Is the Fuji X-T2's EVF Brighter Than The X-T1's? I Tested Them

The Linda J and Andrea D, Poquoson, Virginia (click to enlarge)
Fuji X-T2, 16-55mm f/2.8 lens @ 55mm; 1/250th sec. @ f/8; ISO 200

I was asked my thoughts on the differences between the electronic viewfinders (EVF) in the new X-T2 versus the X-T1.  Since I now own both cameras, I set out to see what differences I could see and measure.  Is there a visual or measurable difference between the two EVFs?  Read on.

First, I would say that both cameras EVFs are excellent and state of the art.  I have no complaints with either.  I have now come to really enjoy using an EVF and have no desire to go back to an optical viewfinder, which has been a mainstay for me for the past 46 years.

From my readings of websites and viewing of You Tube video reviews of pre-production X-T2 cameras, I was under the impression that the X-T2's EVF was twice as bright as the X-T1's.  Is that accurate or did I (and others) misinterpret what was published leading up to the new cameras release.

In the information provided by Fujifilm, they state (see below ***) that "With the maximum brightness doubled from previous models, the viewfinder features the Automatic Brightness Adjustment function so that it is easy to see even in intense backlighting."  You have to read that sentence carefully to understand exactly what they are saying.

When I initially read that statement, and when I read what had been written and repeated on the internet, I was of the understanding that the X-T2's EVF was twice as bright as the X-T1's. That is not what Fuji is stating, under normal viewing conditions.  It is my fault for not carefully reading what was printed and for assuming what I had heard was correct.  What Fuji is saying is that when you turn up the menu setting for "EVF BRIGHTNESS" to its highest setting, it is twice as bright as the highest setting in the X-T1 — or — the camera can adjust the brightness of the EVF automatically, again to a level twice as bright as the EVF in the X-T1.  Does that make a difference to you?  It may or may not.

If you normally use the highest brightness setting for your EVF it will make a difference. The EVF will be twice as bright.  If you have your "EVF BRIGHTNESS" menu setting set for "MANUAL" and you have the brightness set for any other level other than its brightest (as most of us have it set at 0 or near 0), it won't.  If you have your EVF menu setting set for "AUTOMATIC" brightness, it will.  Personally,  I have my EVF menu setting set for "MANUAL" so I can see the brightening and darkening of my image as accurately as possible—one of the most important and desirable features of an EVF.  Again, Fuji's statement refers to the ability of the X-T2's EVF, set at its brightest level, to be twice as bright at the X-T1's EVF set at its brightest level.

The EVF brightness in the X-T1 can be adjusted from -2 to +2.  The EVF in the X-T2 can be adjusted between -5 and +5.  That is where the difference in brightness come into effect. 

However, I wanted to test if the brightness at any particular EVF BRIGHTNESS setting was different in one camera versus the other.  Here is what I did.

I tried to determine, as best I could, any measurable differences in the two EVFs with all conditions between the two cameras and attached lenses as equal as possible. I set up both cameras on tripods side-by-side.  Same height, same light, bubble levels centered and pointed at the same subject from the same distance.  In this case my garage door in bright sunlight with no clouds in the sky.   A plain, solid surface in bright daylight.

The cameras were within 6 inches of each other, both set on ISO 200, aperture priority mode, exposure compensation set to 0, metering set to spot.  Both cameras had fully charged batteries.  The focusing mechanism was set to single point, "S", at its smallest size.  I made sure both cameras focusing points were pointed at the exact same spot on the door.  Both cameras' "EVF BRIGHTNESS" menu controls were set to "0."  The X-T2, however, was set to "BOOST" mode, which is not available in the X-T1.  In other words, everything about the cameras was identical, except for the boost setting.

On the X-T1, I mounted the 18-55mm f/2.8-4 lens.  On the X-T2, I mounted the 16-55mm f/2.8 lens.  I set both lenses for 35mm focal length—mid-range so there wasn't any potential degradation of light at either of the zoom lenses' extremes.  I ran the tests with each lens on each camera so as to take any lens light transmission variable out of the equation.  I also ran the test at several different apertures so as to take any particular aperture light transmission variable out of the equation, not that I was measuring exposure.  Just trying to make sure all variables are removed.

I asked myself, how can I measure the level of light transmission through the EVF? Hmmm. What measures light?  A lightmeter!  Do I have a lightmeter I could use to measure the light transmitted through the two cameras EVFs?  Yes.  

