Fujifilm introduces FUJIFILM X-H2 mirrorless digital camera, two lenses
FUJIFILM North America Corp. launched the FUJIFILM X-H2 mirrorless digital camera (X-H2) featuring the new, back-illuminated 40.2MP X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor and the high-speed X-Processor 5, becoming the world’s first APS-C camera to enable 8K/30P Apple ProRes internal recording.
The new mirrorless digital camera is expected to be available in late September 2022, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $1,999.95 USD ($2,550 CDN) for the camera body and $2,499.95 USD ($3,200 CDN) for the X-H2 digital camera with XF16-80mmF4 R OIS WR lens kit.
“X-H2 joining the flagship X-H family is not only huge for us at Fujifilm, but it is also especially significant for our consumers”, said Victor Ha, vice president of the Electronic Imaging and Optical Device Divisions, FUJIFILM North America Corporation. “X-H2S, which debuted in May, excels in speed, perfect for image makers who create moving content. X-H2 delivers exceptional image resolution and quality that are ideal for those creating images in super-high detail. We listened to our customers and took their feedback to heart, creating this amazing family of X-H cameras that are tailor-made to their distinct specialties.”
X-H2 is the first X Series camera featuring the Pixel Shift Multi-Shot function, which is ideal for commercial photography and digital archiving applications that need hi-resolution images with flawless color accuracy, the company says. Using the camera’s in-body image stabilization (IBIS) mechanism to shift the image sensor with immense precision, 20 reference images are automatically created and later assembled in post-production using the dedicated “Pixel Shift Combiner” software. The result is a 160 Megapixel image, constructed from the total information available from each RGB pixel found on the X-H2’s new X Trans 5 CMOS HR sensor.
X-H2 also supports the HEIF image format, which delivers 10-bit image quality in files up to 30% smaller than standard JPEG files, continuing to expand Fujifilm’s reputation of delivering high-quality images straight out of camera.
Excellent performance for professional video production needs
With the new sensor, 8K movies can be recorded internally at 30P in 4:2:2 10-bit color. X-H2 has a heat-dissipating design — same as the X-H2S — to enable the recording of 8K/30P video for up to 30 minutes. X-H2 is also capable of producing high-quality 4K (4K HQ) video, which is oversampled from 8K as it is being recorded internally. The result is an image that makes maximum use of the camera’s high-resolution sensor to record video with optimal image quality.
X-H2 supports three Apple ProRes codecs; ProRes 422 HQ, ProRes 422, and ProRes 422 LT, with the option to also record ProRes 422 Proxy to help streamline post-production workflows when editing in 8K.
With the help of X-Trans CMOS 5 HR, X-H2 is capable of delivering up to 2x of digital zoom with little-to-no loss in resolution, when recording video in 4K, even with a prime lens attached to the camera.
With Fujifilm’s FUJINON XF18-120mmF4 LM PZ WR lens, zoom movements seamlessly transition to the digital zoom function when the lens reaches its maximum focal length.
Combined with a compatible HDMI device from Atomos or Blackmagic Design, 12-bit 8K/30P RAW video output from X-H2 can be recorded as Apple ProRes or Blackmagic RAW, while the newly developed F-Log2 flat picture profile expands dynamic range up to 13+ stops, which broadens color-grading options in post-production.
X-H2 has one CFexpress Type B memory card slot and one UHS-II SD memory card slot. CFexpress Type B cards are needed to realize the full potential of X-H2’s professional video performance.
X-H2S / X-H2 can be combined with the file transmitter “FT-XH” to enable wired and wireless LAN tethered video recording. Up to four X-H2S / X-H2 cameras can be connected simultaneously to enable the following operations from a computer browser:
• Check and adjust camera settings for each camera
• Simultaneously start and stop video recording for all cameras
• Save, load, and copy camera settings7
Optional accessories
VG-XH – Vertical battery grip (for the X-H2S / X-H2)
• This vertical battery grip is dust and moisture–resistant and is designed to operate at temperatures as low as 14°F (-10°C). It operates with two of Fujifilm’s NP-W235 high-capacity batteries.
• The grip’s button layout is designed to provide optimal operability whether holding the camera vertically or horizontally.
FT-XH File transmitter (for the X-H2S / X-H2)
- This file transmitter features wired LAN connectivity and high-speed wireless communications capability, essential for in-studio tethered content creation or for creating sports/media content. It can also be used as a vertical grip with two of Fujifilm’s NP-W235 high-capacity batteries.
- It can be combined with the X-H2S / X-H2 to support the following communication specifications:
- FTP data transfer by wired LAN / wireless LAN / USB Smartphone tethering.
- Tethered shooting by wired LAN / wireless LAN.
- Remote recording function by wired LAN / wireless LAN; capable of controlling up to four X-H2S / X-H2 cameras from a browser at the same time.
FAN-001 Cooling fan (for the X-H2S / X-H2)
- Specifically designed for the X-H2S / X-H2 to facilitate extended video recording and operation in high temperatures.
- The fan can be attached to the rear of the camera body without a cable, supplying power and extending continuous video recording time as the camera heats up and otherwise when operating in high temperatures, thereby eliminating concerns of heat-related camera shutdown.
New lenses
Fujifilm also debuted two new lenses, the FUJINON GF20-35mmF4 R WR lens (GF20-35mmF4 R WR), a compact and lightweight, ultra wide-angle (UWA) zoom lens for GFX System cameras, and FUJINON XF56mmF1.2 R WR (XF56mmF1.2 R WR) weather-resistant, mid-telephoto prime lens for X-series.