Fujifilm Unveils the Most Advanced X Series Mirrorless Camera
Fujifilm has announced the company’s new flagship X Series mirrorless camera, the X-H2S, an APS-C hybrid camera with advanced features for both still photography and video.
“The universal reaction to X-H2S has been, ‘This is exactly what I’ve been waiting for!’ The overwhelmingly enthusiastic response reinforces my belief that X-H2S will be the versatile, hybrid digital camera that can meet the diverse needs of photographers and motion production professionals,” said Victor Ha, vice president, Electronic Imaging and Optical Devices Divisions, FUJIFILM North America Corporation. “It’s fun to see so much enthusiasm for this camera, especially since the features it has aren’t normally found at a price point of only $2499.95.”
The company says that the X-H2S is the first of its kind digital camera to feature Fujifilm’s 26.16-megapixel X-trans CMOS 5 HS imaging sensor, which is both stacked and backside-illuminated that allows it to read data four times faster than Fujifilm’s previous X-Trans CMOS 4.
X-TransTM CMOS 5, combined with the newly minted X-Processor 5 (which doubles the camera’s processing power compared to X-Processor 4), greatly enhances overall image fidelity at lower ISOs and reduces noise at higher ISOs. Subject-detection AF, which maximizes the tracking speed and accuracy of moving subjects is now made possible through the incorporation of an AI processor.
The result is a camera that can apply AF/AE tracking for blackout-free continuous shooting at up to 40 frames per second. Fujifilm says it can write over 1,000 frames continuously when shooting JPEGs at 30 frames per second and can shoot up to 20 frames per second in RAW. All of these specifications are with the electronic shutter.
Fujifilm touts the new AF system as particularly impressive and says it allows for the best subject tracking in X-Series history. It was developed with Deep Learning technology and as such the subject detection uses what Fujifilm calls an advanced prediction algorithm to enhance the performance of Zone AF by refining the camera’s ability to track moving subjects in low-contrast environments.
For video, X-Processor 5 enables the recording of 10-bit 4:2:2 video in resolutions up to 6.2K/30P and frame rates as fast as 4K/120P and FHD/240p. Support for professional codecs, like Apple ProRes HQ/ Pro Res 422/ Pro Res LT, provide incredible flexibility within post-production workflows, while also minimizing power consumption, thereby extending the camera’s maximum video recording time up to 240 minutes. 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. For longer recording sessions, Fujifilm is making an optional external cooling fan available, called the FAN-001, which it says maintains similar levels of performance in high-temperature conditions.
The X-H2S offers image stabilization rated at up to 7EV and weather-sealed magnesium allow body that includes a headphone socket, full-sized HDMI port, USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) port, and a top-panel OLED display. There’s a new 5.76M dot OLED viewfinder that can run at up to 120fps, and a fully-articulated 1.62M dot rear LCD.
Fujifilm says that the X-H2S incorporates features found in the X-H1 such as a large grip, top-facing LCD display, and a heavy-duty body. In addition to these, the company made a few upgrades. The shutter button has been adjusted to improve operability when half-pressed and a standalone video button has been added to make shooting video easier. Fujifilm says the fit and finish of all the buttons and all the materials the camera is made from have been upgraded to be more durable and last longer. The shutter has also been improved and can withstand 500,000 actuations during its internal performance testing.
The camera features dual memory card slots, one for SD (not specified as UHS-I or UHS-II in the company’s materials) and one CFexpress Type B. The company says that the peak performance specifications previously noted require the CFexpress card.
Here are some sample pictures:
The Fujifilm X-H2S will be available in early July for $2,499. Fujifilm is also making a vertical battery grip and file transmitter grip (enables FTP transfer by wired LAN, wireless LAN, or USB smartphone tethering) available at the same time for $399 and $999 respectively.
More info on Fujifilm’s website.
