Fuji X-Trans generations and their raw files

For people curious about how older Fuji cameras hold up IQ-wise, I've decided to highlight some lesser known points regarding their ISO performances.

X-Trans I (X-Pro1, X-E1): 12-bit raw files, 2-3 stops shadow recovery before green colour cast and chroma noise becomes visible in shadows. Ie shoot at ISO 200, push exposure in post to brightness equivalent to ISO 800-1600. Decent High ISO performance up to ISO 1600-3200.

X-Trans II ( X-T1, X-T10, X-E2): 14-bit raw files. ISO invariant, so you can shoot at base ISO and push 4-5 stops shadow recovery. Ie shoot at ISO 200, can push in post to exposure equivalent to ISO 3200-6400. No green cast in shadows, and minimal chroma noise. Similar high ISO noise performance as X-Trans I.

X-Trans III (X-Pro2, X-T2, X-T20, X-E3). 14-bit raw files. Dual-gain ISO. First setting is ISO 200, second setting is ISO 800. From ISO 800 and above noise is about a stop less than earlier X-Trans performance. Shadow recovery is similar to X-Trans II with no green cast, and with minimal chroma noise.

Please feel free to add points or point out any mistakes I may have made.

Nielk Mike wrote:

Thank you, good to know. Just bought a used X-E1 cause I read much about the colors. Will see.

Congrats on your X-E1. I started with the X-E3, then got the X-E2s, then X-H1 and recently bought the X-E1 to see what the fuss is about.

I think you're going to like the X-E1.  I haven't done a side by side analysis of the cameras, but  they are similar enough that I feel I could shoot an event with all of them and the results would be cohesive enough that the average viewer wouldn't notice a difference, especially if you worked with RAW files.

I do think the X-E1 JPEGs look filmic. My wife even commented on the look. There's not as much difference between the E1 and E2s as there is between the E2s and E3.

Here's a resized camera JPEG from the X-E1.  I used a circa 1963 Canon FL 50mm f1.8 for this photo, ProNeg, Highlights +2, Shadows +2, Cloudy WB.

X-E1, Canon FL 50mm f1.8, ProNeg, H +2, S +2, natural light.

Nielk Mike wrote:

Thank you, good to know. Just bought a used X-E1 cause I read much about the colors. Will see.

I used to have an X-E1 and it was very nice.

After I got my X-T3 some test images convinced me that I could just go ahead with the X-T3.  Image quality from the latest batch of X-trans sensors is great.

i think that for posting on instagram, x trans i and ii works great... but i started to print pictures and iv gen is so much crisp and has a much more film look than sony, canon or nikon. Acros shine for print images.

For the OOC jpegs it is not just the sensor that is important.

The X100, X-Pro 1 and X-E1 all use the EXR Pro processor which gives the original first generation Fuji colours.

In contrast X-M1 (X trans I sensor) and X-E2, X-E2s, X-T1, X100S, X100T, X-T10, X-70 ( Xtrans II) all use the EXR Processor II. This processor implements quite different film simulations (much more contrast) and also more aggressive noise reduction at Iso 1600 and above (the infamous waxy skin).

Later models with xtrans III sensor use yet another processor.

I am a big fan of the first gen Fuji jpg output, so I would recommend everyone to try an X-E1 especially now in the 10 year anniversary 👍

Surprisingly, the EVF of the X-E1 is much easier to see ( bigger and larger eye relief) than those in later models like X-E3 or X-E4.

Nielk Mike wrote:

I am a big fan of the first gen Fuji jpg output, so I would recommend everyone to try an X-E1 especially now in the 10 year anniversary 👍

I am surprised at how "not old" the camera feels and operates. Slower, yes. But for a 10 yeara old body, not bad.

Surprisingly, the EVF of the X-E1 is much easier to see ( bigger and larger eye relief) than those in later models like X-E3 or X-E4.

Another surprise for me, too.

what I also like is the simplicity and the simple menu system of the X-E1, especially the AF menu.

Already the X-E2 (with the big firmware update) has so many options that seem confusing at times

So the first gen X-E1 really feels like a more direct and less automated photographic tool.