Camera Reviews / Fujifilm Cameras / Fuji X i Now Shooting!

24.30 Megapixels	Fujifilm X	APS-C size sensor

Fuji X-H1 Review -- Now Shooting!

by Jeremy Gray, Zig Weidelich, William Brawley, and Jaron Schneider
Preview posted: 02/15/2018
Updated: 07/25/2018

Updates:
02/22/2018: Hands-On Preview posted
03/01/2018: First Shots posted
04/04/2018: Field Test Part I posted
04/10/2018: Field Test Part II posted
05/02/2018: Field Test Part III posted
05/15/2018: Image Quality Comparison and Print Quality posted
07/25/2018: Video Features & Analysis posted

Click here for our X-H1 Product Overview.

 

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Fuji X-H1 Review -- Overview

by Jeremy Gray
Preview posted: 02/15/2018

There's a new leader in Fuji X series performance. Fujifilm's announced the brand-new X-H series of cameras with the X-H1, and it combines high performance, in-body image stabilization, improved video capabilities and more in the most durable X-series camera body yet.

The X-H1 includes a number of firsts for Fujifilm X series cameras, including being the first with in-body image stabilization and DCI 4K video recording. There are many smaller changes and even more familiar aspects, so let's take a closer look at the X-H1.

Fuji X-H1 Key Features

• Redesigned camera body with more durability and improved ergonomics
• 24.3-megapixel X-Trans CMOS III image sensor
• X-Processor Pro image processor
• In-body image stabilization
• New high-resolution OLED EVF
• 3-inch tilting touchscreen display
• Top "sub display"
• Up to 14 fps continuous shooting
• DCI 4K recording at 24 fps
• 4K UHD video at 30 fps
• High-speed video recording
• Internal F-log recording
• New ETERNA Film Simulation
• Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Camera Body and Design

The Fuji X-H1 follows the same general design language as other high-end X Series cameras, but it also borrows elements from the medium format GFX and definitely looks a bit different from the X-T2, for example, when you look closer. We'll look at some of the design changes in the next section, but if you're a fan of Fujifilm ergonomics, don't worry, it's still very much a Fuji camera.

Design Changes

If you've ever wondered if companies listen to feedback on things such as ergonomics, Fujifilm certainly has been. The X-H1 incorporates many improvements based on feedback from professional photographers, including a larger grip design, a redesigned leaf-spring switch for the shutter release, a quieter shutter mechanism, a new focus level, a new AF-On button -- which should prove very useful for photographers preferring back-button autofocus -- and larger buttons on the rear of the camera.

Looking at the rear of the camera, we find a relatively sparse, no-nonsense assortment of buttons. There are playback and delete buttons to the left of the viewfinder and AE-L and AF-ON buttons to the right. There's a rear command dial, a small Q button to the right of the thumb grip, AF joystick, directional buttons and DISP/BACK button to the right of the 3-inch tilting touchscreen display. Gone is the AF-L button of the X-T2, although presumably the AF-ON button can be set to serve the same functionality, and the command dial is now all the way to the right of the rear buttons.

We see the biggest differences when we look at the top deck of the X-H1. First, there's now a top-deck status display, discussed below, and the exposure compensation dial is now gone, replaced with a dedicated button. The new grip is particularly obvious from above, as it is much larger than that found on the X-T2. The new shutter release is immediately evident as well. We are looking forward to getting our hands on the Fujifilm X-H1 later today, so stay tuned for more impressions of how the camera feels.

Displays: New EVF and new top display

The Fuji X-H1 has an all-new OLED electronic viewfinder, which has a higher resolution than previous Fujifilm X Series EVFs. In fact, the new viewfinder has a very high dot count of 3.69 million. This is right up there with the Sony A9 in terms of dot count and even matches Fujifilm's medium format camera, the GFX 50S.

