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.

Fujifilm Firmware Updates for X-T4, X-T3, X-S10, X-T30, X-T30II – Tripod Grip TG-BT1 Support and Bug Fixes

Fujifilm has just announced the Fujifilm TG-BT1 tripod grip. You can check out are dedicated article (with videos and press release) here.

To support the grip, some of the compatible Fujifilm cameras need a firmware update, that has now been provided by Fujifilm. You can find all the details and download links down below.

We remind you that the compatible cameras and lenses are:

That little XC 15-45mm lens will get a revival now, as it seems to be the perfect match for this tripod.

Get Yours:

Firmware Details & Downloads

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

Digital Camera Market Share 2021: Sony Grows Big (+4.9) Fujifilm a Bit (+0.3) and Losses for Canon (-2.1) and Nikon (-2.4)

Every year, Techno System Research, a major marketing research company located in Japan, publishes the worldwide camera market share data.

And while the data is behind a (very expensive) paywall, the main chart (see above) for this year has been published by the Japanese Nikkei.

Digital camera 2021 global market share (compared to 2020) *Techno System Research

  1. Canon … 45.8% (-2.1%)
  2. Sony … 27.0% (+4.9%)
  3. Nikon … 11.3% (-2.4%)
  4. Fujifilm … 5.9% (+0.3%)
  5. Panasonic … 4.4% (±0.0%)

This is the data for the entire digital camera market.

I find the mirrorless ranking more interesting, as it is free of all those DSLRs Canon and Nikon still sells.

For mirrorless only, this is the data we had for 2020:

  • Sony: about 35%
  • Canon: about 30%
  • Fujifilm: about 12%
  • Nikon: about 7%

Once Techno System Research publishes the data for mirrorless cameras only, I will let you know.

via mirrorlessrumors via Nikkei.

Fujifilm X-T5 Stock Check

Fujinon XF30mmF2.8 Macro Stock Check

→ USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama
→ Worldwide: AmazonCA / Amazon of Your Country
→ UK: AmazonUK / WexUK / ParkCameraUK
→ EU: AmazonDE / AmazonIT / AmazonFR / AmazonES  / CalumetDE / FotoErhardt / Fotokoch / PCHstore

X-T5 Other Countries

Related Articles

Fujifilm X100V (Black) Shipping at Adorama

We recently reported here how Fujifilm would stop taking orders on the Fujifilm X100V (at least in Japan for now).

But in that article, we also told you that Adorama was expecting some X100V black cameras coming soon.

Well, it seems they were accurate, as a FujiRumors reader now told me he got shipping notification for his black Fujifilm X100V.

At the time of this post, Adorama marks the Fujifilm X100V as “on the way to our warehouse and is expected in a few days.”

The New Stuff

Fujifilm: The Good and the Bad – DPRTV

DPRTV published a video about the Good and the Bad of Fujifilm.

The Good

  • many different styles and design of cameras that appeal to different type of photographers
  • whether you like more modern or vintage, Fujifilm has it
  • lots of price points using the same sensor
  • they keep innovating their APS-C sensor lineup, now they have high resolution 40MP and stacked 26MP
  • steadily improved video features
  • X-H2/S both video optimized models but for whatever your priority is: X-H2s for less rolling shutter and slightly better dynamic range or X-H2 for absolute detail. But many features are similar between the too
  • autofocus third party options

The Bad

  • Fujifilm is now focusing on higher end, but they can grow on affordable range
  • they hoped they make more affordable XC primes like the XC35mmF2, but that still their only XC prime
  • more affordable pocket sized cameras
  • tracking continuous autofocus. Fujifilm is getting stickier, but it still lagging a little bit behind and you get more false positive with Fujifilm than with other brands. Sometimes its the lenses that can’t keep up with the tracking
  • no tap to track in video mode
  • why no native leaf shutter lens option for the GFX system? Fujifilm made leaf shutter lenses in the past for Hasselblad in the past. You can adapt those H series Hasselblad lenses (Fujifilm H mount adapter G) but you don’t have autofocus. Fuji’s argument might be that sensor readout is getting faster and eventually there will be stacked sensor or global shutter, but that’s still a long way off for medium format

The Lastest and Greatest

Fujifilm Managers Interview: About Internal Camera Memory, X Pan Aspect Ratio, ISO Button Gate on X-H2/s and More – FujiCast

In the lastest Fujicast episode, Kevin and Neale have, among the others, a talk with Fujifilm UK manager Andreas Georghiades and they also go to the Fujifilm headquarter in Japan and talk to product planers.

