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.

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

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).

Fujifilm X-H2 and X-H2s Firmware Updates Released

Fujifilm has released new firmware updates for the Fujifilm X-H2 and the Fujifilm X-H2s.

It is mostly about proper support for the Fujifilm FT-XH file transmitter grip, which starts shipping in these days, but there are also some bug fixes.

You can check out all details below.

Firmware Details

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

Sony A7rV vs Fujifilm X-H2 vs Fujifilm GFX100S – The Complete Specs Comparison

Sony just announced the Sony A7rv, a 61 megapixel camera without stacked sensor.

In the Fujifilm world the non-stacked high resolution competitors would be the Fujifilm X-H2 and the Fujifilm GFX100S.

You can check out the complete specs comparison at the B&H comparison page here.

With the Fujifilm X-H2 costing just half the price of the Sony, to me this shows once again that the best balance is offered by APS-C. Also considering that the 40MP Fujifilm X-T5 will come in at an even lower price.

But if price does not matter and resolution as well as ever so slight increase in dynamic range is what you need, then you can also pay 50% more than the A7rV and get 67% more pixels and plus better dynamic range on the Fujifilm GFX100S.

It’s just nice that we have so much choice these days.

But Specs…

But specs alone don’t tell the whole thing and in some cases they can be even a bit misleading.

The Fujifilm GFX100S might beat the Sony A7rV when it comes to resolution and dynamic range, but the Sony A7rV and of course the latest Fujifilm APS-C cameras have superior autofocus and better video features.

Another example… the Sony A7rV has a 9 Million dot viewfinder as opposed to the 5 million dot EVF of the Fujifilm X-H2. But the EVF of the X-H2 has all new optical elements that give an incredible corner to corner sharp view.

And once you go at 5+ million dots and beyond, it gets harder and harder for the human eye to notice any difference. In fact, I have read statements of journalists who used both viewfinders, the one of the new Sony A7rV and the Fujifilm X-H2, and they said that they honestly can’t see any difference. So I guess it’s up to companies to decide if customers have to spend more money on even higher resolution EVF’s that bring no real life benefit, but that allow them to brag on the specs sheet, or use a more affordable EVF that gives just the same results.

What on the other hand makes much more influence on the real life shooting experience of the Sony A7rV is the new tilt screen, which is similar to the one Fujifilm already used many years ago on the Fujifilm X-T100, and here on FujiRumors we said that this is actually one of the two features Fujifilm should take from their entry level line and implement in higher end cameras.

So, as in everything, there is much more than just specs that define a camera. But specs are a good start, and you can compare them here at BHphoto.

Photons to Photos Fujifilm X-H2 Dynamic Range Data Shows Best Base ISO Dynamic Range on X series

Photons to Photos just published its data regarding the sensor performance of the 40 megapixel Fujifilm X-H2.

We see that at base ISO the Fujifilm X-H2 has the best dynamic range of all Fujifilm cameras thanks to its new native ISO125.

Dual conversion gain is at ISO 500.

An astonishing result for a camera with significantly more megapixel than any other X series camera. And remember, the Fujifilm X-T5 will have the same sensor of the Fujifilm X-H2, so the results of the X-T5 will be pretty much identical to the one of the X-H2.

Well done, Fujifilm!

You can check out the results at Photons to Photos here.

Camera Model

Maximum PDR

Low Light ISO

Low Light EV
Fujifilm X-H2 10.75 2854 9.83
Fujifilm X-H2S 10.04 2884 9.85
Fujifilm X-T4 10.45 3298 10.04

Iridient Developer 3.8 and X-Transformer 2.6 Updates Released with Fujifilm X-H2 Support and More

Iridient Developer 3.8 and X-Transformer 2.6 updates have been released with RAW support for the new Fujifilm X-H2. These updates also include updated Iridient camera profiles for the X-H2S/X-H2 and the latest default color/white balance calibration metadata from Adobe’s latest DNG Converter 14.5 release.

Fujifilm X-H2 pixel shift multi-shot mode merging is not yet supported by either application. These RAF images can be opened individually, but they will not be combined into a extra high resolution image.

X-Transformer 2.6 for macOS 10.10-13 and Windows 7-11 can be downloaded here.

Iridient Developer 3.8 for macOS 10.10-13 can be downloaded here.