Fujifilm brings out the big game with the X-H2S, as comfortable in photo as in video

To mark the tenth anniversary of the launch of its X mount for hybrid cameras with APS-C sensor, the Japanese firm Fujifilm presents the X-H2S on May 31, 2022. Successor to the X-H1, the brand’s first hybrid with mechanical stabilizer, the latest from Fuji is not lacking in assets.

A mini GFX100S

Aesthetically, if the X-H2S is reminiscent of the X-H1, whose harder curves contrasted at the time with the “film” design of the XT series, it displays a strong resemblance to the GFX 100S, a medium format with a 102 sensor. megapixels with a relatively small size, however. On the left shoulder is the mode selection wheel, including 7 customizable modes, and on the right shoulder a small control monitor.

A viewfinder at 120 fps

We notice on the back the same joystick as on the most recent GFX, and a touch screen of 1.62 Mpts on ball joint. The electronic viewfinder with a definition of 5.76 Mpts thus has good characteristics for the 2020s. Better still, its magnification of 0.8x is associated with a refresh rate of 120 fps practical for sports photography, and even 240 fps, but this comes at the slight expense of viewfinder definition.

New to Fuji, the device obtains compatibility with CFexpress type B cards thanks to a second port, in addition to a first dedicated to more traditional SD cards.

For the rest of the connections, you can count on an HDMI A port, USB-C 3.1 Gen2, microphone input and headphone output. The battery is the same as for the X-T4 or GFX 100S and Fuji announces an autonomy of 550 photos in classic mode.

New sensor and up to 40 fps burst

It is now necessary to look at the interior of the beast. This X-H2S is equipped with a brand new processor, the X-Processor 5, associated with the equally new mechanically stabilized APS-C X-Trans CMOS 5 HS sensor.

Featuring 26.16 megapixels, the responsive back-illuminated cell is stacked — or stack in English. A first for Fujifilm. According to the Japanese company, the signal reading rate would be about four times higher than the X-T4. This characteristic is generally advanced to benefit from an electronic shutter with a rolling-shutter reduced to photograph very fast movements while minimizing distortion. The sensitivity ranges from 125 to 51,200 ISO.

Buffer of 1000 pictures

In addition, burst shooting with electronic shutter up to 40 fps without blackout and with autofocus tracking is also made possible and 15 fps in mechanical shutter. Fujifilm offers here a nice performance that we will not hesitate to measure! The buffer memory has not been forgotten, the latter being able to store up to 1000 images continuously (at 30 i/s in JPEG and 20 i/s in RAW), but “only” 175 images in 40 i/s. Concretely, the buffer internal is 64 GB.

To ensure effective autofocus tracking, the firm says it has refined its algorithms thanks to the deep learning. Thus, the X-H2S detects and follows the faces, the eyes of humans but also those of birds and animals. The device also recognizes cars, trains, motorcycles, planes, bicycles. Note that the electronic shutter goes up to 1/32,000s. In addition, the mechanical shutter is guaranteed for 500,000 releases.

6.2K video without cropped and Apple ProRes internally.

The video has not been forgotten, and this X-H2S is richly equipped in this area. The box can internally record video up to 6.2K, 30p, full sensor (3:2) and 4:2:2 10-bit. 4K DCI 60p is also there. For slow motion, we also have 4K 120p, and even 240p in Full HD, but with a 1.29x crop (and 1.38x in 1080p). The X-H2S can also record in Apple ProRes and offers log capture for color grading enthusiasts.

The maximum recording time has been increased to 240 minutes at 4K 60p. The company also says that it has worked in depth to minimize the effect of rolling-shutter on video. By connecting an external recorder you can record in ProRes Raw and Blackmagic Raw. To increase the recording time in hot weather, Fujifilm will market a fan (199€) to come plugger on the box.

Price and availability

The Fujifilm X-H2S will be marketed from July 2022 for €2,749 bare, i.e. a price €1,000 higher than the X-T4, and also far from the €1,900 of the X-H1 at launch. An unusual and very high price, for a camera with an APS-C sensor, which brings it closer to a Sony Alpha 7 IV (A7 IV) or even a Canon EOS R6 and which distances it from one of its direct rivals , the recent Canon EOS R7, launched at €1499.

With its case, Fuji targets both photographers who practice sports or wildlife photography, but also videographers. A versatile device that walks on the technical and financial toes of 24×36 sensor boxes and even tries to tickle sports boxes like the Sony Alpha 1 (A1), Nikon Z9 or Canon EOS R3.

In addition to its device, Fujifilm announces a new FT-XH grip (499 €), with a better Wi-Fi connection, an RJ45 port, a direct FTP connection or even allowing 4 devices to be controlled remotely via a browser.

An X-H2 for September

Fujifilm takes advantage of its announcement to teaser its next high-definition box: the X-H2. It will be presented next September, and will have a 40 Mpx X-Trans CMOS sensor, but not stacked and that’s all Fuji has released for now.

And three optics to come

Three new optics have also been added to Fuji’s roadmap. The famous XF 56mm F1.2 will see a new modernized and weatherproof iteration. The firm is also launching an XF 30mm F2.8 R Macro with a magnification ratio of 1:1. Finally, an ultra wide-angle XF 8mm F3.5 completes the picture. The three pebbles are currently fair and development.