Takeaways from Fujifilm’s X-Summit in NYC
Ultimate week, Fujifilm handled us to every other X-Summit with every other spherical of product bulletins, this time reside from New York Town. Fuji spent extra time enjoyable present guarantees than previewing new era, however like at all times, they’d a couple of surprises for us. Let’s take a better take a look at what’s new, and notice if we will be able to learn between the traces and make some predictions as to what could be subsequent for Fujifilm.
Creation of the Fujifilm X-H2
Via some distance the most important announcement this X-Summit (and for lots of photographers, essentially the most expected) was once the arriving of the Fujifilm X-H2. Sure, Fuji already launched one X-H collection camera previous this 12 months, the X-H2s. However this X-H2 is a completely other beast, with a completely other sensor. Whilst the processor and the frame design stay the similar because the formerly launched X-H2s, the sensor is tremendously other. The X-H2 options a brand spanking new X-Trans 40mp sensor that Fujifilm is asking the X-Trans CMOS 5 HR – with HR status for “prime solution.” In the meantime, the sooner X-H2s’s sensor is the 26 MP X-Trans CMOS 5 HS, status for “prime pace.”
The brand new 40mp sensor in the Fujifilm X-H2 makes it the best solution APS-C camera available on the market. If 40mp isn’t sufficient, the pixel-shift function, which was once formerly best to be had on Fujifilm GFX cameras in Fuji’s lineup, makes use of the IBIS to shift the pixels. The pictures can also be mixed in post-processing instrument to multiply the solution 4x (160 megapixels). Fuji additionally decreased the bottom ISO of the X-H2 all the way down to 125 (from 160) in earlier fashions a metamorphosis many Fuji photographers had been looking forward to. Either one of those adjustments must support the camera’s symbol high quality functions.
Fujifilm has advertised the X-H2 as “the facility” in their new “pace and gear” slogan for the Fifth technology of X-series. This looks like a slight misnomer; my instinct would have related “energy” with the camera’s processor, and those two cameras (and probably the remainder of the Fifth technology X-series cameras) can have the similar X-Processor 5. However there is not any doubt that this new X-H2 is the most important camera, and I will say from revel in that the velocity moniker for the X-H2s is definitely deserved.
When the rumors began that Fuji could be liberating no longer one however two X-H2 cameras – a rumor that was once showed on the ultimate X-Summit in Might of 2022 – the belief was once that one camera could be video-focused and one could be designed for nonetheless photographers. However this doesn’t appear to be the case in apply. Even if best the X-H2 can shoot 8K video, the X-H2s has higher slow-motion functions with 4K 120p, and not more possibility of rolling shutter (about 1/180 vs 1/90 2nd readout speeds). There isn’t an glaring selection between the 2 cameras both for video – nor for stills. All of it depends upon what you shoot.
| Row 1 | Row 2 | Row 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | APS-C X-Trans CMOS 5 HS with number one colour filter out | APS-C X-Trans CMOS 5 HR with number one colour filter out |
| Efficient Pixels | 26.16 million | 40.2 million |
| Processing Engine | X-Processor 5 | X-Processor 5 |
| Shutter Velocity | As much as 1/8000 mechanical or 1/32000 digital | 1/8000 mechanical or 180000 digital |
| Virtual Teleconverter | None | 1.4x, 2.0x |
| ISO | 160-1280 (80-51200 Prolonged) | 125-1280 (64-51200 Prolonged) |
| Steady Taking pictures | 40 fps Digital shutter, 15 fps mechanical shutter | 20fps (1.3x crop) digital shutter, 15fps mechanical shutter |
| Autofocus | Clever Hybrid Distinction: -4.0EV Section Detection: -7.0EV (XF50mmF1.0 connected) |
Clever Hybrid Distinction: -4.0EV Section Detection: -7.0EV (XF50mmF1.0 connected) |
| Face Detection | Sure | Sure |
| View Finder | EVF: 0.5 inch OLED Colour Viewfinder, Approx. 5.76 million dots Protection of Viewing House vs. Taking pictures House: Approx. 100% |
EVF: 0.5 inch OLED Colour Viewfinder, Approx. 5.76 million dots Protection of Viewing House vs. Taking pictures House: Approx. 100% |
| LCD | 3.0 inch vari-angle Contact Display Colour LCD Track Side Ratio: 3:2 Dots: Approx. 1.62 million dots |
3.0 inch vari-angle Contact Display Colour LCD Track Side Ratio: 3:2 Dots: Approx. 1.62 million dots |
| Max Video Answer | 6240×4160 (6k), 4096×2160 (4k) | 7680×4320 (8k), 6240×3510 (6k), 4096×2160 (4k) |
| Max Framerate | 4k at 120fps, 6k at 30fps | 6k and 8k at 30fps, 4k at 60fps |
