Fujifilm X-H2S: Fast new flagship

Fujifilm has announced a new flagship X series camera, X-H2S, a 26.16-megapixel APS-C CMOS 5 HS sensor camera, will be available from July with an RRP of $4449.

Accompanying this is also the launch of the Fujinon XF150-600mm f5.6-8 LM OIS WR super telephoto zoom lens, available from July with an RRP of $3549, and the Fujinon XF18-120mm f4 LM PZ WR wide-angle and telephoto lens, available from September with an RRP of $1599.

Download the XF150-600mm f5.6-8 press release, and the XF18-120mm f4 press release.

The X-H2S is all about high-speed performance, with continuous shooting of up to 40 fps with full autofocus.

The autofocus includes new subject-recognition AF tech that uses ‘deep learning’ to detect and track the human face and eye, as well as animals, birds, bikes, planes, trains, and automobiles.

In the video department, the X-H2S is capable of shooting 6.2K at 30P, and also supports filming high- speed 4K at 120p.

The five-axis in-body image stabilisation clocks up to 7.0 stops of thanks to the new X-Processor 5, which has double the processing speed of the previous model.

There is loads more details in the eight-page press release, which at times is repeated to really drill the various points home. So without further ado, here is the press release.

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FUJIFILM Australia Announces NEW Fujifilm X-H2S 

The new flagship camera offering the highest burst-mode/ AF and video performance in the history of the X Series portfolio, with a robust body and extensive interface options to cater to diverse professional needs. 

Australia, 1st June 2022 – FUJIFILM Australia is pleased to announce the launch of the mirrorless digital camera “Fujifilm X-H2S” (hereinafter X-H2S) in July 2022. The camera joins the lineup of X Series mirrorless digital cameras, which are renowned for their outstanding image quality for both stills and video, delivered with Fujifilm‘s proprietary colour reproduction technology. 

The X-H2S is the new flagship model boasting the highest performance of any X Series camera to date. This has been made possible by the new stacked-layer back-illuminated 26.16MP “X-Trans^TM CMOS 5 HS¹ sensor, capable of reading signals 4 times faster than the previous modeI², and the high-speed “X-Processor 5” boasting double the processing speed of the previous modeI³. 

“The new camera is all about high-speed performance. It also offers photographers and videographers many new functionalities to provide peace of mind when capturing any decisive moment,’’ said Shaun Mah, General Manager of the Electronic Imaging & Optical Devices Division of FUJIFILM Australia. “This camera could not have come at a better time, as it qualifies for the new 3 Year Warranty announced in May, so Fujifilm customers get even more value at an accessible price,” added Mah. 

The X-H2S features an evolved AF system to enable continuous high-speed shooting up to 40 frames per second, a newly-developed subject-recognition AF technology, and capability to record 6.2K/30P and 4K/120P video. Other features include the five-axis in-body image stabilisation that offers up to a 7.0- stop advantage⁴, highly-robust magnesium body, hardware that incorporates operability improved from the previous model, as well as extensive interface options including the new slot for a CFexpress^TM Type B card⁵ and an optional file transmitter (sold separately). The new camera caters to the diverse photographic needs of professional photographers and videographers in categories including sports photography, bird photography and other on-location work. 

About the new fifth generation sensor and processor 

In 2012, Fujifilm released the mirrorless digital camera “Fujifilm X-Pro1” featuring an image sensor and a processor developed in-house. Since then, the company has evolved the X Series, releasing four generations of these devices over the last decade to offer advanced image quality and portability. With the launch of X-H2S, the X Series heralds the arrival of the fifth generation sensor and processor, X-Trans^TM CMOS 5 HS and X-Processor 5. 

X-Trans CMOS 5 HS 

This 26.16MP image sensor inherits the previous model’s back-illumination style and also adopts the stacked-layer structure to become the first stacked APS-C sensor capable of quadrupling the read signal speed in comparison to the current model. It has dramatically improved performance, including up-to-40fps blackout-free burst mode⁶ and significantly better AF rate during continuous shooting. As for video performance, the sensor can record 4K/60P video without cropping and with substantially reduced rolling-shutter effect. 

