Fujifilm X-H2 and X-H2S: The True Difference is not Video vs Stills, but Resolution vs Speed

 

Fujifilm X-H2 vs X-H2S

Since the day FujiRumors unveiled that there will two Fujifilm X-H2 cameras, the whole internet world was sure: one is going to be the video centric version, and the other the still oriented one.

The main theory out there:

  • Fujifilm X-H2S is the video oriented version
  • Fujifilm X-H2 high resolution is the stills oriented version

But in my eyes this differentiation makes no sense at all, and never did.

I mean, we know the non stacked 40MP Fujifilm X-H2 will shoot 8K video. So why is it considered the stills oriented version? Isn’t 8K something videographer might also appreciate?

And if the Fujifilm X-H2S is supposed to be the video centric version, why is it the only one with a stacked sensor, allowing for crazy bursts with the electronic shutter and making it ideal for sports and wildlife photography?

The True Difference

We should stop making the differentiation between a “stills” and “video” camera.

Truth is, both, the X-H2S and the X-H2 are highly capable hybrid cameras.

If you need 8K video, then the X-H2 is for you.  But if 6K video is enough, you can also go with the X-H2S. As for stills, if you do lots of wildlife and sports, go with the stacked sensor X-H2S and it’s staggering 40 fps, but for general use and landscape photography, go with the non-stacked 40 megapixel X-H2.

It makes much more sense in my opinion to differentiate them in terms of speed vs resolution rather than video vs stills.

For ultimate speed, get the Fujifilm X-H2S. For a significant higher resolution, go with the Fujifilm X-H2.

We Need Both

Some might say Fujifilm should have launched only one X-H camera.

But to me two cameras make sense, as both cameras are different enough to justify their existence.

And it also simplifies the choice for us.

If you need all the virtues that come with a stacked sensor, get the X-H2S. If instead what you want is more resolution, the X-H2 is for you.

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X-Trans Unlocked: Fujifilm X-H2S will Certainly be X-Trans, but Unknown if 40MP X-H2 is X-Trans or Bayer

X-H2S: Stacked and X-Trans

Now that we have told you that the 40MP Fujifilm X-H2 will not have a stacked sensor, another question has been automatically answered with 100% certainty: the Fujifilm X-H2S will have an X-Trans sensor.

So how can we be so sure about it?

Well, because back at the epic X summit in September, Fujifilm did announce that a new “stacked BSI X-Trans sensor” would be launched in 2022.

So, with the Fujifilm X-H2 not having stacked sensor, we are left with the Fujifilm X-H2S. Hence, we can be sure that the X-H2S will have an X-Trans CFA.

X-Trans Unlocked

Now, you know that I consider X-Trans a wonderful thing, but even more so if combined with a stacked sensor.

Why?

Because the stacked sensor can circumnavigate some of the challenges represented by the X-Trans CFA (mainly the 20-30% increased processing power needed), hence it would allow us to retain the image quality advantage of X-Trans without sacrificing on features and speed, where Bayer usually has advantages.

The power of X-Trans is about to get unlocked. :)

X-H2 with Bayer or X-Trans?

And what about the Fujifilm X-H2 with 40MP? Will it be X-Trans too?

Well, I don’t know yet.

What I know is that the higher the megapixel, the thinner the image quality advantage of X-Trans becomes (although an advantage will still remain there even at high megapixel). At least that is my understanding after having heard Fuji Guy Billy back in 2016 saying why Fujifilm went with Bayer CFA on the high resolution GFX cameras

But if one would go with X-Trans for image quality, Bayer has other important advantages (such as less power hungry, easier to implement more features, less expensive).

Personally I’d not be mad if it was a Bayer sensor. But if somehow Fujifilm would be able to make a 40MP X-Trans Fujifilm X-H2 work fast and pack tons of features in it, then I’d still love to have it in X-Trans and pay the extra money to get it over Bayer. But again, I’d be happy also with a Bayer sensor for the high res X-H2.

Anyway, I hope this question will not remain unanswered for too long. I am working on it and will let you know as soon as I can.

In the meantime, feel free to drop your preference and thoughts in the comments.

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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.

LEAKED: This is the PRICE of the Fujifilm X-H2S

Fujifilm X-H2S

After our leak that the Fujifilm X-H2S will cost “more than the high resolution Fujifilm X-H2“, my perception was that most people speculated for the price of the Fujifilm X-H2s to go well beyond $2,500.

But I am happy to report that, according to our trusted sources, the price in US Dollar for the Fujifilm X-H2S will be of $2,499!

You gotta love that affordable APS-C system ;)

LIVE STREAM – May 31 at 9AM New York Time – Live on FujiRumors

Fujifilm X-H2 and X-H2S rumored specs list:

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RUMOR: Fujinon XF18-120mm f/4 Announcement on May 31

Not everything that Fujifilm has officially teased or we have rumored here on FujiRumors will come during the X summit on May.

We certainly will not get the full announcement of the Fujifilm X-H2 high resolution or the Fujinon XF56mm f/1.2 MKII.

But today we can add one item to the list of gear that will come: the Fujinon XF 18-120mm f/4!

So, at the time of this post, the gear that we know will certainly be announced on May 31 is:

LIVE STREAM – May 31 at 9AM New York Time – Live on FujiRumors