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Fujifilm hits 40 The groundbreaking X-H2 has 40 megapixels, can shoot at 20fps and delivers a top shutter speed of 1/180,000sec
THE X-H2 IS the second camera in Fujifilm’s line-up to feature its fifth- generation X-Trans CMOS sensor. The first, the X-H2S, is one of our big tests in this issue. A major difference between the two sensors is that the X-H2S has 26 megapixels, stacked for the fastest performance, whereas the X-H2 is back-side illuminated. So not as quick, but boasting 40 megapixels. As Fujifilm says, if you want speed, go X-H2S; if you need detail, go X-H2. It comes as no surprise that the two cameras share many features, including the X-Processor 5, 5.76m dot EVF, seven custom settings and CFexpress B and SD UHS-II dual card slots. Plus, they look identical and have the same layout. The X-H2's name is on the back of the camera. The X-H2 takes the optional battery grip and file transmitter grip announced for the X-H2S,
GO FOR DETAIL 40 megapixels from an APS-C sensor is a world first
while both cameras accept the NP-W235 battery. Aside from resolution, X-H2 has 3.33m phase detection AF points. Although, AF performance is not at the same level as X-H2S. It can shoot at 20fps (cropped) blackout-free with the electronic shutter and 15fps with the mechanical one; and the shutter mechanism is claimed to be robust enough for 500,000 actuations.
The native ISO range starts at ISO 125 and tops out at 12,800, with expansion to 51,200. If fast shutter speeds appeal, top electronic shutter speed is 1/180,000sec. X-H2 is also the first Fujifilm X Series camera to have a Pixel Shift Multi-Shot mode, that results in 160-megapixel images. Its X-Trans sensor has a 6x6 photo cell array, rather than the 2x2 of Bayer sensors, which complicates matters when it comes to multi-shot modes. In the X-H2, 20 shots are taken – five with a single pixel shift each time, to capture all the required RGB data. This is repeated four times, with a 0.5 pixel shift each time. Files are not merged in-camera and you’ll need Fujifilm’s Pixel Shift Combiner software, which was not updated at the time of writing, so we couldn’t test it. With the right subject (totally static) and technique (a solid tripod), this feature will prove appealing to archivists, museums and commercial photographers. X-H2 is well-endowed with video features. There’s internal ProRes formats, and ProRes Blackmagic Raw via HDMI and 8K/30p, 6.2K/30p and 4K/60p. An X-H2 body is priced at £1899, with sales starting at the end of
September. For the resolution, build and feature set, that’s a very competitive price. Fujifilm also took the opportunity to unveil two lenses, one each in the X Series and GFX System. The XF56mm f/1.2 R WR short telephoto lens features 13 elements, including two aspherical and one ED in eight groups, to reduce chromatic aberration – plus 67mm filter thread. This lens is £999 and sales start at the end of September. For medium format GFX, we also have GF20-35mm f/4 R WR. This ultra-wide optic is designed to complement 100-megapixel cameras. It has an internal zoom, AF is fast and silent and there’s an 82mm filter thread. Sales also start in late September, costing £2349. fujifilm-x.com
TRUE COLOURS This colourful, vibrant market scene was captured on the X-H2 fitted with the new XF56mm f/1.2 R WR. Exposure of 1/70sec at f/4 and ISO 400
NEAT LAYOUT A D-pad and eight-way focus lever make for great handling
6 Photography News | Issue 101
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