X-Processor 5 

The all-new processor has double the processing speed of the previous model. It has improved image quality at low ISO and reduced noise at high sensitivity in stills, while delivering significantly improved AF accuracy and speed. The processor also enables subject-detection and AF tracking of a targeted subject with increased accuracy. In video, the processor enables filming 4:2:2 10bit video at 6.2K/30P and 4K/120P and supports a variety of codecs including Apple ProRes 422 HQ⁷. It also has lower power consumption,  extending  the maximum video recording  time and supports a CFexpress^TM Type B memory card. 

The X-H2S makes full use of the capability of the fifth generation sensor and processor to achieve a substantial performance improvement, including: 

1. Major boost to the burst mode capability: The camera can apply AF / AE tracking in blackout-free continuous shooting of up to 40 frames per second and can shoot over 1,000 frames continuously when setting the high speed burst shooting mode to 30 frames per second (JPEG) or 20 frames per second (RAW)⁸. 

2. Dramatically evolved AF performance: The increased number of AF calculations performed per second has improved AF accuracy, provides a subject-recognition AF function, and improves prediction algorithm to dramatically improve Zone AF and the capability to track a moving subject under low-contrast environment. 

3. Improved video performance: The camera supports recording 4:2:2 10bit video at 6.2K/30P and 4K/120P internally. The sensor’s readout speed during video recording has been improved to 1/180 seconds, suppressing the rolling shutter effect. It supports three Apple ProRes codecs: ProRes 422 HO, ProRes 422, and ProRes 422 LT. When recording ProRes, X-H2S also supports proxy recording such as ProRes 422 Proxy. Another new feature is F-Lop2 capability with dynamic range expanded up to 14+ stops, which enables much smoother tonal expression. 

Key product features 

Best capability to track a moving subject in the history of the X Series to capture decisive photo opportunities 

1. The camera is equipped with a back-illuminated stacked-layer 26.16MP “X-Trans^TM CMOS 5 HS” sensor, the fifth generation of X Series’ image sensors. It has signal readout speed about 4 times faster than the current model⁹ to achieve blackout-free continuous shooting of up to 40 frames per second. The camera controls phase-detection pixels independently from image display during the burst mode. This triples the number of calculations in phase detection information from the current model and enables high-speed focusing even during high-speed continuous shooting of 40 frames per second, thereby significantly improving AF accuracy in the burst mode. 

2. The use of the new sensor and the processor is coupled with an increased built-in memory buffer capacity to dramatically increase the number of frames that can be continuously recorded in the burst mode. When using the electronic shutter, the camera can shoot over 1,000 frames continuously¹⁰ at up to 30fps in JPEG and 20fps in RAW. 

3. The EVF uses a high-resolution 5.76-million-dot OLED panel with a magnification of 0.8x. The smooth viewfinder with the frame rate of approx. 120fps also offers improved visibility, thanks to strong suppression of distortion that can occur when an eye position becomes displaced while using the viewfinder, thereby enabling accurate tracking of subject movements. 

Substantially evolved AF performance with the use of new devices and enhanced algorithm 

1. The new devices and improved prediction algorithm for AF have led to a major boost in the camera’s capability to track a moving subject and autofocus accurately in Zone AF or in low-contrast conditions. This means a continuously moving subject can be accurately tracked, an ideal feature for sports and wildlife photography. 

2. The new image processor features a subject-detection AF function, developed with Deep Learning technology. It detects and automatically tracks not only the human face /eyes but also animals, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, airplanes and trains to maintain autofocus. Users can concentrate on photographic opportunities and framing, as the camera can keep a targeted subject in focus constantly. 

Evolved video performance to cater to diverse needs 

1. Use of the new sensor and processor has enabled saving high-definition video at 6.2K/30P 4:2:2 10bit internally, possible while retaining extensive colour information. The camera also supports filming high- speed 4K/120P video so that momentary actions of fast-moving subjects can be presented in smooth slow-motion with fine details. 

2. The sensor‘s readout speed during video recording has been reduced to as fast as 1/180 seconds. The rolling-shutter effect is well controlled to present a moving subject naturally. 

3. X-H2S supports three Apple ProRes codecs: ProRes 422 HQ, ProRes 422, and ProRes 422 LT. When recording ProRes, X-H2S also supports proxy recording such as ProRes 422 Proxy, streamlining the overall workflow from filming to post production. 

