Fujifilm X-T5: Putting Puzzle Pieces Together (based on Fujifilm Manager Statements and Rumors)

I get so many questions about the Fujifilm X-T5!

When will it come? Which features will it have? How much will it cost? What design choices will have Fuji made? Will there be a Fujifilm X-T5 40MP and an X-T5s 26MP stacked? And more!

Well, the time will come when we will talk about the Fujifilm X-T5. I promise you that ;).

But for now, even without (or little) rumors, we can already approximately answer a few of those questions based on statements Fujifilm managers have made.

Disclaimer

No Fujifilm manager has ever mentioned or hinted an X-T5. But there were statements made at X-H2S launch that can help us to understand which direction Fujifilm wants to take with the Fujifilm X-T5. And that’s what we’ve tried to do here: analyze those statements and see what they could mean for the Fujifilm X-T5.

When will the Fujifilm X-T5 come?

During the X summit, the Fujifilm manager said that the 5th generation Fujifilm cameras will begin with the X-H2S followed by the X-H2 to be unveiled in September. These will be the first two cameras with the new platform.

This basically means that the Fujifilm X-T5 with 5th generation goodness will come only after the Fujifilm X-H2 in September.

So while we can’t give a precise date as of yet, we know that it won’t come very soon. The focus now is on the X-H2S and in September on the X-H2.

Only at some point after the X-H2 there will be a Fujifilm X-T5.

When does Fujifilm usually announce new cameras?

Can past Fujifilm announcement give us an indication on when the Fujifilm X-T5 will be announced?

Well, we don’t know. But we know that Fujifilm has preferences when it comes to when to announce new cameras.

So I looked back until 2018 and I’ve checked how many cameras have been announced in which months. Down below are the months ranked from most popular to least popular

  • January: 5 cameras
  • February: 4 cameras
  • September: 4 cameras
  • May: 3 cameras
  • July: 1 camera
  • October: 1 camera
  • March: 0 cameras
  • April: 0 cameras
  • June: 0 cameras
  • August: 0 cameras
  • November: 0 cameras
  • December: 0 cameras

September is booked for the X-H2, so unless Fujifilm is crazy and wants to totally steal the show to the X-H2, they are not going to announce X-T5 a few days after the X-H2. And if you ask me, the same effect would be if Fujifilm was to announce the Fujifilm X-T5 in October. In that case, the X-H2 would probably be about to ship right when the X-T5 would drop and hence potentially hurting X-H2 sales.

November and December have always been ignored by Fujifilm. Probably because too close to the holiday season, where the focus is to sell current stock, maybe facilitated by some Black Friday deals and Christmas deals, which regularly occur during that season. But just because something never happened in the Fuji world, it does not mean there can’t be a first time.

So the next hot date would be January and February 2023. This would allow Fujifilm to bring the camera to the market before the Japanese fiscal year ends (31 March 2023). But also May is a good month for announcements in the Fuji world.

And just for fun, down below is a survey where you can let us know when you believe the X-T5 will be announced.

The Fujifilm X-T5 will be announced in..

View Results

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How much will Fujifilm X-T5 cost?

Fujifilm told us they are going back to the roots: the Fujifilm X-H line is their flagship and X-T line is the mid-range. What this means is that the Fujifilm X-T5 will cost less than the Fujifilm X-H line. And we also know that the Fujifilm X-H2 40MP will cost less than the Fujifilm X-H2S.

As a reference, here is the launch price of all X-T cameras

  • Fujifilm X-T1 = $1,299
  • Fujifilm X-T2 = $1,599
  • Fujifilm X-T3 = $1,499
  • Fujifilm X-T4 = $1,699

Removed by the burden of being a flagship, the Fujifilm X-T5 could potentially be more affordable than the X-T4 and settle down somewhere between the X-T1 price ($1,299) and X-T4 price ($1,699). The golden middle would be $1,499 (not a rumors, just 100% speculation on my side).

Of course these speculations are for a non-stacked 40MP Fujifilm X-T5.

Will the Fujifilm X-T5 have the same features of X-H line, just packed in Retro-Body?

The clue here comes from Fuji Guy Billy, who has said here that the Fujifilm X-T line is Fuji’s mid-range line.

As such, I don’t expect it to have all the features and power of the Fujifilm X-H2s and Fujifilm X-H2.

Now, I don’t think they will cut on essential features. I mean, it will be a 5th generation camera in its core, with latest sensor and processors. But there might be some cuts elsewhere.

