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The ultra-fast sensor of the X-H2s (up to 40 fps!) and its competition autofocus allow Fujifilm to oppose it head-on to sports cameras from Canon, Nikon and Sony. With a sensor that is certainly a little smaller, but for a much smaller price and size.
Four years after the first offspring of the “H” series, the X-H1, Fujifilm is relaunching its range of reinforced and “sporty” hybrid cameras with one and a half boxes: the X-H2s as well as the future X-H2 (read more far). Representing the 5e Fujifilm’s generation of camera since the launch of the X mount in January 2012, the X-H2s takes up the fundamentals of its ancestor, namely a body with an SLR grip, solid and wide, mechanically stabilized and above all, very responsive . All with a completely updated technical sheet.
Nervous, the X-H2s – the “S” probably meaning “Sport” – is undoubtedly: if its image definition remains the same as the previous generation (26.2 Mpix), the X-Trans CMOS sensor 5 HS is brand new. Not only is it BSI (back side illuminated) but it is above all “stacked” (stacked sensor), that is to say that it is equipped with RAM directly welded to its back. This gives it an ultra-fast transmission speed (memory dump) allowing it to offer up to 40 images per second in burst… with subject tracking and without cropping as was the case in previous devices. We say thank you to the 64 GB of buffer memory embedded in the case!
Coupled with its also 5th generation processor (X-Processor 5), the device promises bursts with tracking exceeding (on paper) the best current sports cameras. All without the slightest trace of rolling shutter, benefit from such a fast sensor reading speed. Divided into two units (one chip for the AF, another for all the rest of the piloting of the device), this chip not only swallows a billion pixels per second (26.2 Mpix x 40), but also manages the 6K 3/2 full-sensor video at 30 frames per second. He therefore has under the pedal. But the first relationship that the photographer has with his box is physical. And on that side, Fujifilm seems to have assured.
A machine gun on an armored vehicle
Its rate of 40 frames per second, the X-H2s offers it in a “shielded” box format. The magnesium alloy cage has been completely redesigned since the X-H1, offering a minimum thickness of 1.5 mm at all points of the device. If we add to that the seals and the reinforced buttons and knobs, we are entitled to expect a device really ready to face all situations. And without sacrificing technique since these resistance guarantees go hand in hand with a mobile sensor because it is mechanically stabilized – up to seven speeds depending on the optics used.
This physical reinforcement also extends to certain specifications, such as this mechanical shutter qualified to withstand half a million release cycles. The devil being in the details, even the neck strap attachment system is reinforced: the attachments are no longer based on external triangles, but are integrated into the case body.
Fujifilm’s use of good materials and technological mastery are, by the way, impressive when you look at the figures: more robust and more efficient than the previous generation, the X-H2s is a little lighter and more durable (up to 720 images in eco mode with the same battery!).
Maximum technology sliders
The concern of modern boxes and in particular of a fanatic like the X-H2s is the long litany of technologies, standards, equipment that they integrate. Both in terms of connectivity (USB 3.1 Gen 2 in USB-C format, HDMI Type 1 full format, etc.) and file formats (compressed or uncompressed RAW, JPEG or HEIF, H.265 or ProRes or BMD ).
The dual memory card slot? It’s in the game – SD UHS-II and CF Express Type B for the most advanced photo bursts and video modes. Is the viewfinder up to current standards? With its 5.36 Mpix (1600 x 1200 pix), the OLED panel responds. Not to mention Wi-Fi, full-sensor 6K without cropping (and in native 3:2 format), F-Log 2 for automatic calibration of RAW video streams, and more.
Between 4K120p mode, no-crop bursts, completeness of shots, and more. the X-H2s is one of the rare cameras which, like the Nikon Z7, is almost flawless on the technical sheet, so much the manufacturer was keen to make a technological “all-in”.
A real movie camera?
As we have seen above, the device offers top-notch video features, in addition to native support for Apple ProRes format internally (on CF Express only) and with file proxy (please!) , full-sensor 6K, cropless 4K120p, and more. RAW video formats (up to 4:2:2 10-bit and up to 720 bps), log file (F-log) support and native video sensitivity of ISO 1240 allow videographers to work with this box as with a real professional camera of the “Super 35” type.