4. AF performance for video recording has been enhanced. The camera supports the AF+MF function in the video mode and offers the subject detection AF function also during video filming. 

5. Another new feature is F-Log2 capability with dynamic range expanded up to 14 stops. The greater dynamic range than the current F-log broadens post production potential. 

6. To cater to the needs of professional photographers, the camera has a new heat-dissipating structure to substantially increase the maximum video recording time and enable recording 240 minutes of 4K/60P video¹¹. Users may attach the optional cooling fan “FAN-001” to enable extended video recording even in high-temperature conditions. 

Hardware/design/operabiIity to assist users’ shooting experience 

1. The camera features an all new five-axis in-body image stabilisation mechanism, which offers up to 7.0-stop advantage thanks to the new processor and a new sensing control function. Users can comfortably choose to hand hold the camera to shoot active situations such as sports or in low light conditions. 

2. The new camera inherits the popular design features of the X-H1, such as a large prip that works well with large lenses, an LCD display on the top panel for users to check settings at any time, and a highly robust camera body that withstands heavy professional use. Furthermore, user feedback has been reflected to bring more improvement in operability: 

• The shutter release button’s operational feel has been adjusted to improve operability when it is half-pressed, helping users release the shutter exactly as intended. 
• The design of the larpe prip, one of X-H1’s popular features, has been improved to make it easier to hold when using a long or large aperture lens. 
• A standalone video recording button has been added for enhanced video operability. 
• A 1.62-million-dot vari-angle LCD monitor that allows for ease of use when not using the EVF or when vlogging. 

• Compared to previous models, the X-H2S offers improved operability with its buttons and dials, e.p. improved button materials and load adjustment to the AF ON button, so that users can handle the camera exactly as intended. 

3. Shutter durability has been further improved, withstanding 500,000 actuations in the company’s testing. 

4. The camera features dual memory card slots supporting CFexpress^TM Type B and SD UHS-II cards. Use the CFexpress^TM Type B card with high-speed data processing performance to draw out the full potential of X-H2S’s fast continuous shooting and video performance¹². 

Optional accessories 

1. Vertical battery grip “VG-XH” (for the X-H2S) 

• The vertical battery grip is dust and moisture resistant and operates at temperatures as low as -10 degrees Celsius. It fits two “NP-W235” high capacity batteries. 
• The grip features various buttons in convenient locations for vertical shooting to provide the same level of operability as horizontal shooting. 

2. File transmitter “FT-XH” (for the X-H2S / due to be released in Sep 2022) 

• This file transmitter features wired LAN connectivity and high-speed wireless communications capability, essential for in-studio tethered shooting or sports / media shooting. It can also be used as a vertical grip. It fits two “NP-W235” high-capacity batteries. 

• It can be combined with the X-H2S to support the following communication specifications: 
• FTP transfer by wired LAN / wireless LAN / USB smartphone tethering 
• Tethered shooting by wired LAN / wireless LAN. 
• Remote Rec function by wired LAN / wireless LAN; Capable of controlling up to 4 X-H2S cameras from a browser at the same time. 

3. Cooling fan “FAN-001” (for the X-H2S) 

• This is a cooling fan, specifically designed for the X-H2S to facilitate extended shooting and video recording in high temperatures. 
• The fan can be fitted to the rear of the camera body without a cable and, extending continuous video recording time at high temperatures, minimising concerns of heat related camera shutdown. 

4. Cover kit “CVR-XH” (for the X-H2S) 

This is a cover kit for protecting various terminals on the camera. Items contained in this kit: 

• 1 x Sync terminal cover 
• 1 x Hot shoe cover 
• 1 x File transmitter / vertical battery grip terminal cover 
• 1 x Cooling fan terminal cover 

• 1 x Memory card slot cover 

Product name, release date and price 

Product name	Release date	RRP (including GST)
Digital Camera “Fujifilm X-H2S”	July 2022	$4,449
CVR-XH Cover Kit for X-H2S	$35.00
FAN-001 Cooling Fan for X-H2S	$369.00
VG-XH Vertical Battery Grip for X-H2S	$749.00