Fujifilm’s X-H2S is a photographic weapon | Guard Tech

I’ve been a fan of Fujifilm for years, however the mediocre focus of my previous X-T3 digital camera began to push me in the direction of Sony due to its legendary autofocus.

Earlier than the X-H2S was launched, rumors had it that this digital camera would take Fuji autofocus to the subsequent stage. I used to be skeptical, however after I lastly acquired an opportunity to check out the brand new digital camera, I did not hesitate to seize it and Fuji did not disappoint.

My religion has been restored and I’m excited for this know-how to make its method down the road. It is a sport changer for the model, and the brand new X-Trans V sensor has set the tone for a way more aggressive period for the Japanese digital camera large.

Who’s the XH2S for?

Like a number of know-how, Fujifilm’s line of cameras does not have probably the most intuitive naming scheme. All you should know is that XH cameras are one of the best hybrid programs. The ‘S’ on the finish of the title denotes ‘Pace’ and means this digital camera is extra targeted on video.

It is nonetheless a hybrid digital camera, however the video cornerstone is necessary as Fujifilm cameras aren’t usually marketed on this area. The obvious video spine of the brand new flagship represents a elementary change for the corporate and the know-how it makes use of.

With seven stops of stabilization, excellent coloration science, and minimal rolling shutter, this digital camera is full of the fitting instruments to make nice video with minimal gear. On prime of that, it additionally has one of the best autofocus Fujifilm has ever developed and the flexibility to shoot in 6.2K, making it simple to crop for posting to varied media.

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I have been capturing with an X-T3 and X-S10 for years, and whereas these two cameras produce stunning pictures, I usually have to work for them. Once I use autofocus, I retake pictures two or 3 times earlier than it really works the best way I need it to. The X-H2S, by comparability, feels smarter, loses focus much less, and sticks to what I need extra persistently.

All of this packed into one unit means it is costly ($3,200), however after nearly two months with the digital camera, I would say this value is effectively price it. In case you’re an informal videographer, you may just like the common X-H2 or the newer X-T5. Each are succesful video machines, however with a extra photographic focus and a lower cost tag. Nevertheless, if you’d like a camcorder to develop for years to come back, the X-H2S is unbeatable.

my favourite issues about it

This digital camera is a beast, however for me, one of the best factor is the dependable autofocus. If the topic is sporting sun shades, shifting, or in a crowded space, the X-H2S will work. I can not wait to do this new system on a smaller physique just like the X-T5 or a possible X-S20. Autofocus wasn’t good, nevertheless it’s an enormous step ahead in reliability.

The most effective factor about this digital camera is the plethora of customized buttons and dials. There are seven customized modes on the PSAM dial. I solely managed to arrange 4 throughout my time with the digital camera, however with a little bit extra time, I may have simply arrange all seven. Shortly leaping between sluggish movement, normal digital camera, pictures, completely different coloration profiles, and preset capturing modes was a good way to extend my effectivity.

One of many advantages of Fujifilm cameras is that you would be able to arrange customized coloration profiles. Nevertheless, it’s cumbersome to allow and requires a number of work to activate and off. On my X-T3, I do not use it a lot. Nevertheless, since there are seven customized slots on the X-H2S, I can preload two or three of them as completely different film sims and swap them out for enjoyable. It is a small bonus, nevertheless it unlocks a little bit extra enjoyable with the digital camera.

Throughout the digital camera from the highest dial, an e-ink show exhibits capturing settings. When the digital camera is turned off, the remaining battery life and SD card area are displayed. Opening my bag and seeing the digital camera battery at a look seems like a small factor, nevertheless it’s extraordinarily handy.

Battery life on the X-H2S was wonderful, and I used to be in a position to get via a full day capturing on a golf course on a single battery. This put the X-T3 and X-S10 to disgrace. Later, I photographed a marriage and solely wanted to cost the digital camera twice.

Different enhancements embrace particular person doorways for the microphone, headphones, HDMI and full-size USB-C ports. Because of this it’s simple to acknowledge which cat is which. As somebody who plugged my microphone into the headphone jack on my present digital camera, I appreciated this. All ports are weather-sealed, so you may take this digital camera out within the rain and it’ll maintain up if in case you have the fitting lenses.

