Fujifilm X-H2S Review - One of the best hybrid cameras ever made? 

I own the Fujifilm X-H2s. I've been a pro photographer my whole life, 66 years. I would not trade this camera for any other camera in the world. I had a Fujifilm XT4 and Canon R7, and sold them both, after testing the 3 in open shade, sun light, and low light. Fujifilm X-H2s was the best of all in all situations. I like it so much; I bought a second one.

The 14bit readout is only available at frame rates of 30 and under. I shot 4K 24fps yesterday and I was blown away at the amount of dynamic range and overall quality of the image. It’s like the camera switches into a mini ARRI. Absolutely underrated and needs to be discussed more!

9:51 the mini-tragedy in the background is more compelling than the video performance tbh

I still don't understand how you nail "Welcome back DPReview TV viewers" every single time 🤯

Shout out to the kid falling and loosing his ballon @9:54 but then getting it back later! 😂

Excellent review as always. Only 18 days until we get to see the X-H2 and the new 40mpx sensor. Can’t wait to learn about the differences between that sensor and the 26mpx stacked sensor in the X-H2S. Hopefully you guys are testing a prepro X-H2 as I type this! I love it when you post those surprise hands-on videos right after the official announcement.

May I just say that the composition at 34 seconds is truly lovely. The way the intersection of leading lines draw the viewer's eye to Chris is simply brilliant. Well done, Jordan Drake. ;-)

It’s not the camera for me but it gets me very excited for what’s coming next. I love my XT-4 and I’m looking forward what the next version of that is going to be.

Amazing reviews! Appreciate what you do!

I got mine like a month ago and it’s a really nice option for me. I use a gfx100s for my professional work shooting interior and landscape. I used the x-h2s on a flyfishing video job and it was such a great experience using it. I got big hands so the x-t series always felt a bit small for me. But x-h2s with the deep grip just fits.

Great video. As always. Personally, I am very interested in the ones on fujifilm cameras but I also watch all the rest.

I can't imagine needing a better camera than this for many years to come, it looks brilliant! My FF lenses have me leaving the camera at home most days now so switching back to aps-c is very appealing...

I've been really impressed by Fujifilm cameras less the autofocus (I've only used a handful of their cameras, but the images that come out are just so. dang. pretty). It seems like this camera is a huge step forward for them, which is awesome! I don't think I'll sell my main Sony camera, but I would definitely keep this camera in mind if I did. As always, thanks for the great review!

Your best FujiFilm review to date. Thank You

Good timing, I just watched the pre-production video last night. I don't do any videography, but it makes me pretty excited to see the XH2!

Have the X-H2S, using it exclusively for stills… amazing camera, and quite well focuses on birds in those scenarios, even in flight

Awesome review! I will probably buy it in about 4 years, when they're available second-hand for about $700-800 less. For now, my X-T2 does the job, but glad to see some major improvements over the X-H1 (which I've also enjoyed shooting with). Been looking forward to this release for a while!

Excellent review as always. Chris and Jordan are right at the top in my view.

Beautiful Calgary’s summer :D the weather is so so good

09:52 Pahahaha this Kid in the background :D

After the release of XH2S, I took more than 10 videos, and I agree with the DP review. Great works with Tamron 17-70. I want to test 12bit raw, but I'm curious about how it is different from the internal recording.

You guys are Simply awesome. I own a xh2s and yes there is room for improvement I think it is by far the best hybrid camera.

Really helpful info thanks a lot

The sound quality on the river side take is insane, I mean, full blowing river, full wind....cristal clear voice...

Thanks DPReview TV👌

Just picked up this camera and have no regrets! Paired with my XF 56 f1.2, the portraits I'm getting are amazing.

Excellent video 😊

I have the GH6 which is amazing so far especially on the video. I’m considering a second B camera and it’s going to be the XH2S. Between GH6 and XH2S all bases are covered. XH2S for stills on critical event, GH6 as main video camera on critical event. They both support ProRes and both have beautiful color rendering with compact lenses due to their sensor sizes. There is no perfect camera but these seem to be the perfect duo.

Can't wait to see the 40MP sensor in teh X-H2/X-T5 now. Hopefully they announce it in the next Fuji X summit in september and we get a little sneak peek short after. But I'm definitely exceited to see what's coming to Fuji in the next year !

