Blog

Dec 04, 2023

Fujifilm X

Fujifilm today announced their new flagship X Series mirrorless digital camera,

Fujifilm today announced their new flagship X Series mirrorless digital camera, Fujifilm X-H2S. The APS-C hybrid camera has advanced features for both still photography and video. It is the most advanced X Series mirrorless camera yet. The X-H2S includes an all-new APS-C sensor that features Fujifilm's 26.16MP X-Trans CMOS 5 HS sensor, which is a stacked, back-side illuminated imaging sensor with a signal reading speed up to four times faster than Fujifilm's previous X-Trans CMOS.

X-Trans CMOS 5, combined with the new X-Processor 5, doubles the X-H2S's processing power compared to X-Processor 4, greatly enhances overall image IQ at lower ISOs, and reduces noise at higher ISOs. Subject-detection AF maximizes the tracking speed and accuracy of moving subjects, made possible with the addition of an AI processor.

The shutter button's overall feel has been adjusted to improve its operability when half-pressed. This allows users to release the shutter exactly when intended.

A standalone video recording button has been added to make the experience of recording video with the 1.62-million-dot, vari-angle LCD monitor a seamless experience.

From the fit and finish of the buttons and materials used in the construction of X-H2S to map specific functions to the AF ON button, image-makers will find the experience of using X-H2S intuitive and familiar. Shutter durability has been optimized, withstanding 500,000 actuations during quality and performance testing.

The camera features dual memory card slots supporting one CFexpress Type B and one SD card. Users can draw out the full potential of X-H2S's fast, continuous image-making and video performance with the high-speed data processing performance of CFexpress Type B memory cards.

When shooting internal 10-bit ProRes, the camera can only use CFexpress Type B cards.

One thing we see a lot more in hybrid cameras is an impressive boost in video features. The Fujifilm X-2HS is taking a massive jump with internal 10-bit 4:2:2 ProRes 422 and ProRes HQ recording and not one but both ProRes Raw and Blackmagic RAW external recording via the full-size HDMI. Impressive indeed. For ProRes RAW, You will need to use the Atomos Ninja V or Ninja V+. To record BRAW, a Blackmagic Design Video Assist is required. It also has F-Log and F-Log2, which Fujifilm states provide a dynamic range of up to 14+ stops.

Up to 90 minutes of footage can be internally recorded with a single battery at a wide range of resolutions and frame rates up to 6.2K/30P in Open Gate 3:2, 4K/120P, and Full HD/240P.

X-H2S digital camera supports internal recording of 4:2:2, 10-bit Apple ProRes HQ/ ProRes 422/ ProRes LT, and ProRes 422 Proxy at resolutions of up to 6.2K/30P and 4:2:2, 10-bit h.265 videos in frame rates as fast as 4K/120P and FHD/ 240p. ProRes will require the use of a CFexpress Type B Card.

The sensor's readout speed of 1/180 seconds when recording helps minimize rolling shutter on moving subjects or when the camera itself is moving. A heat-dissipating design brings the 4K/60P continuous video recording time to approximately 240 minutes, while the optional FAN-001 cooling fan accessory assists with maintaining similar levels of performance in high-temperature conditions.

The FAN-001 cooling fan accessory is an interesting idea. Canon designed the R5C with a fan on the back to cool it off and enable better performance. Fujifilm's decision to make it an accessory is a good one as it won't add bulk when not needed for stills use. The camera powers the fan, so there is no need for external battery solutions. Fujifilm states the heat-dissipating design brings the 4K/60P continuous video recording time to approximately 240 minutes. The fan extends continouse video recording time at high temperatures. It will eliminate concerns of overheating that could shut the camera down. The FAN-001 cooling fan retails for $199 USD.

Fujifilm states the autofocus is much improved on the X-H2S. The camera has a high number of AF calculations performed per second which improves overall AF accuracy and enables subject-detection AF. The system uses Deep Learning technology; subject detection AF implements an advanced prediction algorithm to improve the performance of Zone AF by refining the camera's ability to track moving subjects in low-contrast environments. Subject detection and tracking have also expanded from human faces and eyes to now include animals, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, airplanes, and trains.

The AF can work in low light levels down to -7EV and keep up with both fast and erratically moving subjects. It now features Subject Detection Autofocus, utilizing AI to deliver a much-improved autofocus system.

Fujifilm states the new focus tracking is the best yet in the X series of cameras. The X-H2S controls phase detection pixels independently from the image display when in burst mode This triples the number of calculations in phase-detection from the X-T4 and enables high-speed focus even during high-speed continuous shooting.

The camera features an all-new five-axis, in-body image stabilization system, which offers up to 7.0-stops of image stabilization.

● X-H2S's electronic viewfinder uses a high-resolution, 5.76-million-dot panel with a magnification of 0.8x. With a frame rate of approximately 120fps, the smooth viewfinder offers stellar visibility as a result of strong suppression of parallax and distortion (which commonly occurs when an eye position becomes displaced while using the viewfinder) thereby enabling accurate subject tracking.

FUJIFILM X-2HS is expected to be available in early July 2022 at the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price of $2,499 USD and $3,200 CAD.

Pricing and expected availability for X-2HS accessories are as follows:

VG-XH Vertical Battery Grip: Available in early July 2022 at a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price of $399 USD and $515 CAD.

FT-XH File Transmitter: Available in September 2022 at a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price of $999 USD and $1,280 CAD.

FAN-001 Cooling Fan: Available in early July 2022 at a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price of $199 USD and $260 CAD.

CVR-XH Cover Kit: Available in early July 2022 at a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price of $19.99 USD and $26 CAD.

Wooden Camera has a custom cage ready to go for the X-H2S.

Its wraparound custom-fit design offers increased stability to your X-H2S without blocking ports and controls, as well as multiple 1/4″-20 and 3/8″-16 threads with ARRI-standard locating pins.

The cage features a detachable HDMI cable clamp on the side to reduce strain on both your HDMI cable and the port on your X-H2S. A hot shoe clamp integrated to the top of the cage further secures the camera and allows the addition of on-camera fill lights or wireless microphone receivers. The Wooden Camera Full Camera Cage for FUJIFILM X-H2S retails for $399

A lightweight 15mm Baseplate is also available if you want to go for the full rail setup.

It retails for $350

The new Fujifilm X-H2S looks like a great upgrade, and the video features alone are massive. The ability to have an S35 (APS-C) size sensor that records 10 Bit 4:2:2 in ProRes is fantastic. No transcoding is needed. I’ve always liked Fujifilm color with the X-T4. My only issue was the autofocus didn't perform as well as I would have liked. It looks like Fujifilm addressed this and more. The retail price of $2499 USD is priced competitively with a solid set of features for both video and stills.

Worth mentioning is a new zoom lens. The FUJINON XF 18-120mm F4 LM PZ WR lens is a hybrid video/still lens with a zoom rocker on the side. The lens is parfocal. A first for a still lens. This will make shooting video much easier as you punch in, set focus, and you can reframe without losing focus, just like a cinema and ENG lens performs. It's not achieved with electronics. It's designed to be parfocal. The range is also good for a parfocal lens at 18-120mm with a constant F4. Learn more about the lenses here.

Erik is an 18 time Emmy award-winning DP, with over 20 years experience in photojournalism, working in newsrooms all over the USA. The last decade has seen Erik migrate into broadcast television and filmmaking, where he has discovered a passion for visual storytelling and production.Additionally, Erik is an outstanding educator, teaching filmmaking via courses on Linkedin Learning and Lynda.com.