Fuji unveils XF 55-200mm lens; updated lens roadmap; and new X-series camera firmware

Last month, as part of our review of the Fuji X-E1 compact system camera, we looked at the Fujinon XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS, which was the first zoom lens for its X-Series interchangeable lens cameras. Today, the company added to the X-Series lens arsenal by unveiling the new Fujinon XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 LM OIS, which is the first telephoto zoom for this line of Fujfilm CSCs.

The XF 55-200mm converts to an 83-300mm equivalent lens when used on the Fuji X-E1 or X-Pro1 CSCs, which capture images with the same 16.3MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensors. The new XF 55-200mm does not have an official price yet or a confirmed ship date, but Fujifilm did unveil an updated "roadmap" for its upcoming XF lenses. The roadmap, which you can see below, is a follow-up to the initial XF lens roadmap unveiled in June 2012.

As for the XF 55-200, Fuji says its image stabilizer lets you shoot at shutter speeds up to 4.5 stops slower than normal, which should help reduce camera shake and image blur in photos (though in the future, Adobe might be able to help with that, too). Here's a breakdown of a few more of the lens' features:

• Two linear motors for high-speed AF and quietier operation
• Two ED lens elements and one Super ED lens element for better performance and effective control against chromatic aberrations
• Fujinon's proprietary HT-EBC coating on the entire lens surface to help prevent reflections, and control flare and ghosting
• Minimum focal distance of 1.1m across the entire zoom range to enable telephoto close-ups
• A 1/3EV step aperture ring to help more easily adjust the aperture while holding the camera up to the eye
• Metal construction focus ring and aperture ring

Fujfilm also announced it will be releasing new firmware to improve autofocus performance in the X-E1 and X-Pro1.