| Film Recording Codecs | Apple ProRes 422 HQ, Apple ProRes 422, Apple ProRes 422 LT, H.265, H.265, Mov, MP4 | Apple ProRes 422 HQ, Apple ProRes 422, Apple ProRes 422 LT, H.265, H.265, Mov, MP4 |
| Garage Codecs | SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I/UHS-II, CF Specific Kind B | SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I/UHS-II, CF Specific Kind B |
| Battery | NP-W235, 580 Frames (commonplace mode) | NP-W235, 540 Frames (commonplace mode)/td> |
| Dimensions | Width: 136.3mm Top: 92.9mm Intensity: 84.6mm (Minimal Intensity) 42.8mm |
Width: 136.3mm Top: 92.9mm Intensity: 84.6mm (Minimal Intensity) 42.8mm |
| Weight | 660g (With battery and reminiscence playing cards) | 660g (With battery and reminiscence playing cards) |
| Value | $2499 | $1999 |
The X-H2s with its stacked sensor could also be designed for pace, however this doesn’t imply that X-H2 goes to be sluggish. It’s getting most of the autofocus updates that Fujifilm rolled out in the X-H2s, together with its new advanced autofocus set of rules and AI-powered matter detection. Because of each those enhancements, and the larger selection of segment detection pixels on new 40mp sensor, the X-H2 must have meaningfully higher autofocus functions than the 4th technology X-series cameras.
I’ve been the usage of the X-H2s for the previous couple of months, and the topic monitoring autofocus enhancements are really extensive. Whilst I haven’t the AF implementation at the X-H2 but, it must be nearly as just right, in line with Fujifilm’s (admittedly obscure) comparability chart:
Since they didn’t unlock exact benchmark numbers and information, we’re left to bet at precisely what the sensible distinction is between “just right” and “excellent.” However the key is that the X-H2s continues to be most probably the simpler selection for those who essentially {photograph} transferring topics, while you’ll be able to’t pass incorrect with the 40 megapixel X-H2 for nonetheless topics.
The Fujifilm X-H2 get started delivery on the finish of September with a listing worth of $1999.
X-Trans CMOS 5 HR, X-Trans CMOS 5 HS and Long term X-Collection Cameras
The discharge of a 2nd sensor inside the similar technology of cameras marks a drastic alternate for Fujifilm. In all earlier generations, the X-series cameras have featured just one sensor, which was once incorporated in each and every camera of that technology. There have been some benefits to the one-sensor machine – essentially the most notable being that you should select your camera frame in line with ergonomics, options, and value, whilst the picture high quality remained the similar between fashions.
However the brand new two-sensor technology has its personal benefits, and the addition of the speedier, stacked sensor to the lineup can provide Fuji the chance to lure natural world and motion photographers to the machine. The creation of longer zoom lenses the ultimate two years (the 70-300mm in 2021 and the 150-600mm previous this 12 months) helped fill out the lens lineup at the telephoto facet, as Fuji makes an attempt to damage into that new possible consumer base.
Many photographers had been firstly drawn to Fujifilm for the standard dials and film-like camera our bodies, and the X-H2 cameras are a fairly large departure from this aesthetic. The X-H2/H2s weren’t the primary Fujifilm cameras to undertake the extra trendy, even DSLR-like ergonomics, nevertheless it’s a fascinating alternate. This doesn’t imply that Fuji is leaving their unique styling, and I be expecting that different Fuji cameras of this technology will retain the extra unfashionable glance.
We will be expecting the sensors, processor, and most of the options from those flagship cameras to trickle all the way down to the remainder of the fashions over the following few years. Now we have but to look any hints concerning the subsequent Fifth-generation Fuji cameras – neither in phrases of sensor nor frame design. I was hoping that Fujifilm would have used the X-Summit to preview the following Fifth technology camera, however they made up our minds to not be offering any knowledge this time round. Particularly, Fuji Rumors has reported that the 26/40 megapixel cut up is not going to proceed in the X-T5, which is anticipated to be 40 MP best.
Don’t Be expecting Complete-Body from Fujifilm (They Don’t Assume You Want It)
This is not going to come as a wonder to somebody who can pay consideration to the inside track from Fujifilm – however studying the feedback throughout the reside broadcast of the X-Summit displays that 10 years after the release of the X-Collection, that is nonetheless a query in many of us’s thoughts.