For me way batter than X-T4 i was an user of X-T4 for 2 years and now i got X-H2S and i am not dissapointed, and i quess future firmware updates may improve this camera a bit :)

I‘ve owned the X-H2s for almost a month now and it is by far the greatest hybrid camera experience I‘ve ever had. Beats the R6 and the A7IV easily even though they‘re both great cameras. I still can‘t get my head around how Fuji managed to make this camera this great and how much bang for your buck you‘re getting. I don‘t mean like: „Yeah, it‘s great considering its price.“ but more like „What, how is it possible that this thing is sub 3k?“ It’s simply a great piece of tech.

like that big top LCD, good to see them keeping it.

i test it today, it is wonderful

Great review. For the high FPS capture rate, they probably need to get the processor to prioritize focus over image buffer. I’ve been using the H2S on wildlife at 40fps with a nearly perfect capture rate but I did also find that with flying birds, it did drop a few. Not a big problem considering how many hit. The size, grip, and ease of controls are fantastic. I would recommend Fujifilm add more customization of the command dials (it’d be nice to be able dial ISO or Aperture). A great camera.

Love my XS-10 but oh my god this looks so good

Love the review. I’ve on XT from the beginning and wondering how does this compares to XT-5 for my next upgrade.

Nice. RAW video and F-Log2 is especially tempting while I don’t really need the better AF. For now, I‘ll keep my X-T3 (love those classic dials) with just a few small lenses plus my Sony gear with more lenses.

Thanks for the GREAT review! I wish they enabled 6K 60FPS for this camera..

Great review as usual. What do you think about this camera for portrait/studio work with some of those lovely Fuji primes.

This is an excellent, succinct review. You join all the other reviewers I respect in you enthusiasm for the H2s. If I end up buying one and my wife gives me grief, I'll tell her it's your fault.

still rockin xt2!

Will you guys do a final review of the 18-120 once that's out as well?

Thank you for an interesting story and a substantial video. Please tell me, what cameras during the shooting of the video make it possible to click on the object and continuously monitor it by leading focus on it in automatic mode? This is said in the video on the time scale 9.13. This is a very important function for me.

Dear fuji, plz bring an autofocus firmware for xt4 lol. Sincerely, XT4 users

This is a very good video for whay appears to be an interesting camera. At that price point, it should interest a lot of people as a main camera for both video and stills and for anything, including portraits and sports and wildlife. Manny Ortiz shot some amazing pictures with the HX2S and the Fuji 56 F 1.2 lens. Fuji is sure to gain market share!

Very nice product 👍

do you feel the AF issues on the faster frame rate could also rely on which lens you use? if theres any chance of a faster motor to keep up and not trick the AF to back focus when its too slow for a moving subject it could be a factor..?

I'm sure this will sound laughable to most professional photographers/videographers, but I love Fuji for how they attempt to retain as much of an analog feel as possible in a digital platform. I get it, that can rapidly turn pretentious and vapid, but I personally, in a subjective way, enjoy shooting both video and photo on Fuji more than any other platform. Their film simulations and dial configurations make it so much more enjoyable to focus on the image in the moment and less on how one can change things later on via editing. Combine that with the specs and price point of this camera, and I can't wait to eventually upgrade from my X-S10. Great review, thanks!

From all my fuji cameras , the XH2s holds a special position. The faster readout speed with flog2 , combined by a sophisticated color science puts the xh2s on top. I was a full frame user and I don’t regret switching to APSC . The sensor technology is developing fast and in favor of apsc , less lens weight more flexibility

If only XH2s have silver color i definitely buy it. So far still happy with my Nikon D850 and still produced a great picture quality

Manual focus experience would be epic with the sigma art primes for EF adapted to this camera with a speedbooster!

Which lens did you use to test the autofocus? Thanks for the great review!!

Been waiting for this video for some time, not because I'm going to buy the body, but to see how Fuji handled the pre-production issues and how that might, hopefully, be incorporated into the sure-to-come X-T5. Agree with the lenses-for-video issue that Jordan has, would really like to see something akin to a 18-35 1.8 with OIS that's both lighter and brighter than their new power zoom(with aperture ring, of course). Thanks very much for the effort you put into this!

I've been doing photography for a while but just recently moved into professional photography. Did a couple of events, some portraits and I've been using my fuji xs10. I want to upgrade to something a little more capable, I like this camera but I'm wondering if I should add a full frame system instead of another apsc?

