Fujifilm announces 40.2MP X-H2

Fujifilm has announced the next camera in its revitalised H-series, the 40.2MP X-H2.

The latest X-series camera is built around Fujifilm's highest-resolution X-Trans sensor to date and Fujifilm’s latest image processor, the X-Processor 5, which combine to make it the first APS-C camera to offer internal 8K/30 ProRes capture.

Fujifilm clearly see the X-H2 as the bridge between the company's compact APS-C size sensor cameras and the larger format GFX models, providing an alternative for professional photographers who need a more compact body but aren't willing to compromise on megapixel count. It sits alongside the recently announced X-H2S in the lineup. 

The new X-Trans 40.2MP CMOS 5 HR sensor inside the H-S2 can leverage the camera's 5-axis IBIS system for its 'Pixel Shift Multi-Shot' function, which stitches 20 images together, although you will need external software to merge the files to create your behemoth 160-megapixel final shot.  

The sensor is also capable of recording 8K 4:2:2 video in 10-bit at up to 30 frames per second (fps) in four different Apple ProRes codecs: ProRes 422 HQ, ProRes 422, ProRes 422 LT and ProRes 422 Proxy. In addition, the X-H2 can also capture 4K video from the oversampled 8K video and can achieve a clean 2X digital zoom that can use a 4K-sized section of the sensor.

While the X-H2S is the sports photography/speed specialist camera, the high-resolution X-H2 is no slouch either. It uses the same eye, face, and object detection autofocus smarts as its sister camera, which means ‘deep learning technology’ to power its subject-detection AF system, which is capable of automatically detecting and tracks multiple subjects including animals, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, airplanes and trains.

That said, the X-H2 can 'only' shoot 20fps blackout-free, half the speed of the X-H2S, and as the sensor is a more traditional BSI (non-stacked) sensor as opposed to the stacked sensor in the X-H2S, it's possible the results won't be as consistent as with that camera when it comes to managing rolling shutter.

That said, since both cameras share the same mechanical shutter, the X-H2 still achieves up to 15fps at full resolution. 

An improved AF prediction algorithm also means the camera should be able to predict the movement of the subject better within the frame.

Other features include an all-metal weather-sealed build, a 5.76 million-dot viewfinder with six performance modes: normal; economy; low light priority; resolution priority; EVF frame rate priority (120p); and EVF frame rate priority (240p). There are dual card slots (one CFexpress Type B memory card slot and one UHS-II SD memory card slot), a 1.62 million-dot vari-angle LCD monitor, and support for the HEIF image format.

The Fujifilm X-H2 will be available at the end of September, and has an RRP of $3399. You can find out more at Fujifilm.