Fujifilm X-H2 evaluate: An ideal mix of pace, decision and video energy | Engadget

Fujifilm just lately launched the very best, albeit most-expensive, APS-C digicam but – the X-H2S. But it wasn’t accomplished. Today, we’re taking a look at its stablemate, the 40-megapixel X-H2. It’s the highest-resolution APS-C digicam ever launched and boasts spectacular video powers.

You can shoot 15 fps RAW pictures at full decision, and it’s the primary APS-C mirrorless digicam with 8K video. It additionally gives improved in-body stabilization, an upgraded autofocus system with new AI topic recognition, and extra.

At $2,000, it’s a full $500 lower than the X-H2S, however that’s nonetheless lots for an APS-C digicam. With that in thoughts, I wished to see if it’s that a lot better than rivals like Canon’s $1,500 32.5-megapixel EOS R7, and even the way it stacks up in opposition to full-frame cameras just like the Sony A7 IV or unique Canon EOS R6 that value only a bit extra.

Body and dealing with

Other than the truth that the X-H2S has an “S” brand painted on the entrance, the X-H2 appears to be like similar. It even weighs the identical at 660 grams, or barely greater than the X-T4. That’s up there in full-frame territory, so it’s not precisely a pocketable road digicam like different Fuji fashions.

Most Fujifilm cameras even have a number of dials for shutter pace, ISO and publicity compensation, however not the X-H2. Instead, it’s extra like Canon, Sony and Nikon fashions, with entrance and rear dials, a mode selector, a joystick and a D-pad management. As a nod to road photographers who shoot from the hip, it does have a high display screen that shows aperture, shutter speeds and different key information.

I used to be by no means an enormous fan of the basic Fujifilm structure as a result of it’s not perfect for video, so I just like the X-H2 structure – however I do know that many Fuji followers don’t.

I additionally love the totally articulating 3-inch, 1.5 million dot show, which makes it simpler to shoot low and high-angle pictures or selfies. The new X-T5, which packs the identical 40-megapixel sensor, has a show that’s restricted to tilting. Meanwhile, the 5.76-million dot, 120Hz EVF is good and sharp and gives blackout-free taking pictures in silent digital shutter mode.

Like its namesake, the X-H2 has a high-speed USB-C port with energy supply, together with microphone and headphone ports. You additionally get a full-sized HDMI port, which needs to be extra strong than the fiddly micro-HDMI inputs discovered on rival cameras. That was a good move by Fujifilm, as a result of exterior RAW video is a key characteristic on this digicam.

Battery life is barely diminished in comparison with the X-H2S, with 680 pictures per cost as a substitute of 720 – not shocking contemplating the additional decision. And it has each UHS-II and high-speed CFexpress reminiscence card slots. The latter is required for high-resolution ProRes video and to cut back buffering when taking pictures 15 fps, 40-megapixel bursts.

Performance

Normally, high-resolution cameras are among the many most costly fashions. However, the 26.2-megapixel X-H2S really prices greater than the 40-megapixel X-H2. That’s as a result of it has a stacked sensor that delivers additional speeds and reduces rolling shutter in silent taking pictures mode.

Rolling shutter isn’t an enormous problem on the X-H2 for pictures, although. It’s really quicker in mechanical than digital shutter mode, with full-resolution RAW bursts as much as 15 fps in comparison with 13 fps. That’s spectacular, contemplating it’s designed extra for element than pace.

What’s extra, you gained’t want silent mode actually because the mechanical shutter is among the many quietest I’ve ever heard. And for those who actually do want the digital shutter, rolling shutter is current for fast paced topics, however surprisingly effectively managed. It’s significantly higher than different APS-C cameras like Sony’s A6600 or the Canon EOS R7.

The autofocus system can sustain with the burst speeds as effectively. It sticks tenaciously to topics, giving an honest hit charge even when they’re transferring rapidly. It’s not fairly as correct as Sony’s AF, although, significantly when gentle ranges drop.

Like the S mannequin, the X-H2 has new AI smarts, with the power to trace birds and animals, together with automobiles, bikes, bikes, airplanes and trains. Face and eye detection is way improved over previous fashions just like the X-T4 too, monitoring topics easily and reliably.

I’d actually select the X-H2S over the X-H2 for sports activities and wildlife, because the stacked sensor permits you to shoot at an superior 40 fps. Sony and Canon’s newest cameras beat them each, although, as they’ve superior AI and the autofocus is smoother and extra dependable. Still, the X-H2 gives good autofocus and burst efficiency contemplating the excessive decision.

The 7-stop in-body stabilization additionally labored effectively, letting me seize sharp pictures handheld right down to a couple of quarter second. And if 40 megapixels isn’t sufficient, you possibly can take 160-megapixel pictures with a tripod utilizing Fuijfilm’s Pixel Shift Combiner characteristic.

Image high quality

The X-H2’s 40-megapixel X-Trans backside-illuminated sensor is probably not stacked, nevertheless it’s a brand new state-of-the-art sensor. And it actually delivers the place it counts when it comes to picture high quality.

To begin with, the additional pixels offer you extra element that’s helpful if you have to crop in or make massive prints. And but, the additional decision doesn’t damage picture high quality in low gentle at greater ISO settings. Noise is effectively managed at ISO 6400, and pictures are usable at as much as ISO 12800 if publicity is ready appropriately.

In-camera processing of JPEG and 10-bit HEIF recordsdata is impeccable, with nice, correct colours and a pleasant steadiness of noise discount and element. If I wished to share pictures straight away, I might usually do it without having for any processing.

The X-H2 can take uncompressed, lossless or compressed RAW pictures with 14 bits of coloration. That offers loads of room for fine-tuning, even in vibrant or darkish areas. However, for those who underexpose pictures and attempt to increase ranges, noise can get out of hand. That’s one of many primary drawbacks of APS-C in comparison with full-frame sensors, after all.