The scene remains the same throughout the test. The camera is mounted on a tripod and controlled with an external remote release timer. The write speed test uses RAW (uncompressed) to maximize file size. RAW+JPEG and JPEG modes result in lower write speed. Write speed is calculated using the buffer full shot condition during extended continuous shooting. This provides a more accurate and consistent measurement of write speed compared with the card access light because the light illuminates when the shutter is activated and not when the first file begins writing. Write speed is in megabytes per second, where 1 MB = 1,048,576 bytes.
The X-Pro2 continuous shooting test uses Continuous high 8fps drive mode. The camera is controlled with a remote release timer for a 30 second interval and does not include buffer clearing time. The number of images taken in 30 seconds is shown below. Three image modes are used: RAW+JPEG, RAW, and JPEG. The JPEG setting is large, fine quality. The detailed test scene produces 48.3MB RAW and 14.5MB JPEG file sizes.
The Fuji X-Pro2 write speed reached up to 112.1MB/s average during continuous shooting with UHS-II cards. Using UHS-I cards the highest average write speed reached 78.9MB/s. The camera is able to benefit from UHS-II cards, but it also supports UHS-I SDR104 mode which helps performance with the fastest UHS-I cards. In continuous shooting, the X-Pro2 captured up to 30 shots RAW at full frame rate using UHS-II cards, compared with 27 using the fastest UHS-I cards. The slowest card recorded 23 RAW shots at full frame rate, indicating that the X-Pro2 has a sizable buffer. Using a fast card will extend its continuous shooting capabilities by allowing more shots to be taken at full frame rate. After the buffer is full a greater disparity is seen between cards. When the buffer is full the X-Pro 2 shot at 2.3 fps continuously with the fastest UHS-II card, 1.6 fps with the fastest UHS-I card and as low as 0.3fps using the slowest UHS-I card tested.
The fastest cards in the X-Pro2 were Lexar 2000x UHS-II cards. The highest write speed averaged 112.1 MB/s with the 32GB card while the 64GB card averaged 109.1MB/s. The Lexar 1800x microSD UHS-II card nearly matched this performance. Not all UHS-II cards support the highest write speeds. Lexar 1000x UHS-II cards trail by a significant margin and were outperformed by several UHS-I cards.
While the X-Pro2 can take advantage of UHS-II cards, older UHS-I cards are not far behind. The SanDisk Extreme Pro 95MB/s UHS-I cards reached up to 78.9 MB/s write speed and cost significantly less than the fastest UHS-II cards.
The Fuji X-Pro2 has a USB 2.0 port that can be used to transfer images from the camera. To test the download speed a USB 2.0 cable was connected and 8GB of image files were transferred from a Lexar 2000x 64GB UHS-II card in the camera to a computer equipped with an SSD drive. The USB connection averaged 23.3 MB/s transfer rate and the download took 5 minutes 45 seconds. When an external UHS-II card reader, the Lexar UHS-II reader included with the card, was used to transfer the same images it averaged 231.1 MB/s and the download time was just under than 35 seconds. Additional Card Reader Reviews compare card reader performance using different memory cards.