Fujifilm XF10 vs XQ2

The Fujifilm XF10 and the Fujifilm XQ2 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in July 2018 and January 2015. Both the XF10 and the XQ2 are fixed lens compact cameras that are based on an APS-C (XF10) and a 2/3 (XQ2) sensor. The XF10 has a resolution of 24 megapixels, whereas the XQ2 provides 12 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Fujifilm XF10		Fujifilm XQ2
Fixed lens compact camera		Fixed lens compact camera
28mm f/2.8-16		25-100mm f/1.8-4.9
24 MP, APS-C Sensor		12 MP, Two Thirds Sensor
4K/15p Video		1080/60p Video
ISO 200-12,800 (100 - 51,200)		ISO 100-12,800
No viewfinder, LCD framing		No viewfinder, LCD framing
3.0 LCD, 1040k dots		3.0 LCD, 920k dots
Fixed touchscreen		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
6 shutter flaps per second		12 shutter flaps per second
330 shots per battery charge		240 shots per battery charge
113 x 64 x 41 mm, 279 g		100 x 59 x 33 mm, 206 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Fujifilm XF10 and the Fujifilm XQ2? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Fujifilm XF10 and the Fujifilm XQ2 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The XF10 can be obtained in two different colors (black, gold), while the XQ2 is available in three color-versions (black, silver, white).

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Fujifilm XQ2 is notably smaller (18 percent) than the Fujifilm XF10. Moreover, the XQ2 is markedly lighter (26 percent) than the XF10. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the XF10 nor the XQ2 are weather-sealed.

The power pack in the XF10 can be charged via the USB port, so that it is not always necessary to take the battery charger along when travelling.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Fujifilm XF10	113 mm	64 mm	41 mm	279 g	330	n	Jul 2018	499
2.		Fujifilm XQ2	100 mm	59 mm	33 mm	206 g	240	n	Jan 2015	399
3.		Canon G9 X Mark II	98 mm	58 mm	31 mm	206 g	235	n	Jan 2017	529
4.		Canon M100	108 mm	67 mm	35 mm	302 g	295	n	Aug 2017	499
5.		Canon SX730	110 mm	64 mm	40 mm	300 g	250	n	Apr 2017	399
6.		Canon S120	100 mm	59 mm	29 mm	217 g	230	n	Aug 2013	449
7.		Fujifilm X-A7	119 mm	68 mm	41 mm	320 g	440	n	Sep 2019	499
8.		Fujifilm X-T100	121 mm	83 mm	47 mm	448 g	430	n	May 2018	599
9.		Fujifilm X100F	127 mm	75 mm	52 mm	469 g	390	n	Jan 2017	1,299
10.		Fujifilm X-E3	121 mm	74 mm	43 mm	337 g	350	n	Sep 2017	899
11.		Fujifilm X70	113 mm	64 mm	44 mm	340 g	330	n	Jan 2016	799
12.		Fujifilm X30	119 mm	72 mm	60 mm	423 g	470	n	Aug 2014	599
13.		Fujifilm X20	117 mm	70 mm	57 mm	353 g	270	n	Jan 2013	599
14.		Fujifilm XQ1	100 mm	59 mm	33 mm	206 g	240	n	Oct 2013	499
15.		Fujifilm X10	117 mm	70 mm	57 mm	350 g	270	n	Sep 2011	599
16.		Panasonic ZS80	112 mm	69 mm	42 mm	327 g	380	n	Feb 2019	449
17.		Panasonic ZS70	112 mm	67 mm	41 mm	322 g	380	n	Apr 2017	449
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The XQ2 was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 20 percent) than the XF10, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Fujifilm XF10 features an APS-C sensor and the Fujifilm XQ2 a 2/3 sensor. The sensor area in the XQ2 is 84 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 3.9. The sensor in the XF10 has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the XQ2 offers a 4:3 aspect.

With 24MP, the XF10 offers a higher resolution than the XQ2 (12MP), but the XF10 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.92μm versus 2.20μm for the XQ2) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the XF10 is a much more recent model (by 3 years and 6 months) than the XQ2, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the XQ2 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Fujifilm XF10 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the XF10 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Fujifilm XQ2 are 20 x 15 inches or 50.8 x 38.1 cm for good quality, 16 x 12 inches or 40.6 x 30.5 cm for very good quality, and 13.3 x 10 inches or 33.9 x 25.4 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Fujifilm XF10 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 100-51200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Fujifilm XQ2 are ISO 100 to ISO 12800 (no boost).

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Fujifilm XF10	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/15p	..	..	..	..
2.		Fujifilm XQ2	2/3	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
3.		Canon G9 X Mark II	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	1080/60p	21.9	12.5	522	65
4.		Canon M100	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.5	12.9	1272	78
5.		Canon SX730	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
6.		Canon S120	1/1.7	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	21.3	11.9	246	56
7.		Fujifilm X-A7	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
8.		Fujifilm X-T100	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/15p	..	..	..	..
9.		Fujifilm X100F	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
10.		Fujifilm X-E3	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
11.		Fujifilm X70	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
12.		Fujifilm X30	2/3	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
13.		Fujifilm X20	2/3	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
14.		Fujifilm XQ1	2/3	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
15.		Fujifilm X10	2/3	12.0	4000	3000	1080/30p	20.5	11.3	245	50
16.		Panasonic ZS80	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
17.		Panasonic ZS70	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	19.1	10.6	106	36

