GEAR
FUJIFILM X-H2
“There’s five-axis image stabilisation for up to seven stops of compensation”
resolution, frame rate, ISO, white- balance and gamma, battery level and recording time, among others. ISO and white-balance have their own dedicated buttons to the right of the screen. There’s a small Rec button next to the shutter release for starting video recording while shooting stills – or in video mode, you can use the usual shutter release to start and stop recording. The rear has a touchpad and small joystick to help navigate menus, as well as a ‘Q’ menu for fast access to all your most-used settings. Like the X-H2S, the user interface is simple – and movie mode shows all your main settings at a glance including what you are recording internally or externally via HDMI. Controls include peaking and zebra patterns, with front and rear tally lights and on-screen histogram for exposure. If you’re after an APS-C mirrorless camera that can shoot great-quality stills and video but you’re not a regular user of fast frame rates in stills or video, then the X-H2 is well worth looking at – especially for the price.
at the same level when tracking due to the lack of a stacked sensor. But for most situations, it’s very usable anyway. Both cameras offer subject detection AF based on deep- learning tech to track humans as well as animals, birds, cars, bikes, planes and trains. You can use the rear touchscreen for smooth focus pulls and set the AF speed. The AF/ MF feature uses autofocus until you move the focus ring, when it reverts to full manual focus. Push the rear AF ON button to re-engage AF. There’s five-axis IBIS providing up to seven stops of compensation on suitable lenses, and an IS boost setting to smooth the image out even more - though that crops the image slightly. Both cameras employ Fujifilm’s latest weather-sealed body style and UI, with a full-size HDMI and 3.5mm headphone jack plus tilting and swivelling LCD. To show off its credentials as a pro model rather than a retro-styled cam like some of the brand’s machines, the top dial allows you to set PASM modes for stills photography, video, quick access to filters and seven custom settings. The top-right LCD displays
DETAIL KING The 8K footage is perfect for fine details, and colours are typically Fujifilm - natural and very pleasing right out of camera
THE VERDICT
It wasn’t very long ago that Super 35-sized sensors in mirrorless machines appeared as if they were dead in the water, since all the manufacturers turned their focus on building full-frame options. But in recent times, there has been a big resurgence in what now seems to be the gold standard size for filmmaking sensors. Fujifilm is leading the way with its very impressive X-H2S and now the more affordable X-H2. And with such fast glass available, you can shoot wide open to get a very shallow depth-of-field. Both Fujifilm cameras offer seriously high-quality internal 10-bit 4:2:2 codecs at a huge range of frame rates, which are capable of producing very natural colours and low noise. The flagship X-H2S is built for shooting high-speed stills and video, with an edge at anything over 4K/60p. While the X-H2 offers even more resolution, it’s best kept at 30p for ultimate quality where it excels. If that sounds like how you shoot, it’s a brilliant buy. Although, with the flagship
model only coming in at £600/$500 more, that could have some influence on which model you go for.
More information
fujifilm-x.com
HOW IT RATES Features: 9 Just about everything apart from the fastest 4K frame rates Performance: 9 Sharp, detailed and natural footage Handling: 9 Light and rugged; good ergonomics Value for money: 9 A stunning buy if you don’t shoot action OVERALL RATING: 9/10 A top performer – as long as you know its limitations Pros: 4:2:2 10-bit 8K performance from a Super 35 camera Cons: No internal Raw, waveforms or false colour
DESIGN WINS Twin card slots (top) and seven custom settings are excellent features
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