Fujifilm X-H1 Launch Hands On

2018.02.27

Fujifilm kindly invited a number of professional photographers and videographers to see the X-H1 ahead of general availability. Two entire tables of X-H1 was available to check out, plus every other current X-series digital camera and compatible Fujinon lenses. There was an exploded model to show the assembly of the X-H1, plus some sensors, processor and stabilization units on display.

The Fujifilm X-H1 is a truly significant development milestone. Having image stabilization built-in required a considerable amount of engineering work and redesign to maintain top-notch image quality while providing 5-axis of stabilization which is effective up to 5.5 stops. This new stabilizer mechanism is the reason that the X-H1 is noticeably taller than the X-T2 and the original X-T1.

In terms of design the Fujifilm X-H1 is completely familiar. The grip is now much deeper and larger, allowing the shutter-release and EC button to move frontwards and make room for a highly customizable eInk display. This top-mounted status screen even remains on while the camera is off, showing battery-life, memory card space and Exposure-Compensation. The top plate of the camera no longer has a direct EC dial yet keep two stacks of dials, one for shutters-speed and metering below it, the other for ISO and drive mode. Combined with dual clickable control-dials and a rear joystick, the X-H1 puts most photographic controls at your fingertips.

The other major technological improvement of the Fujifilm X-H1 is a new 3.7 megapixels 0.5" EVF unit. It is incredibly sharp and maintains a virtually black-out-free view refreshed at 100 FPS. It is large and offers a bright view while turning Exposure-Priority in Manual mode. The Eye-Start sensor has been made faster and switches automatically between the EVF and LCD nearly instantly.

Of course, all the new feature additions has to be paid with complexity at some point. This is particularly clear with the Auto-Exposure Bracketing menu which is a whole 7-levels deep now! This is clearly a camera that is designed to satisfy the needs of professionals.

The Fujifilm X-H1 is scheduled to ship next week for a price of $1900 USD or $2450 CAD. Adorama and B&H Photo are already accepting pre-orders. Order yours quickly since these are expected to sell out extremely quickly, given the sensor is already known to produce amazing-quality images.

• Digital Camera