Fujifilm announces flagship X-H2S alongside two new lenses

Fujifilm South Africa has announced the launch of the mirrorless Fujifilm X-H2S, arriving locally in early July 2022.

The company said the X-H2S is the new flagship model, boasting the highest performance in both stills and videos in the history of the X Series, following in the footsteps of 2018’s highly successful X-H1.

It said the new stacked-layer back-illuminated 26.16MP X-Trans CMOS 5 HS sensor is capable of reading signals 4x faster than the previous sensor, and the high-speed X-Processor 5 boasts double the processing speed of the previous version.

“Fujifilm’s new processor does not only significantly improve AF accuracy and speed, but also enables filming 4:2:2 10bit video at 6.2K/30P and 4K/120P, a first for the Fujifilm range.

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, even in low-light conditions.

With triple the number of calculations in phase detection information compared to the X-T4, the camera has the ability to focus at incredibly high-speeds between individual frames. This allows for accurate focussing even during high-speed continuous shooting.

The X-H2S is capable of blackout-free bursts of up to 40 frames-per-second. Furthermore, when setting the high-speed burst shooting mode to 30 frames per second (JPEG) or 20 frames per second (RAW), the camera can shoot over 1000 frames continuously using the electronic shutter.

The use of the X-H2S’s new sensor and processor has enabled saving 4:2:2 10bit video at 6.2K/30P internally, recording high-definition video while retaining extensive colour information.

The camera also supports filming high-speed 4K/120P video so a fast-moving subject can be presented in smooth slow-motion with fine details.

The X-H2S has a new heat-dissipating structure to substantially increase the maximum video-recording time to enable recording 240 minutes of 4K/60P video.

Another new feature is its F-Log2 capability with dynamic range expanded up to 14+ stops. This greater dynamic range broadens post-production potential.

The Fujifilm X-H2S features dual memory card slots supporting CFexpress Type B and SD cards.

The use of the CFexpressType B card allows for high-speed data processing in order to draw out the full potential of X-H2S’s fast continuous shooting and video performance.

Other features include the five-axis in-body image stabilisation that offers up to a 7.0-stop advantage. All this comes in a highly-robust magnesium body that incorporates operability improved from the previous model.

The electronic viewfinder (EVF) on offer uses a high-resolution 5.76-million-dot panel (improved from 3.69-million-dot on the X-H1), with a magnification of 0.8x. It’s also smooth thanks to a frame rate of approx.

120fps and offers increased visibility due to strong suppression of parallax and distortion that occur when an eye position becomes displaced while using the viewfinder, thereby enabling accurate tracking of subject movements.

Fujifilm will be releasing three optional accessories with the camera. This includes the vertical grip; a file transmitter featuring wired LAN connectivity and high-speed wireless communications capability which is essential for in-studio tethered shooting or sports / media shooting; and the cooling fan.

Fujifilm has also announced two major new lenses.

First is the Fujinon Lens XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR, which covers focal lengths ranging from the telephoto 150mm to the super-telephoto 600mm (equivalent to 229mm – 914mm in 35mm film format) – the longest in the Fujinon range.

The Fujinon Lens XF18-120mmF4 LM PZ WR boats focal lengths ranging from the wide-angle 18mm to telephoto 120mm (equivalent to 27mm – 183mm in 35mm film format), the weather resistant lens facilitates a variety of shooting situations including landscape (wide angle) and portraiture (telephoto), with it also highly suitable for video.