Vistek released a pretty definite comparison of video performance between the Fujifilm XH1 vs Panasonic GH5 vs Sony A7SII, with one caveat he isn’t working with a properly color calibrated screen or using a monitor really designed for color work. The vast majority of videographers probably fall into this group of people, but it is something to take into consideration.
Hypergamma Testing – Winner X-H1
- ETERNA – Great latitude in color, very impressed and got some highlight detail back
- Cine-D Profile – Most shadow detail, but highlights are blown out, mid tones are milky and toxic orange color, which takes a long time to correct
- PP5/Cine3 – Highlights are super clippy and least amount of dynamic range of the 3 cameras, but skin highlights survived easily
Log Without Resolve Being Color Managed – Winner SLog3, but F-Log might be better if fully supported
- F-Log – ETERNA Log was “banging” and couldn’t be recreated manually.
- L-Log L – Only 10-bit log out of the 3 and he used the Varicam 35 LUT to work with the footage, but the red channel can get out of control and the footage can get muddy
- SLog3 – Used a series of XDCAM-User LUT files that make it very easy to tweak
High ISO – Sony Wins because the Sony a7SII was designed to win this hands down, but not great for photography.
- Fuji – Still ok at 12,500
- Sony – Superior 12,500
- Panasonic – Useless by 6,400
Autofocus – Sony Wins
- X-H1 – Bit of tweaking to get the autofocus working well, but not as great as the Sony
- GH5 – It works, but not great
- a7SII – Snappy and accurate
IBIS – Panasonic Wins
- X-H1 – Better than the Sony, but not the GH5
- GH5 – The Best
- a7SII – The worst of the batch
High Frame Rate – Hard to say from what he choose to shoot so just enjoy the video
Design and Layout – X-H1 or GH5
- X-H1 – Great button layout and very intuitive
- GH5 – Great button layout and very intuitive, plus it’s the only camera for vloggers
- a7SII – Sony has a horrible unintuitive layout that you never get used to
There really is no overall winner, but the Fujifilm X-H1 is a serious competitor. I am kind of surprised he didn’t bring up the price of the Panasonic GH5, which can now be criticized with the release of the Fujifilm X-H1 for less. Micro Four Thirds cameras have been getting incredibly expensive in recent years and the GH line of cameras used to be relatively affordable, with the OM-D taking the brunt of the criticism, but now Panasonic might have to rethink their strategy with the release of the Fuji X-H1.
The Fujifilm X-H1 looks like it is going to really shake up the professional video market and it is a great start from Fujifilm. It’s too bad Fujifilm couldn’t wait for the new sensor that will be in the Fujifilm X-T3 because then they could have features like 4k 60p, which the GH5 has and maybe even 10-bit recording. Smaller sensors almost always have a technological advantage, but the Fujifilm X-H1 is an incredible value for the vast majority of videographers/cinematographers, but if you’re a photographer the Fujifilm X-T2 should do for now.
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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
