by Fujifilm X-H2 debuts, this machine, like the X-H2S launched not long ago, uses Fujifilm’s new-generation 40-megapixel X-Trans CMOS 5 sensor. This camera features 40-megapixel images and can shoot 8K 30fps videos. The Hong Kong licensed price is $15,990. It is an economical choice for a high-pixel camera that can shoot 8K videos. However, I believe that many people buy Fujifilm cameras because of the color effect and the photo texture that is very similar to that of film. This review will also be based on photography, sharing the photo shooting experience since the test for a week, and at the same time sharing 8K. video quality.
The editor will share the trial comparison between the two machines in detail later, first of all, let’s take a look at the Fujifilm X-H2, the protagonist of this review. This machine can be said to be a high-pixel camera in the two new machines, suitable for taking photos, but at the same time, it has the 8K video recording function that the X-H2S does not have. The size of the camera inherits the tradition of the XH series, and the size is larger, which is suitable for users who want to have a firmer grip. In addition, the XH series has always been featured – ISO, WB button (press and hold the button, and then use the dial to switch between different settings), a small screen to display the camera’s optical settings, and a quick switch that can instantly switch a total of 7 custom setting combinations from C1-C7 The configuration of the turntable is very suitable for work use. It is not a nostalgic design like the X-T4 where ISO and shutter can be adjusted in the warship department.
Like the X-H2S, in addition to the direction keys, there is a Joystick with a large surface. Compared with the X-H1 or previous Fujifilm cameras, the flat design of this joystick fits the thumb better, and there is a joystick around it. Small circles stand out so that the thumb doesn’t slip away. The buttons are still a bit plastic, but the buttons are more prominent, and the button response is also good.
The 3.0-inch 1.62-megapixel LCD screen can be flipped out, which is suitable for selfies or video shooting, but many photo photographers prefer to use Tilt Mount (you can fry up and down without flipping out), it takes a while to adapt. Inheriting the tradition of Fujifilm, the color of the LCD screen placed in the camera can be displayed on the camera, and it can also reflect the effect of the film simulation, allowing you to admire its color performance while taking pictures, and then produce a new enthusiasm to take more photos. This seems to be a matter of course, but not necessarily every factory can do it.
▲The body is equipped with HDMI, microphone input, headphone output terminal, USB-C socket, which can be used for charging and connecting to a computer
▲Card slot 1 is CFExpressB, card slot 2 is SD card
Flickr album to see all test shots 100% zoom in/download to computer
＞＞＞＞Click to enter Flickr album＜＜＜＜
High Definition + Fuji Color
The Fujifilm X-H2 has been replaced with a new sensor, making it the most resolution X-series digital camera ever. During several trips over a few weeks, I used the Fujinon XF18mmF1.4 R LM WR with a large aperture and strong resolution to shoot travel landscapes and portraits.
The first is portrait photos. Basically, although this lens is a few wide, the shooting angle of the equivalent focal length of 27mm is like the common wide-angle lens of iPhone. However, the biggest difference from smartphones is that this lens has an aperture of F1.4 and is also blessed with an APS-C image sensor. The photos taken are extremely clear and layered, and they can also get a good shallow depth of field effect (shooting portraits). , the texture of the blurred background when the object is used). This is very difficult for a smartphone to do.
If you use an old Fujifilm digital camera, sometimes the pictures will not be clear enough. The 40.2-megapixel sensor of the current-generation X-H2 greatly improves the problem of insufficient resolution. With the lens tested this time, we can notice that the details of the side and corner positions are extremely satisfactory.
Most importantly, this is a Fujifilm camera. We are not deifying it, but in the past to have such detailed picture quality, you need to upgrade to a GFX series medium format camera with tens of thousands of yuan each. Now this X-H2 is only an APS-C format camera, but in the daytime The level of detail is impeccable. The point is that it’s not just high resolution, but high resolution with Fujifilm’s color philosophy. For users who love Fuji colors, this is definitely a major upgrade.
Specifically, the editor has always believed that when Fujifilm automatically detects white balance, the blue sky can be photographed with a more blue and comfortable color when shooting the sky, and green scenes such as trees can be photographed without feeling too artificial. toning. For a camera, the gradient color, that is, the transition from light to dark, and the color transition are equally important, and the effect brought by the Fujifilm X-H2 is also satisfactory.
Although there is no major update of film simulation in X-H2, under the resolution of 40.2 million, film simulation can be better used in portraits and landscapes. In particular, the transition between light and dark in black and white photos is more natural. In this test, many black and white photos Xiaobian think that it has a good effect. This time, the editor took pictures of nostalgic furniture in a coffee shop in Pengzhou, and also visited Haw Par Villa. The feel produced by film simulation is quite good.
For detailed film simulation effects, please refer to the flickr album.
