Fujifilm X-H2s New Autofocus Firmware Tested (Huge Improvement)

Fujifilm has just released a bunch of firmware updates, including a rather substantial one for the Fujifilm X-H2s.

It promises to drastically improved autofocus tracking in a variety of situations as well as additional subject trackings. You can read all the details and download the firmware in this article.

Well, the first tests of this firmware are out. You can find them down below.

If you own the X-H2s, feel free to share your impressions in the comments, but it seems to be on the level of the very best you can find from other brands out there (and that cost several thousands of dollars more than the X-H2s.).

Especially the first video linked below shows the X-H2s performing brilliantly in backlight, with far away subjects and other very challenging conditions.

We remind you that Fujifilm also announced the next Fujifilm X Summit for April 2023.

X-H2s Firmware Tested

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EXPLAINED: How the Fujifilm X-H2S Predictive Autofocus Works and Why 20fps Will Give You Higher Accuracy than 40fps

I see myself in need to share this follow up article to our previous follow up article to this original article.

If you missed the previous episodes, here is an ultra compressed summary:

  • guy gets 61% sharp images at 40fps shooting birds when testing the Fujifilm X-H2s – read here
  • people complain that 61% is not that much, as Sony cameras tested by the same guy get 85-90% accuracy
  • FujiRumors explains that 61% of 40fps results in more sharp images than 85% at 20fps – read here
  • FujiRumors claims that at 20fps the hit rate on X-H2s would be even higher
  • people call me out on this and say:
    – it’s BS: slower frame rates won’t improve accuracy, as the AF calculations speed remains the same (120fps)
    – people say I speak random stuff and ask me to prove it

So let’s get nerdy ;)

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Tricky Numbers, or How 61% AF Accuracy on Fujifilm X-H2s are Better than 85% Accuracy on Sony A9

I posted an X-H2s autofocus test made by a German guy specialised in Wildlife photography, and translated it for you here.

The particular thing about his test: he set up a dedicated “bird tracking test track“, which basically allows him to compare the various cameras for bird tracking under comparable conditions.

On his test track, he got the following results for the Fujifilm X-H2s.

  • 30 out of 49 = 61% tack sharp images
  • 33 out of 47 = 70% tack sharp images

Some people were disappointed by those numbers, especially when compared to the 85-90% hit rate of stacked Sony cameras.

But percentage alone is not the whole story. You have to factor in the frames per second into the equation.

So let’s do just that (taking the worst results he got with X-H2s – 61%)

  • Fuji X-H2s: 61% of 40 images per second = 24 sharp images per second
  • Sony A9: 85% of 20 images per second = 17 sharp images per second
  • Sony A1: 90% of 30 images per second = 27 sharp images per second
  • Sony A7IV: 50% of 10 images per second = 5 sharp images

Conclusion:

In his test, when every camera is shot at its maximum burst, the X-H2s will give you more sharp images than any other camera, except for the Sony A1.

If you want to get 3 additional sharp images per second (27 instead of 24), then you have to spend $4,000 more and get the very expensive Sony A1.

My take:

I want Fujifilm to beat any other brand in terms of sharp images per second. So I am not happy with the result of the X-H2s. I want a hit rate of 80%+ at 40fps.

And I also want an even smarter autofocus and the camera to match in terms of AF smartness in this case is the new Sony A7rV.

That’s why I am not completely satisfied and I want firmware, Fujifilm… more firmware in 2023!

Tracking Birds with Fujifilm X-H2S vs Sony Stacked Cameras (Best Test I Have Seen so Far)

The German Youtube channel AmazingNature Alpha (who shoots a lot with Sony cameras), tested the Fujifilm X-H2s autofocus with the XF200mmF2 and the XF150-600mmF5.6-8.

Now, there are lots of autofocus tests for wildlife out there. But what sets this one apart from all the others? Well, I’ll tell you below.

Before we dive into it, here are few considerations he makes.

NOTE: it’s in German, so you get it “Patrick-translated” below.

Gear Used

General Considerations:

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TESTED: Sirui 1.25x Anamorphic Adapter on Fujifilm X-H2 and XF33mm f/1.4

Let’s catch up with a piece of gear that I can’t remember I have ever talked about: the Sirui 1.25x Anamorphic Adapter.

