I never used the optical in the x-pro 2. The camera is very well built though and you should be able to find a used one for around £700.
Agreed I thought the build was the best of the 3 I tried out - didn't realise I could get one for £700 ish, the refurb XE3 is £549 so it isn't much of a step up, thanks!
I mainly use my X-E3 with lightweight lenses like the XC15-45 PZ & XC 50-230 zoom and of course the tiny XF27. This makes a great lightweight package for traveling and the results from the XC lenses are superb. The XE-3 is better suited to the lighter lenses imo. I use my X-T2 for heavier glass.
That was my fear, it looked like it was made for the lighter lenses and I've no intentions of using them - I love my 23mm F1.4 far too much
Your best bet is to add a grip if you want to use larger lenses on an XE body. The situation doesn't much improve on an X-Pro without a grip anyway.
On the other hand, you'll never get an XT being as compact as an XE with 18 or 27mm on it!
It's not the compactness that appeals to me, its the offset viewfinder and I tried a grip on an original Xpro once and didn't like the feel, made me think the camera losts its charm a little - a rubbish reason I know but I'm not a pro photographer so the look is important to me.
X-pro2 is about much more than the optical viewfinder, in fact I hardly ever use it
Weather resistant for a start, two card slots and just a totally different feel to the XE series.
I have had a fair selection of Fuji X-Trans cameras and its my favourite of them all
Feels just right with the 10-24 which is my most used lens, mine has the added grip for a better hold and the Arca plate
Another vote for the Xpro 2 - what's it like for video? I don't do much but I've never heard a good thing said about Fuji and video until I read a review of the XT3.
When I looked at the features of the XE3 there was not much that I liked about it over my XE2. I do not like nose operated touch screens even when compared to finger operated ones....
It is also unnecessarily small. Over all I prefer the XE2 with V4 firmware.
This
I do love my XE2 and I very rarely crop images so it meets all my current needs, I just wanted to try a 24+ megapixel camera and would like to have 2 bodies so I can give one to my kids at the right time.
The only time I find the XE2 lacking is I was official photographer for Parkrun a few weeks ago and moving objects (people) is still hit and miss, too much for my liking. I suppose it doesn't really matter as you just take more shots but I'm trying to improve my accuracy and there a couple of shots I so wanted to get right but the camera hunting made me miss them - I can still see the shots in my minds eye
Thanks for all the replies everyone - not sure which way to go at the moment