＞＞＞＞Click to go to the flickr album＜＜＜＜
The focus is very refreshing, and the portrait continuous focus effect is good
When shooting portraits, everyone now relies on the camera’s eye detection function, which allows the subject to catch their eyes tightly when they move continuously, moving back and forth, and take clear photos. The editor also tested the X-H2S before testing the camera, and would think that the X-H2S would be slightly better in terms of continuous focus function, but if the subject did not move back and forth very quickly, it could basically capture the subject’s eyes. When the subject turns around, the camera captures the subject’s body for a certain amount of time, and then refocuses on its eyes when the face turns around again. For general purposes, such as shooting girlfriends or models, it’s not a problem for everyone to indulge.
Response to high-speed transition and subject distance
The time that the portrait focus captures the eyes is the same speed. I personally think that it is quite satisfactory for Fuji cameras. The shooting experience even directly forces many camera systems that are known for their fast focus. As for other focusing performance, such as night focusing, landscape focusing, etc., compared with the old Fuji cameras, it has been greatly improved. Of course, it depends on what lens you use. I have no complaints about the Fujinon XF18mmF1.4 R LM WR I tested this time.
Exposure compatibility and dynamic range have improved, but still at the same level as APS-C
Photo exposure compatibility and dynamic range are also concerned by many users. Everyone hopes that photos with wrong exposure can be remedied through post-production. We found that the acceptable range of overexposure in highlights is 2 levels of overexposure, and after 3 levels of overexposure, the photo can no longer be recovered by post-processing, which will cause large color aliasing. In terms of low-light underexposure, there is a greater latitude, and underexposure level 3 can still be pulled back by Lightroom.
In the case of sunlight, the light-dark transition and color transition are actually quite good
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At high contrast, not all black/light levels may be rescued
In the face of high contrast at night, it may be more loss-making. Especially if the scene you are shooting is hit by strong light, or is in strong light at all, and other places that are not illuminated, it is more difficult to retrieve data during post-production.
Use in general (backlight scenes use post-production)
The editor thinks that compared to the full frame, it may be a bit lost, but everyone believes that the Fuji camera will be used less to challenge the shooting limit, and it will basically not cause much problems in daily use.
It is recommended to use DR 200/400 post-production for better push
When shooting the above-mentioned scenes with large light difference and backlight, in addition to recommending to use RAW shooting and correcting it in post-production, I also recommend using the DR function in the X-H2 camera, which has been balanced by the camera for you during shooting. Check the brightness. We found that photos taken with DR200 and DR400 have more post-production space than AUTO, and the highlights can be pulled back more easily.
▲Backlight shooting and then pass through the post-dimming subject
Strong anti-shake, take into account high-pixel shooting
Next, everyone is concerned about the low-light noise and anti-shake system of this APS-C machine. The X-H2S I tried before using it will have a strong anti-shake effect. This time, I used the wider-angle Fujinon XF18mmF1.4 R LM WR to shoot. According to my personal feeling, the camera will start to have a hard time taking clear photos at 1/3 second, and the success rate is about 60%. At 2 seconds, the success rate drops to 40-50%, but it’s still noticeable if you keep trying. If you shoot at 1/10 of a second when it’s almost dark at dusk, you basically don’t have to worry about affecting the photo of Song Yuzhao.
Generally speaking, high-pixel cameras have more noise when shooting at high ISO sensitivity. Of course, this is to enlarge the photo to 100%. In practical application, the high-pixel camera does not need to make the photo too large, and the somatosensory noise seen on the screen will be less. Shots taken on the X-H2 on a 2K screen, sized to fit the screen, we found that noise started to appear at ISO 800, and was more intense at ISO 1250. At ISO 1600, it will start to affect the clarity of the image in the picture. At ISO 3200 photos are still usable, but at ISO 6400 photos have become barely usable. At ISO 8000 or above, although the camera can take pictures, the blurring will be more serious. At this time, taking pictures is more important than taking beautiful pictures. For general urban landscapes, most of us use ISO 1600-6400 to take photos, especially for many users of Fujifilm prime lenses. If the aperture is f/1.4 or f/2.0, it is not very difficult to open high ISO in actual use. big.
▲ISO 125
▲ISO 200
▲ISO 800
▲ISO 1600
▲ISO 3200
▲ISO 6400
▲ISO 12800
▲ISO 25600
▲ISO 51200
Pixel shift shooting 100 million pixels, it is difficult to use but the effect is OK
Like other high-pixel cameras, the Fujifilm X-H2 has a built-in Pixel Shift function, which takes 20 consecutive photos, and then uses a computer to post-process and combine a photo with more than 100 million pixels. This feature makes still photos sharper. You can compare the buildings across the sea from Kwun Tong. In the original 42-megapixel photo, there will be blurring, which is natural. However, after shooting with the pixel shift function and post-processing into a photo with a resolution of 15456 x 10304, you can see a clearer output image.
