Fujifilm X-H1 Review

Review Date: June 4, 2018

Category: Advanced to Pro

Photoxels Editor’s Choice 2018 – Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Fujifilm X-H1 is Fujifilm’s flagship mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The X-H1 is a brand new model that incorporates features from the X-T2, a little bit from the medium format GFX 50S and brings the X-T2 up-to-date with what the competition is offering: It is Fujifilm’s first mirrorless camera to feature in-body sensor-shift image stabilization, cinema-oriented video options and an improved Tracking AF. Responding to professional photographers’ feedback, the X-H1 is a much larger camera geared toward handling comfort with a reinforced body and mount that will safely allow for longer and heavier telephoto lenses to be attached.

Whereas the X-T2 and the X-Pro2 used to share the flagship label, they have now both been overshadowed by the X-H1, clearly positioned as a pro model. Why a new model, you ask? While the X-T series is positioned as a DSLR-level camera with much more compact dimensions and lighter weight, the X-H1 caters exclusively to professional photographers and to their exacting needs and standards.

So, if they need a large handgrip for stability, then that’s what the X-H1 delivers. They need to be able to attach longer and heavier telephoto lenses without damaging the mount, then the mount and body of the X-H1 have been thickened, hardened and reinforced to allow that. They need a weather-proof body and lenses so they can shoot in challenging conditions, and so the X-H1 features a weather-proof body as well as lenses. They need to be able to shoot quietly in various situations, so the X-H1 has a dampened mechanical shutter mechanism for a quieter shutter as well as completely silent electronic shutter. They need certain and larger buttons, placed at strategic locations on the camera body, and the X-H1 delivers. They increasingly need freedom from cumbersome tripods, and the X-H1 features a 5.5 stops in-body image stabilization. They need to be able to shoot in all awkward positions, and you can do that comfortably with a two-axis tilting LCD. Any other requests? Better AF? The phase detection AF sensors are now sensitive down to -1EV and operates down to F11. Touch AF? OK, the X-H1’s LCD is now touch enabled. Cinematic movie capability? How about DCI and UHD 4K video with bitrates up to 200 Mbps and internal F-Log footage. Faster and more accurate AF in low light? The X-H1 claims improved AF in low-light and when using small apertures.

While Fujifilm has gained a stellar reputation of responding to user’s needs, the introduction of the X-H series indicate an increased seriousness on Fujifilm’s part in responding to the feedback from pro photographers switching from DSLRs to mirrorless. The X-H1 is certainly an impressive stills/movie camera and portends even better and greater things ahead from Fujifilm. Highly recommended!

Next: Fujifilm X-H1 Image Quality

---

Related Links:

– Fujifilm X-H1 Press Release
– Fujifilm X-H1 Specifications
– Fujifilm X-H1 Sample Images
– Fujifilm X-H1 Special Site
– Fujifilm X-H1 Catalogue

---

---