Today Fujifilm has launched the X-H1 and I was pleased when I was invited to be part of the test team for the new pro level camera in the X Series range. It is the third camera I have tested for Fujifilm since I became an X-Photographer in 2015 and it is a great feeling as a working photographer to be asked by a camera manufacturer to give your input into the development of a significant new product.
I took the X-H1 to the FIA World Endurance Championship event in Bahrain and to the Scotland v Australia international rugby test at Murrayfield, running the new camera alongside my pair of X-T2s.
So what have I discovered by running the X-H1 alongside the X-T2 for the past few months?
X-H1 + XF16-55mm f/2.8. ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/50 sec
IN-BODY STABILISATION
The standout feature of the X-H1 has to be the IBS (In Body Stabilisation) as this is a big step for the X-Series. This means all of the XF lenses are now stabilised, not just the zooms that feature OIS. The IBS is up to 5 stops and I can report it really does work!
This is also doubly important as this camera features a much better video function than previous X-Series cameras. My standard video lens is the 16-55mm f2.8, which is the only pro zoom lens that doesn’t feature OIS, but now with IBS I can use it handheld and not worry as much about producing ‘wobbly-cam’ footage.
X-H1 + XF50-140mm f/2.8. ISO 320, f/2.8, 1/320 sec
BODY SIZE
The noticeable difference when you first pick up the X-H1 is the size of the handgrip, it is deeper and ergonomically it fits your hand a lot better. The additional battery grip (which is a necessary purchase for this camera in my opinion) doesn’t have the additional hand grip like the X-T2 battery grip has, it doesn’t need it. The X-H1 also sits taller and is wider than the X-T2, but it is still a compact camera compared to a pro DSLR.
X-H1 + XF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6. ISO 4000, f/5, 1/1000 sec
SAME BATTERY
The X-H1 uses the same battery (NP-W126S) as the X-T2. The newer camera can use the older non ‘S’ batteries but it does warn you on the LCD that a non ‘S’ battery is fitted and the battery icon is yellow. The warning states the battery will drain quicker but the camera runs OK. Obviously if you already have an X Series camera then you will probably have a few W126 batteries and not having to buy a new set of batteries is going to be a big plus.
X-H1 + XF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6. ISO4000, f/5, 1/1000 sec
ERGONOMICS
The layout of the buttons and dials is very familiar to anyone who has used an X-T2 but there are some changes.
The top plate features a LCD screen that is lifted from the GFX and I love it. Gone is the exposure compensation dial that sits in that place on the X-T2 and I have to be honest I am happy it has gone. While not as bad as the X-Pro2, I sometimes would catch the dial when walking and when I brought the X-T2 to my eye to take a shot it would either be very light or very dark as the dial had been knocked to +3 or -3. With the X-H1 exposure compensation is now a push of a button and a twist of the rear dial. It isn’t as slick but you soon get used to the function and it can’t be accidentally knocked off the setting you have selected!
The information displayed on the LCD is clear and concise and there is a back light if you are shooting in low light or dark conditions.
The X-H1 takes all the good points from the X-T2 making the camera operation excellent. The dials are the same with push buttons to lock the dials once you have selected your settings. The AF button has moved to the left of the rear dial and both AF-ON and AE-L buttons are bigger and easier to find quickly.
The Q button moves from just above the toggle switch on the X-T2 to the thumb grip. It took me a while to get used to this and I kept selecting the Quick Menu by accident during the race in Bahrain. Which was a little annoying.
X-H1 + XF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6. ISO100, f/9, 1/200sec
QUIETER SHUTTER
Another noticeable difference is the shutter noise, it is really muted on the X-H1 thanks to the housing containing the IBS. The difference between the X-H1 and X-T2 is very noticeable and the X-T2 is not exactly a loud camera compared to a DSLR. This camera will really appeal to anyone working in a quiet environment like a church. For sport I can see this being a winner for golf and tennis where you can’t shoot during the back swing or during the serve due to the shutter noise distracting the players.