Despite being higher resolution (3.69M versus 2.36M dots), the X-H1's EVF does however have a bit lower magnification than the X-T2 (0.75x versus 0.77x in 35mm equivalent terms). With that said, the X-H1's electronic viewfinder remains impressive on paper. The claimed display time lag is a mere 0.005 seconds, and the viewfinder panel has a frame rate of 100fps. Further, the EVF offers a 100% field of view.

The X-H1 includes a tilting touchscreen display. Like the X-T2, the LCD can tilt in three directions and has 1.04-million dots. This is the same rear display as the X-T2, but what makes the X-H1 different is its new, secondary top-deck display, which Fujifilm dubs the "sub-LCD." The 1.28-inch e-ink display is much like the one found on the GFX. It has light lettering on a dark background by default but can but this is reversed when the display is illuminated via its dedicated light-up button, presenting dark text on a light background.

More rugged

While the somewhat larger and heavier X-H1 may look generally similar to the X-T2, there are numerous changes to the body's construction. In addition to its dust & water resistance, and ability to operate in temperatures as low as 14° F (-10° C), the X-H1 has 25% thicker magnesium alloy than the X-T2. To help keep the X-H1 looking good even after extensive use, the body is coated with a new scratch-resistant material.

In-Body Image Stabilization

As mentioned, the X-H1 is the first X Series camera to include in-body image stabilization. The system works via three axial accelerometers and three gyro sensors, and includes a specially-developed dual processor that performs around 10,000 calculations per second. Fujifilm claims the 5-axis image stabilization system will deliver up to 5.5 stops of image stabilization when paired with certain XF and XC lenses, although the image stabilization system in general is compatible with all Fujinon XF and XC optics.

To help further combat blurry images, the X-H1 includes a new spring mechanism to reduce tiny vibrations created by the movement of the mechanical shutter. If you want to virtually eliminate all vibrations caused by normal operation of the camera, you can utilize the new electronic front curtain shutter option or the camera's fully electronic shutter.

Sensor and Image Quality

The imaging pipeline is familiar. Like the X-T2 and X-Pro2, the X-H1 features a 24.3-megapixel X-Trans CMOS III APS-C sensor and Fujifilm's X-Processor Pro image processor. The native ISO range is 200 to 12,800, which can be extended as low as ISO 100 and as high as ISO 51,200.

Fujifilm cameras are well-known for their Film Simulations and the X-H1 is no different in that respect, as it offers the standard suite of Film Simulations including the recently-added ACROS. However, it has a new trick up its sleeve, the new ETERNA film simulation mode. This mode is said to be ideal for movies but can be used for stills as well. The mode simulates cinematic film by producing subdued colors and rich shadow tones, which Fujifilm says allows for more flexibility during post-processing.

To help ensure better images in a variety of shooting conditions, the X-H1 is the first Fujifilm camera with flicker reduction. This allows you to capture stable exposures during burst shooting under fluorescent and mercury lights.

Performance and Autofocus

Speaking of performance, the X-H1 is quite quick. It can shoot at up to 14 frames per second with its electronic shutter and 8 frames per second when using the mechanical shutter, which are the same burst speed specs as the X-T2. The electronic shutter can shoot at up to 1/32,000s, while the mechanical shutter tops out at 1/8,000s. We will need to test the camera in our lab, of course, but Fujifilm states that you can expect a buffer depth of around 40 JPEG frames, 27 lossless compressed RAW images and 23 uncompressed RAW images when using the electronic shutter at maximum speed, and 80, 31 and 26 frames respectively when using the mechanical shutter for the same file qualities. These figures are however one to three frames lower than Fujifilm's X-T2 buffer specs, which are 42 JPEG, 28 lossless compressed RAW and 25 uncompressed RAW frames at 14 fps, and 83 JPEG, 33 lossless compressed RAW and 27 uncompressed RAW frames at 8 fps.