Past these features, probably the most vital change for me is how bodily it feels to make use of this digital camera. The added energy and measurement make it appear like you are carrying a gun. Simply level and shoot. The ability of the X-H2S will do the remaining. Provided that it is a bigger digital camera, it isn’t delicate, nevertheless it’s not unwieldy both. I liked selling it, nevertheless it’s a stark distinction to the X100V that I truly carried with me in every single place. This machine is greater and extra deliberate.

the place may i enhance

For starters, the joystick is simply too far to the left of the digital camera physique for my palms. It is fairly a attain to regulate settings on the fly. Because the new joystick design is so low profile, having it nearer to the place my thumb rests would naturally make it a lot much less cumbersome to make use of when filming.

As with all cameras, the menus may use a little bit extra streamlining and consistency. Options which are locked behind completely different modes and solely work in some circumstances could be irritating. It is utterly usable, I’ve constructed my profession on Fujifilm cameras, however there is a steep studying curve within the menus.

Past the outdated menu software program, some options may very well be modified to make it simpler to make use of. For instance, this digital camera has a much-needed flicker discount setting on video. That stated, if you happen to go from 24fps to 60fps, you should return to the menu, flip flicker discount off, change your shutter velocity, after which return to the menu and re-enable flicker discount. It is fairly annoying.

Apart from that, a quick charging system constructed into the digital camera could be superior. I am guessing most individuals who personal this digital camera will decide up a number of batteries anyway, however prime of the road having the ability to cost in 30-45 minutes could be a pleasant bonus.

There have been a couple of instances the place I missed my X-T3’s devoted ISO dial, however I used to be in a position to get used to the highest button rapidly sufficient. Ideally, Fuji will replace the digital camera to will let you set ISO on one of many customized dials sooner or later, which might make switching a lot much less of a problem.

A hybrid digital camera?

Whereas this digital camera’s focus leans a bit extra in the direction of the video aspect, the pictures it may well take are nonetheless stellar.

To my eyes, the brand new X-Trans V sensor seems richer than the earlier X-Trans IV I am used to, and I like it. Including extra colours to light or desaturated profiles like ‘Basic Chrome’ and ‘Nostalgic Destructive’ made these profiles pop. Others, like Astia, have been a bit harsher, however since there at the moment are 13 completely different profiles to select from, there’s in all probability one thing for everybody.

My private favorites have been the brand new Nostalgic Destructive and Basic Destructive. Nostalgic Destructive specifically supplied an important impact with barely overexposed photographs, and I liked how Basic Neg made the blue within the sky pop. Nostalgic Neg is just accessible on newer cameras, together with the X-H2 and X-T5 from 2022 and a few of Fujifilm’s bigger medium format GFX cameras. Hopefully, they will come to the opposite new gadgets in 2023 and past.

I additionally don’t have any complaints concerning the digital camera’s 26-megapixel JPEG or RAW recordsdata. JPEGs are enjoyable to make use of as they usually have incredible colours and are nonetheless editable sufficient for most elementary conditions. If you wish to get much more coloration out of them, you may seize 10-bit HEIF recordsdata like some newer telephones. Simply remember that these photographs will not be as appropriate with all applications in a while. RAW recordsdata, then again, provide ample information for enhancing in submit and for work.

That stated, the ultra-fast readout, good autofocus, and in-body stabilization made the X-H2S an important avenue images software. The big measurement and flip display did not assist a lot, however this digital camera is a sniper and you can also make it just about silent if you’d like.

One other little perk I preferred was the brand new ‘Pen Contact’ shutter launch button. Coming from the dumb shutter button on the X-T3 the place you should purchase a secondary attachment to screw it on, the simplicity of the X-H2S was a breath of contemporary air. It additionally feels nice to press, and this digital camera’s digital shutter sound is Fuji’s greatest try but. It is rather responsive and nonetheless looks like click on.

~ You possibly can view all pattern photographs of their full resolutions and RAW recordsdata right here. ~