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Build quality of x-pro better than x-t ?

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NoviceRomano

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Hi

I currently have a x100s (and a 5DmkII that I no longer use much).. I really like the x100s but there are some features that I miss (better AF, Wi-Fi for my instax printer, etc.)

A friend lent me his x-t1 with 23/56 combo over a week-end and I really liked it. So I decided I would purchase the x-t2 when it is released in September.

BUT

I went to a store yesterday to hold both the x-pro2 and the x-t1. And I had the impression that the x-pro2 build quality was way better.. I don't see this discussed much on the forums but
  • The x-pro2's rubber skin looked better and more gripy. I know that several users had issues with the skin of the X-T1..
  • The top plate metal was smooth (compared to "grainy" for the x-t1).
  • The memory card door is way better on the X-Pro2 but I know it is also improved on the X-T2.
I am wondering if the price difference (the X-Pro2 is 100€ more expensive than X-T2 in France even though the X-T2 has more features) is not only based on the VF, but also on the build quality.

What do you guys think?
 
I have both and I don't think build quality is different. It's just the X-Pro is heavier and that gives it a subjective impression of quality.
 
I have to say all the stories of bulging card doors and peeling/expanding rubber on the XT1 put me right off. My X-Pro1 is nice and solid and the leatherette feels like it will last forever, basically.
 
I own X-T1 and held X-Pro2 only in the store, but got the same feeling. Rubber parts on my X-T1 started to peal off, btw.

I like X-T form-factor and controls much more, though, so hope in X-T2 they have fixed that rubber thing.
 
NoviceRomano said:
Hi

I currently have a x100s (and a 5DmkII that I no longer use much).. I really like the x100s but there are some features that I miss (better AF, Wi-Fi for my instax printer, etc.)

A friend lent me his x-t1 with 23/56 combo over a week-end and I really liked it. So I decided I would purchase the x-t2 when it is released in September.

BUT

I went to a store yesterday to hold both the x-pro2 and the x-t1. And I had the impression that the x-pro2 build quality was way better.. I don't see this discussed much on the forums but
  • The x-pro2's rubber skin looked better and more gripy. I know that several users had issues with the skin of the X-T1..
  • The top plate metal was smooth (compared to "grainy" for the x-t1).
  • The memory card door is way better on the X-Pro2 but I know it is also improved on the X-T2.
I am wondering if the price difference (the X-Pro2 is 100€ more expensive than X-T2 in France even though the X-T2 has more features) is not only based on the VF, but also on the build quality.

What do you guys think?
Click to expand...
What were your reasons for deciding to purchase the X-T2 before holding the X-Pro2? The build quality of the X-T1 is excellent and I'd expect the X-T2 to be better so if your initial reasons haven't changed then it's an easy decision.... get the X-T2.
 
Well the reason was that I have tested my friend's x-t1. But I have the x100s and I like the form factor so I decide to visit a store and hold an X-PRO2.

And then I was surprised to see the difference regarding the leatherette.. I was not expecting this.
 
NoviceRomano said:
Well the reason was that I have tested my friend's x-t1. But I have the x100s and I like the form factor so I decide to visit a store and hold an X-PRO2.

And then I was surprised to see the difference regarding the leatherette.. I was not expecting this.
Click to expand...
My point was that the build quality of both is excellent so it should come down to the form factor and feature set you prefer.
 
Clayton1985 said:
NoviceRomano said:
Well the reason was that I have tested my friend's x-t1. But I have the x100s and I like the form factor so I decide to visit a store and hold an X-PRO2.

And then I was surprised to see the difference regarding the leatherette.. I was not expecting this.
Click to expand...
My point was that the build quality of both is excellent so it should come down to the form factor and feature set you prefer.
Click to expand...
Do you (or did you) own both? My point was that everybody states that both are excellent, but that was not my feeling when I had both in my hands :). And I did not hear anybody complaining about the rubber skin of the x-pro2 peeling off.

So that makes me hesitate...
 
I have X-Pro2 and X-T1 bodies (and an X-T2 on order). The build quality is equal, just different in philosophy. Both are magnesium, both weather resistant, etc.

I think your choice should be based on the type of photography you do, and which body is best suited to that. The X-T cameras are better "all rounders" IMO.

And, with the X-Pro bodies, you are paying a significant amount of $$ for the hybrid viewfinder. If using an OVF isn't something you "really want or need" then you're wasting money for a feature that you won't use, AND the EVF of the X-Pro is smaller and less bright than on the X-T bodies. Add to that the X-T2's SD slots both being high speed, the better video capability (if that matters to you) and the T becomes a more attractive option.

Last, the X-Pro2 isn't more expensive. If you buy an X-T2 w/o the very expensive booster grip, you won't get optimum performance. So, in reality the X-T2 is more expensive than the X-Pro2 assuming you want to exploit its capabilities.

I have Pro2 because I love the look, feel, and am used to and appreciate what an OVF can bring to the table (from my old Leica days). It's a great "people" camera for reportage work and candid work. I have the T cameras for pretty much everything else.

Best of luck with your decision.

