Meet the new Fujifilm X-H2 and XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR

Following on the announcement of the all new X-H2S, Fujifilm announced today their high resolution monster - the 40Mp X-H2. To complement the high-resolution sensor, Fuji has also released an updated version of their XF 56mm f/1.2 lens, which now features the WR badge. 

The X-H2 features an all-new 40 Megapixel sensor, the world’s highest resolution for an APS-C sensor (besting Canon’s R7 & M6 II that have 33Mp). The sensor is also a back-side illuminated sensor, and gives users up to 7 stops of stabilization. While the body is essentially identical to the X-H2s, the features of the camera differ. 

For photographers, the camera features a new minimum ISO of 125 and up to 15fps with the mechanical shutter (20fps for electronic shutter at 1.29x crop). The X-H2 is also the first X-Series camera to feature the Pixel Shift Multi-Shot, giving you a 160Mp image out of 20 frames shifted by 0.5 pixels between frames. - taken from the GFX line.

The X-H2 features a 5.76Mil Dot EVF with a 0.8x magnification, and also features a host of new AF features that were introduced with the X-H2, like animal/bird/vehicle tracking. One new feature on the X-H2 is the ability to shoot up to 1/180,000 with the electronic shutter. The real-world use of this feature remains to be seen - using Fuji’s fastest lens wide open (XF 50mm f/1), you wouldn’t need to exceed ~1/40,000 in bright sunlight. Testing out the shutter speed at its maximum on a spinning coin, the resulting images had some “jello” effect to it, required max ISO (even with constant lights), and had a lot of banding. There is a feature to turn on flicker reduction with the extended shutter speed, but it essentially maxes out at just over 1/8000. 

For videographers, the X-H2 uses its naitive 8K resolution to unlock a lot of potential. Users can use the camera’s 2x digital zoom when recording in 4K, increasing the focal length of any lens.  Using the CFexpress Type B slot, you can record Apple ProRes 10-bit 4:2:2 footage up to 8K/30p, and 12-bit Apple ProRest or Blackmagic RAW on external devices. Using F-Log2 extends the dynamic range to 13+ stops. Just like the X-H2s, you can attach the optional clip-on fan to extend recording without overheating. Battery life on the X-H2 while recording video should also be a bit better than the X-H2S.

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1/3sec - XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR


Originial Image Above, Crop Below

Uncropped above, cropped below. XF 100-400mm @ 400mm.

X-H2 or X-H2S? 

For people thinking that one camera is focused towards video shooters, and the other towards photographers, the decision is harder than you’d think. Finding out which camera is best for you requires diving a bit deeper into the capabilities of each, and is more of a speed vs resolution decision rather than photo vs video. 

Before both cameras were officially announced, most figured the X-H2S would be the video oriented camera, and the X-H2 the high-res/photographers oriented camera - but, both cameras are extremely capable hybrid cameras. 

For videographers, the biggest question is whether or not you want/need 8K recording capabilities. The X-H2S video resolution is 6.2K, but the stacked sensor on the X-H2S should result in less rolling shutter due to a faster readout, and potentially slightly faster autofocus.

For photographers, resolution is the biggest difference. 26.2Mp stacked BSI-Sensor vs 40Mp BSI-Sensor. Many sports and wildlife photographers will likely lean towards the X-H2S, with its faster continuous shooting in electronic shutter mode (40fps uncropped vs 20fps w/ 1.29x crop). With the stacked sensor, our testing didn’t result in any “jello” effects when using the electronic shutter on the X-H2S, and the X-H2 may be more prone to it. For those who photograph landscapes or portraits, the higher resolution, lower ISO (125 vs 160), and 160Mp Pixel Shift mode will definitely draw them towards the X-H2. In some cases, working professionals might want both in their bag as a 1a and 1b camera, and with both bodies being the exact same - it makes it easy to switch between the two. 

The X-H2 should start shipping at the end of September, and will be priced at $1,999.95 for the body (compared to $2,499.95 for the X-H2S), and $2,499.95 with the XF16-80 F4 kit. 

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XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR

The original 56mm f/1.2 came out all the way back in 2014, but has been a Fuji favorite portrait lens for photographers ever since. The new 56mm f/1.2 takes what photographers love about the original, improves the performance, and now adds weather resistance. 

Physically, the lens is a little bit thicker and longer than the original, but it is still compact compared to the bokeh-monster 50mm f/1. Optical performance has been improved to help resolve the new 40Mp sensor on the X-H2. The minimum focusing distance has been reduced from 70cm to 50cm, and with the optical design Fuji says it will have little to no effect on image quality. 

While the original lens consisted of 11 elements in 8 groups, the new 56mm is composed of 13 elements in 8 groups. The 8 elements that are part of the focusing group take high-refractive technology from the FUJINON Cine Lens lineup for better imaging performance. One major change of the XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR is the aperture blades - now you get 11 of them (7 on the previous lens). This is the first X-Mount lens to feature 11 aperture blades, and results in clean, circular aperture. The focusing motor remains the same, despite some hoping it would incorporate the LM motor. 

XF 56mm f/1.2 R vs XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR

Original Image


Center Crops







Original Image


Top Right Corner Crop








Bottom Right Corner Crop

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The XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR will be priced at $999.95, and should start shipping at the end of September. Coming in at the same price as the old lens, and featuring various new improvements, the 56mm will remain a staple in the Fuji lineup, and is definitely worth picking up.