Fujifilm X-H2S mirrorless camera: all about speed and video

Image: Fujifilm

The latest X-Summit event is happening today in Omiya, Japan, and it brings several new announcements for its X-series ofAPS-C mirrorless cameras, including two cameras and two lenses. The X-H2S camera is a high-speed flagship model. The successor to X-H1 will launch on July 7th for $2,499 without a lens.

A new zoom lens, the XF 150-600mm super-telephoto zoom lens, will be released later in September for $1,999, and a new zoom lens, the XF 18-120mm powered zoom, will be released later in September for $899. The X-H2 is coming in September with a new 40-megapixel non-stacked sensor.

The new cameras in the X-series of cameras are more pro DSLR-like than any other camera in the series, with a more modern PSAM dial. The X-H2S has a modest resolution that is only two more than its predecessor, but its biggest improvements are in its speed, autofocus tracking, and hybrid video shooting. The stacked design of the newAPS-C sensor allows it to shoot up to 40 frames per second with its electronic shutter, while maintaining continuous autofocus tracking. The X-H2S has a mechanical shutter, unlike the Z9 which only has a mechanical shutter.

Image: Fujifilm

Image: Fujifilm

The X-H2S has a 600MHz sub-processor dedicated to handling the new five-axis in-body image stabilization system, which is the key component to the X-H2S's newfound speed. The older fourth-gen processor had a peak of 608MHz.

The recent leaps in real-time subject tracking systems with processor-heavy systems may prove vital, as Fujifilm is trying to catch up with the likes of Sony and Canon. The X-H2S can perform three times more calculations than the X-T4 from Fujifilm, and the company says its new Deep Learning Artificial Intelligence allows for subject detection and the tracking of human faces and eyes. The main person from a group is what the camera favors in Zone AF mode.

The X-H2S has a fully articulated three-inch 1.62 million-dot LCD and 5.76 million-dot EVF with 0.8x magnification, where the X-H1 had a more limited dual-hinge LCD design. The X-H2S now has a 3.5mm mic port, as well as an upgrade from MicroUSB to the newer, faster, and more secure, USB-C, with the ability to use it as a webcam without any additional software. The video recording specifications are increased to 6K at 30 frames per second, 4K at 120 frames per second, and 1080p at 240 frames per second. It can record these resolutions and frame rates in Apple ProRes format internally to its newexpress Type B primary card slot. Hardcore videographers will have to use the camera's HDMI 2.1 connection to record their film.

The X-H2S is rated to run for up to 120 minutes in 4K60P at a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius / 77 degrees, and the new F-Log2 video profile allows for up to 14 stops of dynamic range. By purchasing an add-on cooling fan for $199, that high-temperature time more than doubles to 50 minutes of recording. We haven't seen a first-party add-on cooling solution from a camera maker before, but cameras with built-in fans are a staple of the video world. Panasonic's S1H is a model dedicated to video, so having an optional fan may be a compromise.

Image: Fujifilm

There are two new zooms on the lens front. The XF 150-600mm f/6.6-8 R LM OIS WR is a super-telephoto with a full-frame equivalent reach of 229 to 914mm and all zooming being done inside the barrel. The XF 18-120mm f/4 LM PZWR has a powered zoom for better control of zoom and focus pulls. The XF 56mm f/1.2 II, XF 30mm f/2.8 Macro, and XF 8mm f/3.5 will be added later this year.

Image: Fujifilm

The company is teasing another camera. The X-H2 is a 40-megapixel version of the X-H2S. It's safe to assume that this model shares many features with its sibling with an added focus on high-resolution imagery, since not much info about this model is available at this time. This will be the first time a camera in the X-line will be split into high-speed and high-resolution versions, though other manufacturers have used this formula for decades.

The X-H2S is being given a bit of lead time before it is scheduled to ship in July because of shipping constraints. The most expensive Fuji X camera to date will be launched with a vertical grip and a cooling fan. The second vertical grip option, which is designed for faster wireless and wired ethernet connections, will be available in early September for a whopping $999.

The second generation of H cameras seem to be large improvements to a line that was almost forgotten. The smaller and lighterAPS-C X-line is creeping upward with a higher ceiling to try and prevent losing customers to new competition in full-frame systems from other brands. The X-H2S and X-H2 look a bit like the company is conforming to more recent trends to directly compete with higher-end models from Canon, Sony, and Nikon. The X-H2S and X-H2 need to deliver on their performance in a variety of ways to help overcome the X-line's complaint.

There are three more upcoming lens from Fujifilm.