Fujifilm X-T2 review: The definition of a great camera

Released in September 2016 (following its announcement in July), the Fujifilm X-T2 arrived on the scene as a true contender, solidifying Fujifilm’s reputation for crafting cameras that blend classic design with cutting-edge performance. Even years after its debut, the X-T2 remains a highly sought-after camera on the used market, often seen as the definition of a great camera for enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Its enduring appeal lies in a harmonious combination of superb image quality, robust build, intuitive controls, and a charming, tactile shooting experience that many modern cameras struggle to replicate.

A Design Masterpiece: Ergonomics and Build Quality

The first thing that strikes you about the X-T2 is its retro-inspired, SLR-style design. Crafted with a weather-sealed magnesium alloy body, it feels incredibly solid and reassuringly weighty in hand. This isn’t a disposable plastic toy; it’s a meticulously engineered tool.

• Tactile Controls: Fujifilm’s signature dedication to physical dials for ISO, shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation is a major highlight. These engraved metal dials are precise, making it “trivially easy” to adjust settings without diving into menus. This hands-on approach connects you directly to the photographic process, much like traditional film cameras.
• Electronic Viewfinder (EVF): The X-T2 boasts a large, bright, and high-resolution (2.36 million dots) OLED EVF with a generous 0.77x magnification. It provides a real-time, accurate preview of your exposure and white balance, eliminating the need to “chimp” at the rear screen constantly.
• Tilting LCD Screen: The 3-inch, 1.04 million-dot LCD is a robust 3-axis tilting design, allowing for comfortable shooting from high or low angles, proving incredibly useful for creative compositions.
• Dual SD Card Slots: A welcome professional feature, offering redundancy or the ability to separate RAW and JPEG files.

Image Quality: The Fujifilm Magic

At the heart of the X-T2 is Fujifilm’s acclaimed 24.3MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS III sensor paired with the powerful X-Processor Pro. This combination delivers stunning image quality that often rivals full-frame cameras.

• Exceptional Detail and Sharpness: The X-Trans sensor’s unique color filter array (which omits an optical low-pass filter) reduces moiré and aliasing, resulting in incredibly sharp and detailed images, especially when paired with Fujifilm’s excellent XF lenses.
• Fujifilm Color Science: This is where the “magic” truly happens. Fujifilm’s renowned color science produces natural, pleasing colors straight out of the camera, particularly for skin tones and vibrant landscapes. The beloved Film Simulation modes (Classic Chrome, Velvia, Astia, ACROS, etc.) allow photographers to apply the look of iconic film stocks directly in-camera, often negating the need for extensive post-processing.
• Impressive Dynamic Range: The X-T2 offers excellent dynamic range, allowing for significant recovery of detail in both shadows and highlights, even in challenging lighting conditions.
• Solid High ISO Performance: While an APS-C sensor, the X-T2 handles high ISOs remarkably well, producing clean images with manageable noise levels up to ISO 6400, and even usable results at higher extended ISOs.

Performance: Fast, Accurate, and Responsive

Compared to its predecessor, the X-T1, the X-T2 brought significant advancements in speed and autofocus, making it a much more capable camera for demanding scenarios.

• Autofocus System: The X-T2 features an improved hybrid autofocus system with 325 total focus points, including 169 phase-detection points covering a large portion of the sensor. This translates to fast and accurate autofocus in various lighting conditions.
  • Custom AF-C Settings: For action and sports photographers, the X-T2 introduced customizable Continuous Autofocus (AF-C) settings, allowing users to tailor the AF behavior for different types of moving subjects, greatly enhancing tracking performance.
• Burst Shooting: It offers impressive continuous shooting speeds of up to 8 frames per second (fps) with the mechanical shutter and full AF tracking, and an even faster 14 fps using the silent electronic shutter.
• Responsive Operation: The X-Processor Pro ensures quick startup times, minimal shutter lag (as low as 0.05 seconds), and a fast shooting interval, making the camera highly responsive to the photographer’s commands.

Video Capabilities: A Step Up to 4K

A major upgrade for the X-T2 was the inclusion of UHD 4K video recording (3840 x 2160) at up to 30p, making it Fujifilm’s first mirrorless camera to offer this capability.

• High-Quality 4K: The 4K footage is oversampled from a 5K equivalent area of the sensor, resulting in very sharp and detailed video.
• F-Log Gamma: For serious videographers, the X-T2 offered F-Log Gamma, providing a flat profile for greater flexibility in color grading during post-production.
• External Audio: It includes a 3.5mm microphone jack for improved audio capture.
• Vertical Power Booster Grip (VPB-XT2): While optional, this grip enhances video capabilities by extending 4K recording time from 10 minutes to 30 minutes, boosting burst speeds, and adding a headphone jack.

Is the Fujifilm X-T2 Still a Good Camera in 2025?

Absolutely. While newer models like the X-T3 and X-T4 have surpassed it in certain technical specifications (e.g., in-body image stabilization, more advanced autofocus, better video specs), the X-T2 remains an exceptionally capable and enjoyable camera.

• Value Proposition: On the used market, the X-T2 offers incredible value. You can find body-only units typically ranging from £450-£700 (or $550-$850 USD) depending on condition and included accessories.
• Timeless Controls: The physical dials and overall ergonomic design are timeless and continue to provide a deeply satisfying shooting experience that many photographers prefer over menu-heavy interfaces.
• Stunning Image Quality: The 24MP X-Trans III sensor still produces images with a unique look and quality that holds up remarkably well against modern cameras.

For photographers who appreciate tactile controls, exceptional JPEG output, and a truly engaging shooting experience, the Fujifilm X-T2 isn’t just a good camera – it’s still the definition of a great camera that continues to deliver outstanding results. It encourages a slower, more intentional approach to photography while still being capable of handling fast-paced action.