And if the 24×36 full format has its strengths, it also has its challenges, especially in terms of controlling the depth of field, reduced here by the smaller sensor size. It should also be noted that Fujifilm has cinema lenses (the MKX 18-55 and 59-135 mm) in X mount and is also announcing today a unique video lens. The XF18-120 f/4 LM PZ WR (eq. 27-183 mm) is indeed the first parafocal lens without focus breathing and with an electronic focusing motor in the range.
In addition to its featherweight (460 g) it is also launched at a really affordable price given its features (999 euros). It remains to be seen whether filmmakers hooked on Sony, Canon or Panasonic cameras will take a look at Fujifilm and its color science.
Fun little detail: to avoid (or rather repel) the video overheating inherent in all modern boxes that swallow 4K, the X-H2s has an optional fan that screws onto the back of the device (screen unfolded) . A trick at 200 €, but which extends the shooting time by half an hour at 40°C (we go from 20 min to 50 min). Shooting time which is limited to 20°C both from a technical point of view (less heating), and legal since since January 1, 2022 the additional tax on devices recording more than 30 minutes of video has become obsolete.
Compared to sports cases: the advantages of price and weight
In general, the size of the sensors hierarchizes (a little too much) the prices of the boxes, the uninformed customers having the annoying tendency to limit themselves to the megapixels and the surface of the sensor to judge the qualities of the devices. Also, the price of 2749 € may surprise for an APS-C sensor device. Besides the fact that the device has equipment (5.36 Mpix OLED viewfinder, etc.), guarantees and resistances as well as professional features, it is also, thanks to its burst and AF tracking, in the field of cameras. sports. While offering, thanks to its smaller sensor, a much lighter system than the full-frame equivalent.
In this arena of sports photography, these 2749 € are at least half the price of the competition. If the cameras they are attacking (Nikon Z9, Canon EOS R3 and Sony Alpha A1) are full-frame sensors, given the efficiency of the AF and the image quality of the pre-series that we briefly had in hand, Fujifilm has arguments on the case side. Arguments that will have to be transformed by more effort in the optics: if the XF 200 mm f/2.0 (eq. 300 mm) is a jewel, Fujifilm lacks professional quality super telephoto lenses (equivalent to 200-400 mm, 400mm, 600mm, 800mm) to take places in the hearts of stadium photographers.
While the 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR (229-914mm eq.) goes down in history, with its internal zoom and native 5-stop optical stabilization at 600mm (7 stops with the case), it is not yet of the class expected by the photographers of the Team or the AFP. At 2199 euros, it is quite logical, the optics of sports photographers oscillating rather between 6000 and 13000 euros! But to conquer this market, Fujifilm will have to speed up the development of higher-end lenses (and cheaper than the competition if possible).
Two grips or nothing (and a future brother)
The X-H2s will have not one but two grips at launch. The most classic is the VG-XH which offers two battery slots as well as remote controls in vertical grip. In addition to these functions, the FT-XH adds an RJ45 socket (limited to 600 mbit/s to avoid over-consumption of energy) for the live transmission of images over a network (FTP, sFTP) such as in stadiums, from a Improved a/c Wi-Fi (2×2 antennas). This grip also allows remote control of up to 4 simultaneous boxes via Ethernet and Wi-Fi via a web page (no application required).
These two grips should also be perfectly suited for a second case called… H-X2.
Devoid of “S”, this second box which should arrive later in the year would be less focused on the speed of the burst, but rather on the image definition. Exit the 26.2 Mpix stacked sensor, the X-H2, of which Fujifilm will give more information in the coming months, will benefit from a 40 Mpix sensor. And maybe, who knows, a multishoot mode to bring this definition higher – even if it’s not an obligation, Fujifilm also having GFX in its catalog.
The Fujfufilm X-H2s will be available in early July at €2,749 bare-box.
The classic VG-HX grip will be launched at €449.
The grip with RJ45 FT-XH connectivity will be €1099 (ouch).
On the optical side, the XF150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR will be launched at €2199.
The XF 18-120mm f/4 LM PZ WR will be available at €999.