Fujifilm X-H2S Interview: Form, Function, Battery Grips, and More
These Japanese interviews are a pain to translate, but what’s below should be pretty accurate. It sounds like Fujifilm is looking to segment their cameras more to attract others, but it is disappointing that Fujifilm is increasingly using PSAM to attract photographers from other systems rather than promoting the advantages of a classic design.
The only way Fujifilm is going to make fans happy is if the Fujifilm X-T5 also comes as an X-T5S because some of us refuse to shoot PSAM, but we would like a stacked sensor camera in addition to a resolution monster. It’s probably going to be a while before Fujifilm launches the X-T5 because I am sure they will want to get every last X-H2S sale they can, but I have a feeling many X-H2 cameras will be on eBay when the X-T5 is announced.
Part 1
- Takashi Soga and Takuya Noguchi were Fujifilm’s representatives in the video
- The X-H1 was a third-generation product but they waited for the fifth generation to bring back the X-H2
- Fujifilm is splitting its cameras into a T and H along with GFX
- X-H is designed for speed
- They could have made it even faster but they wanted to hit a price point
- A lot of users want Fujifilm cameras to track subjects better so that is what they tried to address
- The sensor and processor had to evolve together to provide the desired performance
- 40fps can help with things like getting the birds wings at exactly the angle you want while in flight or taking off
- CFExpress also helped because the write speed is so fast that the images do not need to be buffered
- If you shoot just JPEG you can get more than 1000 shots shooting continuously
- Rolling shutter shouldn’t be an issue when shooting with the electronic shutter because they tested it with cars and golfers and had no issues
- The data rate has tripled in X-H2S
- Fujifilm is improving its algorithm every day
- Fujifilm now tracks, face and eye, animals, airplanes, trains, sports, etc…
- The X-H2S’ AF is pretty strong at tracking the subjects it knows
- Fujifilm really wanted to improve the viewfinder so that photographers didn’t lose track of subjects due to blackout
- Fujifilm’s X-H2S viewfinder provides a very different experience
- Previously 100fps was targeted for the VF, but 120fps was better
- Fujifilm has pushed the video recording up to 6.2k
- The Fujifilm X-H2S has a much bigger battery than the X-H1, but changing the battery’s position allowed Fujifilm to keep the grip similar to the X-H1
- The X-H2S is also shorter than the X-H1 in part due to the PSAM dial
- Looked to the GFX100S to decide the right grip size
- Fujifilm X-H2S should make photographers that do not want to use cameras from other camera companies interested In X-mount
- Fujifilm believes a lot of professionals want the custom spots on the dial
Part 2
- Starts with an AF demo explaining how AF has been improved
- Fujifilm’s AF wasn’t great at tracking until now
- You can really tell the difference in AF now
- The first step in improving IBIS is how to control the IBIS from there you must deal with any issues with the lens
- The noise of the IBIS is suppressed as much as possible
- The sensor is similar to what Fujifilm is currently using, but at ISO 160 image quality is slightly improved in the X-H2S
- The X-H2S is based on the GFX100S
- The back of the X-H2S is metal to remove heat from inside the camera and the new fan just improves the efficiency of removing the heat
- The new 5th generation processor is much more powerful, but it also saves power over the 4th generation processor
- The fan was developed for outdoor use where the sun might cause a temperature warning
- Log had a dynamic range of 12+ stops and now Log2 has a dynamic range of 14+ stops
- Dynamic range is one of the most interesting reasons to use Log
- The vertical battery grip lets you put 3 batteries in the camera
- The file transfer grip will let you connect a smartphone via USB to transfer files or ethernet to an FTP server
- You can also remotely control your camera using the transfer grip
- Using the grip is about 10x faster than the smartphone app
- The transfer grip sends photos and video
- Fujifilm has priced the X-H2S aggressively
Fujifilm X-H2S:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Moment / Adorama
Fujinon XF18-120mm F4.0 LM PZ WR:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Moment / Adorama
Fujinon XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R WR:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Moment / Adorama
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