Fujifilm X Summit, May 2022 Announcements
Fujifilm X Summit, May 2022 Announcements
Preview of Fujifilm Cameras and Lenses Announced at the Fujifilm Omiya X Summit, May 2022
Fujifilm X-H2S, X-H2, XF 18-120mm f/4 LM PZ WR, XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR
Fujifilm and the rumor mill certainly understood how to build excitement leading up to today’s X Summit Omiya 2022. Prior to the event, I did not expect any major surprises and yet I was pleased to see the new products as they were revealed.
After all, most of the products announced were leaked in advance, and at the last X Summit in September of 2021, Fujifilm warmed us up to the thought of X-H2 announcements and the development of the XF 18-120mm and XF 150-600mm lenses.
Whether this is a good marketing strategy or not depends a bit on who you are. Do you prefer your Christmas presents to be a surprise or do you prefer to know what is under the tree?
This will be a preview and my take on the announcements.
Fujifilm X-H2S
It has taken a while for Fujifilm to bring the X-H2S to light and perhaps that is a good thing. Its predecessor, the Fujifilm X-H1, was released at an unfortunate time with steep competition from the Sony A7 III, and just months after its release Fujifilm released the highly successful Fujifilm X-T3 with a next-generation sensor and it probably ended up being the biggest competitor to the X-H1.
Although the X-H1 was, and is, an excellent camera it never took off the way I think Fujifilm had hoped. I had the X-H1 for a while and used it for a few video projects and I namely recall using it for landscape photography on our trip to Iceland.
It appears Fujifilm has done its homework this time around and I predict the Fujifilm X-H2S and X-H2 will enjoy more success.
The Fujifilm X-H2S, a fifth-generation X Series camera, is built for speed and gets a new processor, X-Processor 5, and Fujifilm’s 26.1 mega-pixel X-Trans CMOS 5 HS backside-illuminated stacked sensor. Signal reading speed is said to be up to four times faster than Fujifilm’s previous X-Trans 4.
With a fully articulating screen, video-centric features, and expandability options the X-H2S is touted as a true hybrid camera. With the PASM dial, you can quickly switch from still photography to video mode.
For video, the X-Processor 5 enables the recording of 10-bit 4:2:2 video in resolutions up to 6.2K/30P and frame rates as fast as 4K/120P and FHD/240p. The X-H2S has support for professional codecs, like Apple ProRes HQ/ ProRes 422/ ProRes LT.
Fujifilm X-H2S Specs
26.1-megapixel, APS-C, X-Trans CMOS 5 HS backside-illuminated stacked sensor
7-stop in-body image stabilization, IBIS
New PASM mode dial
Up to 40 fps. using the electronic shutter, and up to 15 fps. using the mechanical shutter
Video: 4K 120p, 6.2K 30p, FHD 240p 10-Bit Video, internal ProRes 422 HQ, and F-Log 2. ProRes and Blackmagic RAW via HDMI
CFexpress type B and SD UHS-II card slots
NP-235 battery - Same at the Fujifilm X-T4
5.76m-Dot OLED electronic viewfinder
1.3 lb / 579 g (body only)
1.5 lb / 660 g (body with battery and memory)Price: $2,499.00
The Fujifilm X-H2S is available from mid-July, 2022.
Check price and availability at B&H Photo:
Update: The manual for the Fujifilm X-H2S is now available via the following links
Fujifilm X-H2S manual PDF
Fujifilm X-H2S manual HTML
I have now had a chance to review the X-H2S. You can read my review here:
Fujifilm X-H2
Fujifilm also announced the Fujifilm X-H2 with a 40-megapixel X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor. This sensor will not be stacked like in the X-H2S but I would expect an almost clone of the X-H2S with a few spec changes. Fujifilm states that we will be updated on this camera at an X Summit in September.
I do like like the looks of the new X-H2S. I expected it to take design clues from the GFX100S and GFX 50S II and it appears to be just that, a mini GFX. The camera has a chiseled appearance and if it truly is like the GFX models it will look better in real life than in pictures.
The way the grip curves around the top monitor is nicely done, the buttons are large, and especially the compensation dial at the back of the camera looks to be improved.
I am very pleased to see that Fujifilm has upped the game in regards to the 5.76m-Dot OLED EVF with a refresh rate is 120 fps. and 0.80x magnification.
The price of the upcoming Fujifilm X-H2 was not mentioned in the X Summit presentation.
I have now had a chance to review the Fujifilm X-H2 and you can read the review here:
The Fujifilm XF 18-120mm f/4 LM PZ WR
Fujifilm XF 18-120mm f/4 LM PZ WR
The XF 18-120mm f/4 LM PZ WR is a new breed from Fujifilm for the X Series geared toward stills and video shooters alike but Fujifilm especially has filmmakers in mind for this lens. Note the lens does not have an aperture ring. Instead, it features a power-zoom function.
XF18-120mm f/4 LM PZ WR is a 27-180mm full-frame equivalent 6.7X zoom. Focus breathing is kept to a minimum which is important for videographers.
