The new APS-C flagship in a practical test: Fujfilm X-H2S
Fujifilm is known for its retro-style APS-C cameras. From the outside, the cameras all have an analog touch, but on the inside they offer state-of-the-art functions and performance.
However, one camera stands out because it is not only ultra-modern on the inside, but also carries this feeling to the outside. We are talking about the X-H1, which was released in 2018 and stood out from the other Fujifilm models with its modern shoulder display and integrated image stabilizer.
Now, 4 years later, the X-H series is getting a breath of fresh air. This is the X-H2s.
Fujifilm X-H2S
- Fujifilm X-H2S
- High-speed model
- APS-C X-Trans CMOS 5 HS
- 26 Megapixel BSI (Stacked)
- best-in-class high-performance EVF
- OLED color viewfinder (0.8x) with 5.76 million pixels
- Video: 6k/30p, 4k/120p in Apple ProRes
- 7.6cm (3 inch) LCD with 1.62 million pixels
- Continuous shooting max. 40 frames/sec.
- ISO 80-51200
- blackout-free, reduced rolling shutter
- 14EV, reduced rolling shutter
- robust, weather-protected housing with IBIS
- HDMI type A, USB type C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- SD and CF Express type B card slot
All about the Fujfilm X-H2S
Body
As with the X-H1 back then, we get a somewhat modern touch with the body. Instead of the typical dials for ISO, shutter speed & correction, there is a mode dial on the left and a large shoulder display on the right. In addition, there are a number of setting buttons for ISO, white balance and optionally also free assignment. There have also been some changes on the back. The buttons have all been moved towards the display. The joystick has also been enlarged and has found a new position next to the viewfinder. This gives us a larger grip surface for the thumb and a more ergonomic working experience overall.
As with the X-T4, the display can now also be rotated and tilted for high or low shooting angles. However, there is one more conspicuous feature of the display, which we will explain below. In terms of connections, we have the obligatory 3.5mm jack for microphone and headphones, as well as a USB C port for charging and data transfer AND fortunately also a full-size HDMI port. Why this is exciting for filmmakers is explained in the video section. The X-H2S has 2 card slots, one CF Express type B and one UHS II SD. This means that we can also store high data rates quickly, which is extremely important for this camera.
New sensor
The most important innovation of the Fujifilm X-H2S is clearly the new 26 megapixel stacked BSI sensor: the APS-C X-Trans CMOS 5 HS. Paired with the new X-Processor 5, the sensor and processor enter the next generation and enable some important features.
Photo
The S in the camera's name stands for speed and this is particularly noticeable in the photo area. Here we have the option of working at 15 frames per second with a mechanical shutter and 40 frames per second with an electronic shutter. Thanks to the stacked sensor, the whole thing also works completely blackout-free thanks to the fast readout. The mechanical shutter achieves a minimum exposure time of 1/8000 and is also tested by the manufacturer for 500,000 shutter releases.
But not only is the processor of the new X-H2S damn fast, Fujifilm has also revised the viewfinder accordingly. The new viewfinder has a full 5.76MP and a refresh rate of 120 fps. So you won't miss any more action.
The high speed is of course useless if we are limited in duration. At 40 frames per second with the electronic shutter, you can take about 140 RAW or 184 JPG photos in a row. If a CF Express card is used, the camera will continue shooting at 15 frames per second after reaching the buffer without interrupting the continuous shooting. If 15 images per second are sufficient, an infinite number of JPGS or almost 1000 RAWs can be photographed. The rolling shutter behavior is important at such speeds. Here we can say with confidence that the X-H2S has the problem very well under control thanks to the stacked BSI sensor.
Video
At that time, the X-H1 had a special status among Fujifilm cameras, as it was the only model with an IBIS, i.e. a stabilized sensor. The stabilizer meant that it was also used a lot in video productions. The X-H2S naturally incorporates all of this and brings several major updates for professional videographers. Firstly, the IBIS now corrects up to 7 f-stops, and Fuji is even planning to improve this with a firmware update. The camera supports the recording of a maximum of 6K at 30fps in ProRes Raw on the CF Express card. 4K 120fps and 1080p with 240 fps in ProRes are also possible. Via. HDMI output, we can also record the whole thing in BMD RAW with a suitable recorder, which is why we are particularly pleased about the full-size HDMI port. Both internally and externally, up to 14 f-stops of dynamic range are possible here.
