Fujifilm’s new X-H2S will be the flagship model in the company’s X Series line-up, offering high-speed performance with a new 26.16-megapixel BSI X-Trans CMOS 5 HS sensor.


Angled view of the new Fujifilm X-H2S camera fitted with the new XF18-120mm f/4 LM PZ WR lens. (Source: Fujifilm.)

A key feature of the new camera is the fifth generation X-Trans CMOS 5 HS sensor, which is the first stacked APS-C sensor capable of quadrupling the read signal speed in comparison to the current model. This new chip is capable of reading signals four times faster than the sensor in the previous model, while the high-speed X-Processor 5 image processor boasts double its processing speed. As a consequence, the X-H2S claims the highest image capture and video performance in the history of the X Series portfolio. Photographers and videographers can take advantage of new features, including an evolved AF system in which the camera controls phase-detection pixels independently from the image display during the burst mode.  This enables continuous high-speed shooting up to 40 frames/second with improved focus accuracy. When using the electronic shutter, the camera can shoot over 1,000 frames continuously at up to 30fps in JPEG and 20fps in raw file format.

A newly-developed subject-recognition AF technology that includes an improved prediction algorithm for AF for tracking moving subjects in Zone AF or in low-contrast conditions. Subject-detection AF function, developed with Deep Learning technology, can detect and track not only the human face /eyes but also animals, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, airplanes and trains to maintain autofocus. The X-H2S also features five-axis in-body image stabilisation with up to seven stops of shake correction to facilitate hand-held shooting, even with longer lenses.


Comparison views of the top panels of the X-H2S (top) and X-H1 (below) with no lens fitted. (Source: Fujifilm.)

Physically, the camera body inherits many popular design features of the X-H1, with a generous grip, an LCD data display on the top panel and a 1.62-million-dot vari-angle LCD monitor facilitates ease of use when not using the EVF or when vlogging. The EVF uses a high-resolution 5.76-million-dot OLED panel with a magnification of 0.8x. A frame rate of approximately 120 fps also offers improved visibility and also suppresses the distortion that can occur when the viewer’s eye shifts with respect to the ‘finder. The body design has undergone some refinements, among them being the removal of the strap eyelets that protrude from the side panels, hinting at a more sensible attachment method in the new camera.

Comparison views of the front panels of the X-H2S (top) and X-H1 (below) with no lens fitted. Note the squarer outline of the new camera’s body. (Source: Fujifilm.)


Comparison views of the rear panels of the X-H2S (top) and X-H1 (below) with the monitor screen reversed to face forward. (Source: Fujifilm.)

New additions include a standalone video recording button, adjustments to the responsiveness of the shutter release button to improve operability when it is half-pressed and improved button materials and load adjustment to the AF ON button. Shutter durability has been extended to 500,000 actuations and memory card slots are provided for CFexpress Type B and SD UHS-II cards.

On the video front, the X-H2S can record 4K/60p video without cropping and with substantially reduced rolling-shutter effect. It can also record 4:2:2 10bit video at 6.2K/30p and 4K/120p internally and comes with F-Lop2 capability for dynamic range expansion up to 14+ stops. The X-H2S also supports three Apple ProRes codecs: ProRes 422 HO, ProRes 422, and ProRes 422 LT, with proxy recording. Autofocusing performance for video has been improved and the new camera now supports the AF+MF function in video mode and also offers subject detection AF.  Lower power consumption and the inclusion of a CFexpress Type B memory card in the dual slot card bay extends the maximum video recording time to 240 minutes of 4K/60P video. Users may attach the optional FAN-001 cooling fan to enable extended video recording in high-temperature conditions.

Angled vertical rear view of the X-H2S camera fitted with the VG-XH vertical battery grip. (Source: Fujifilm.)

Optional accessories include the VG-XH vertical battery grip, which is dust and moisture resistant and operates at temperatures as low as -10 degrees Celsius. It accepts two NP-W235 high capacity batteries and has an array of buttons in convenient locations for vertical shooting to replicate the existing controls. The FAN-001 cooling fan (mentioned above) can be fitted to the rear of the camera body without a cable to transfer heat from the camera body, minimising the incidence of shutdowns caused by overheating when high-resolution video is recorded. The CVR-XH Cover Kit for X-H2S is designed to protect the various terminals on the camera and consists of covers for the sync terminal, hot shoe, file transmitter/vertical battery grip terminal, cooling fan and memory card slot. These accessories will be released concurrently with the camera.

Due for release in September is a new file transmitter (FT-XH), which will provide wired LAN connectivity and high-speed wireless communications capability for in-studio tethered shooting or sports and media shooting. It can also be used as a vertical grip and accepts the same NP-W235 batteries.

The Fujifilm X-H2S is scheduled for local release in July 2022 at an RRP of AU$4,449 for the camera body. Click here for more information.