Fujifilm X-H2 review: Less speed, more resolution | Mono Tech

(Pocket-lint) – When Fujifilm launched the X-H2S this summer time, all of us knew an X-H2 was coming in some unspecified time in the future, however few anticipated the accompanying specs.

It has the very best decision sensor we have ever seen in an APS-C mirrorless digicam, together with 8K video recording, and is priced considerably decrease than its speedy sibling.

Fujifilm’s newest hybrid physique is a gorgeous prospect, certainly, however what’s it like to make use of it in the actual world? We have been placing it to the take a look at.

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Design and connectivity

• Dimensions: 136.3 x 92.9 x 84.6mm
• Weight: 660g
• Screens: 1.28-inch LCD with changes, 3-inch drop-down monitor, OLED EVF
• Ports: Full-size HDMI, USB-C, 3.5mm headphone and microphone jacks

The X-H2 makes use of the identical nice chassis because the X-H2S. Apart from the little white “X-H2” textual content on the rear and the dearth of an “S” badge on the entrance, the 2 cameras are an identical. They each are available in the identical weight too, so you may’t actually inform them aside in your hand.

Because of this it advantages from the identical deep grip and ergonomic design and, regardless of being a bit heavy, manages to be one of the vital snug digicam our bodies to carry. The big settings display remains to be current on the prime and, as was the case once we examined the X-H2S, we discovered it extraordinarily helpful. The standout characteristic was the power to verify remaining battery life and cupboard space with out even turning on the digicam. That is the form of factor you actually miss once you return to your each day shooter.

The screens and connectivity are additionally the identical on this digicam. The flip-out LCD display is superb and can be utilized in nearly all lighting circumstances, whereas the three.68 million-dot OLED EVF is sharp and clear. You get a full-size HDMI port, together with headphone and microphone jacks and a USB-C port. As with the X-H2S, the USB can be utilized for charging or information switch, but it surely would not help you report to a transportable SSD.

photographic efficiency

• X-Trans CMOS sensor: 40.2 MP nonetheless pictures
• As much as 20fps burst (1.29x crop)/15fps with mechanical shutter
• 160MP Pixel Shift Multi Shot
• Most digital shutter pace 1/180000

The most important benefit the X-H2 provides is its extraordinarily excessive decision sensor. It is a conventional back-illuminated sensor, slightly than the stacked sensor discovered on the X-H2S. This implies it may possibly’t ship the identical extraordinarily quick burst speeds, however as a substitute produces a way more detailed picture that is higher fitted to giant format prints or cropping.

We examined the digicam with a mixture of XF 18-120mm, XF 16-55mm and XF 56mm F1.2. General, we had been very impressed with the outcomes we had been capable of obtain. Photographs are sharp and detailed, whereas benefiting from Fujifilm’s famend colour science.

Movie Simulation modes are generally thought-about a gimmick, however we discovered ourselves utilizing them fairly steadily on the X-H2. There are 13 to select from, together with a few black and white choices. These modes basically apply an in-camera LUT, saving you some enhancing time after the actual fact. We’re actually into the “Nostalgic Adverse” preset, which provides pictures a bit of heat and a slight shift in the direction of magenta tones.

With excessive decision sensors, noise is usually a priority. Fortuitously, we discovered ISO settings as much as round 3200 to be extraordinarily clear and noise-free, and the outcomes can be utilized as much as round 12800. Very spectacular stuff.

As we talked about, the X-H2 isn’t any match for the X-H2S on the subject of burst speeds, nonetheless it provides the identical pace when utilizing the mechanical shutter. And 15 fps with autofocus is to not be sniffed at. We thought the autofocus was a bit much less dependable for fast-moving topics, however general it does a superb job.

Apparently, there’s one space the place the X-H2 is the quickest: the utmost pace of the digital shutter. It goes all the best way as much as a staggering 1/180000 sec. Does anybody want such a excessive shutter pace? We’re not so certain, however in the event you’re seeking to freeze movement fully and have sufficient mild, this may very well be the digicam for the job. It is also helpful if it’s essential to take a photograph of the solar’s floor at f/1.2 with out an ND filter.

Lastly, we have now a characteristic known as Pixel Shift Multishot, the place the digicam bodily strikes the sensor and takes 20 pictures of a scene that may be mixed into one big 160MP picture. You want a tripod for this, together with a totally static topic for it to work, which severely limits its usefulness. Nonetheless, it is a fairly cool characteristic that was beforehand unique to Fuji’s costlier GFX line of medium format cameras. The pictures aren’t mixed in-camera, which upset us a bit, but it surely’s simple to do with Fujifilm’s Pixel Shift Combiner software program on Home windows or Mac.

video efficiency

• As much as 8K 30fps/ 4K 60fps / 1080p 240fps
• Inner help for ProRes 422, HQ and LT
• 7-stop in-body picture stabilization
• 2x digital zoom at 4K with little to no decision loss

With video recording, it is a related story, the upper decision sensor means that you can shoot video at as much as 8K decision, slightly than 6.2K on the X-H2S. Nonetheless, you additionally surrender some pace, lacking out on 4K 120fps recording, which was considered one of our favourite modes on the X-H2S.

1080p 240fps gradual movement remains to be accessible, however suffers from precisely the identical points we noticed on the X-H2S. We’re undecided what makes this mode so grainy and off-putting, however we’re nonetheless hopeful that Fujifilm can clear it up in future firmware.

On this mannequin, you continue to get the identical inside ProRes recording choices because the costlier X-H2S, together with the power to ship as much as 12-bit RAW video to a suitable recorder by way of HDMI.

In our assessments, the X-H2 carried out fairly equally to the X-H2S by way of stabilization, dynamic vary, autofocus, and colour replica. Provided that it is round $500 cheaper and can even shoot 8K, that is an enormous win.

The X-H2 additionally has a digital zoom perform, which makes use of the upper decision sensor to permit as much as 2x digital zoom at 4K with none noticeable lack of high quality. This may be helpful, particularly when capturing wildlife, and is a characteristic not accessible on the X-H2S.

Nonetheless, there’s one space that lets the X-H2 down for video, and that’s its rolling shutter efficiency. Relying on the way you shoot, this may very well be a possible deal breaker. In commonplace 4K mode (providing as much as 60fps), the curler shutter is kind of on a par with the Sony A7 III, which is not unhealthy in any respect. Nonetheless, once you crank issues as much as 4K HQ (upsampled) or 8K recording, the rolling shutter impact will get progressively worse and may be very noticeable at 8K.

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Written by Luke Baker. Edited by Verity Burns.