Not a rumor (I have no idea), but for example Fujifilm could go for a dual UHS-II X-T5 only (no CFexpress). This would mean also the video specs would not be as powerful as on the X-H line (no 8K or 4K120p). In this case, also the buffer for bursts shooting would be shorter.

But again, I am really just guessing here. The only thing that we can say for sure based on Billy’s statement is that it won’t be exactly as powerful as the latest X-H cameras. If Fujifilm calls it a mid-range camera, then it simply can’t have all the features of a flagship camera for a lesser price.

Out of curiosity: which features would you be willing to sacrifice on the Fujifilm X-T5 over the X-H2S and the 8K capable X-H2?

Will there be a Fujifilm X-T5 40MP and an X-T5s 26MP stacked?

During the Fujifilm X summit there was a rather critpic statement made by a Japanese Fujifilm manager that most of you guys interpreted as meaning that only the X-H line will get both 5th generation sensor option.

You guys have already voted on what would be your favorite sensor for the X-T5 (but also for the Fujifilm X-Pro4, X-E5, X-S20 & Co). Feel free to check out the results here.

What I can say is that, beyond the vague Fujifilm manager statements, we have received rumors about the Fujifilm X-T5 sensor and shared it here. If accurate, this means it will be a 40MP non-stacked sensor.

What design choices will Fuji make?

There is no Fujifilm statement about this yet, except for the one Fuji Guy Billy made here that the X-T* line will have a “classic” layout. So no PSAM for that line. No surprise here.

As for the rest, the most urgent question of mine is if Fujifilm will insist with the selfie screen, which would 100% guarantee them lots of applause (and great press) all over YouTube. Or if they will have the guts to go against the easy good press and go with the 3 way tilt screen.

I will make it my priority to give you the answer to this question as soon as possible.

It’s Your Time

So, I’ve meticulously collected the Fuji manager statements and tried to make some sense out of them in regards to the Fujifilm X-T5.

But now it’s your time to share your Fujifilm X-T5 thoughts in the comments. Anything goes: wishes, dreams, fears, deal breakers, whatever you want. The comment section is here for you.

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Fujifilm Summer Deals, Spinn Adhesive Wrap to Protect Your Gear, Latest Topaz Deals and More

Top on Kickstarter

  • Spinn has launched an extremely successful Kickstarter campaign. Simple and smart: a fully adhesive wrap to protect your gear
  • if you shoot a lot on a tripod, definitely check out this new Atoll ring on Kickstarter. Adds lots of flexibility to your gear when mounted on the tripod.
    NOTE: ATOLL is not compatible with the following Fujifilm cameras:

    • Fujifilm X-H2s is compatible with ATOLL D + Heightening Plate
    • Fujifilm X-T3 is compatible with ATOLL C + Heightening Plate
    • Fujifilm X-T4 is compatible with ATOLL D + Heightening Plate

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Fujifilm X-H2S Look Up Table (LUT) for F-Log and F-Log 2 Now Available

This LUT file is to edit the movie data below when the data is edited by a movie editor on your PC or Mac

<LUT file for F-Log>
* F-Log movie data recorded with GFX100S, GFX100, X-E4, X-S10, X-T30 II, X-T30, X-T2, X-T3 , X-T4, X-Pro3, X-H1, X-H2S and X100V

<LUT file for F-Log2>
* F-Log2 movie data recorded with X-H2S.

Download

F-Log 3D-LUT file / F-Log Data sheet

Last updated: 6.16.2022
F-Log_LUT_E_Ver.1.22.zip [10.0MB]
*Decompress the “F-Log_LUT_E_Ver.1.22.zip” file and launch “.cube” file from a movie editor.
Last updated: 6.16.2022
F-Log_DataSheet_E_Ver.1.1.pdf [192KB]

F-Log2 3D-LUT file / F-Log2 Data sheet

Last updated: 6.16.2022
F-Log2_LUT_E_Ver.100.zip [908KB]
*Decompress the “F-Log_LUT２_E_Ver.1.00.zip” file and launch “.cube” file from a movie editor.
Last updated: 6.16.2022
F-Log2_DataSheet_E_Ver.1.0.pdf [120KB]

Pre-Orders

Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Compatibility List with Fujifilm X Cameras

The Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 has just been announced.

We have it covered in previous articles:

But here is one important thing that should not pass unnoticed: the official list of supported Fujifilm cameras.

