The Fujifilm XH1 was rated very harshly by me when I originally did my review; but I’ve warmed up to it.
There are times when camera reviews initially don’t like things–and for me the Fujifilm XH1 was just that camera. The ergonomics on the Fujifilm XH1 I will stand to say aren’t that fantastic vs the very good X Pro 2 and XT series of cameras. That big, chunky grip just makes changing the top dial really weird and I’ve never believed it to even feel like a true camera in some ways. But if you just continue to work with it, you’ll start to see how fantastic the Fujifilm XH1 really is. The best part–the firmware updates really improve it and make it even better.
Without a doubt, if you’re sitting there trying to compare Fujifilm to Sony, the Fujifilm XH1 is the best option to stand up to the offerings that Sony has. This camera has image stabilization built into the sensor and solid image quality. But on top of that, there is better weather sealing (our staff has gone and looked at all the seals), a top LCD panel, almost as fast autofocus as Sony’s 24MP offerings, and most of all there is unique image quality that is otherwise very difficult to get due to how the X Trans Sensor works. For a working, professional photographer using the Fujifilm system the Fujifilm XH1 is really a no brainer when you consider the image stabilization and the video options. Plus there are dual card slots, Wifi, ergonomic controls where you need them for the most part, Profoto Air support, etc.
I think that when I was reviewing the camera, I was really caught up with the ergonomics. And to a certain point today, I still am. The ergonomics, that are particularly odd for a Fujifilm camera, translate into how you operate it. If you set it to aperture priority and just go about working, then it’s no big deal. If you’re in a studio and fixing your settings to a specific point, then that’s no big deal either. But if you’re actively trying to document life while shooting in manual mode without a flash, that is where things become odd because of the shutter dial placement. If you’re documenting using a flash, then it’s all normalized again just to the settings more or less being fixed.
But now that I own the Fujifilm XH1, and it’s being sold with the grip for only $1,299 I can’t really complain. You get batteries, a camera, and the option of more power for less than the full frame options.