What I came up with was to use my Soligor 1 degree spot meter that had been professionally calibrated for accurate color response as well as linear measurement.  (The now defunct Zone VI studios, run by photographer, teacher and author Fred Picker (now deceased), calibrated the meter.  Some of you may be familiar with the former Zone VI, of Putney, VT. They manufactured and sold large format photography gear as well as highly engineered darkroom equipment. They also provided photographic education and published information geared toward the traditional large format black and white photographer who practiced in the tradition of the Zone System.  Picker was into precision and one of the services Zone VI offered was to calibrate your 1 degree spot meter if you sent it to them.  I did and used that meter extensively when I shot 4" X 5" cameras with black and white film for many years.) I don't know if the method I used is totally valid, but it was the best I could come up with to evaluate brightness differences between the two EVFs.

In practical application, the method I used was to place the lens of the light meter as close to the viewfinder window on the back of the camera as I could (it nestled nicely within the eye cup), then wrap my fingers and palm around it the junction so as to block out any extraneous light.  If nothing else, both EVFs would be measured exactly the same manner.

I made 10 measurements of EVF brightness on each camera with each lens.  I used the apertures of f/4, f/5.6, f/8 and f/11.  The results were consistent in every test.  What I found was that at any setting, with either lens, the X-T2's EVF was approximately 1/2 EV brighter than the X-T1's.  That is 1/2 stop brighter for any who are not familiar with EVs (exposure values).  

As far as the X-T2's EVF being any larger than the X-T1's?  They look about the same to me.  If there is a difference when looking through the viewfinder, it is minimal.  The published Fuji material (below) describes them almost identically.  I believe they are the same.

I guess I could have conducted even more detailed assessments with the EVF BRIGHTNESS set at the various settings, but i had  no need to do so.

So there you have it.  The viewfinder of the X-T2 is capable of twice the brightness than the viewfinder of the X-T1, however, when all settings are identical, my X-T2's viewfinder is 1/2 stop brighter than the viewfinder on my X-T1.  Yours may differ.   

_____________________________________________________________________________
The information below was copied directly from Fujifilm's website.  They are the author's and these statements were taken from their publicly released press documents.  If you want to go to their website to read it directly, you can find the X-T2 page here. and the X-T1 page here.

X-T2

0.5 inch approx. 2.36 millions dots OLED Color Viewfinder Coverage of viewing area vs. capturing area: approx. 100%
Eyepoint: approx. 23mm (from the rear end of the camera's eyepiece) Diopter adjustment: -4~+2m^-1
Magnification: 0.77x with 50mm lens (35mm equivalent) at infinity and diopter set to -1.0m^-1
Diagonal angle of view: approx. 38° (Horizontal angle of view: approx. 31° )
Built-in eye sensor

X-T1

0.5-in., approx. 2.360K-dot OLED color viewfinder
Coverage of viewing area vs. capturing area : approx. 100%
Eye point : approx. 23mm (from the rear end of the camera's eyepiece)
Diopter adjustment : -4m^-1 to +2m^-1
Magnification : 0.77x with 50mm lens (35mm format equivalent) at infinity and diopter set to - 1.0m^-1
Diagonal angle of view : approx. 38° (Horizontal angle of view : approx. 31°)
Built-in eye sensor

***The following can be found on Fujifilm's website here.

3. Electronic viewfinder that has evolved to continue tracking moving subjects

• The X-T2's 2.36-million-dot high-resolution organic EL electronic viewfinder has the magnification ratio of 0.77x and maintains the display time lag of just 0.005 seconds. With the maximum brightness doubled from previous models, the viewfinder features the Automatic Brightness Adjustment function so that it is easy to see even in intense backlighting. It has improved resolution in the Live View mode, and eliminates moiré or false colors to enable focusing with greater accuracy.
• The EVF refreshes at a rate of 60fps, or as high as 100fps in the Boost mode to deliver smooth display of movements. It can continue displaying a moving subject without interruption. The fast rate of refresh is maintained even in low light for easy framing during night shooting.
• The X-T2's blackout time is less than half of that of the X-T1 due to the parallel processing of Live View display and fast shutter charging. This has enabled continuous shooting of 5fps in Live View, giving users the ability to easily continue tracking a moving subject.

Thanks for looking. Enjoy! 

Dennis A. Mook 

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