Last Updated on 02/15/2018 by Mark Beckenbach
For quite some time now Fujifilm has been behind the curve when it comes to stabilization and they right that ship with today’s Fujifilm X-H1 announcement.
We have been hearing a lot about this potential announcement for months on the rumor mill circuit, but today the rumors stop and Fujifilm’s official announcement has come. The X-H1 is Fujifilm’s new, top of the line body, supplanting both the [amazon_textlink asin=’B01I3LNMAM’ text=’X-T2′ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’8a01792c-0ff0-11e8-bb1c-47f51ac063ad’] and X-Pro2 as Fujifilm’s most powerful and capable camera. Inside the X-H1 Fujifilm is packing the same X-Trans III sensor and X-Processor Pro that the X-T2 and [amazon_textlink asin=’B01A8DUR74′ text=’X-Pro 2′ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’8ffcd7d5-0ff0-11e8-a6c1-675e7a122387′] have used. But in addition to that the company has added IBIS and wrapped it all in a body that is decidedly more ‘modern’ than previous vintage leaning designs.
Starting with that headline feature, In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS) is a huge addition to the X-Series here in the X-H1. According to Fujifilm’s release, the camera will be capable of up to 5.5 stops of stabilization when combined with stabilized XF lenses. The IBIS technology is supported by a special array of 3 axial acceleration sensors and 3 axial gyro sensors, which is controlled by a special dual processor that measures the data from the sensors 10,000 times per second, allowing the camera to accurately move the imaging sensor around to sufficiently stabilize the sensor.
Housing the IBIS array, and everything else, the X-H1 looks like a sort of blend between a modern DSLR and the vintage look of the X-T2. It’s a really odd combination that doesn’t look super vintage but also doesn’t look super modern. What is more, Fujifilm says that the body is 25% thicker than the one on the X-T2, remains dust and water resistant, and will protect the internal components enough to allow the camera to continue operating at minus 10 degrees Celsius.
The X-H1 also brings with it a new AF algorithm for better performance and tracking over the previous X-Series algorithm in the X-T2, X-Pro2, [amazon_textlink asin=’B0759G8F8N’ text=’X-E3′ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’989b6ac7-0ff0-11e8-9fdc-d75458585afc’], and [amazon_textlink asin=’B01N10DO3R’ text=’X-T20′ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’9f533cc8-0ff0-11e8-9c89-2b1563e8be96′]. In addition to that, the camera has a new Film Simulation called ETERNA, which Fujifilm is describing as a ‘subtle color rendering’ with ‘detailed depths’ which from what we can tell is designed to be used for video when post-processing is intended.
Fujifilm X-H1 Highlight Specs
- 24.3 megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS III sensor
• X processor Pro
• Integrated 5-axis image stabilization (IBIS)
• Vibration-free closure
• Professional video features (including Cinema 4K)
• Large electronic viewfinder with 3.69 million pixels
• Folding and swiveling 7.6 cm (3 inch) 1.04 million touch screen LCD pixels
• 3.25 cm (1.8 inch) shoulder display
• Particularly robust housing
o Splashproof and dustproof
o Cold-resistant to minus 10 degrees
• Improved AF algorithm
• Dual memory card slot
• Wi-Fi function
• Film simulation modes (including ETERNA)
• Creative filter effects
Finally, the X-H1 will be available in March 2018 and will retail for $1,899 (body only), in a kit with the optional battery grip for $2,199, or in a kit with the XF 16-55mm F2.8 for $2,898. We should be able to have a closer look at Fujifilm’s newest camera soon, so stay tuned for our initial impressions.