As far as I can see it is available at Amazon since October 2022, but the Japanese guys at Mapcamera, who have now shared a test of the adapter on a Fujifilm X-H2 with XF33mmF1.4 lens, say that it will be available only this month.

Anyways, it’s something I have not talked about so far, so here is how it works.

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This LEAKED Internal Fujifilm X-H2 Document Confirms Fujifilm’s Plan to Advertise X-H2 as Having Improved Low/High ISO Performance

If you have seen our big yearly rumor roundup, you’ll have noticed that out of 85 rumors, I’ve listed 2 as wrong and 83 as correct.

And I was extremely severe to myself, as one of the wrong rumors was that I said Fujifilm would advertise the X-H2 40MP as having better low and high ISO performance.

But here is the thing:

When the X-H2 was launched, Fujifilm did not use the words “better low and high ISO performance“, but they talked about “better Signal to Noise Ratio” and “better Dynamic Range” and “wider pixel saturation” and “new base ISO 125” and more of this stuff.

That’s close, very close. But not 1:1 identical to what I said. So I decided to move it into the wrong section.

Well, it seems that our sources wanted me to start the year by being not too harsh on myself and they’ve forwarded me a slide of the internal Fujifilm training material, that said exactly that: X-H2 has “improved Low/High ISO“.

So, first and foremost huge thanks to all our sources, including the one who helped me out today. Without you, FujiRumors would be just half as fun as it is and being a Fuji shooter would be so more boring.

Also, I’d certainly I would make many more errors without you, as I would have no reliable guidance through the think jungle of fake rumors I receive every week.

Second, I will not correct my original rumor check, as at the end what matters is what Fujifilm said in public, and not the marketing material that circulates behind closed doors.

But at least you guys know that I am not following the sad trend to make up stuff for traffic. That’s not who we are and I leave these things to others.

What we share is what we trust in. And sure, even then I can be wrong sometimes. But I know I’ve tried all I can to be as accurate as possible.

Follow FujiRumors on Facebook, Instagram, RSS-feed, Youtube, Flipboard and Twitter.

DPRTV Best & Worst Cameras and Lenses of 2022: Praise for Fujifilm X-H2s, Blame for XF18-120mmF4 PZ

DPRTV tells us which was the best and worst gear launched in 2022.

The Fujifilm X-H2s establishes itself as the best hybrid camera, as it snaps the first spot in the video camera category and the second spot in the still camera section.

But it’s not all good for Fujifilm. In fact, the Fujinon XF 18-120mm f/4 PZ has been declared the worst lens.

Best Lens

  1. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II
  2. Sigma 20mm f/1.4 Art DG DN

A pity that none of the four Fujinon lenses launched this year got even a honorable mention.

Best Video Camera

  1. Fujifilm X-H2s
  2. Sony FX30

Fujifilm X-H2s: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / Moment

Best Photo Camera

  1. Sony A7rV: they highlight that it is definitely not best as hybrid camera. But this section is for stills only
  2. Fujifilm X-H2s: stacked sensor at a price that can’t be matched by Full Frame. Lovely handling. Greatly improved AF.

Worst Lens

  1. Fujinon XF 18-120mm f/4 PZ: designed as a video lens. It is not as sharp. Chris says it is still a decent lens. But Jordan was dispointed by it. Should be sharper to take the most advantage of 8K of X-H2 or open gate 6.2K of X-H2s.

Fujinon XF 18-120mm f/4: BHphoto / AmazonUS /  Adorama / Moment / Focuscamera

Worst Video Camera

  1. Sony ZV-1F

Worst Photo Camera

  1. Nikon Z30

List of Fujifilm Related Gear launched in 2022

Fujifilm X-H2/s Victory Parade Begins: CineD Declares X-H2 Best Mirrorless Camera of 2022 and Explora Awards X-H2 and X-H2S

Explora

Oh yes… it’s that time of the year when everybody starts listing the best and worst gear of the year.

The first list we got is this one over at Explora, where the B&H team declared the Fujifilm X-H2 and X-H2s the best cameras of 2022.

  1. Fujifilm X-H2S & Fujifilm X-H2
  2. Sony A7rV
  3. Hasselblad X2D 100C
  4. Leica M11
  5. Panasonic GH6
  6. Canon R6
  7. OM-1
  8. Canon R7
  9. Nikon Z30

You can read why they included both X-H2 and X-H2s on the top spot and what they say about it, read the full article at B&H Explora.