So I think it is worth to highlight them in its own article. Accroding to Tamron, the new Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 will work fine with the following Fujifilm cameras (see below):

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 for Fujifilm X Reviews Roundup

Earlier today Tamron announced its second autofocus lens for Fujifilm X, the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8.

We already had a mini live-blog with some reviews covered in this article. So if you missed it, definitely check them out here.

But new reviews have been published since then so I thought it would make sense to give you an update

Already shared in the live blog

  • BH Explora – Tamron Announces the Versatile Mid-Range 17-70mm f/2.8 Lens for FUJIFILM X
  • ivanjoshualoh – G P L : General Purpose Lens

New reviews:

Video Reviews (some with Summary)

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

Fujifilm Explains Camera Line Distinction (CLASSIC Beats PSAM) and Likely Told us Which Lines Will Survive (and Which Ones Not)

Fujifilm Camera Lines Explained

The Fujifilm X-T line was never supposed to be a flagship camera.

Let me explain why.

When Fujifilm launched the Fujifilm X-H1, they called it their flagship camera, giving it top of the line features that no other camera had at that time (like IBIS) and in part still no other camera, except for X-Pro3, has (like the ultra-tough body). The Fujifilm X-T2 was positioned under the X-H1.

However, since it took Fujifilm so long to release the Fujifilm X-H1 successor, the Fujifilm X-T line had to take over the “flagship-role” for a couple of years.

But now, with the the release of the Fujifilm X-H2S and the pre-announced Fujifilm X-H2, everything is going back to normal so to say.

X-H is the flagship, and X-T is the mid-range.

And that’s not me saying it, but Fuji Guy Billy, who went through the “what is what” in the Fujifilm camera lineup with Bigheaedtaco, who then shared Billy’s list with us in the video below (starts 9:59).

For your convenience, here is the list.

  • X-H series:
    Refinement: Flagship Utility
    Interface: Hybrid
  • X-Pro series:
    Refinement: Luxury
    Interface: classic rangefinder
  • X-T* series:
    Refinement: mid-level
    Interface: classic SLR
  • X-S series:
    Refinement: Base Level
    Interface: DSLR design with PSAM interface
  • X-T** series:
    Refinement: Base Level
    Interface: classic SLR design with classic interface
  • X-E series
    Refinement: Base Level
    Interface: Rangefinder design with classic interface

Who REMAINS and who is OUT

  • I agree with Bigheadtaco when he speculates that all those camera lines mentioned in the list will see a successor at some point. Otherwise I believe Fuji Guy Billy would not have mentioned them
  • if correct, this means that also the X-E line will continue, hence there is hope for a Fujifilm X-E5
  • the true entry level line seems to be dead as it is not mentioned on the list. We already speculated about this back in 2020 when the X-T*** had been discontinued after only 9 months
  • this means little hope for Fujifilm X-A8, Fujifilm X-T300, X-A30
  • the “new” entry level (or base line) is considered the X-T** and X-S line

PSAM PANIC

  • there will be 3 lines with a more classic interface, and 2 lines with PSAM dials
  • Non-PSAM dial camera lines will remain the majority in the Fuji lineup (4 non PSAM lines vs 2 PSAM lines)
  • Fujifilm has not lost its soul! Classic control lovers like me will have plenty of cameras to pick from also in the future

By getting rid of a few lines and separating more clearly the remaining ones, Fujifilm has addressed one of the major concerns that was confusing Fujifilm X shooters: too many camera lines positioned too close to each other without sufficient differentiation.

In short we could say that every line will have a higher end and a lower end version

  • HIGH: X-H line – LOW: X-S line
  • HIGH: X-T* line – LOW: X-T** line
  • HIGH: X-Pro line – LOW: X-E* line

P.S.: It was just so much more fun when Fujifilm used other terms to identify their camera lines, like when they said the X-T** line for hipsters :).

“My Impression? Fujifilm X-H2S High ISO Performance is 1.5 Stops Better than X-T4 thanks to Four Analog to Digital Converters” – REPORT

ISO Boost?

So far we know (and it has been well documented) that the Fujifilm X-H2S has a vastly improved dynamic range performance in video over the the previous generation sensor, with 14+ stops compared to the previous 12 stops).

But so far we don’t have any word about the dynamic range or ISO performance for stills. And that makes sense, as it is pre-production and we better wait for the final thing before we make any judgments.