Jordan mentioned doing a video comparison of the X-H2S with the Lumix GH6 in the Initial review video and I'd love to see that. Both seem like the best video specific mirrorless cameras in that price range right now.

Love it.

Excellent review. I consider it a very valuable cornerstone in my considerations when it comes to the final decision whether to switch to Fuji or not. My positive view on the XH2s has been affirmed.👍

Hello Chris, It's always great watching your flawless in-depth reviews. Just wanted to get the outdo music track for my productions but its a very painstaking job to search it out from the vast library at 'beat suite'. I would appreciate you guys if you could just name the track in your video description (in this video too), which would help people like me and of course help the original artist as well. God bless you.

Looking out for your review on the X-H2. I know it will be slower but that won't be a problem for me, I am a video and still shooter so I think the X-H 2 is for me.

For anyone interested in non Fuji glass on this camera - non stabilized, classic adapted lenses, speedboosted or no,(Zeiss and various anamorphics) - the image and noise, even at high iso, was fantastic and beautiful even without NR...ON A tripod or very still shoulder. But you'll need a gimbal or steadycam for anything that moves. Careful handheld (with ibis on) using manual cinema lenses was (even when being very careful) difficult to stabilize in post even with a heavy crop and at various settings. Not sure there is gyro data recorded (like Sony, Red, Blackmagic, etc.). So if your use case is beautiful video, get a team. If it's run and gun with cine look - you'll need something else far more stabilizing. See Gerald undone ibis locked off section of his review to see what I mean. And that was on a stabilized lens.

While I don't shoot Fujifilm, I must say the video from their cameras tend to look very good. It might be me liking the Eterna profile, but there is something cinematic and beautiful about video from Fuji.

Of course- review over - Cheers Chris 😎😎😎

Chris and Jordan, where does the X-H2S stack against the other hybrid cameras from your previous review? Z9 must be higher up, right? But the cost difference might make the Fujifilm edge it out?

Much improved, glad for this full review. But the compromised initial review issues seem like needless black marks now.

Thanks, guys. I've decided on the X-H2s. I've been looking at reviews of the H2, and it seems to have more problems with autofocus than the H2s - and in reality, the extra pixels don't mean that much. Then, (donning my fireproof suit) there is the infinitely preferable Fully Articulated Screen😎which knocked the X-T5 out of the running for me. I do hope that FujiFilm stays on top of the issues and does some firmware updates. I know people with the X-H2 and X-T5 would very much appreciate it. And improvements wouldn't do this body any harm either. So far, the biggest gripes I hear are - Eye Tracking - inconsistency, No selected object tracking, and clumsy ISO setting - although I think that might be "not what I'm used to." Still, the ability to assign ISO to a dial instead of Aperature (which, for most lenses, you have a ring on the lens to handle) - would be a nice improvement and one I would use. Add in your video concerns, and it's not a huge list - so if Fuji gets busy, they may really knock this out of the park.

Nice video

So I’ve owned the XH2S for almost a year now (11 months). And once I took the time and figured out the quirks, I haven’t set it down. I even sold my FX3 and A7iv, mostly because the A7iv was prone to overheating, especially while I was in SE Asia. The XH2S is by no means perfect, but no camera is, especially hybrid cameras. The question is, can I replace my GFX 100s and one of the two XH2S bodies with the new GFX 100 ii? I only use the 100s for clients that need high detail stills. But all of them are local and my interiors clients. So the question would be, is the 100 ii good enough for me to carry 2 different mounts?

Bottom right corner of the frame at 9:53, there's a kid in the background with a kite who trips and faceplants so hard! What a subtle comedic insertion by Jordan and Chris!

Now I am interested BUT stock in stores is really very limited for this camera and some of the lenses.

Really interesting, and great work as always :-D. Is there much in the way of lense compatibility by adapting other lenses?

As a left eye shooter I would like to ask you it is comfortable to use the joystic on the X-H2(s)? Looks like it is too close to the center (EVF) and I am affraid I will hit my right eye constantly with a finger operating the AF selector. You so much for your imput.

Jordan which would you choose between the GH6 and why?