CineD

CineD does not limit themselves to test gear in a lab. Nope, they actually work with the cameras, shoot mini-documentaries and are out on the field with gear that needs to get the job done.

And from all cameras launched in 2022, the one that really stood out for them was the Fujifilm X-H2.

So much so, that they declared it the best mirrorless camera of 2022 (for video).

It’s no surprise that it won over the Fujifilm X-T5, as CineD is more video-centric in their content creation, and for that purpose the Fujifilm X-H2 simply offers more flexibility over the X-T5.

With up to 8K ProRes HQ internal recording and a 40.2MP sensor, this camera is aimed to satisfy the needs of serious content creators. This camera is extremely flexible when it comes to recording formats and resolutions, promising to assist you when negotiating with clients about their final output needs.

This FUJIFILM X-H2 has become an all-rounder for us at CineD. It’s like having a “Swiss Army Knife” at our disposal.

You can read their full article on why they awarded the Fujifilm X-H2 (also over the X-H2s) here at CineD.

First Look at Fujifilm X-H2s and Frame.io – a Possible Workflow Revolution for Many Photographers

Recently Fujifilm and Adobe announced Frame.io support for the Fujifilm X-H2s.

Down below you can find a few videos explaining and showcasing how it will work.

To me it looks like there is a huge potential in this. It might even revolutionize the workflow of many photographers in future.

Imagine you shoot a wedding. Connect the camera to your phone or the local WiFi network, and while you shoot all your RAW files are instantly uploaded to the cloud as a backup. Then you come home and all the images are already available on Frame.io with no need to download them from your memory card.

Or sports photographers, who need to get the images to their editor as quickly as possible. No more dazzle with uploads. Just connect the camera and shoot. Your editor will pick live the images he needs.

Or if you are in conflict zones and a simple connection will allow you to instantly secure all your files.

And all the technology needed to make it work, already exists.

Fujifilm will be Adobes first partner in this regard along with RED. The Fujifilm X-H2S C2C support will come via a firmware update in spring 2023. You’ll need the new Fujifilm FT-XH file transmitter grip for this purpose.

In the talk with CineD, the manager does not exclude the possibility that it might work also on Fujfilm X-H2 one day, although he was very vague on this, elegantly eluding to give a clear answer, but also not wanting to totally rule out any possibility for that to happen.

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DPReview adds Fujifilm X-H2 to Studio Comparison, Giving Insight on Fujifilm X-T5 Performance… but There is a Problem!

The Fujifilm shared the same heart and brain of Fuji’s top of the line Fujifilm X-H2: a 40 megapixel X-Trans sensor and the new X Processor 5.

So, image quality between the two cameras will be pretty much identical.

And now that DPReview has finally added the Fujifilm X-H2 to their studio comparison, we can safely assume that what we see will be identical in terms of performance to the Fujifilm X-T5.

But attention, the test itself does not really have full validity, as the lens used is the original Fujinon XF 56mm F1.2 R, a lens that is not able to take full advantage of the 40 megapixel sensor. They say they will re-shoot the test once they have the new Fujinon XF56mmF1.2 R WR available.

Personally I’d have prefered them to just wait to have the new lens available, as right now the test is kind of flawed to start with. But hey, let’s just hope they will find quickly a new XF56mmF1.2 R WR and re-shoot the whole thing (maybe one of you guys living in Seattle can borrow them a copy? ;) ).

But there is also something to be learned from their test.

In fact, it shows that even though the old XF56mmF1.2 R is not listed among the 40 megapixel capable lenses, it enjoys anyway a clear sharpness boost on the 40MP sensors.

So if you own lenses not on the list and buy a 40MP sensor X body, you will notice sharper images anyway… maybe just 35 or 37mp sharp, not the full 40MP, but still an improvement that you’ll enjoy in your images.

With this disclaimer out of the way, head over to the DPR comparison tool page to pixel peep as much as your heart desires. And if you do, take screenshots and share your findings in the comments.

We remind you that the Fujifilm X-H2 has the best measured dynamic range of any X camera (and that will apply also to the Fujifilm X-T5).