Photography

Fujifilm launches 40-fps stills, 6.2K video X Series mirrorless camera

Fujifilm launches 40-fps stills, 6.2K video X Series mirrorless camera
Highlights include 6.2K video recording at 30 fps or 4K at 120 fps, 40-fps continuous image shooting, in-body image stabilization and expanded subject detection capabilities
Highlights include 6.2K video recording at 30 fps or 4K at 120 fps, 40-fps continuous image shooting, in-body image stabilization and expanded subject detection capabilities
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Highlights include 6.2K video recording at 30 fps or 4K at 120 fps, 40-fps continuous image shooting, in-body image stabilization and expanded subject detection capabilities
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Highlights include 6.2K video recording at 30 fps or 4K at 120 fps, 40-fps continuous image shooting, in-body image stabilization and expanded subject detection capabilities
The X-H2S features a new 26.16-megapixel stacked CMOS images sensor
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The X-H2S features a new 26.16-megapixel stacked CMOS images sensor
The camera's magnesium-alloy body is weather sealed at 79 points
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The camera's magnesium-alloy body is weather sealed at 79 points
A new heat-dissipating design allows the X-H2S to record 4K/60p footage for up to 240 minutes
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A new heat-dissipating design allows the X-H2S to record 4K/60p footage for up to 240 minutes
Movie-makers can record video at up to 6.2K/30p, or up to 240 frames per second at Full HD resolution
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Movie-makers can record video at up to 6.2K/30p, or up to 240 frames per second at Full HD resolution
The X-H2S features a 5.76-million-dot electronic viewfinder and 3-inch vari-angle touch monitor
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The X-H2S features a 5.76-million-dot electronic viewfinder and 3-inch vari-angle touch monitor
Battery life for still images is around 720 frames in economy mode, and users will be able to record around 90 minutes of 6.2K video per charge
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Battery life for still images is around 720 frames in economy mode, and users will be able to record around 90 minutes of 6.2K video per charge
The X-H2S camera is compatible with X-mount lenses, including the new Fujinon XF 120-600mm F5.6-8 R LM OIS WR super-telephoto zoom
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The X-H2S camera is compatible with X-mount lenses, including the new Fujinon XF 120-600mm F5.6-8 R LM OIS WR super-telephoto zoom
The X-H2S comes with a new 5-axis in-body stabilization mechanism for up to 7 stops of shake compensation
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The X-H2S comes with a new 5-axis in-body stabilization mechanism for up to 7 stops of shake compensation
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It's been a few years since Fujifilm took the refresh brush to its X Series flagship, but that's now changed with the launch of the X-H2S APS-C mirrorless camera – which boasts a brand new image sensor, improved autofocus, 40 fps continuous shooting and 6.2K video chops.

The new X Series flagship has been built around a newly developed back-illuminated, stacked 26.16-MP X-Trans CMOS 5 HS imaging sensor that's reported to boast a 4x faster signal read speed than its predecessor.

This combines with the X-Processor 5 imaging engine to offer improved low-light performance up to extended sensitivity of ISO51,200 for still images and ISO25,600 for videos and up to 15 frames per second of continuous shooting using the mechanical shutter.

Switch that over to the electronic shutter and the camera is capable of up to 40 fps of blackout-free continuous shooting with AF/AE tracking for bursts of 184 JPEGs or 175 RAW, though the buffer can accommodate more than 1,000 frames at 30 fps for JPEG images or 20 fps for RAW.

The X-H2S features a new 26.16-megapixel stacked CMOS images sensor
The X-H2S features a new 26.16-megapixel stacked CMOS images sensor

The camera employs an AI processor to expand the subject-detection hybrid autofocus prowess to not only keep a human face and eyes in continuous focus, but also animals, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, airplanes and trains.

And the X-H2S comes with a brand new 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization mechanism for up to seven stops of shake compensation.

Movie-makers can now get things rolling with a dedicated video recording button, and the camera is capable of capturing 10-bit 4:2:2 video at up to 6.2K/30p. For slow-motion scenes, up to 4K DCI (4,096 x 2,160) or UHD (3,840 x 2,160) at 120 fps and Full HD at 240 fps are also possible.

Footage can be captured in Apple ProRes HQ, 422 and LT, 10-bit 4:2:2 H.265 or 8-bit H.264 for workflow flexibility, this model is the first X Series camera to sport F-Log2 for over 14 stops of dynamic range, and stereo sound at 24-bit/48-kHz resolution can be captured.

A heat-dissipation design allows for up to 240 minutes of recording at 4K/60p resolution, with an optional cooling fan also available for shoots in high temperature locations.

A new heat-dissipating design allows the X-H2S to record 4K/60p footage for up to 240 minutes
A new heat-dissipating design allows the X-H2S to record 4K/60p footage for up to 240 minutes

The X-H2S is wrapped in a durable magnesium-alloy body with 79 weather-sealed points and able to operate in temperatures as low as -10 °C (14 °F). It comes packing a 0.5-inch 5.76-million-dot electronic viewfinder with 0.8x magnification and 120 fps, there's a 3-inch 1.62-million-dot vari-angle LCD touch display panel around back, and a quick-look monochrome sub-LCD panel up top to check key settings.

Rounding out the key specs are Bluetooth 4.2 and 802.11ac Wi-Fi, USB-C and HDMI interfaces (with support for 4K/120p output via the latter), it takes one CFexpress Type B card and one SD card, and Fujifilm says that it's improved the feel and operability of the shutter release button, and the shutter itself is designed to withstand 500,000 presses.

The X-H2S flagship will go on sale in early July for a suggested retail body only price of US$2.499.95.

Product page: X-H2S

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2 comments
2 comments
guzmanchinky
All these "real" cameras are amazing, but since 99.99% of images are now viewed on a smartphone, a new iPhone and some skills are just as good 99.99% of the time...
David V
40 fps. That's impressive. It's twice the 20 fps I have on my Canon R5. However :
1 - the quantity to flip through to choose the one or two good images is time consuming. I mean really time consuming as I am learning. Keep your finger on that trigger more than you need to and suddenly you have taken hundreds of shots without realizing it. But that's OK if you get the shot.
2 - you will need huge memory cards. And the CF Express cards don't come cheap. I started with 64 Gb and quickly moved up to 128 Gb. That's another $150.
3 - battery life. Like my R5, this Fuji probably has a small battery and I find that the charge really drops pretty quick using the screen a lot. So I hope they also make an extra grip with a second battery space. I wounder if the tactile screen is responsible for the quick charge drop.
Having said that, the specs are good and the price is right.