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.

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

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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.

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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.

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