While the hybrid phase/contrast detect AF system is the same at its core as the X-T2's, with 325 total AF points and 91 Zone Focusing areas, Fujifilm has tinkered with the system's sensitivity and performance. The low-light limit for phase detection autofocus has been improved by about 1.5 stops, from +0.5 EV down to -1.0 EV. Further, the minimum usable aperture for lenses has gone from f/8 to f/11, meaning that you can use the Fujifilm 100-400mm lens with a 2x teleconverter and still have full autofocus on the X-H1. Fujifilm claims that major improvements have been made to the autofocus algorithms, particularly with respect to continually focusing while zooming the lens.

If you add the optional Vertical Power Booster Grip (VPB-XH1), which will be available in a kit with the X-H1, it can not only increase battery life to 900 shots (and 4K video recording to 30 minutes), but also boosts continuous shooting to 11 frames per second with the mechanical shutter. (Claimed buffer depths at 11 fps are 70 JPEG, 28 lossless compressed RAW and 24 uncompressed RAW frames.) What about battery life without the grip? Well, it's not that good. The X-H1 uses Fujifilm's existing NP-W126S lithium-ion battery pack, and the camera's battery life is only rated for about 310 frames on a charge.

The VPB-XHI Vertical Power Booster Grip, in addition to increasing battery life considerably, has a few tricks up its sleeve. The grip is weather-resistant, like the body, and provides space for two additional NP-W126S batteries. It includes an array of buttons: shutter release, focus lever, AE-L, AF-ON, command dial, Q button and Fn buttons. It also includes a headphone socket so that sound can be monitored while recording video. Further, the grip includes a socket for direct recharging.

There is also a new Wide Eyecup EC-XH W accessory. This eyecup covers a broader area around the eyepiece which blocks out additional light, and the eyecup can be rotated in 90-degree increments, allowing it to be used with either eye, and for shooting vertically or horizontally.

Video: DCI 4K has come to the Fujifilm X Series

The X-H1 is the first Fujifilm camera to offer DCI 4K (4096 x 2160) video recording, and it includes internal F-log recording, making it the most pro-oriented video camera of any X Series camera to date. Further, it offers dynamic range recording settings up to 400%, which Fujifilm states offers approximately 12 stops of dynamic range. For the highest quality video, you can record video at a maximum bit rate of 200 Mbps. Further, audio has not been ignored, the X-H1 includes a new high-quality internal microphone (24 bit/48 kHz).

Looking more at the video recording options, the camera offers DCI 4K and 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) recording at up to 24 and 30 frames per second, respectively, with clip durations limited to about 15 minutes. If you want a higher frame rate, you need to reduce your recording quality to 1920 x 1080 (Full HD), which allows for 60 fps recording via normal modes and 120 fps via the special high-speed recording mode, with clip limits of about 20 and 6 minutes respectively. The high-speed mode allows for slow-motion videos with 1/2, 1/4 and 1/5 speed playback. There's also a 2K (2048 x 1080) mode at up to 60 fps with a 20 minute limit, as well as HD (1280 x 720) at up to 60 fps with a 30 minute limit. Video file format is MOV (MPEG-4 AVC / H.264) with LPCM stereo audio.

Ports and Connectivity

There are numerous ports on the X-H1, including a hot shoe on the top of the camera, a PC sync socket on the front, a USB 3.0 Micro-B port, a Micro (Type-D) HDMI port, a 2.5mm remote release jack, and a 3.5mm external mic jack.

The X-H1 also has dual SD card slots, both offering UHS-II compatibility.

For wireless connectivity, the X-H1 offers built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The Bluetooth is Ver 4.0 (Bluetooth Low Energy).

Fuji X-H1 Price and Availability

The Fujifilm X-H1 will be available starting March 1. The camera will sell body-only for US$1,899.95 and CAD $2,449.99. Accessories included are: NP-W126S battery pack, BC-W126 battery charger, EF-X8s hoe-mount flash unit, shoulder strap, body cap, strap clip, protective cover, clip attaching tool, hot shoe cover, grip connector cover, sync terminal cover, cable protector, and an Owner's manual. The X-H1 will also be available in a kit with the Vertical Power Booster Grip, which will sell for $2,199.95 and $2,799.99 in the US and Canada, respectively.

 

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