Rand
 
NoviceRomano said:
Clayton1985 said:
NoviceRomano said:
Well the reason was that I have tested my friend's x-t1. But I have the x100s and I like the form factor so I decide to visit a store and hold an X-PRO2.

And then I was surprised to see the difference regarding the leatherette.. I was not expecting this.
Click to expand...
My point was that the build quality of both is excellent so it should come down to the form factor and feature set you prefer.
Click to expand...
Do you (or did you) own both? My point was that everybody states that both are excellent, but that was not my feeling when I had both in my hands :). And I did not hear anybody complaining about the rubber skin of the x-pro2 peeling off.

So that makes me hesitate...
Click to expand...
I haven't held either of the new models but I've owned the X-Pro1 and I currently own the X-T1.
 
Not sure why you would look at X-T1, the design of which is several years ago and reach conclusions about the build quality of a camera that has not been released.
 
win39 said:
Not sure why you would look at X-T1, the design of which is several years ago and reach conclusions about the build quality of a camera that has not been released.
Click to expand...
That's a good point.

On the other hand, I have not seen reviews stating that the build quality of the X-T2 has been improved. Most of the reviews mention that it "remain as good as the X-T1".
 
In fairness the build of the X-Pro2 is largely identical to the 1 in build despite the four year gap - and everything we've seen of the XT2 suggests it largely copies the same external build as the XT1 with a similar rubberised skin rather than leatherette - albeit with a new design of card door.
 
Last edited:
Moving from an X-T1 to X-Pro2 I would definitely say it feels better in build quality and more "solid" even accounting for the small extra weight. Controls are tighter and more precise as well. The gloss finish and lack of spongy feeling rubber (which I had to get fixed) adds to this feeling as well. Hopefully the X-T2 has addressed this.
www.phillevy.co.uk
 
NoviceRomano said:
Clayton1985 said:
NoviceRomano said:
Well the reason was that I have tested my friend's x-t1. But I have the x100s and I like the form factor so I decide to visit a store and hold an X-PRO2.

And then I was surprised to see the difference regarding the leatherette.. I was not expecting this.
Click to expand...
My point was that the build quality of both is excellent so it should come down to the form factor and feature set you prefer.
Click to expand...
Do you (or did you) own both? My point was that everybody states that both are excellent, but that was not my feeling when I had both in my hands :). And I did not hear anybody complaining about the rubber skin of the x-pro2 peeling off.

So that makes me hesitate...
Click to expand...
The X-Pro2 is a much newer design than the X-T1. Materials improve as time goes on so you should expect the X-T2 should be built to the current materials standard. Besides, the X-T2 has 4K video and Fuji has stated that the X-Pro2 will not have 4K. Also the X-T2 will have improved tracking while the X-T1 will not. Get to know the features of each camera and choose accordingly. If you are coming from the DSLR world, the X-T2 will seem more natural. If you want to do action/Sports photography, the X-T2 should be more suited. And don't forget, the X-T2 has that huge VF that the X-Pro2 will never have.
 
I've held both at the store, and yes, the X-Pro2 does feel more solid, giving the impression of better quality. The build quality of the XT2 and XP2 is probably identical though. It's kind of like comparing German cars to Japanese cars. German cars will feel solid and better built, but Japanese cars with the cheap-feeling plastic panels will usually have better reliability.

However, as with cars, how a camera feels can be inspirational to a photographer and that can not be dismissed.
 
SonyRX1 said:
I've held both at the store, and yes, the X-Pro2 does feel more solid, giving the impression of better quality. The build quality of the XT2 and XP2 is probably identical though. It's kind of like comparing German cars to Japanese cars. German cars will feel solid and better built, but Japanese cars with the cheap-feeling plastic panels will usually have better reliability.

However, as with cars, how a camera feels can be inspirational to a photographer and that can not be dismissed.
Click to expand...
Yes, totally agree with this !
 
Cliff Fujii said:
NoviceRomano said:
Clayton1985 said:
NoviceRomano said:
Well the reason was that I have tested my friend's x-t1. But I have the x100s and I like the form factor so I decide to visit a store and hold an X-PRO2.

And then I was surprised to see the difference regarding the leatherette.. I was not expecting this.
Click to expand...
My point was that the build quality of both is excellent so it should come down to the form factor and feature set you prefer.
Click to expand...
Do you (or did you) own both? My point was that everybody states that both are excellent, but that was not my feeling when I had both in my hands :). And I did not hear anybody complaining about the rubber skin of the x-pro2 peeling off.

So that makes me hesitate...
Click to expand...
The X-Pro2 is a much newer design than the X-T1. Materials improve as time goes on so you should expect the X-T2 should be built to the current materials standard. Besides, the X-T2 has 4K video and Fuji has stated that the X-Pro2 will not have 4K. Also the X-T2 will have improved tracking while the X-T1 will not. Get to know the features of each camera and choose accordingly. If you are coming from the DSLR world, the X-T2 will seem more natural. If you want to do action/Sports photography, the X-T2 should be more suited. And don't forget, the X-T2 has that huge VF that the X-Pro2 will never have.
Click to expand...
 
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