Fujifilm XQ2 review

Fujifilm cameras tend to fall short for video quality, and the XQ2 is no exception. The specs look promising, with 1080p capture at 30 and 60fps in AVC format. However, footage suffered from noise and blocky details. Autofocus was skittish and the autofocus motor disrupted the soundtrack.

IMAGE QUALITY

The XQ2 put in a considerably more accomplished performance in our photo quality tests. Shots taken in automatic mode were expertly exposed and we were impressed to see the camera raising the shutter speed for moving subjects. It’s also possible to customise the Auto ISO function to set a maximum ISO and minimum shutter speed. Detail levels were good rather than great, with a slightly vague appearance to dense textures such as foliage. The 12-megapixel resolution is modest by today’s standards but unless you’re printing A4 or larger prints or like to crop photos heavily it’s hard to imagine this being an issue in practice. We noticed a halo-like glow around highlights, but again, it was subtle enough not to be a significant problem.

Noise levels are the toughest challenge for any compact camera. The XQ2’s f/1.8 lens really paid off in wide-angle shots but noise shot up as we zoomed in. Then again, armed with this knowledge it was possible to take excellent photos in low light by repositioning ourselves rather than relying on the zoom function.

^ Expertly balanced colours here, but close scrutiny reveals that fine details are a little vague at the long end of the zoom. (1/850s, f/6.4, ISO 200, 100mm equivalent)

^ This shot in the middle of the zoom range is a little sharper. (1/58s, f/4.7, ISO 100, 61mm equivalent)

^ Focus is sharp into the corners of this wide-angle shot, and there’s no sign of chromatic aberrations. (1/800s, f/5.6, ISO 200, 25mm equivalent)

^ The bright f/1.8 lens means the camera can still shoot at ISO 100 for optimal results in low light. There’s a slight blooming around highlights, though. (1/40s, f/1.8, ISO 100, 25mm equivalent)

^ Shooting at the wide-angle end of the zoom produces superb results in low light. (1/30s, f/1.8, ISO 320, 25mm equivalent)

^ Stepping back and zooming in means the aperture shrinks and the ISO speed shoots up, generating a significant amount of noise. (1/30s, f/4.9, ISO 2000, 91mm equivalent)

^ The relatively large sensor helps in low light but results at ISO 3200 don’t stand up to scrutiny. (1/27s, f/3.4, ISO 3200, 34mm equivalent)

CONCLUSION

The XQ2 adds up to a great package, and although spending £120 more on the Canon G7 X gives a jump in quality, we suspect many people will prefer to save their pennies and go for something truly pocket sized. However, it’s worth noting that image quality hasn’t progressed significantly since the Fujifilm XQ1 and Fujifilm XF1, which are available at knock-down prices. We’d also seriously consider the Panasonic LX7, which costs around £280 and is still an excellent choice despite its age. The XQ2 is slimmer and lighter, though, and its built-in Wi-Fi is another advantage over the LX7. It’s an excellent choice. If none of these meet your needs, or you need more advice, then check out our reguarly updated Best Cameras and Buying Guide.