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the XF10 provides a higher video resolution than the XQ2. It can shoot video footage at 4K/15p, while the XQ2 is limited to 1080/60p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The XF10 and the XQ2 are similar in the sense that neither of the two has a viewfinder. The images are, thus, framed using live view on the rear LCD. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Fujifilm XF10 and Fujifilm XQ2 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Fujifilm XF10	none	n	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/4000s	6.0	Y	n
2.		Fujifilm XQ2	none	n	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/4000s	12.0	Y	Y
3.		Canon G9 X Mark II	none	n	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/2000s	8.2	Y	Y
4.		Canon M100	none	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	6.1	Y	n
5.		Canon SX730	none	n	3.0	922	tilting	n	1/3200s	5.9	Y	Y
6.		Canon S120	none	n	3.0	922	fixed	Y	1/2000s	12.1	Y	Y
7.		Fujifilm X-A7	none	n	3.5	2760	swivel	Y	1/4000s	6.0	Y	n
8.		Fujifilm X-T100	2360	n	3.0	1040	full-flex	Y	1/4000s	6.0	Y	n
9.		Fujifilm X100F	2360	n	3.0	1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	8.0	Y	n
10.		Fujifilm X-E3	2360	n	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/4000s	8.0	n	n
11.		Fujifilm X70	optional	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	8.0	Y	n
12.		Fujifilm X30	2360	n	3.0	920	tilting	n	1/4000s	12.0	Y	Y
13.		Fujifilm X20	optical	n	2.8	460	fixed	n	1/4000s	12.0	Y	Y
14.		Fujifilm XQ1	none	n	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/4000s	12.0	Y	Y
15.		Fujifilm X10	optical	n	2.8	460	fixed	n	1/4000s	10.0	Y	Y
16.		Panasonic ZS80	2330	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y
17.		Panasonic ZS70	1166	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y

One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The XF10 has a touchscreen, while the XQ2 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the XF10 is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Fujifilm XF10 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The XQ2 is equipped with a zoom lens, while the XF10 comes with a built-in prime. The XQ2 has a 25-100mm f/1.8-4.9 optic and the XF10 offers a 28mm f/2.8 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the XQ2 provides a wider angle of view at the short end, as well as more tele-photo reach at the long end than the XF10. The XQ2 offers the faster maximum aperture.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the XF10 and the XQ2 write their files to SDXC cards. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Fujifilm XF10 and Fujifilm XQ2 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Fujifilm XF10	-	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
2.		Fujifilm XQ2	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
3.		Canon G9 X Mark II	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
4.		Canon M100	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
5.		Canon SX730	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
6.		Canon S120	-	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
7.		Fujifilm X-A7	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	Y
8.		Fujifilm X-T100	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
9.		Fujifilm X100F	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
10.		Fujifilm X-E3	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
11.		Fujifilm X70	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
12.		Fujifilm X30	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
13.		Fujifilm X20	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	-	-	-
14.		Fujifilm XQ1	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
15.		Fujifilm X10	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
16.		Panasonic ZS80	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
17.		Panasonic ZS70	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-

It is notable that the XF10 has a microphone port, which is missing on the XQ2. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.

Both the XF10 and the XQ2 are recent models that are part of the current product line-up. The XQ2 replaced the earlier Fujifilm XQ1, while the XF10 followed on from the Fujifilm X70. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Fujifilm website.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is there a clear favorite between the Fujifilm XF10 and the Fujifilm XQ2? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Reasons to prefer the Fujifilm XF10:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (24 vs 12MP) with a 44% higher linear resolution.
• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Better image quality: Features a larger and more technologically advanced imaging sensor.
• Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/15p vs 1080/60p).
• Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 920k dots).
• Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
• Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
• Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (330 versus 240) on a single battery charge.
• Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• More modern: Reflects 3 years and 6 months of technical progress since the XQ2 launch.

Advantages of the Fujifilm XQ2:

• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (12 vs 6 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Better light gathering: Has a lens with a wider maximum aperture (f/1.8 vs f/2.8).
• Wider view: Has a wider-angle lens that facilitates landscape or interior shots.
• More compact: Is smaller (100x59mm vs 113x64mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 73g or 26 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• More affordable: Was released into a lower priced segment (20 percent cheaper at launch).
• More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in January 2015).

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the XF10 is the clear winner of the match-up (16 : 9 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Fujifilm XF10 and the Fujifilm XQ2 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Prime Lens Compact Camera and Best Travel-Zoom Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the XF10 or the XQ2. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Fujifilm XF10	..	..	75/100	4/5	4.5/5	Jul 2018	499
2.		Fujifilm XQ2	..	..	..	4/5	4/5	Jan 2015	399
3.		Canon G9 X Mark II	4/5	..	75/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2017	529
4.		Canon M100	3/5	+	..	4/5	3.5/5	Aug 2017	499
5.		Canon SX730	..	+	..	4/5	4/5	Apr 2017	399
6.		Canon S120	..	+ +	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2013	449
7.		Fujifilm X-A7	3/5	..	81/100	4/5	3.5/5	Sep 2019	499
8.		Fujifilm X-T100	4/5	+	79/100	4/5	4.5/5	May 2018	599
9.		Fujifilm X100F	5/5	+	83/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2017	1,299
10.		Fujifilm X-E3	4.5/5	+	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2017	899
11.		Fujifilm X70	4.5/5	..	76/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2016	799
12.		Fujifilm X30	4/5	..	76/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2014	599
13.		Fujifilm X20	4/5	+ +	77/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jan 2013	599
14.		Fujifilm XQ1	..	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2013	499
15.		Fujifilm X10	..	..	76/100	4/5	4.5/5	Sep 2011	599
16.		Panasonic ZS80	..	+ +	..	4.5/5	..	Feb 2019	449
17.		Panasonic ZS70	..	+ +	..	4/5	4/5	Apr 2017	449
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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Specifications: Fujifilm XF10 vs Fujifilm XQ2

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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