The Fujifilm X-H1 is certainly an interesting camera, but is it right for you? I have had a little time to go over all of the features and made the above comparison chart for FujiAddict readers. As predicted the Fujifilm X-H1 is strongest as a video camera, but it does have a few big and small improvements over the Fujifilm X-T2. Some care about IBIS a lot and if you do the X-H1 is for you with up to 5.5 EV of stabilization, but image quality should be basically the same as the Fujifilm X-T2.
The Fujifilm X-H1’s IBIS system uses three-axial acceleration sensors and a dual-processor to measure about 10,000 calculations per second. This requires the camera to be built to twice as high of a degree of precision as a conventional camera. The IBIS system also partially relies on the electronic first curtain shutter of the X-H1 and might benefit from the roughly 25% thicker magnesium body than the Fujifilm X-T2, which is already very well built.
When shooting video the IBIS, Flicker Reduction Mode, ETERNA, built-in high-performance microphone, Cinema 4k, internal F-log and higher 200Mbps bitrate will all help the Fujifilm X-H1 outperform the Fujifilm X-T2. The X-T2 is a competent video camera, but the X-H1 is just a cut above the X-T2 and the extra build quality and larger grip will help with larger cinema glass. Some of the video features of the X-H1 might be patched into the X-T2 later, but it’s more likely that Fujifilm will focus on the X-T2’s photography features since the cameras are more similar as digital still cameras than video.
As for photography, the Fujifilm X-T2 has a slightly better buffer than the X-H1 according to the leaked Fujifilm Specs. The AF algorithm might be better on the X-H1 for now, but Fujifilm will likely add it to the X-T2 in the future. They might even add Electronic First Curtain, Flicker reduction mode, and ETERNA in the near future too, via a firmware update. The only long-lasting advantage the X-H1 will have is geotagging via Bluetooth, which the X-T3 will have when it’s announced at Photokina and a slightly better EVF.
Preorder Links
X-H1 Camera: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
X-H1 Body with Battery Grip Kit: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
VPB-XH1 Vertical Power Booster Grip: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
EC-XH Wide Eyecup: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
MK18-55mm T2.9: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
MK50-135mm T2.9: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
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