With this disclaimer printed clearly on top of the article, I’d like to share a video overview of the X-H2s plus new lenses shared by Ringfoto.

It’s in German, so let me translate the part I’d like you to hear.

Martin at Ringfoto shows samples he took with the Fujinon XF150-600mmF5.6-8 of his cute dogs running around. He talks very positively about the autofocus.

Then he addresses the concern that f/8 at 600mm (900 equiv.) might be perceived as too slow by some, as you will have to shoot at higher ISO. But here is what he says:

Opposite to other X-Trans cameras, the X-H2S has four analogue-to-digital converters [admin note: X-T4 & Co have two A-D-C]

Thanks to the new sensor and new technology inside the camera and the four analogue-to-digital converters, my feeling with this pre-production X-H2S at this point is that ISO performance on X-H2S is 1.5 stops better than on the X-T4, which would be sensational.

I want to be careful for now, but it looks very promising.

So what is Ringfoto talking about when they mention the analog-to-digital converter (ADC)?

We know the Fujifilm X-T3 and X-T4 (and all other ISOless or ISO invariant Fuji cameras) have two analogue-to-digital converters. On the X-T3 it works like this: every image recorded under ISO 640 “travels” through one ADC, and every image above ISO 640 goes through another ADC. This helps to improve noise performance.

This can have the paradoxical effect that an image taken in camera at ISO500 can be more noisy than an image taken in camera at ISO800 or even ISO1200, because after ISO640 the other ADC kicks in to improve performance, as you can see at the photonstophotos technical chart here.

What the real life implications of this are has been explained by Rico in several articles, such as the GFX 50 Series is an ISO-less Classic

What’s important for us to know in this article, is that those analog-to-digital converters are a good thing when it comes to noise performance.

And now that we know thanks to Martin that the Fujifilm X-H2S has four AD-converters as opposed to two ADC in the previous X-Trans cameras, then this could indeed explain what Martin observed: a sensational improvement in ISO performance.

Now, to my knowledge Fujifilm has not made any public statement about the increased number of ADC or about the improved ISO performance in stills.

All we could observe until now is that in video the noise performance is shockingly good, as documented also by Gerald Undone and we reported here.

My final word?

Well, there is no final world.

I will wait for final production samples to be tested side by side with other Fujifilm cameras. And this is what also Martin at Ringfoto said, that he wants to validate (or not) his impression with a final production camera.

And once he did that, I will do my job, report and translate his findings for you.

Fujifilm launches FUJINON Lens XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR

Fujifilm launches FUJINON Lens XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR

– Introducing a super telephoto zoom lens covering 150mm – 600mm in focal length
– Lightweight design, powerful image stabilization and fast and accurate AF to produce high quality images in hand-held shooting

TOKYO, May 31, 2022 – FUJIFILM Corporation (President and CEO, Representative Director: Teiichi Goto) announces the launch of the “FUJINON Lens XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR” (XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR) in July 2022. The new lens joins the extensive lineup of interchangeable XF lenses designed for the X Series of mirrorless digital cameras, which are renowned for their compact and lightweight design and outstanding image quality delivered with Fujifilm’s proprietary color reproduction technology.

The XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR is a zoom lens that covers focal lengths ranging from the telephoto 150mm to the super-telephoto 600mm (equivalent to 229mm – 914mm in the 35mm film format). It weighs just 1605g*1 and sports a powerful image stabilization mechanism as well as fast and highly accurate AF system to deliver excellent mobility. Users can shoot distant wildlife, wild birds or athletes hand-held and produce high-quality results.

The XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR covers up to the super-telephoto focal length of 600mm (equivalent to 914mm in the 35mm film format), the longest in the history of XF lenses*2. It can also be coupled with the “XF2X TC WR” teleconverter, which can extend the focal length of lenses, to reach up to 1200mm (equivalent to 1828mm in the 35mm film format), allowing liberal framing unrestricted by shooting distance to capture wildlife and wild birds, or tracking athletes across all corners of a vast stadium in sports photography.

The XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR consists of 24 lens elements in 17 groups, including three ED lenses and four Super-ED lenses, effectively suppressing chromatic aberration and delivering a high level of edge-to-edge image resolving performance across the entire zoom range. Furthermore, it weighs just 1605g*1 despite being a zoom lens covering a broad range of shooting distances. The use of the Inner Zoom system means the lens barrel does not extend, thus minimizing shift in weight distribution balance during zooming for stable hand-held shooting. The lens also features a 5.0-stop*3 image stabilization mechanism and an AF system that attains focus in as quickly as 0.15 seconds*4, ensuring that users do not miss any decisive photo opportunities.

