With all the fanfare surrounding the announcement of the Fujifilm X-Pro2, it is hard not to feel sorry for the poor, overshadowed Fujifilm X70. We understand the timing – after all, it was the five year anniversary of the X series – but had the X70 been released just a little later, there’s no doubt it would have been met with a little more enthusiasm.
The X70 is an interesting addition to a line-up of cameras that is known for being well-suited to street photography. With its fixed 28mm equivalent lens, it will suit street shooters who prefer a wider view and don’t mind getting up close and personal with their subjects. Though it isn’t the first Fujifilm camera to have a tilting screen, it is the first to feature touch capabilities. This can only be a positive move forward considering that other brands have had this functionality for nearly three years.
Below are you will find three reviews written by X Photographers who spent some time with the camera. Since they received pre-production models, none of them are comprehensive reviews but they are certainly the most complete impressions you’ll find at this point in time.
Jonas Rask
Jonas had the great fortune of being able to test both a preproduction X-Pro2 and X70. When asked to describe the latter model, he uses the phrase, “the child of the X100 and the X-A2 being raised by the XT10 firmware,” an apt description that I also found quite amusing. He is extremely impressed by the edge-to-edge sharpness of the new 28mm equivalent lens and the implementation of the tilting touch screen. He also feels that anyone who loves the Ricoh GR will instantly fall for the X70.
Check out Jonas’ review on his blog.
Take Kayo (BigHeadTaco)
Take actually produced three “first impressions” reviews of his pre-production Fujifilm X70 – one shorter piece on his own blog, another longer piece on FujiLove and an in-depth 24 minute video. What is interesting about Take’s perspective is that he is a longtime user of the Ricoh GR, the X70’s direct competitor in the premium compact segment. In his written articles, he explains how the Ricoh became his EDC (every day carry) for casual and commercial work, but uses his video to conduct an in-depth comparison between the Fuji and the Ricoh. Out of all the reviewers here, Take is probably the most honest about his likes and dislikes.
Check out Take’s first impressions on his blog and FujiLove.
Ivan Joshua Loh
In truth, Ivan’s review comes across as more of a brief preview, probably because he was busy testing the new sensor of the X-Pro2! Along with showing a number of product shots, he shares his first thoughts and a couple of images taken with the camera from his daily life. He states that the only thing he really misses is the viewfinder but he admits this is a personal preference.
Check out Ivan’s first impressions on his blog.
Also be sure to check out our recent “spec comparison” between the Fujifilm X70 and Ricoh GR II if you aren’t sure which of these two cameras to pick.