Fujifilm X-H2

QUICKFACT SHEET

High resolution king. If you are looking for the most high resolution camera that can shoot in the most extreme conditions, look no further than the Fujifilm X-H2. The Fujifilm X-H2 shoots highly detailed 40.2MP stills with a 160MP option. It records 8K/30P video for 2+ hrs (160 min.) without overheating, and if you snap on the external fan, it can record for as long as you need to. It is certified weather-resistant and will keep working even when the temperature drops down to a freezing -10°C / 14°F. It’s built tough and it’s built ergonomically with a large and comfortable grip. The build is pro-level and the handling is superb.

The X-H2 uses the same body as the X-H2S, which means that it also has a stunningly bright and large EVF with a high 5.76M dots resolution., 0.8x (equiv.) magnification, and a fast 120fps refresh rate for blackout-free continuous shooting at 15fps. It also has 5-axis 7 stops IBIS for handheld shooting at slow shutter speeds without camera shake. It can (surprisingly) shoot at a faster shutter speed than the X-H2S, freezing motion at a maximum electronic shutter speed of 1/180,000 sec. Like the X-H2S, it also has two card slots, one for a CFexpress Type B card and a second one for a SD UHS-II card, so you can save the same picture twice, once to each card. It has the same 1.62M-dot fully-articulaing Vari-angle LCD.

The X-H2 is ideal for landscape, architecture, portrait and wedding photography. And you get all of this for under US $2000 (US $1,899.95, body only).

The X-H2 is now one of the two flagship cameras in Fujifilm’s hybrid mirrorless line-up. While the X-H2S is positioned as the speed king, the X-H2 is positioned as the high-resolution king. It improves on the X-H1 with 8K/30P ProRes video, 5-Axis 7 Stops IBIS, and faster Tracking AF.

For those of you who currently own an X-H1 and are thinking of upgrading to an X-H2, do note that, unlike the X-H1 with its dedicated analog-style control dials, the X-H2, like the X-H2S, returns to using the more conventional DSLR mode dial.

If you are comparing between the X-H2S (US $2,499 / CAD $3,200) and the X-H2 (US $1,999.95 / CAD $2,550), besides the price, here are the main differences:

• While both are hybrid still/video mirrorless cameras, think of the X-H2 as the high resolution camera and the X-H2S as the high speed camera.
• The X-H2S can deliver the higher speed thanks to a stacked sensor that allows full readout faster than the sensor in the X-H2 can, allowing for 40fps blackout-free continuous shooting (electronic shutter) with AF/AE at 40fps, and a 1000 JPEG (or 270 Compressed RAW, 250 lossless Compressed RAW, 180 Uncompressed RAW) buffer at 30fps.
• The X-H2 shoots up to 8K/30P video while the X-H2S shoots video at 6.2K/30P and 4K/120P (with 1.29x crop) with less rolling shutter.
• As far as AF performance is concerned, the X-H2S is better at tracking a moving subject while the the X-H2 is better at accurate AF for static subjects.
• So, while the X-H2 gives you more resolution (40.2MP, 160MP Multi-Shot Pixel Shift) for landscape, architecture, portrait and wedding photography, the X-H2S gives you a much faster camera for action, sports and wildlife photography. Your pick.
• The X-H2 has a new Focus Meter that can be used for MF assist during movie recording to enable more precise focus adjustments. It can also be used in combination with focus peaking.
• The X-H2 features a digital zoom function (available in three modes: 4K HQ, 4K DCI HQ, and FHD) that uses the camera’s 40.2MP sensor to deliver up to 2x of digital zoom with little to no loss in resolution, when recording video in 4K, even with a prime lens attached to the camera.

Here, in tabular form, are the main differences between the X-H2 and X-H2S:

Fujifilm wants to position the X-H2 as the best high resolution APS-C hybrid still/video mirrorless camera. In fact, since Fujifilm does not make full-frame mirrorless cameras, it wants the X-H2 to compete directly with full-frame models with similar features.

Who should buy the Fujifilm X-H2?
– You need the most detailed high resolution photos possible (e.g. for landscape work).
– You are looking for 8K/30P video (160 min./25°C with no overheating; 240 min. with external cooling fan attached).
– You need a stunningly big, bright and high resolution EVF with fast refresh.
– You need blackout-free continuous shooting.
– You need a fully articulated LCD.
– You need a weather-resistant body that can keep working even at a freezing -10°C / 14°F.
– You love the idea of a sub LCD status display panel on the top plate.
– You sometimes need to shoot at a blazingly fast shutter speed of 1/180,000 sec.
– You shoot mostly static subjects: landscape, architecture, portrait, wedding.
– You don’t mind a bigger camera, but with excellent ergonomics.
– The APS-C sensor size is sufficient for your needs.

Of course, to take full advantage of the 40MP sensor, you also need a lens that can resolve to that fine detail. As of writing, Fujifilm lists 22 lenses that have this high resolution performance from edge to edge at maximum aperture:
– XF8mmF3.5 R WR
– XF16mmF2.8 R WR
– XF18mmF1.4 R LM WR
– XF23mmF1.4 R LM WR
– XF23mmF2 R WR
– XF27mmF2.8 R WR
– XF30mmF2.8 R LM WR Macro
– XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR
– XF35mmF2 R WR

– XF8-16mmF2.8 R LM WR
– XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR

– XF50mmF1.0 R WR
– XF50mmF2 R WR
– XF56mmF1.2 R WR

– XF80mmF2.8 R LM OIS MACRO
– XF90mmF2 R LM WR

– XF200mmF2 R LM OIS WR
– XF18-120mmF4 LM PZ WR
– XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR
– XF70-300mmF4-5.6 R LM OIS WR

– XF100-400mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR
– XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR

Related Links:

– Fujifilm X-H2 Press Release
– Fujifilm X-H2 Specifications
– Fujifilm X-H2 Sample Images
– Fujifilm X-H2 Special Site
– Fujifilm X-H2 Owner’s Manual
– Fujifilm X-H2 Firmware Download
– Fujifilm X-H2 Software Download