FUJIFILM X-H2 GEAR
APS-C STUNNER 8K MIRRORLESS YOU CAN AFFORD
Fujifilm’s X-H2 brings a new level of resolution to a Super 35 camera at a surprisingly low price W hen we tested the 26-megapixel Fujifilm X-H2S with its superfast stacked WORDS AND PHOTOS ADAM DUCKWORTH 40-megapixel stills at lower frame rates. But that makes it the highest- resolution APS-C mirrorless camera on the market – and it’s cheaper as it doesn’t have the super-speed stacked sensor.
sensor, we became massive fans. And not just because it had the world’s first optional bolt-on fan to keep things cool, but because it offered insane stills and video speed with practically no rolling shutter artefacts. It was also keenly priced at £2499/$2499 – a bargain for a flagship camera. We’ve now become admirers of the new high-resolution X-H2, with its 40.2-megapixel sensor for 8K video, that costs even less at £1879/$1999 body only. The higher resolution and cheaper price might just make it a winner for some types of image maker. Both cameras use Super 35 sensors, the fifth-generation X-Trans CMOS, look identical and share many features like the fast X-Processor 5, a 5.76m dot EVF and use of CFexpress Type B and SD UHS-II card slots. Both also use the same battery and accessories, such as the optional battery grip and file transmitter grip, and each support F-Log and F-Log2 gamma. The biggest difference in spec is that the X-H2S is the speed star with very low rolling shutter, stills frame rates up to 40fps and 120p video in 4K with a crop or 60p without, plus a maximum video resolution of 6.3K open gate. The X-H2 shoots 8K video and
The X-H2 can still shoot stills at 20fps with the electronic shutter and 15fps using the mechanical shutter – and the fastest speed when employing the electronic is 1/180,000sec. Yes, you did read that right. That is faster than the majority of flashguns. Both cameras offer the same internal codecs, with ProRes 422 HQ, 422 and 422 LT. And when recording ProRes, the X-H2 supports proxy files to reduce the strain when editing 8K footage. When recording externally via HDMI to an Atomos or Blackmagic Design recorder, 12-bit Raw video output can be recorded as Apple ProRes Raw or Blackmagic Raw in up to 8K at 29.97fps or 4K/60p. The differences are that the X-H2 can record 8K internally to the CFexpress card at 30p in 4:2:2 10-bit colour – although, like the X-H2S, the heat-dissipating design means there’s very little chance of overheating becoming an issue for around 160 minutes. The most high-resolution shooting on the X-H2S is 6.2K, limited to 30p. This creates very detailed footage, although the 4:3 aspect ratio isn’t ideal – so most will crop to 16:9 or 17:9 and lose some resolution.
“The X-H2 can record 8K/30p internally to a CFexpress card in 4:2:2 10-bit colour for around 160 minutes without overheating”
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