XE-1vs. XE-2 Image IQ

mdavidp

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Does anyone own both cameras? Many of us are awaiting a description of the IQ differences of theses cameras.

A simple lanscape OOC JPEG will get things rolling. If you can't post, please tell us your findings.

Thanks, Mike P
 
Not XE2 but X100s which is the same sensor to XE2 and I have XE1. Basically a bit richer colour in X100s compared to XE1. As far as sharpness goes it seems the same. Just colour seems a bit richer.

I don't know that the sensor is any different apart from the PDAF pixels. If anything they would slightly worsen IQ as they form a gap in the image that most likely is interpolated by nearyby pixel values.

Greg.
 
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Do you have a PIN number for that Image IQ?
 
I did some informal head-to-head testing before I shipped my X-E1 off to it's new owner. Didn't really see much difference in IQ. X-E2 JEPGS might be a little "richer" looking, but too close to say. RAWS look the same. I will say the better overall handling and speed of the X-E2 is VERY noticeable! Particularly the AF speed and accuracy. Honestly feels like a whole different camera, even though it looks almost identical.
 
I did some informal head-to-head testing before I shipped my X-E1 off to it's new owner. Didn't really see much difference in IQ. X-E2 JEPGS might be a little "richer" looking, but too close to say. RAWS look the same. I will say the better overall handling and speed of the X-E2 is VERY noticeable! Particularly the AF speed and accuracy. Honestly feels like a whole different camera, even though it looks almost identical.
RAW is actually where X-E2 wins. OOC JPEG b/w E1 and E2 are similar. But if you use Photo Ninja to lift up the shadow (i.e.: quick way to do an HDR), E2 RAW files will have nearly zero noise when the shadow is lifted to the max. Not so with E1 RAW files... This is where 14-bit RAW files excel compared to a 12-bit RAW file. There is more latitude when things are pushed to the max.
 
RAW is actually where X-E2 wins. OOC JPEG b/w E1 and E2 are similar. But if you use Photo Ninja to lift up the shadow (i.e.: quick way to do an HDR), E2 RAW files will have nearly zero noise when the shadow is lifted to the max. Not so with E1 RAW files... This is where 14-bit RAW files excel compared to a 12-bit RAW file. There is more latitude when things are pushed to the max.
Hmmm, as a satisfied XE1 user the 14-bits files, along with your comments elsewhere about PH being the best for shadow and highlight recovery, is the first argument that makes me rethink possibly upgrading. (I have to stop reading these threads!)
 
Yes that is a good point. For starters I did not know the XE1 was only 12 bit. No wonder they upgraded that. I thought all modern cameras were 14 bit. All my astronomy cameras have been 16 bit for years and years. I guess it takes more computer power so they put it off to keep the current microprocessors useable for as long as possible before upgrading.

Is X100s 14 bit also?

Greg.
 
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I did some comparisons with my X-E1 and X-E2. X-E2 meters the scene differently. It is about 0.2EV less bright. Which is why people perceived X-E2 having richer colors.

Also, X-E2 tend not to use higher DR. X-E1 will happily jump to DR200 or even DR400 when I think the picture is better served at DR100 or DR200.

Finally, Fuji also messed with the default shadow tone. X-E1 default shadow tone is like X-E1 shadow tone -1. So if you used Shadow tone -2 in X-E1 regularly, there is no equivalent setting in X-E2.
 
I did some comparisons with my X-E1 and X-E2. X-E2 meters the scene differently. It is about 0.2EV less bright. Which is why people perceived X-E2 having richer colors.

Also, X-E2 tend not to use higher DR. X-E1 will happily jump to DR200 or even DR400 when I think the picture is better served at DR100 or DR200.

Finally, Fuji also messed with the default shadow tone. X-E1 default shadow tone is like X-E1 shadow tone -1. So if you used Shadow tone -2 in X-E1 regularly, there is no equivalent setting in X-E2.
This also seems to be the case with all x series cameras featuring the newer EXR II Processor Pro image processor including X-A1 and X-M1.
 
