Fujifilm takes aim at Panasonic and Sony with a new video-focused mirrorless camera, the just-leaked X-H1.
The Fujifilm X-T2 sometimes feels like the most popular stills camera among filmmakers who don't also use it for video. Walk around NAB and you'll see ASC members, journalists, and many more carrying it on a strap around their shoulder, but those owners don't use it's 4K video features that often. For hybrid shooters who want a stills camera that also covers video, the GH5 (and the new GH5S), along with the Sony A7SII, are the standouts. Yes, you can do a lot of what those cameras do with the X-T2, but the fact that some key features were lacking, including internal Log and image stabilization, kept the hybrid photo/video shooters away. The X-T2 remained primarily a very popular stills tool for video shooters who did their video shooting on bigger cinema packages. As the "hybrid shooter" market grows, however, Fuji is making a push on the territory with the just-leaked X-H1.
Weighing in at about 1.5 lbs. (up from the 1.1 lbs. of the XT2 and more than the GH5S and the Sony A7Sii, which weigh in at 1.45 lbs. and 1.38 lbs. respectively), the new X-H1 is aiming at a price point of $1899 body only, lower than the Panasonic at $2499 or the Sony at $2498. That extra ounce or so shouldn't be a deal breaker for many, and the price savings of $600 is enough to start in on your X-mount lens collection if you aren't already a Fuji shooter. The X-H1 will have 5 stops of in-camera 5-axis image stabilization and, most imporantly for video makers, you can now capture F-log to the internal SD cards in 4K. (Previously F-log required using an external recorder such as an Atomos Shogun Inferno.) 
A lot of work has gone into improving autofocus, with new face detection features available at 4K, that should make solo shoots easier when in the field. On top of that, the top data rate has been doubled from 100mb/s to 200mb/s, which should be a major improvement in gradeability for 4K imagery. 4K will be supported up to 30fps, with HD up to 120fps available. There will also be new MK lenses in X mount, which is exciting
Technically these are all still rumors so the final specs might vary, but reliable site FujiRumors is feeling confident that the leaked information is accurate and they have done a deep dive into the features, providing more info and perspective.
Tech Specs
- 24.3 MP, X-Trans CMOS III sensor
- X-Processor PRO
- ISO 200-12800 (extendable to 100-51200)
- 5-axis in-body stabilization of 5.5 stops
- Electronic front curtain shutter, electronic shutter
- Rugged magnesium alloy body
- EVF with 3.69M dots, 100 fps, and 0.005s response time
- 3-inch 1.04M-dot tilting touchscreen LCD
- ETERNA Film Simulation
- 4K at 24fps and 30fps
- 120fps slow motion in 1080p
- F-log (can be recorded on F-Log directly to SD card at 4K)
- Video bit rate up to 200 Mbps
- Built-in high-performance microphone
- Improvement of AF algorithm
- Dual memory card slots
- Wi-fi and Bluetooth
- 139.8×97.3×85.5mm dimensions
- Weight 623g (673g with battery)
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Your Comment
9 Comments
Why compare the cost to a Panasonic GH5S unless this Fuji also has dual-ISO? I think a better comparison would be to the Panasonic GH5, which has in-body stabilization, 4K 60p, 10-bit color, many more video-centric features, and costs only $100 more than the proposed cost of the Fuji. Throw in the fact that Fuji lenses are more expensive, slower, and have fewer options than the MFT lenses and the choice is clear to me. Unless you're already a Fuji lens owner then I don't understand the appeal of this camera.
February 11, 2018 at 12:38PM
Gee, maybe because the GH5S is the latest offering from Panasonic and this Fuji is their latest? Besides, would you only compare the Varicam to the Sony Venice because the RED and Arri don't offer dual gain? Of course not.
February 11, 2018 at 5:54PM
The Engineers finally listened to me. Well not really but I did have a nice conversation with the Japanese representatives in Germany. My question is „will it have 10 bit 4.2.2 internally? The color science is already good from what i have seen so far on the previous cameras. Also does anyone know if it will record longer than 29 mins without exploding?
February 11, 2018 at 12:56PM, Edited February 11, 12:56PM
I don't think it is possible to get 4K 4.2.2 10 bit internally with a mirrorless. They will get too hot, they don't even have a dedicated fan.
February 11, 2018 at 9:53PM
It’s called a GH5 my man! Even outputs 4K10bit 422 over HDMI simultaneously while also recording internally. Furthermore, outputs 4K 10bit 422 60p over HDMI. It’s a beast of a little camera.
February 12, 2018 at 6:22AM
I really hope it has a flip around screen. It would be great to do 'to camera' bits without having to use an external monitor, now that they've solved the 4k f-log video issue.
February 11, 2018 at 7:21PM
4K recording limits of 15 minutes:-
https://www.fujirumors.com/fujifilm-x-h1-full-german-press-release-specs...
Overheating risks, I presume. Sony, Fuji and others often race to the bottom with specs, so maybe there is something good to be said for Canon's more conservative approach.
February 12, 2018 at 4:56AM, Edited February 12, 4:59AM
Conservative? You mean non existent? Do they even offer a mirrorless that competes on this level at all.
February 12, 2018 at 6:26AM
The Fuji and (and Olympus) mirror-less cameras are for video shooters who choose color science over specs.
February 12, 2018 at 3:16PM, Edited February 12, 3:16PM