Whilst Fuji didn’t take this query without delay throughout the Q&A portion of the summit, they made it transparent that they consider APS-C is sufficient (and if its no longer, that’s what they are saying the GFX is for). To turn out the functions of the brand new X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor, Fujifilm shared an 8 meter x 6 meter print involved in the X-H2. They used this print to blow their own horns the element and functions of the brand new 40mp sensor, however the level was once made: APS-C is totally able to very massive, top of the range prints. And if you wish to have to move better than that, there may be the medium structure GFX.
Whilst there are lots of eventualities in which full-frame has a bonus, I interpreted that print demo as Fujifilm’s commentary that they consider that their new APS-C sensor is able to extra high quality and determination than maximum photographers will ever want. Fujifilm isn’t going complete body, and it wouldn’t make any sense given their in depth APS-C and medium structure lens lineups. They’re obviously dedicated to the APS-C/medium structure duality.
New Lenses for GFX (however No New GFX Digicam Bulletins)
Talking of medium structure, I discussed that the GFX machine was once markedly absent from the ultimate X-Summit, so I used to be excited to look some knowledge on new GFX lenses this time round.
In particular, Fuji formally introduced the GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR. This lens has been at the roadmap for roughly a 12 months now, so it wasn’t a wonder, however this is a very great addition to the panorama photographer’s bag. That is the widest GFX lens to this point, the following closest being the 23mm f/4 R LM WR. It has a complete body an identical focal period of roughly 16-28mm.
Whilst the GFX lenses are fairly slightly better and heavier than their XF opposite numbers, the GF 20-35 is remarkably small and light-weight for a medium structure lens at 725 g (which is even lighter than the 23mm f/4, an 845 g lens). The 20-35 will start delivery in past due September and is to be had for pre-order at a purchase order worth of $2499 – no longer reasonable however no longer a lot more than a full-frame 14-24mm f/2.8 or 16-35mm f/2.8, which satisfy a equivalent function.
The 20-35mm was once the one GFX lens formally launched at this X-Summit, however on the very finish, Fujifilm confirmed off two new tilt-shift lenses for the GFX machine. A GFX tilt-shift lens isn’t a wonder, since a wide-angle tilt-shift was once added to the lens roadmap on the X-Summit ultimate fall. On the other hand, Fuji stunned us with the announcement that we will be able to be expecting a 110mm f/5.6 tilt-shift in addition to the previously-expected 30mm tilt shift. Each lenses will probably be f/5.6, prone to stay the scale/weight in an affordable vary. They confirmed prototypes of those two lenses, and whilst Fujifilm has nonetheless no longer up to date the lens roadmap to incorporate the wonder 110mm tilt-shift, I be expecting that we will be able to see them each someday subsequent 12 months.
We didn’t see (and even get a touch at) and new GFX cameras, which isn’t totally unsurprising since we noticed two up to date our bodies in 2021 (the GFX 100s and the GFX 50ii). My bet is that the GFX machine isn’t going to be on as rapid of a refresh cycle as most of the X-series our bodies, even if I do ponder whether we will be able to see an up to date 50mp GFX sensor someday in the following 12 months, since that sensor is now greater than 5 years previous. I’m additionally hoping that Fuji is in a position to convey the stacked sensor era come to the GFX machine in the long run. The potential of combining medium structure high quality with DSLR-like pace may well be superb and beautiful distinctive.
Along with the brand new tilt-shift lenses, Fuji nonetheless has a 55mm 1.7 G-mount lens at the roadmap for 2023, so subsequent 12 months must convey us much more GFX equipment.
X-Mount Lenses for a Prime-Answer Sensor
The Fuji 56mm f/1.2 R lens was once firstly launched long ago in 2014, and this can be very well-liked by X-series photographers. It’s small, rapid, and sharp. Maximum of all, it’s kind of an identical to that vintage 85mm lens on full-frame, making it a very good little portrait lens.
However as standard as this lens is, it’s obviously time for an improve. The brand new lens must unravel extra main points at the 40 MP of the X-H2. Fuji additionally added climate sealing and decreased the minimal focusing distance to just 50 cm. It’s to be had on the finish of September for $999 (which I used to be satisfied to look is similar worth as the unique 56mm f/1.2).
When the X-series first introduced with the 16mp Fujifilm X-Professional 1, a 40 MP camera appeared far off. Because of this, the resolving energy at the unique X-mount lenses does no longer take complete benefit of the brand new sensor.