Finally, Fuji also messed with the default shadow tone. X-E1 default shadow tone is like X-E1 shadow tone -1. So if you used Shadow tone -2 in X-E1 regularly, there is no equivalent setting in X-E2.
Please, x-e1 shadow tone 0, is like x-e2 with shadow tone +1 ?
 
Please, x-e1 shadow tone 0, is like x-e2 with shadow tone +1 ?
I think that he meant that X-E1 shadow tone 0 is more like X-E2 with shadow tone -1.

Regards
 
Please, x-e1 shadow tone 0, is like x-e2 with shadow tone +1 ?
I think that he meant that X-E1 shadow tone 0 is more like X-E2 with shadow tone -1.

Regards
I think it's the opposite, because photo is more colorfull, when is shadow tone lower (-1), but of course then is worse dynamic range.

I had problem that jpeg in fuji x-e1 isnt colorfull enough for me. I thought, that in fuji x-e2 is better. But if is trueth, what wrote Albert, the jpeg is same (only default setting shadow tone 0 in x-e2 is 0 in xe-1? True?
 
They are virtually identical. The advantages of the 2 are more functional related than IQ related, which, in the end, can have a huge effect on IQ. The 2 clearly focuses faster...even when being limited to CDAF.
 
Sorry to digress slightly but has the in-built EVF image quality on the X-E2 improved over the X-E1?

I use a X-E1 mainly for landscapes so I am not concerned about panning and trails etc but more so about using the EVF in bright sunlight and some of the challenges that represents.
 
Please, x-e1 shadow tone 0, is like x-e2 with shadow tone +1 ?
I think that he meant that X-E1 shadow tone 0 is more like X-E2 with shadow tone -1.

Regards
I think it's the opposite, because photo is more colorfull, when is shadow tone lower (-1), but of course then is worse dynamic range.

I had problem that jpeg in fuji x-e1 isnt colorfull enough for me. I thought, that in fuji x-e2 is better. But if is trueth, what wrote Albert, the jpeg is same (only default setting shadow tone 0 in x-e2 is 0 in xe-1? True?
Sorry, Higher shadow tone(+1) means more colorfull jpg, with lower dynamic range, shadow are more dark....

You are right, x-e2-more colorful, default x-e2 shadowtone 0 is +1 shadow tone in x-e1.
 
RAW is actually where X-E2 wins. OOC JPEG b/w E1 and E2 are similar. But if you use Photo Ninja to lift up the shadow (i.e.: quick way to do an HDR), E2 RAW files will have nearly zero noise when the shadow is lifted to the max. Not so with E1 RAW files... This is where 14-bit RAW files excel compared to a 12-bit RAW file. There is more latitude when things are pushed to the max.
Hmmm, as a satisfied XE1 user the 14-bits files, along with your comments elsewhere about PH being the best for shadow and highlight recovery, is the first argument that makes me rethink possibly upgrading. (I have to stop reading these threads!)
How often are you pushing shadows all the way up, Al? 14-bit raw is undoubtedly desirable, but its utility is restricted to some pretty marginal processing situations.

Will I be glad to have it when I finally upgrade? Absolutely. Do I need it 99.9% of the time? No. I think Fuji has more tricks up its sleeve next year. I can be patient.
 
how bout AWB? on the xe2?.. Had a truthful discussion with a camera store salesman today who had just tested out the xe2 last night and his opinion was that the AWB was not as good on the xe2 and that the auto focusing was not worth the upgrade. he told me this after i said i was interested in trading in my xe1 for the xe2 - WTF??

Was quite disheartned as he had nothing to gain whatsoever by giving his opinion - actually quite the oposite!!

AWB is quite a big deal for me as i've come to rely on it a lot with my xe1 because it's so good and now even moreso as i'm using it to do a few shoots at events for a local magazine?

And all the new functional changes do sound like they would help specially bigger lcd/ better EVF/WYSIWYG display, as my eye sight isn't that great.

more info on the above issues please?

and no, they didn't have one i could try out !! as it was the fuji reps camera(maybe his unit was a bad apple?)
 

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