Everything about the new Fujifilm X-H1

Fujifilm presented a camera to the media in Lisbon that packs a punch. The X-H1 is the manufacturer's new top model - apart from the medium format camera GFX 50s. On the one hand, I was able to photograph a lot with it in Lisbon, both freely and in guided workshops. On the other hand, I already had the opportunity to try out the camera in January. So I can already tell you a few things about it in practice.

What's new?

But first, let's briefly summarise the most important features and innovations. The first thing you notice is that the X-H1 looks like a mini version of the GFX. Special features: An angular magnesium body and a small second screen on the top of the camera.

The wheel for exposure compensation has fallen victim to the small display, as there was no more room for it. The user now controls the exposure compensation via the general rotary dial, which is still easy.

The main LCD can be folded out and turned on its side. According to Fujifilm, it offers a higher dynamic range than previous LCDs. More importantly, however, the resolution in the viewfinder has been increased from 2.36 to 3.69 megapixels. It has a refresh rate of 100 fps.

The sensor is not new. It is the same as in the previous flagship X-T2 with a resolution of 24 megapixels.

First Fuji body with image stabilisation

The X-H1 is the first camera from Fujifilm with image stabilisation in the camera body (IBIS, in body image stabilisation). The image stabiliser comprises five axes and is designed to enable a five-stop longer exposure. If a lens is connected that has better stabilisation for certain axes, the corresponding axis in the body switches off and the camera uses the camera's stabilisation for this direction of movement.

If you want to know exactly, I have a table from the Fujifilm presentation here.

For sports, action and wildlife

The X-H1 has a significantly larger grip than the X-T2, also inspired by the GFX. It is aimed at sports and wildlife photographers, among others. A decent grip is of course very useful here, because large and heavy telephoto lenses are used.

Also suitable for the target group: the improved autofocus. It works quickly and reliably even in low light. During testing, I was even able to focus automatically in almost complete darkness.

In continuous fire, the viewfinder constantly shows what you're shooting - no more blackouts. The speed is 8 fps without and 11 fps with the battery grip, with the electronic shutter the camera reaches 14 fps. The battery grip is of course also new, as the camera has a new housing.

Video

With the X-H1, Fujifilm also wants to appeal to video producers and offers some suitable features. For example, the new model can record F-Log directly onto the SD card and no longer requires an external recorder. For 4K, the data transfer rates 50, 100 or 200 Mbit/s can be selected. Full HD is possible in 120p. The new Eterna film simulation is especially suitable for video. It offers less contrast and fewer bright colours, which is usually desirable in the video sector. The housing is better protected against overheating by the internal processor. This allows the camera to record longer videos than the X-T2, for example.

Normal image setting:

Film simulation Eterna:

Fujfiilm has also announced two special cinema lenses for June 2018, the MKX 18-55mm and the MKX 50-135, which offer stepless aperture control (T2.9), they keep the focus and optical axis completely stable when zooming and there is no "lens breathing" when focusing.

But not everything sounds like music to the ears of video fans. It is still not possible to connect headphones to the body itself - only to the optional battery grip. The camera also does not support 10bit.

My impressions from the field

The sample images in this article are all JPEGs. I also shot RAW, but the camera is so new that Lightroom and similar programmes are not yet able to read and process the raw data.

Here's a picture taken freehand at 1/20 of a second. I could have used a much longer exposure, but that wasn't necessary here (500 ISO, F4).

Wide-angle images don't blur so quickly, even without a stabiliser. The situation is somewhat different with a focal length of 55 mm, where 1/20 would be very critical. No problem with the image stabiliser. It's much more difficult that the people don't move.

Now I wanted to know whether the image stabiliser really compensates for 5 stops of exposure. A rule of thumb says that at a focal length of 50 mm, 1/50 second is not critical. If we round up to 1/60, then five stops would be half a second.
In my short test, I managed to expose for this long without blurring. However, only in one of three attempts. In other words: five stops are possible, but by no means guaranteed.

1/2 second exposure at a focal length of 50 mm:

When enlarged, there is still no blurring visible:

The X-H1 is a very good low-light camera for several reasons. The image stabiliser is one of them. I think it's great that I can not only take long exposures in low light, but also very short ones. This is nothing new compared to the Fujifilm X-T2, but it's impressive and fun.

I was only allowed to take a photo of the tiger prancing around Zurich Zoo at a maximum of 1/500 of a second, otherwise there was motion blur. I was glad that I could increase the ISO accordingly. Here I was able to reduce it to 1/320, as the animal was lying down for a moment.

I was even more reliant on high ISO in the Masoala Hall, which was quite dark on that foggy January day. A whopping 6400 ISO was needed here. The quality is amazing.

Excerpt from the photo above:

What I love: The colours hardly fade even at really high sensitivities. Here 12800 ISO.

Everyone has to decide for themselves whether the controls are well organised. Everyone feels the camera a little differently. I myself had no problems at all when testing, but one colleague kept unintentionally adjusting the mode dial, while the other accidentally pressed the Q button about 50 times. We all agreed that the small joystick is a very practical thing, for example for selecting the focus area.

The shutter release goes off very easily. I found it difficult to just focus without pressing it all the way down. This is apparently intentional, Fujifilm has developed a special blade mechanism for this. I find it takes some getting used to. I could also focus with the AF-On button (also new). But I would also have to get used to that first.

Conclusion

The camera hardly limits me even in difficult lighting conditions. I can use short or long exposures, open or close the aperture as I wish. The camera takes care of everything else. That's fun.

The new features of the X-H1 make perfect sense. Fujifilm obviously recognised where there was a need for action and concentrated on these points. The result is a camera that impresses in almost every respect. It feels good in the hand, has a first-class autofocus that works reliably even in the dark, it is fast and has a usable video function. Even though it doesn't have a new sensor, its noise behaviour is still excellent and the JPEGs are, as usual with Fujifilm, of the finest quality. The only negative point I could find: the battery life is short, as is typical for mirrorless cameras. SLR cameras drain the battery much less quickly in normal use.

Note: Fujifilm paid for the trip and the stay.