Adding the XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR to an extensive lineup of lenses, Fujifilm will continue to offer photographic pleasure with the X Series, covering a wide range of photographic categories.

  • *1 Weight excluding the lens cap, lens hood and tripod seat.
  • *2 As of May 31, 2022.
  • *3 Compliant with CIPA in pitch / yaw directions.
  • *4 AF speed on the wide angle end, using an internal measurement method compliant with the CIPA Guidelines, when mounted on the mirrorless digital camera “FUJIFILM X-T4” with Phase Detection AF activated and the High Performance Mode turned ON.

1. Product features

(1) Super telephoto zoom lens with the longest focal length in the history of XF lenses*2 in pursuit for premium image quality
  • The zoom lens covers focal lengths ranging from the telephoto 150mm to the super-telephoto 600mm (equivalent to 229mm – 914mm in the 35mm film format). The super-telephoto focal length of 600mm, the longest in the history of XF lenses, makes it a perfect choice for shooting subjects in long distance in wildlife, birds and sports photography.
  • The lens is compatible with the teleconverters “XF2X TC WR” and “XF1.4X TC WR.” When coupled with the XF2X TC WR, the lens covers focal lengths from 300mm to 1200mm (equivalent to 457mm – 1828mm in the 35mm film format).
  • The lens, consisting of 24 lens elements in 17 groups including three ED lenses and four Super ED lenses, thoroughly suppresses chromatic aberration, typically seen in super-telephoto lenses. It delivers a high level of edge-to-edge image-resolving performance across the entire zoom range.
  • The High Transmittance Electron Beam Coating (HT-EBC), Fujifilm’s multi-layer coating typically used on broadcast lenses, has been applied on all elements to achieve high transmittance and low reflectance despite containing 24 lens elements to produce images with exceptional sharpness and clarity.

(2) Rugged yet lightweight design to reduce user load, enabling extended shooting in a variety of situations
  • The lens features two Super ED lenses as front elements to maintain strong image-resolving performance but adopted compact barrel design in order to reduce overall weight. It weighs just 1605g despite being a super-telephoto zoom reaching up to 600mm (equivalent to 914mm in the 35mm film format).
  • The use of the Inner Zoom system means the lens barrel has an uncomplicated, non-extending structure, thus reducing the lens weight and minimizing shift in weight distribution balance for comfortable zooming.
  • Magnesium alloy is used for the internal base frame that supports the lens structure to keep the weight low and make it robust at the same time.
  • The lens body is in matte silver to mitigate its temperature increase during operation. The lens barrel is weather-sealed at 19 points to ensure dust and weather resistance and ability to operate at temperatures down to -10℃. This means the lens can withstand extended use in sweltering heat or under rough weather.
(3) Powerful 5.0-stop image stabilization mechanism
  • The accuracy in sensing camera shake has been dramatically improved to provide powerful 5.0-stop image stabilization, facilitating hand-held photography in the super telephoto region, which is susceptible to camera shakes.
(4) Fast and silent AF actuated easily
  • The lens uses the Inner Focus system, which drives the compact and lightweight focus lens group with a linear motor, to achieve a fast and silent AF, attaining focus in as fast as 0.15 seconds in the wide angle end and 0.25 seconds*5 in the telephoto end. Users can capture a subject quickly and precisely even in the hard-to-focus super-telephoto range, ensuring to capture a decisive photo opportunity.
  • The Focus Preset function is featured so that the focus can be shifted to a location pre-defined with the Focus Preset button*6. This reduces users’ operation workload as they don’t need to re-adjust focus on a targeted subject.
  • The lens also features the Focus Limiter*7, allowing users to restrict the lens’s AF range. This can effectively shorten AF time when photographing a subject that is five meters away or more.
  • The Focus Control button*6 is placed at the front edge of the lens barrel. Press this button to instantly recall a function you have assigned with the Focus Selector*6 for smooth AF operation.
  • *5 AF speed on the telephoto end, using an internal measurement method compliant with the CIPA Guidelines, when mounted on the mirrorless digital camera “FUJIFILM X-T4” with Phase Detection AF activated and the High Performance Mode turned ON.
  • *6 Camera firmware must be updated to activate the Focus Preset button, Focus Control button and Focus Selector. The update is due to be released for the FUJIFILM X-T4, FUJIFILM X-T3 and FUJIFILM X-S10.
  • *7 The Focus Limiter function is activated with the Focus Range Selector.