On the X-summit, we had been knowledgeable that Fujifilm has been getting ready for this release since 2021, with the 18mm f/1.4, the 23mm f/1.4, the 33mm f/1.4, and the new 56mm f/1.2 all designed to benefit from the Fifth technology HR sensor. (In addition they discussed that the brand new 18-120mm and 150-600mm had been designed to convey out the velocity at the Fifth technology HS sensor.)
On the other hand, the 4 lenses they indexed aren’t the one lenses able to resolving neatly at the X-H2. Fuji launched a listing of the 20 lenses that can receive advantages essentially the most from the brand new 40 MP sensor:
It’s necessary to notice that this sensor does no longer right away render all different X-mount lenses out of date, as they’re going to nonetheless paintings simply superb at the X-H2 (and nonetheless unravel extra main points than they’d on a 16 MP or 26 MP camera). That is simply Fuji’s method of indicating the sharpest lenses for photographers who get an X-H2 with the objective of maximizing their stage of element.
After all, the opposite could also be true: Those 20 lenses fit with the remainder of the X-series as neatly, and they’re going to nonetheless out-perform choice lenses even on the ones lower-res cameras.
What We’re Nonetheless Ready For
Of all of the questions I nonetheless have after this X-Summit, the only I’m in reality looking forward to (quite impatiently) is which X-series fashions will obtain which of the 2 new sensors. For my part, I’m having a look ahead to the 40 megapixel HR (prime solution) sensor essentially the most – however the H-model is my least favourite X-series camera frame, and I’m looking to dangle out for an X-T5 or an X-Professional 4 with the brand new sensor. I would like to listen to which X-Collection camera you’re hoping to look up to date, and with which of the 2 sensors. Please percentage in the feedback!
Additionally, Fuji is sort of up to the moment on its X-mount lens roadmap, with the 30mm macro nonetheless at the map for this 12 months and the 8mm indexed as a 2023 unlock. Because the 30mm is indexed for unlock this 12 months, I used to be anticipating an replace at this X-summit. I’m hoping the loss of point out method there are nonetheless extra Fuji releases to come back in 2022, quite than a touch that this lens will probably be driven again to subsequent 12 months. Because it stands, despite the fact that, with each roadmaps nearly up to the moment now, I’m anticipating some lens updates on the subsequent X-summit, and I will’t wait to look the place Fuji is going with the remainder of its Fifth technology cameras.
Dates, Costs, and Pre-Orders
Fujifilm started the X-Summit through acknowledging that many photographers are nonetheless looking forward to their X-H2s or lenses introduced on the summit previous this 12 months. They’re expanding manufacturing, so confidently they may be able to make a dent in the backlog ahead of the top of September, when the brand new camera and lenses start delivery out.
That stated, if you have an interest in any of the brand new Fuji equipment, your absolute best guess is in reality to pre-order. If you’re searching for equipment this is already delivery, you’ll most probably want to order from your most well-liked camera retailer and look forward to them to fill the backorder.
Fuji turns out stuck in this boundless cycle the place the majority of cameras and lenses they’re delivery are fulfillments of present orders, so some pieces by no means seem in inventory. However you’ll be able to nonetheless get your arms on them for those who pass order and wait (even if wait occasions will range). The workout in futility at the present time appears to be looking forward to the camera or lens you need to come back into inventory ahead of buying, a minimum of with Fuji’s hottest merchandise.
- Fujifilm X-H2s (delivery now): B&H / Amazon
- Fujifilm X-H2 (finish of September) B&H
- Fujifilm 56mm f/1.2 II (finish of September) B&H
- Fujifilm G 20-35mm f/4 (finish of September) B&H
- Vertical Battery Grip (delivery now) B&H
- Document Switch Grip (finish of October) B&H
In his announcement publish for the X-H2, Spencer already talked concerning the document switch and vertical grip for the X-H2/H2s so I received’t repeat that right here. Simply word that for the reason that two cameras use the similar frame additionally they use the similar grips.
The entire new apparatus launched at this X-summit is because of get started delivery on the finish of September. The one exception to that’s the Document Switch grip for the X-H2 and X-H2s which was once introduced ultimate X-summit however must after all get started delivery on the finish of October.
That does it for my takeaways from this 12 months’s 2nd X-summit! Let me know when you have any questions or ideas concerning the route that Fuji is taking. Even if they didn’t divulge as many main points throughout the summit as I had was hoping, I’m for sure fascinated about Fuji’s route at the moment and the possibility in their new 26/40 MP sensors.