The Fujifilm X-H2S is a very interesting camera because Fujifilm is changing quite a bit this generation, but the good news is that it sounds like we are going to get a new Fujifilm App with improved features thanks to the new file transfer grip, which will hopefully help us all out. The new AF algorithm can also be used to improve the current one some in the future, but the majority of the performance increase has come from the new sensor/processor combination that is also improving the IBIS calculations.
I also hope that the pushback about Fujifilm going PSAM ensures that we get flagship classic control cameras for X and GFX bodies in the future. There is no reason Fujifilm can’t put an auto mode on dials and then a preset dial so that the camera can function both ways. Fujifilm will never convince photographers that the exposure triangle is king by caving to the demands of photographers that do not shoot in a dynamic environment.
- X-H2S will launch in the beginning of July
- The grip and shoulder display have been continued from the X-H1
- X-H2S went PSAM because GFX users liked it and getting to user-defined settings quickly
- It’s mentioned that some will miss the classic controls and the Fujifilm rep promises to pass that along
- 1/15th a second is still the slowest you can use with Auto ISO and this can’t be changed at this time
- If you quickly use the viewfinder the image is guaranteed to be perfectly sharp
- The viewfinder refresh speed has increased from 100fps to 120fps and for really fast movement there is a 240fps mode with reduced resolution
- Fujifilm continued with X-Trans because they continue to have very good sharpness and noise performance with X-Trans
- Lightroom, Photoshop, and Capture one just about get everything out of X-Trans RAW files now
- The Fujifilm X-H2S sensor improves read-out time by 4x which helps mitigate rolling shutter
- Electronic shutter flash is only possible with the fast read-out time of the sensor in the X-H2S because the sensor has to finish reading in the time that the flash is active.
- IBIS uses a lot of processing power due to all the calculations being done
- The X-T4 processor was about 600Mhz but the X-H2S processor is about 1 Ghz
- The X-T4 and X-H2S use the same IBIS system and the improved performance is coming from the additional processing power and algorithm improvements
- HEIF was added to provide more compression and some ability to edit without needing a lot of storage since it uses about 70% of the size without a loss of quality at 10-bit while JPEG captures 30% of the quality with 8-bit color depth
- Fujifilm helps every RAW decoder work with its files by turning over the info they need before launch to provide support, but they have no ability to get a company like Apple to provide compressed RAW support
- The 4x sampling rate of the Fujifilm X-H2S helps its AF performance tracking accurately across the frame
- Fujifilm added object detection to the X-H2S and it can make adjustments between every shot even at 40fps while the previous generation had limited adjustments due to a lack of read-out speed and processing power
- Fujifilm also improved the algorithm in the X-H2S so that the camera isn’t as easy to trick, which is helped by the speed of the sensor and processor so when something interferes with what you are tracking the camera will hold the focus point until the new objects moves out of the way
- Of course, you can decide to let the camera move to the object that interferes by adjusting the AF-C settings in the camera if you want
- The camera uses AI based on a large image library that was fed to it so that it could recognize select objects
- Fujifilm has to train the camera to handle all kinds of lighting conditions too so that a well-lit face and low-light face are equally recognized
- Fujifilm will continue to improve AF via firmware updates
- The new sensor and processor are what make the X-H2S able to focus as well as it can, but some of the algorithm improvements could come to X-T4 and X-T3
- You can cycle through faces that are recognized with the joystick
- Fujifilm X-H2S is appropriate for amateurs to professionals for video
- There is no time limit on recording and Black Magic RAW and ProRes are supported with additional color depth and Log2
- The fan accessory can be set to run always at a low speed or to only turn on when necessary
- The magnesium body is one big heat sink and video can make it a little hotter than photos so they made the accessory to address the possibility of overheating
- The fan won’t help cool the sensor for astrophotography only shooting dark frames to remove noise will help and you need to shoot those in conjunction with your photos
- The file transfer grip adds two batteries and the ability to upload photos to a FTP server
- You can also use the ethernet to control the camera or multiple cameras at longer distances than USB would work
- The wifi in the file transfer grip adds MIMO antennas that allow for faster transfer speeds over longer distances
- You can use the iPad to control the X-H2S, but there might be more features coming in September for the file transfer grip
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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