Pre-Orders

Fujifilm launches FUJINON Lens XF18-120mmF4 LM PZ WR

Fujifilm launches FUJINON Lens XF18-120mmF4 LM PZ WR

-New interchangeable lens for the X Series of mirrorless digital cameras
-Hybrid lens that caters to both stills and videos for superior visual expressions
-Highly accurate electrically-controlled zooming and focusing with highly versatile 6.7x zoom ratio

TOKYO, May 31, 2022 – FUJIFILM Corporation (President and CEO, Representative Director: Teiichi Goto) announces the launch of the “FUJINON Lens XF18-120mmF4 LM PZ WR” (XF18-120mmF4 LM PZ WR) in September 2022. The new lens joins the extensive lineup of interchangeable XF lenses designed for the X Series of mirrorless digital cameras, which are renowned for their compact and lightweight design and outstanding image quality delivered with Fujifilm’s proprietary color reproduction technology.

The XF18-120mmF4 LM PZ WR is a 6.7x power zoom lens in a compact design, covering a wide variety of photographic situations from landscape to portraiture. It is capable of highly-accurate electrically-controlled zooming and focusing, and incorporates development expertise fostered in broadcast lenses and cine lenses to offer fully-fledged video recording capability with easy operations.

The XF18-120mmF4 LM PZ WR is a hybrid lens catering to both stills and videos to produce high-quality images.

The XF18-120mmF4 LM PZ WR covers focal lengths from the wide angle 18mm to the telephoto 120mm (equivalent to 27mm – 183mm in the 35mm film format). It offers the fast F4.0 maximum aperture across the entire zoom range, and maximum magnification ratio of x0.2 to capture close-up shots. The lens accommodates a wide variety of shooting scenes including wide-angle landscape photography, portraiture taken wide open at the telephoto end to produce a beautifully-blurred background, and close-up shots of flowers and other plants.

The XF18-120mmF4 LM PZ WR also boasts advanced video characteristics, suppressing change in angle of view during focusing and optical axis shift during zooming. Users can zoom and focus with confidence while filming video, thus facilitating premium-quality video production. In addition to the regular zoom and focus rings, the lens is equipped with a variable zoom / focus control ring and a zoom button for constant zooming. These versatile video functions have only been made possible thanks to the expertise of the FUJINON Lens brand, which has produced numerous broadcast lenses and cine lenses.

Fujifilm will continue to enhance the appeal of the X Series with the introduction of the XF18-120mmF4 LM PZ WR, which can cover a variety of shooting scenes in both stills and videos to broaden users’ shooting experiences.

1. Product features

(1) Broad range of focal lengths for superior stills and videos
  • The lens consists of 15 lens elements in 12 groups, including three aspherical lenses and three ED lenses, to effectively suppress spherical aberration, distortion and chromatic aberration for excellent image-resolving performance. The highly-versatile 6.7x zoom in a compact design means users can precisely capture fine details in information-heavy landscape photography at wide angle as well as in telephoto closeups of a subject such as portraiture.
  • The positioning of the focusing group of lens elements is optimized to optically suppress focus breathing. Advanced technology applied to FUJINON cine lenses offers a superior filming experience by reducing change in angle of view during focusing in video filming.
  • The aspherical elements are effectively positioned to enable working distance as short as 46cm from the front-most lens element across the entire zoom range for close-up photography with the maximum magnification ratio of x0.2. The lens can go up close to a subject even in a telephoto range of focal lengths. The compact lens design makes it possible to be less imposing in approaching a subject, both in stills and videos.