I could certainly entertain the idea of the XF 18-120mm as an all-around general-purpose zoom lens. It has a constant f/4 f-stop throughout the zoom range and covers a large range of focal lengths.
If you plan to use the XF 18-120mm with a camera without IBIS (image stabilization), it is important to know that the lens does not have optical image stabilization (OIS).
It will be interesting to see how this will stack up against the XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR and I look forward to testing it as soon as I can get my hands on one.
The Fujifilm XF 18-120mm f/4 LM PZ WR
Fujifilm XF 18mm f/4 LM PZ WR Specs
15 elements in 12 groups,
Minimum focusing distance: 2' / 60 cm
Filter size: 72mm
Size: 3 x 4.9" / 77.3 x 123.5 mm
1 lb / 460 g
Price: $899.00
Check price and availability at B&H Photo:
Fujifilm XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR
I have not entertained the idea of telephotography for a while but will admit I itch to try this one out. Covering the impressive full-frame equivalent field of view range of 229-914mm, the XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR zoom lens provides serious telephoto power.
Use it with the Fujifilm XF 1.4X TC WR or XF 2X TC WR teleconverters and the longest focal length can be extended to 1200mm (the full-frame equivalent of 1828mm).
These impressive stats are meaningless unless the lens delivers optically and handles well. With a manageable weight of 3.5 lb, 1605 g, optical formula including 4 super ED and 3 ED lens elements, and internal focusing, it sounds like a great combination to me.
I have a few worries in regards to the variable f-stop and f/8 being the maximum f-stop on the long end but ISO performance is getting better and better, so I am excited to test this as soon as I can.
Fujifilm XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR - Specs
24 elements in 17 groups, (4 super ED, 3 ED)
Minimum focusing distance: 7.9' / 2.4 m
Filter size: 82mm
Aperture blades: 9, rounded
Size: 3.9 x 12.4" / 99 x 314.5 mm
3.5 lb / 1605 g
Check price and availability at B&H Photo:
Fujifilm XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR at B&H Photo
I have now had a chance to review the XF 150-600mm. You can read the review here:
Fujifilm announced the development of an XF 56mm f/1.2 II
Fujifilm XF Lenses Development Announcements
Fujifilm added three new lenses to the lens road map.
Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR
The Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR is expected by late 2022. Fujifilm promises performance in line with the latest f/1.4 XF lenses released recently and that is indeed good news.
I have been impressed by the XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR, XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR, and XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR, and if the XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR is of equal standard and feature set, as I expect it would be, it will be highly desirable and hard to resist.
The XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR is at the top of my lens radar but I had hoped for an earlier release date. At least I now have some time to put pennies aside.
I have now reviewed the XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR here:
Fujifilm announced the development of an XF 8mm f/3.5
Fujifilm XF 8mm f/3.5
I was surprised to see the XF 8mm f/3.5 development announcement and find myself quite intrigued.
When I reviewed the excellent XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR last summer I shot it almost exclusively at 8mm. I would certainly welcome this focal length option in a more compact and affordable version. There was no word on the price or specs at the X Summit but I am crossing my fingers.
Expect to see the XF 8mm f/3.5 in early 2023.
Fujifilm announced the development of an XF 30mm f/2.8 Macro
Fujifilm XF 30mm f/2.8 Macro
It was good to see that Fujifilm has not forgotten about photographers who prefer more compact lenses and interestingly so, they picked the 30mm focal length for the XF 30mm f/2.8 Macro.
There is currently no other 30mm lens in the XF lineup, meaning if you own other smaller Fujifilm lenses you get a brand new focal length and a macro lens to boot with the XF 30mm f/2.8 Macro.
Expect availability for the XF 30mm Macro by late 2022.
May 2022 Fujifilm XF Lens Road Map
Fujifilm XF lens road map 2022
Fujifilm X Summit Announcement Summary
Despite somewhat low expectations, I found myself getting more and more excited as I watched the live Fujifilm X Summit. Topping my preferred list is the Fujifilm X-H2 and XF 150-600mm, and I am excited to see the XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR and XF 8mm f/3.5 added to the lens road map.
It will be interesting to see when and how Fujifilm proceeds with the fifth general sensor and processors in the remaining lineup of cameras. Which cameras will be 26 megapixels and which cameras will be 40 megapixels?
With the X-H2S, Fujifilm has joined the race of “speed” with the likes of the Nikon Z9, Sony A1, and Canon R3 but at a more affordable price point and with an APS-C sensor. The Fujifilm X-H2 will cater to landscape photographers or anyone who needs more resolution and works at a slower pace with a new 40-megapixel X-Trans 5 sensor.
There was no mention of GFX products in this iteration of the X Summit. I had expected to perhaps see the GF 20-35mm announced but it must either be delayed or reserved for another upcoming announcement. One could also have hoped to hear news about a possible successor to the now-discontinued Fujifilm GFX 50R.
Let me know in the comments below if you have favorites among the products announced today. Did Fujifilm hit the mark with the X-H2S and X-H2? Are there lenses missing from the road map?
My reviews at a glance: Camera Reviews - Archives
Fujifilm X-H2S - It Will Blow Your Mind
