Fujifilm vies for mirrorless supremacy with new camera

The X-H2S is an outstanding option for wildlife and sport enthusiasts at a budget price point.

The Fujifilm X H2s is a delight to use.

The release of the Fujifilm X-H2s has thrown a serious challenge to all manufacturers of APS-C format cameras and indeed the challenge is extended to full frame cameras aimed at wildlife and sport photographic enthusiasts, also offering outstanding video capabilities. With 40 frames per second subject tracking autofocus, in body stabilisation, dual memory cards and a high-resolution viewfinder, this is one very capable piece of gear at a fraction of the price of the full frame rivals.

The key specifications are:

• 26MP APS-C CMOS sensor
• 40 frames per second continuous shooting with electronic shutter
• 15 frames per second continuous shooting with mechanical shutter
• Subject tracking using AF-C, including people, cars, bikes, animals and birds
• 6 x AF-C modes to customise your subject tracking
• In-built body stabilisation
• Dual memory cards, featuring CFExpress Type B and UHS SD
• UHD 4K video

Opening the robust protective packaging, you are greeted with a short video from one of the Fujifilm ambassadors, highlighting the main features of the X-H2s. You get the camera body, neck strap and USB-C cable for charging and downloading images plus a range of charging plugs.

The Fujifilm X H2s.

In your hand, the camera is typical Fujifilm quality, with the markings on the dials and controls neat and clean. The camera features a fully articulated monitor with front and rear command dials and an excellent top monitor allowing you see the major settings. The electronic viewfinder provides blackout free continuous burst shooting and boasts a resolution of 5.6 million dots; this provides excellent review of the images in the field.

Gripping the camera with the battery grip felt natural and comfortable, the small size and weight of the camera a bonus.

The menu is well laid out and very easy to navigate and set. Video users get microphone and headphone ports and a full-size HDMI port.

Battery charging is via a USB-C port; this port also allows you to download images to your computer.

I was given a couple of lenses, the XF 18-55 f2.8-4.0 lens which is mid-range quality lens and the XF-150-600 f5.6-8 RE LM OIS WR lens which is one of the very best telephoto lenses on the market. Given this is an APS-C camera with a 1.5 magnification ratio, the 18-55 lens provided a 35mm equivalent of 27 – 82.5 and the 150 – 600 lens a whopping 225 – 900 35mm equivalent.

In the hand and trying out the various shooting frames per second rates, I discovered the 40FPS rate with the electronic shutter did not support focus release, meaning that if you are tracking a rapidly moving subject, a lot of your images will not be in focus. With the mechanical shutter set to 15FPS, I was able to capture almost every shot in focus. Frankly, 15 FPS is more than adequate, and I was able to prove this capturing a range of moving subjects in varying conditions. Dropping the frame did provide a greater number of in focus sharp images.

The Fujifilm X H2s is a delight to use.

When shooting wildlife and sport, two of the most important settings are shutter speed and aperture and setting the camera to auto ISO to cover the varying lighting conditions is the one of the best and simplest way to ensure sharp images.

First up I headed to the Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventure Park on the NSW Central Coast, to capture horses being driven through a creek at first light, a touch assignment for any camera. Using the 18-55 f2.8-4 lens and setting the camera to auto ISO with a shutter speed of 1/500 of a second with an aperture of f5.6, I fired off some 1000 images. The overall result was outstanding, given I was deep in a valley in very poor light.

Next, I headed to the surf as I was very interested in seeing the subject tracking to see to Face/Eye and tracking board riders as they changed directions while riding the waves. The results here were in more outstanding as face tracking was maintained even as the board rider was dumped into the ocean, and their face was partially hidden by the foam and bubbles of the surf. I shot many bursts of 5 seconds and in the more favourable lighting conditions, I was able to shoot at around 99 per cent success rate.

It was so easy and so addictive shooting board riders, one thing became very clear and to plagiarise a well-known TV commercial, you are going to need bigger storage. In the space of 15 minutes, I racked up over 1000 images!

It was so easy and so addictive shooting board riders.

The overall package of camera and the 150-600 lens is light enough to hand hold, however I did use a monopod with a Wimberly Monopod gimbal as I just find it easier.

Finally, I headed off to the local Lake Macquarie wetland to capture birds. This location features a large range of water birds with dead trees and different lighting conditions. The 150-600 f5.6-8 lens is just perfect for wildlife, allowing you to remain far enough away so as not to spook the birds. Detail in the birds’ feathers and feet was outstanding.

Anyone who decides to invest in a Fujifilm X H2s, needs to invest in a CFEpress Type B card reader for downloading images into their computer. Using the supplied USB – C cable is a slow and tedious process so you will need to factor in the cost of the card reader in addition to the CFExpress Type B memory cards. Make sure you get the largest capacity CFExpress Type B card you can afford; you are going to fill them quickly.

The Fujifilm X H2s is a delight to use.

In summary the Fujifilm X H2s is a delight to use and is a bargain for sport and wildlife photography, in fact capturing anything that moves is straightforward and rewarding. The focus tracking which allows you to select from Auto, to tracking the subject moving behind obstacles, for subjects moving swiftly and changing direction, for the subject to appear suddenly such as the case of a skier, the subject moving erratically, to setting a custom setting and the ability to distinguish between a person or animal, from face to eye, or from car, motorcycle, train, aeroplane, animal or bird is impressive,

Hits

Build quality

Focus Tracking Mechanical

Speed

Price

Misses

Focus Tracking Electronic

Score: 9/10