Last Updated on 05/12/2017 by Chris Gampat
Looking at specs one couldn’t help but notice that [amazon_textlink asin=’B01MUC97VK’ text=’Fujifilm’s X100F’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’37b45670-3648-11e7-9d78-dbcdbb9f27e4′] and X-Pro2 feature a lot in common. Both have Fuji’s new 24mp sensor, both are rangefinder inspired, both have hybrid optical and electronic viewfinders, and both have (or can have in the case of the [amazon_textlink asin=’B01A8DUR74′ text=’X-Pro2′ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’48c2a387-3648-11e7-96f3-c7eff5194d39′]) a [amazon_textlink asin=’B01KNXOCO8′ text=’23mm F2 lens’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’527ae3e2-3648-11e7-ac08-f761c87933ad’]. So with all of this in mind one would not be that out of line to wonder which setup is the better option, and today we are here to answer that question.
First lets tackle the issue of lens selection, since this is the biggest sticking point on these two kits. The X-Pro2 obviously has an advantage in that you can use any of Fujifilm’s X-Series lenses, including the 23mm F2, while the X100F is limited to its 23mm F2 lens only. However, the X100F does have a few adapters available which help to expand your shooting options with minimal quality loss. So really the question is what focal lengths do you shoot with often. If you answer is 23mm (or 35mm in FF) than the X100F may be all the camera you need. If not, then the X-Pro2 is likely the better option.
Secondly, we need to talk about the size of these two cameras because this is one area many do not realize how different they are. The X-Pro2 is a pretty good size for an APS-C mirrorless camera, and the X100F is a little big for a compact camera, but when you consider the sensor size difference between it and a usual compact camera it makes sense. That said, the X-Pro2 is still much larger than the X100F, especially when you add a lens on there. This is not to say that the X-Pro2 is not still very compact and portable, because it is, but if you wanted to choose one of these kits based on size and portability, the X-100F is the clear choice there.
Third, lets talk about those viewfinders, they function similarly, but in practice, at least in my opinion, the EVF and implementation in the X-Pro2 is better than the one in the X100F. On its own, the X100F is not bad at all, but I very much prefer the X-Pro2 implementation over the X100F implementation.
Overall, for someone who shoots street photography, travels a lot, or shoots wider portraits the X100F could be a decent option as your primary camera. However, it does lack the versatility the X-Pro2 offers in terms of lens selection and weather resistance. In most cases we would recommend the X-Pro2 over the X100F as a primary camera.