Fujifilm XQ2 Digital Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Silver)

The autofocus is very fast with phase detection plus contrast detection AF. The lens is very good and produces very pleasing and accurate colors in standard (Provia) film simulation. I love the "Classic Chrome" film simulation.Out of camera JPEGs are excellent and negate the need to shoot RAW except in very demanding situations (note that you can also process RAW images in camera.) the E-Fn function button is handy for quickly changing settings, though there is one custom function (I use it to bracket three film simulations.)The E-Fn, Power and DISP buttons are tiny, so users with large hands might have issues with them. The small size make the XQ2 ideal for travel shots and a general pocket camera; I wouldn't classify it as a "point and shoot" camera, as the sensor and lens can compete above the average P&S camera.Fujifilm XQ2 Digital Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Black)Update November, 2015. I took the XQ2 on a two week trip through eastern Canada and New England. I shot exclusively with the XQ2 and it performed flawlessly. Excellent image quality for the sensor size.

Returned

Having really loved the X-E2, I got on the pre-order list for the XQ2 as soon as it was open. I wanted the XQ2 to be my second, ultra-portable camera, to replace an aging Canon S95. My thought was that the S95 was so old that the XQ2 would be a no-brainer to replace it. Comparisons seemed laughable.Unfortunately, the XQ2 was a letdown in many respects so I'm returning it today.I'm not posting this to hate on Fujifilm. I love the X-E2 and had high hopes for the XQ2. However, when a manufacturer releases a product that is clearly not ready for prime time, they should be called out on it.What I liked• When the camera did focus, it did so extremely quickly• Much more responsive zoom control than the S95• Shooting speed much faster than the S95• Pixel-peeping resolution test targets showed less aliasing and lower noise than the S95• Familiar Fujifilm menu structure• When it worked, the images were quite beautifulWhat I disliked• Inability to focus under many conditions - a fatal flaw• Poor close focus ability• Poor image stabilization• Poor auto-exposure/iso setting choices• Large mode dial intrudes on the shutter button• Control ring, when used for zoom, functioned erraticallyI'm usually tolerant of bleeding edge products, but the inability of the XQ2 to take good photos under "real-life" conditions was really a deal breaker for me. More than half the time, it would inexplicably be unable to focus. This was under a variety of lighting conditions and image contrast - I've shot with a lot of cameras and never had one that was unable to focus as frequently as the XQ2. You can see this in some of my sample images. Easy targets that should have resulted in perfect focus. I don't understand how they released the camera from the R&D labs like this.Ergonomically, the positioning of the mode dial was just bizarre. It's right where the finger lands when gripping the camera and not recessed enough so you feel the sharp edges every time you go to find the shutter button. The control rings on cameras of this class are often poorly connected to their virtual functions, but I was really disappointed when I programmed it to control zoom. Many times, I'd turn the ring and nothing would happen. Then, it would start working and would do so beautifully. At first, I thought it was defective, but when I coupled it to other functions, like shooting mode, it worked flawlessly. Again indicative of poor testing in the labs.Along with the poor focus, the image stabilization seems non-existent. Many of my shots came out blurry under conditions where the old S95 worked fine.More nit-picky was the program mode selections the camera made. Why push the ISO up to maximum if I'm using the flash to take a shot of a nearby object? I tried a number of times to use the flash to reduce blur when shooting under normal room lighting. Instead of ramping down the ISO and using a bright flash and short exposure, it would keep ISO maxed out, barely flash and still use a relatively long exposure resulting in blurry photos.Like I said, I'm not new to the game. I've been using digital (and analog) cameras for decades and understand the limitations of the algorithms and technologies (as both a user and developer of these technologies). In spite of that, I shake my head and wonder what Fujifilm was thinking with this camera. Put this in the hands of a typical user and they're never going to buy another Fujifilm product again.

I bought one of these because I have an X-E2 and love what that camera can do. I take a lot of photos in low and very low light, some nightlife and some street/reportage photos.I figured this was a pocketable version of a DSLR after seeing sample images online, and I wasn't entirely correct. Yes, I know, I set the bar too high considering the sensor is smaller than a DSLR but Fuji has made mind-blowing cameras in the past few years,In daylight this is the perfect camera. If you plan on using this during the day between the break of dawn or just until the sun falls below the horizon line, this is an amazing camera. Sharpness is unparalleled for a camera of this size.However, if you plan on shutting the flash off and forgetting it even has a flash, you should either get a compact DSLR or a Sony RX. Despite the huge aperture, even with manual settings, it just doesn't do well at all inside at night without flash or even outside taking photos of graffiti. No detail in the images whatsoever. My iPhone 6 in burst mode got sharper photos than this camera did, which is depressing for a $300 camera.I won't avoid Fuji because of this, but I'll stick to their great DSLRs.

So far I'm very pleased with this little camera. Already being familiar with the settings on other Fujifilm Cameras I was able to set and start shooting within minutes. Albeit with a smaller sensor (2/3" as opposed to APS-C) you're going to see slightly more noise at higher ISO's say above 1600-3200, but this is a great carry around capable of producing extremely nice prints up to 5X7 or 8X10 - at least for me. I prefer the smaller flash in a 'people' setting for fill in instead of trying to light up an entire room. Classic Chrome is very pleasing with good contrast, and the B&W setting w/green filter makes for great skin tones. Highly Recommended as a point and shoot.