100 million pixel original image (click to enlarge/download)
40.2 million pixel original image (click to enlarge/download)
You can see that it is difficult to see the text on the building on the opposite sea from Kwun Tong if you use the preset 40.2 megapixel camera. And after using the pixel shift function, you can hide the text on the top floor of the building.
However, to shoot a high-definition, and perfect photo, you need a very fixed shooting environment, including your camera, the scene can not have any movement. For example, in a photo taken on the street in the picture, you will see that if there are passersby on the street, the photo will have a red shade. And in terms of look and feel, the 100 million pixel photo looks like an uncorrected photo (in fact, the computer output is also a DNG). Compared with the JPEG that the camera has infinitely corrected to enhance the sharpness, you will feel that it seems to be relatively small.囚, but the situation will improve after post-processing.
I have some suggestions after using it. Since the pixel shift function requires continuous shooting of 20 photos and then composites, the camera needs to be extremely stable during continuous shooting. The official has suggested that you must use a tripod to shoot. In my experience, a tripod alone may not be enough to stabilize the camera. Unless you use an expensive tripod, it is best to use an electronic shutter, or a smartphone app to control the shooting, to make the camera more stable (reduce the mechanical shutter shakes the camera). ). In addition, all moving objects are also not suitable for pixel shift shooting, such as people, moving cars, trees (the wind will move), boats (the waves will make them move), etc., while indoor art works, architecture, product photography, commercial photography It is suitable to use this function to enhance the clarity of photos.
Two new machines compared X-H2 vs X-H2S
The new Fujifilm X-H2 in this review is the biggest difference from the previous X-H2S, which is positioned as a camera with better photos in the local market, while the earlier X-H2S is a digital camera with better photos . The editor also reviewed the Fujifilm X-H2S earlier, and first quickly compared the main features of the two cameras.
| Fujifilm X-H2 (camera in this review) | Fujifilm X-H2S | |
| sensor pixel | 40.2 million pixels✅ | 26.1 million pixels |
| Maximum continuous shooting speed | 15fps mechanical shutter, 13fps electronic shutter without crop (up to 20fps with crop) | 15fps mechanical shutter, 40fps electronic shutter without crop ✅ |
| maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 second mechanical shutter, 1/180000 second electronic shutter✅ | 1/8000 mechanical shutter, 1/32000 second electronic shutter |
| Highest video resolution and 4K video smoothness | 8K 29.97p 720Mbps, 4K 59.94p 720Mbps✅ | 6.2K 29.97p 720Mbps, 4K 59.94p 720Mbps |
| Base Minimum Sensitivity | ISO 125✅ | ISO 160 |
| Focus and focus tracking performance (actual measurement by Xiaobian) | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★✅ |
| Anti-shake effect (actual measurement by Xiaobian) | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★✅ |
In terms of image resolution, the Fujifilm X-H2 will be even better. However, the X-H2S’s 26.1-megapixel sensor has its advantages, that is, when shooting 4K 60P, the heat level can be lower, which is conducive to long-term video recording; in addition, the response of its focusing system can also be faster, which is conducive to shooting videos. The focus continuously follows the subject; there is also the X-H2S’s continuous shooting capability of up to 40fps (electronic shutter), which is also an advantage of the 26.1-megapixel sensor.
As for the Fujifilm X-H2S, this machine has a higher pixel sensor, which can shoot 8K resolution movies, and has a minimum sensitivity of ISO 125 and a 1/180000-second electronic shutter. For friends who take photos, a large aperture lens can be used, and the aperture is fully open. Capture the photos you want with ease under the fierce sun. All in all, the different configurations of the two machines are suitable for the needs of photography and filming.
Summary: The strongest Fujifilm X series camera, pay attention to the body size
The previous generation of Fujifilm X-H1 flagship machine was launched in 2018. Since then, Fujifilm has been using the 4th generation X-Trans sensor to develop new camera products. Capture flagship-quality photos. The editor has asked a lot of Fujifilm X-H1 owners, and they have no regrets about their decision to buy the X-H1, except that it is easier to start a year after the machine was launched. On the other hand, the body size and handle need to have a certain size. size, you will feel comfortable and stable when you get started. In addition, the larger fuselage makes the photo and video shooting more stable physically, and the strength of the anti-shake system inside the machine is also difficult to replicate on a thin machine. This time, Fujifilm X-H2 is on the stage again. If you feel that the body of the X-H2 is comfortable to use, and think that this touch can accompany you on a long journey, it is also worth recommending.
If you look at the Fujifilm X-H2 camera itself, it is definitely a new machine that makes Fujifilm fans overjoyed. The photos taken with the new sensor are refreshing. The clarity of the photos is the same as that of many full-frame cameras. It is suitable for landscape shooting, recording photos and still life shooting. Of course, for some people shooting scenes, especially night scenes, the new camera The 40-megapixel resolution can improve the quality of photos, and combined with the Fuji colors that many people like, it has become an ideal ultimate punch, travel, and girlfriend camera.
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