TOUCH SCREEN
The LCD is now touch screen like the GFX and X-T20. I will be honest and say the jury is still out for me on this touch screen. I can see it being very useful in the studio, and I have used it for my landscape work where I can select the AF point on the screen, but for sport it doesn’t really help. However it is easy to switch it off by touching the AF square in the top right of the LCD.
The LCD is big and bright and pivots in two directions like the X-T2. One slight issue I have found is that the viewfinder sticks out further on the X-H1 than the X-T2 and while this isn’t an issue normally, if you use the camera low down with the LCD angle upwards then the viewfinder covers a good portion of the top of the LCD.
In a busy pitlane you cannot lie down and using the LCD at the waist level has been one of the plus points of the X-T2 to give a low angle with relative ease. While it is still possible with the X-H1, the screen needs to pull out slightly from the back of the camera so that the viewfinder clears the top of the screen. This is more of an annoyance than a huge problem but….
X-H1 compared to X-T2
AUTOFOCUS
The X-H1 was blindingly quick to focus. The difference between the X-H1 and X-T2 is not as big as the X-T2 to X-T1 but when I first got the X-H1 in mid November there was a difference in the AF. However the X-T2 received a firmware update and now the difference is not that big. To be honest running both cameras alongside each other I can honestly say that the difference in AF speed is not that noticeable which isn’t surprising considering the two cameras use the same processor and X-Trans III 24MP sensor.
I did notice that the X-H1 is better at keeping the AF lock and if it lost the AF lock for any reason, it recovered quickly.
The EVF (Electronic View Finder) is also suited to fast moving action. Which is perfect because for me the EVF is the heart of the X Series. I can’t remember the last time I used the Optical View Finder on my X-Pro2 or X100T. The ability to see the exposure before I press the shutter release is a huge plus point since I moved over to the X Series fully in 2014.
In the days of film I used to know by instinct whether I got the shot or not and it has come full circle with the X-T2 / X-H1, I know I’ve got the shot because I saw it in the viewfinder before I pressed the shutter release.
X-H1 – Top LCD display.
VIDEO
This is where the X-H1 really shines. I have to point out that I am a photographer who shoots some video, not a full time videographer. However I have been shooting video for my work more and more, and the X-H1 certainly makes things easier in this department.
To put the difference into perspective. The X-T2 menu has one page of video selections, while the X-H1 gets a grand total of FOUR pages offering more control.
There is now the option to record in F-Log directly to the SD card. There is also a new film simulation called ‘ETERNA’, a cinematic simulation that is suitable for a film look movie. It is very good and you can select a different film simulation for the video from the one you have chosen for the stills.
The video selector had also changed and you can select 16:9 or 17:9 formats. 4K comes with with four frame rates – up to 29.97 fps – and up to 200mbs (megabytes per second) on 24fps and 23.98fps. Full HD (1080P) is up to 59.94fps at 100mbs.
The AF on the video side is also an improvement over the X-T2 and is certainly more consistent when videoing fast action sports.
CONCLUSION
The X-H1 has continued the Fujifilm philosophy of continuing to improve the X Series year after year.
If you shoot video then the X-H1 is a big step forward. The video functionality of the X-H1 is brilliant and I have found myself shooting more action footage handheld in the past three months.
If you have an X-T2 and don’t shoot video, I am not sure that the improvements offered by the X-H1 are that great, especially since the latest firmware update for the X-T2 at the end of 2017. When I got the X-H1, the AF was better than the X-T2, but since the firmware update that gap has closed up again.
Ergonomically I like the X-H1 with the bigger hand grip, the new LCD panel and the chunkier buttons. Where the X-H1 stands head and shoulders above the X-T2 is certainly the inclusion of IBS. This is a big plus point, especially if you shoot mainly with prime lenses or you have a collection of old legacy lenses with an XF adapter.
The X-H1 is an excellent camera with a professional build quality that matches the functionality it now offers photographers and videographers. It is certainly worthy of the X Series badge it wears.
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