Love the videos really hope it’s not bios

Interesting update . Like many I am awaiting the Fuji summit on Sept 11th ( and final Fuji X-2H specs ) before parting with a not inconsiderable amount of £'s ( yes I'm a UK resident, in their early 70's who although disabled ( mobility issues and arthritic hands ) does a lot of street photography in which I feel I'm moderately successful but would still appreciate kit which compensated speed issues in focusing and subject detection.. Video would be a plus but not a deal breaker with excessive "bells and whistles". I keep coming back to the stacked sensor .. somehow feel regardless of the higher expected resolution .. the advantages of speeding processing and image stabilization mean the X-H2S is the likely winner . Any thoughts from yourself or followers. ps .. In spirit of group and not Google who has just deemed me "Private Private" ( must change ) name is Dave Peacock from North Wales.

Any news on the OM-1 final review?

I am going on a safari and I’m thinking about buying this camera🤔 but I’m not sure just yet. What are your thoughts and what would your lens options be? Thank you for all the hard work.

In photography, is there a difference in dynamic range between, Mechanical shutter, 1st curtain el, and totally El shutter?

How about a video of past (10yrs old) and present cameras comparing image quality? Do we really need these current cameras?

Hi, which one would you recommend for real estate video and photography? X-H2S or Lumix S5ii? Thanks!

I still don't understand why Fujifilm with their motion picture film background hasn't created a cinema camera. An Alexa Mini type body with their FLog and their lenses with this new Super 35 sensor...

Thanks for this great video. So fuji H2S or A7sII? I have already an xpro3 but video sucks so what should I do?

Hi Guys, Quick Question, In Video Mod have a option to go above 8000 shutter speed ?

Setting the record straight here, thank you guys. It's a fantastic camera that I own myself and I agree: it is the best hybrid camera out there right now - even doubly so if you're invested in the Fuji ecosystem.

Thx a lot Can you shoot 6k opengate recording externally with atoms or bm assist ?

I'd like to see autofocus tests with a cloudy weather. My A7iv performs reasonably well in sunlight. But when shooting people running under cloudy conditions, the hit rate drops to 0% for some bursts whereas some are good. Long hair (focus on the hair) and light eyes seem to be confusing factors.

It's not that I'm not interested in the X-H2S, but I'm more interested in this: What is the Canon reference publication shown at 0:48 - 0:57? I admit that anything involving rangefinder Canons gets my attention.

12:30 Jordan, please tell us about your shooting experience with that camera and lens combination.

And did you follow the same methodology in AF testing when reviewing Nikon D9? Just curious..

Awesome review :) I do own both the XT4 and now the X-H2S. The X-H2S is an amazing camera that is super fast. But it does cost a lot - so if you want "bang for your bucks" go for a X-T4 or wait for the X-H2 :)

One thing that was not covered in the video for event photographers... The photos straight out of the camera look great. Little touch up on exposure, contrast and the photos are ready for clients.

What lenses for low light and night shooting would you all suggest ? /asphyx

not sure this is the forum for such requests, but when the Fujifilm company release the 30mm macro f/2.8 in the next few weeks (Sept 8th, 2022), can you guys please review it?

Is the 6k open gate non raw 60 fps like the 5.7k in panasonic gh6?

its An amazing camera it takes my career to another level

How does it compare with the full frame Panasonic S series?

Can't wait for the xpro4 and the next x100

Would have been good to see what the 4k 120 fps looked like in comparison to other brands but good review.

but here's the question. In video mode can you shoot below 1/50 ? something like 1/10, 1/5 to get that slow shutter effect. the Sonys and other cameras let you do it. but as far as I aware of on the XT3, XT4 you cant. have they fixed this?

Thanks for the great info. Love the fujifilm shooting experience. I could use some help. Want to get amazing pics of my niece doing gymnastics.[indoors, poor lighting, at a distance] I’ve got $3-4k to spend on a body and lens (will buy used if possible) I’m not invested in any system yet. What body and lens would you recommend? I assume I’ll need a 70-200 2.8 or close in whatever system. Rolling shutter on fast moving objects seems to be the biggest hurdle I am finding. Thanks for any recommendations from the comments.

I had an unfortunate event today while having a walk with my XH2 , The shutter went closed and didn't respond to any input to open again. After calling Fujifilm in my country , It made me think maybe it's the opportunity to switch to XH2s as I am doing some low budget music videos lately. What do you think? should I make the switch?