Fujifilm Launches Stacked CMOS Mirrorless

2022.05.31

Fujifilm introduced a successor to the X-H series, long thought to be discontinued. Now, 4 years later, an entirely new mirrorless digital camera carries the name in spirit as a video-centric flagship camera.

The Fujifilm X-H2S is an X-mount Mirrorless Digital Camera built upon the first 26 Megapixels X-Trans Stacked CMOS 5 HS sensor. This sensor gain substantial speed over the X-Trans CMOS 4 due to a stacked design that incorporates memory as an extra layer into the chip. In front of the sensor, there is the Fujifilm exclusive pseudo-random Color-Filter-Array that avoid moire without resorting to an Anti-Alias Filter.

Fujifilm actually introduced builtin image-stabilization in the X-H1 but took a long time to bring this feature into the rest of the X-series lineup. Now, the new X-H2S launches their most powerfull image-stabilization system yet! Its 5-axis sensor-shift mechanism is capable of compensating for 7-stops of shake, putting it just behind the one Canon created for their Full-Frame Mirrorless platform. The advantage of IBIS are tremendous, allowing slower shutter-speeds with any lens.

The 26 megapixels X-Trans Stacked CMOS 5 HS sensor delivers twice of the of the X-Trans CMOS 4 used in the excellent flagship Fujfilm X-T4 reviewed here. It can capture full-resolution images at up to 40 FPS with amazing buffer-depth. At full-speed, 184 JPEG images or 170 RAW files can be captured in a single burst. Reducing the speed to 20 FPS allows it to exceed 1000 RAW files. This ultra-fast burst rate and deep buffer allows the X-H2S to offer pre-buffering drive that keeps 40 frames in-flight.

The design of the Fujifilm X-H2S is new and more digital than the retro-style of the X-T4 with its huge number of mechanical controls. This camera still offers dual control-dials but uses a traditional mode-dial plus 8-way focus-control joystick. A large 128x128 pixel monochrome display on the top-plate shows camera status in detail. Two dedicated buttons behind the shutter-release control ISO and WB, while another appears to be customizable. Since there is no EC marking on the body, presumably either the unmarked button or the red Video-Record one could adjust Exposure-Compensation in photo mode.

This digital camera packs plenty of advanced features, including 9-frame AEB, Focus-Bracketing and 3-frame bracketing for Dynamic-Range, ISO, Film Simulation and White-Balance. It has extensive drive modes including an Interval-Timer, Multiple-Exposure and builtin HDR. The Fujifilm X-H2S can save images as JPEG, TIFF or 10-bit HEIF. This rich feature-set is complimented by a 5.8 megapixels 0.5" EVF with a huge 0.8X magnification, 100% coverage and an essential Eye-Start Sensor. At the back, a rotating 1.6 megapixels 3" Touchscreen LCD gives flexibility for self-recording video.

The Fujifilm X-H2S is impressively compact and exceptionally light for a flagship camera. It weighs 660g while being fully weatherproof and freezeproof down to -10C and featuring a state-of-the-art 5-axis image-stabilization system! Its battery runs for 580 shots-per-charge. Images and video can be saved onto an SDXC or CFExpress Type B card, since this model offers dual asymmetric memory-card slots.

Fujifilm expects to ship the X-H2S in early July for $2500 USD or $3200 CAD. Adorama, B&H Photo and Amazon Canada are all ready to accept pre-orders. The reputable stores do not charge your credit-card until the camera ships to you, while ensuring to be among the first to receive it.

• Digital Camera