Needless to say, the talk mostly gravitates around the Fujifilm X-T5. Down below is a summary as well as the podcast to listen.

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

FR-Readers Wishlist Corner: Firmware Suggestions, Video-Less X-Pro4, Fujinon XF16-160mmF3.5-5.6 and More

Wishlist Corner

I am terribly sorry…. terribly sorry that many of you had to wait so long to be featured.

But no matter how hard I work, especially in a crazy 2022, with 3 higher end cameras coming out and 4 XF lenses coming out, I simply could not find time to collect all your wishes and share them.

So I’ll do it today… I grabbed a large beer, took a deep breath, and worked to organise the wishes I have received over the last few months in this article.

So… down below it is: the FR-readers wishlist roundup

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

Understanding Fujinon XF30mm F2.8 R LM WR Macro

Fujifilm USA runs over the several 30ish-ranged Fujinon lenses, highlighting their differences and making a final recommendation.

Lots of choice in that range, but which one is best?

Fujifilm USA (video below) says the XF30mmF2.8 Macro is probably the best prime lens you should consider getting if you are new to the X system and you are looking to purchase your first prime lens.

Because it’s kind of the jack of all trades: it can do macro (the others can’t), it has extremely fast autofocus even at close distances (some of the other lenses have not that fast AF), it is very sharp, has low to no chromatic aberration, it’s ideal for high resolution X cameras (X-T5 and X-H2), and with $600 pricing it is still affordable for many people.

My take?

Well, I personally would still recommend the XF35mmF1.4 as first prime lens. It can’t do Macro, but it is still affordable and much faster with its 1.4 aperture. Plus it’s one of those character lenses that will give you magic results.

But certainly the XF30mm f/2.8 is also a wonderful and versatile option for a first prime lens.

You can watch the full video below.

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

The Revenge of the Fujifilm X-T4: Declared Best Mirrorless Camera by Germany’s Most Prestigious Consumer Organisation (and X100V Best Compact)

Who is…

If I am looking for unbiased, objective and competent reviews about anything electronics related, I often look at recommendations of Stiftung Warentest, a “German consumer organisation and foundation involved in investigating and comparing goods and services in an unbiased way. It was founded on 4 December 1964 by the Federal Republic of Germany as an independent foundation under civil law*”

Stiftung Warentest even gets €3.5 million a year from the German state as “compensation for the fact that it does not carry any advertisements in its publications because this could compromise its independence*“.

In short: those guys are not been flown around the world by companies in order to possibly get favourable reviews ;).

And now let’s come to today’s story, which we start with the easy one, the X100V.

Fujifilm X100V

Stiftung Wartentest declared the Fujifilm X100V the best fixed lens compact camera. That’s an easy one, as there is simply nothing that comes near to the X100V in terms of price, features and performance in this segment.

Fujifilm X-T4

Out of all the mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras they tested, Stiftung Warentest declared the Fujifilm X-T4 their best allrounder camera, with a rating of 1.4 (max 1.0). You can read their test in German behind a paywall at their website here.

This is a nice “revenge” for the Fujifilm X-T4, a camera that has been a bit mocked by Fujifilm itself in their Fujifilm X-T5 launch promo ad.

Now, you know my take on this:

the Fujifilm X-T4 had to carry the flagship burden, hence it was forced to be exactly how it is (bigger, heavier, etc). But now that the X-H2/s finally came out, the Fujifilm X-T* line could go back to its roots again with the wonderful Fujifilm X-T5, hence it could become smaller, lighter, offer a 3 way tilt screen and overall just be more photography centric.

If it wasn’t for the selfie screen, I could have loved my Fujifilm X-T4 almost as much as I love my X-E3. But sadly even after years of use, I simply could not grow fond of it, even though I occasionally could appreciate the advantages of a fully articulating screen (even for photography only).

So I am happy to see the Fujifilm X-T4 getting this important recognition.

It is still a wonderful camera, and for some even preferable over the Fujifilm X-T5. And right now you can also get it with a discount.

Oh, and in the 12th position of this ranking we find the Fujifilm X-E4 ;).

* source – wikipedia

X-T5 USA Pre-Orders

Fujinon XF30mmF2.8 Macro Pre-Orderrs

  1. USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama
  2. Worldwide: AmazonCA / Amazon of Your Country
  3. UK: AmazonUK / WexUK / ParkCameraUK
  4. EU: AmazonDE / AmazonIT / AmazonFR / AmazonES  / CalumetDE / FotoErhardt / Fotokoch / PCHstore

X-T5 Other Countries