(2) Fast and highly accurate AF
  • The lens uses the Inner Focus system, which drives the compact and lightweight focusing lens group with a linear motor. The lens group’s compact design facilitates fast and precise AF capable of attaining focus in just 0.02 seconds*1, ensuring that users do not miss a decisive photo opportunity.
  • The lens’ focus-tracking performance is dramatically improved when it is mounted on the “FUJIFILM X-H2S” (X-H2S), a new mirrorless digital camera also announced today. The lens is compatible with the camera’s high-speed focus drive mechanism to maintain a natural focus on a moving subject even during video filming.
  • *1 AF speed on the wide angle end, using an internal measurement method compliant with the CIPA Guidelines, when mounted on the mirrorless digital camera “FUJIFILM X-T4” with Phase Detection AF activated and the High Performance Mode turned ON.
(3) A variety of video-filming functions for easy video production
  • The aperture drive control has been updated to successfully suppress exposure shift linked to aperture adjustments. The new system delivers smooth aperture transition, corresponding to change of luminosity, so that users can comfortably film a scene with a rapid change of brightness.
  • The lens features Zoom / Focus control ring*2, which allows users to control zooming or focusing at a variable speed. During video filming, users can control the pace of zooming or focusing precisely, giving greater freedom in video expressions.
  • The lens also comes with new Zoom button*3, which can drive zooming at a constant pace, allowing anyone to master video production that involves zooming.
  • *2 Z/F Selector is used to switch between zooming and focusing.
  • *3 When mounted on the X-H2S, the Zoom button can be used to switch between zooming and focusing, and adjust the speed setting at 8 levels. For FUJIFILM X-T4, FUJIFILM X-T3 and FUJIFILM X-S10, future firmware updates will enable the use of these functions as well.

(4) Compact and lightweight design for advanced mobility
  • The aspherical lens and ED lens are effectively positioned to make the lens compact and lightweight, weighing just 460g, measuring 123.5mm in length and 72mm in filter thread diameter. It boasts advanced portability while covering a broad range of shooting scenes for agile filming.
  • The use of the Inner zoom system means the lens barrel has an uncomplicated, non-extending structure. The result is a lightweight lens that zooms easily with no shift in weight distribution. Additionally, instead of the conventional cam barrel, in which the lens barrel rotates, this lens uses a smooth power zoom mechanism that drives the zooming lens group linearly with a stepping motor. This delivers high-quality shooting with no optical axis shift across the entire zoom range from wide angle to telephoto.
(5) Dust and weather resistant structure capable of operating at low temperatures
  • The lens barrel is weather-sealed at 13 points to ensure dust and weather resistance and ability to operate at temperatures down to -10℃. It can withstand sudden weather change or a dusty location, allowing users to shoot in any situations with confidence.

Fujifilm X-H2S to cost $2,499: Price Compared to Sony A9II, Sony A1, Canon R3, Nikon Z9, OM-1 Stacked Sensor Cameras

Here is a mandatory follow up article to my previous rumor, which indicated the Fujifilm X-H2s would cost $2,499 US Dollar.

I ended up my short article saying “you gotta love that affordable APS-C system“. A sentence that I guess was misunderstood and needs to be put into context.

By no means $2,499 is little money per se.

And it is also a lot of money to put into a camera for sure, given the fact that you can buy for example a brand new Fujifilm X-T3 for just $999 these days.

But as everything in life, you need to put things into a context.

And the context here is that the Fujifilm X-H2S is, in my opinion, very affordable if we compare it to other stacked sensor cameras out there.

So let’s do just that.

I know some will say you can’t compare cameras simply by price. And that’s true.

In fact, there are cameras listed above that have completely removed the mechanical shutter to save money (Nikon Z9), other that feature a M43 sensor (OM System OM 1) others have more megapixel (Sony A1), others have an integrated grip (Canon EOS R3) and what not.

However, what unites them all, is that they are designed for the ultimate speed by using a stacked sensor, which is the most expensive sensor you can buy these days for a digital camera (while waiting for the global shutter to be ready).

So the main target of those cameras is more or less the same: photographers who need the fastest camera possible!

And if your main need is speed, you will want a stacked sensor camera. And the stacked Fujifilm X-H2s will cost you about half the money of the next best stacked full frame camera. A massive price difference of $2,000!

Only the OM-1 is more affordable, but only by $300 compared to the X-H2S. And as an Olympus lover myself, it does hurt me to say that with such a small price difference I guess for most the better pick is the X-H2S.

And remember, the Fujifilm X-H2S will have also a faster readout than any other full frame stacked sensor camera out there, as the 40 fps bursts seems to indicate. This could potentially also benefit blackout-less EVF frame rates and much more.

Let’s see… we will know a whole lot more on May 31 at 9AM EST.

I guess on one thing we can agree: on May 31, the stacked sensor camera market is going to get a lot more competitive, which is good for all of us customers, also those who do not shoot Fujifilm.

What else will come on May 31?

Well, what’s listed below is what will come for sure. If there is anything more, I’ll let you know.