Photography News Issue 54

Camera test 32

Photography News | Issue 54 | photographynews.co.uk

FujifilmX-H1 Fujifilm’s X Series goes from strength to strength – its latest launch has enhanced video features, an all-new body integral image stabilisation system and the body itself has had a significant overhaul

Specs

Price £1699 body only, £1949 body with Vertical Booster Grip kit Sensor 24.3-megapixel X-Trans CMOS III Sensor format APS-C, 23.5x15.6mm, 6000x4000pixels ISO range 200-12,800 (expandable 100- 51,200) Shutter range 30secs–1/8000sec, plus B up to 60mins withmechanical shutter, 30secs–1/32,000sec, plus B up to 60mins with electronic shutter, flash sync 1/250sec Drivemodes Max frame rate 8fps (mechanical), 11fps (mechanical with VPB-XH1), 14fps (electronic) Metering system 256multi-zone, average, spot, centre-weighted Exposuremodes PASM Exposure compensation +/-5 stops in ¹/3 stop increments Monitor 3in 1.04million dot three-way tilting touchscreen Viewfinder 0.5in 3.69million dots OLED, shows 100% Focusing Single, continuous, manual Focus points 91 in 13x7 grid – zone AF in 3x3, 5x5 or 7x7 grids; 325 in 25x13 grid available Video DCI 4K at 24P, 4K at 30P, Full HD at 60P, HD at 60P, slowmotion up to 120P available Connectivity Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB 3.0 Other key features Five axis in body image stabilisation (IBIS) system Storagemedia 2x SD cards Dimensions 139.8x97.3x85.8mm Weight 673g (including battery and card) Contact Fujifilm.eu

Words and images byRoger Payne

When the Fujifilm X-H1 was announced earlier this year, its potent mix of still and video features meant many thought that the H stood for hybrid. In fact, theHstands for High as in High Performance and the X-H1 is the first model in a top-of-the-range line, sitting above the X-T2 and X-Pro2. If you’re familiar with existing models, the X-H1 is more X-T2 than X-Pro2, with a central electronic viewfinder and three-way flip-out rear screen, plus top-plate dials (to change shutter speed and ISO) that appear to have been plucked straight from its stable-mate. That’s not the case, though, and said dials are a little taller and the central locking buttons marginally more rounded. But let’s not dwell on similarities right now; instead let’s celebrate the differences, which go way beyond the redesigned control dials. While there are many changes on the X-H1, the headline new feature has to be the inclusion of in-body image stabilisation (IBIS), a first for Fujifilm. Such a system benefits both stills and video users, but it is undoubtedly more significant for video as it offers stabilisation in five axes. Optical image stabilisation (OIS), which is already present in a number of Fujifilm optics, offers stabilisation on just two axes, so this should give you even more confidence when shooting handheld. If you’re using a lens on the X-H1 that already has OIS, which stabilises which axis is split between the two systems.

towards a subject, turning 180° and then moving the camera from head height to ground level using both the X-T2 and X-H1 with the XF50mm. The difference between the two pieces of footage was marked, with the X-H1 movie significantly smoother. But it’s worth noting that while the IBIS system is undeniably good, it’s not akin to having the camera mounted on a gimbal. The video-related enhancements don’t stop at IBIS, which is borne out by the fact that the X-H1’s movie setting optionsmenu extends to four screens and 28 different functions; on the X-T2 it’s one screen with just six functions. I’m not going to cover them all here, but highlights include the ability to record F-Log straight to SD card (on the X-T2 this could only be done to an external device), frame rates up to 120p in Full HD, 30p at standard 4K and 24p at DCI 4K, plus bit rates from 50 to 200Mbps, although this full range is only with 4K capture. Time coding is also available. All this adds up to a much more serious video-making tool. It’s widely accepted that one of the aces up Fujifilm’s sleeve is the imaging sensor and the unique

So, in the case of the XF50-140mm, for example, the lens stabilises two axes – pitch and yaw – while IBIS looks after the remaining three – X shift, Y shift and roll. Up to 5.5 stops of shake compensation are available, but this does depend on the lens you’ve got on the camera. In many cases, however, it’s safe to assume that you’ll have up to a 5EV benefit. The stabilisation capabilities of the camera are further enhanced by a dedicated dual processor, the sole purpose of which is to stop shake from blighting your work, a series of springs positioned around the sensor to act as shock absorbers. The mechanical shutter (the quietest I’ve come across) and the shutter release itself has been redesigned and is now featherlight to the touch – but more on this later. In the field, I was very impressed with the IBIS system for stills and video. With an XF50mm f/2 lens on the camera, I was able to shoot stills down to 1/3sec without any shake, while attaching the XF100-400mm saw me successfully shooting at 1/15sec at the 400mm end. To see the benefit with video, I shot a short sequence walking

The video-related enhancements don’t stop at IBIS: the X-H1’s movie setting options menu extends to four screens and 28 different functions

Left The X-H1’s grip is bigger than the X-T2’s to suit those

photographers used to DSLRs and it has been redesigned, too. Gone is the exposure compensation dial, replaced by a button and there’s an LCD info panel, similar to that seen on the medium-format GFX.