In our runtime test, the camera switched itself off after 49:42 minutes at 6K 30fps in 4:2:2 10-bit MP4 and after 43:12 minutes at 4K 120fps due to overheating. The room temperature during the tests was around 23 degrees. However, Fuji has come up with a smart solution so that this is no longer a problem, which brings us back to the conspicuous feature on the display. Behind the display there are small contacts hidden under a cover, as well as two small holes. Fuji has an external fan for the X-H2S, which is simply attached to the back of the camera with two screws and is also supplied with power via the camera and can be controlled in the menu. This keeps the form factor of the camera nice and light and compact, but Fuji still offers us the option of cooling the camera when we need it. This feature will not be absolutely necessary for photographers, but it is a useful accessory for all filmmakers. It is important to note that the display can of course no longer be folded away and the fan is not included with the camera.
Autofocus
Of course, they also worked on the autofocus in particular. We have real-time detection of people, animals and vehicles, i.e. cars, motorcycles, bicycles, trains, etc. Of course, this works in photo and video mode and at all speeds. In our example here, we have set the subject recognition to motorcycle/bicycle, but you can also see here that the eye and head are still recognized and the focus is primarily on the person.
Connectivity
Fuji has also come up with something for connectivity. As with the external fan, the primary aim here is to keep the form factor relatively compact, which is why no LAN connection has been built directly into the body. So if you want to shoot directly to an FTP server via LAN or 5 GHZ Wifi, you can use the optional file transmitter battery handle.
The camera also has a small USB port on the underside in addition to the contacts for power supply via the battery handle. The battery grip with file transmitter plugs into the bottom and so we have all the options we need. This not only adds more batteries and buttons to the camera, but also more ports.
For those who don't need this, there is of course also a normal battery grip without LAN and WiFi modules. Another nice feature: we have the option of using the camera natively as a webcam, even in 4K 30fps.
Target group & price
But now let's move on to the target group. The Fujifilm X-H2S does not have the "S" in its name for nothing. The camera is clearly positioned alongside Sony's Alpha 1, Nikon's Z9 and Canon's R3 and is also a real competitor to the three top cameras.
It is interesting for professional photographers in the sport, wildlife, reportage, etc. sectors, as well as for professional filmmakers, such as wedding videographers, documentary filmmakers and so on. The X-H2S is also positioned in a very attractive price range when you look at the competition.
What else is new
In the same breath, Fujifilm has also introduced two lenses: Firstly, we have the new XF 18-120mm f/4 PZ. A compact and, at 470g, surprisingly light lens with a completely internal zoom, which can be controlled via the zoom ring, zoom lever and zoom buttons on the camera, as well as via a gimbal, of course. If we do the math, that's a 27-180mm with a continuous f/4 aperture and compact enough for almost any gimbal and with an internal zoom - let's put it this way. This makes cool shots possible in many situations. The lens is of course a lot of fun, although when we filmed our colleague on the bike, we unfortunately didn't have any support for our gimbal, which is why the shots with zoom were a bit shaky. Fuji has of course already passed on the relevant protocols, so the support should be there relatively promptly.
Fujifilm XF 18-120mm f/4.0 LM PZ WR
- Fujifilm XF 18-120mm f/4 R LM PZ WR
- large zoom range for film: 27-183mm (35mm equiv.)
- Power zoom via zoom ring, zoom lever and zoom button
- Zoom ring: Manual zoom feeling
- Zoom lever: Variable zoom speed
- Zoom button: Zoom at constant speed (wide-angle to telephoto 1?100sec)
- seamless switching from C-AF to MF during movie recording
- Internal focusing
- minimal change in weight compensation with gimbal stabilization
- smooth and continuous aperture control
- noiseless zooming and focusing
- Weather resistance
- Fluorine coating
Super telephoto lens
The second lens is the new XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 with which Fuji has finally closed the gap in the high focal length range. Naturally, nature and sports photographers will be particularly pleased, because with a focal length range of the equivalent of 225-900 mm at a weight of just 1.6 kg and an optical image stabilizer with 5 stops, we have a Swiss army knife of telephoto lenses here. We also have some programmable buttons and an aperture ring.
Fujifilm XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR
- Fujifilm XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR
- Super telephoto range: 229-914mm (35mm equiv.)
- fast and quiet autofocus thanks to internal focus and linear motor
- minimal change in weight distribution and easy zoom movements
- powerful OIS: 5.0 f-stops
- high-precision MF (8x)
- excellently suited for movie shooting
- Focus preset/AF-L/AF-ON
- Focus range selector switch
- Fluorine coating
- Weather resistance