Fujifilm X-H2 - The highest resolution crop sensor ever (for now)!
We were invited by Fujifilm to get a hands on with the new X-H2. The excitement around this camera has been somewhat tempered by the fact it shortly follows the release of the X-H2S.
When the X-H2S was announced it was accompanied by rumors that a high resolution version will be along at some point and Fujifilm have delivered with the X-H2. The stand out feature is the 40mp X-Trans5 BSI Sensor. This is an increase over the 26.1mp in the X-H2S.
Incredible Detail
Not only does the 40mp sensor allow incredibly detailed still images it has allowed Fujifilm to boost the video capabilities with 8K 30P over the 6K on the X-H2S. The X-H2 has the same 7 stop Internal Body Image Stabilization (IBIS), but now includes the ability to use Pixel Shift Multi Shot.
100% Crop
Pixel Shift Multi Shot has been around on some GFX cameras for a couple of years, but this first time it has been implemented on an X-series camera. This mode uses the IBIS to take a series of 20 images, shifting the sensor by 0.5 pixels for each file. These 20 images can be combined in the dedicated software to produce 160mp images. Although this does have limited application as it is impossible to use with any moving elements in the frame, it will be a useful tool in a controlled studio environment.
Performance
The more I used the X-H2 the more I became confused about the existence of the X-H2S. The Auto Focus performance on the X-H2 performs incredibly well and it includes all the same tracking modes for wildlife and sports. The X-H2 shoots at 15 frames per second on the mechanical shutter, the same as the X-H2S. There is a difference on the electronic shutter with 20fps with a 1.29x crop on the sensor (which is still 31mp). I am sure there will be a technical reason for this, but on the surface it seems to be a way to try and make the X-H2S relevant in the lineup. I personally find 15fps more than enough for most high speed shooting. The electronic shutter has a max speed of 1/180 000, I am not sure why you would need that, but it is there.
The base ISO on the X-H2 is ISO125 and performance is pretty solid. There was a risk that the 40mp sensor may not perform quite as well in low light, but in my limited testing it performed as well as expected. On balance I would say that the X-H2S produces ever so slightly cleaner images at higher ISO straight out of camera, but I would expect the RAW files to have plenty of detail so I would not be concerned by that.
As mentioned earlier the video has been bumped up to 8K with various professional recording options such as Apple ProRes, ProResHQ, ProRes LT and even ProRes Raw and Black Magic Raw with external recording via the HDMI.
Build Quality
The Fujifilm X-H2 uses the same body as the X-H2S which has a very high build quality. The camera is weather sealed and constructed of the same Magnesium alloy body. The styling is similar to a DSLR and the grip is on the larger size. This makes the X-H2 very comfortable to hold and well balanced with a heavier lens attached.
Fujifilm X-H2 or X-H2S?
The more time I spent with the X-H2 it did make me question the purpose of the X-H2S. The X-H2S is a very good camera if slightly unspectacular in terms of the spec sheet. During testing of the X-H2S it performed well and the AF performance and speed was on par with the competition. Now the X-H2 has dropped with very similar performance, but with a massive upgrade in image and video quality, it has become hard to recommend the X-H2S. The X-H2 has also come in at a much more affordable price point with the release price being £1899 body only. The X-H2S is currently retailing at £2499!
It is hard to see what you are getting for the extra money. Fujifilm claims that the AF performance is better in the X-H2S, which may be the case and I wasn’t able to try both cameras at the same time, but the X-H2 performs well in this regard and I would not hesitate to use it for fast moving subjects. There is also the boost in frame rate on the X-H2S which may be useful for some circumstances.
The release of the X-H2 has made the X-H2S a very niche camera. If you are a professional Sports and wildlife photographer who needs 40fps then the X-H2S is the camera for you. For everyone else the Fujifilm X-H2 produces the highest quality images in a cropped sensor camera money can buy, with a general level of performance that will suit most professional applications for both stills and video.
Pre-Order the new Fujifilm X-H2 here