In October 2021, I wrote an article about the Fujifilm X-T4 being the perfect camera (for me).
So why have I bought the X-H2 and more importantly why did I sell the X-T4?
Before I purchased the X-T4, I had not bought a new camera in four years. I have also remained a Fuji user, not switching systems, I have avoided the full frame FOMO. So what was wrong with the X-T4 that made me purchase the Fujifilm X-H2?
Cameras Mentioned in This Article
1. Fujifilm X-H2
Jason liked this camera so much, it's now his main workhorse. With its comfortable ergonomics to its impeccable image quality, the X-H2 is a camera worth considering.
2. Fujifilm X-T4
Read Jason's full rundown of the excellent Fujifilm X-T4. He covers the video capabilities, the ergonomics, and the technical details of the image output. Read his review here.
3. Sony Alpha 7IV
Jason calls the Sony Alpha 7IV a “superb hybrid camera.” You might want to consider it for its enviable specs.
Why I Had a Strained Relationship With The X-T4
The Fujifilm X-T4 is a superb camera. Fantastic image quality, Fuji colour science and a superb array of video features for the budding Spielbergs. However, I never quite bonded with it. It never felt quite right in my hand and when photography is your job, the tool has to be right.
There were two issues that I was not comfortable with in the Fujifilm X-T4, the general feel and the shutter button.
Starting with the overall feel, although it was slightly bigger and felt better in the hand than the X-T2, it felt like the build quality was a step-down. It’s hard to quantify but the dials and buttons did not feel quite as solid as my previous Fuji.
It was the shutter button that was my major bugbear though. It was soft, so soft that you could trigger shots by accidentally brushing it. The half press for focus/exposure lock was erratic as hell for someone like me, with clumsy large digits. Even adding a third-party cap to the shutter button made little to no difference.
I have no idea why they designed it like that but it annoyed the hell out of me. And when a camera is doing that to you, you know it’s time to change.
Avoiding The Full Frame FOMO
My choice for a new camera boiled down to two. The newly released Fujifilm X-H2 or the amazing but amazingly hyped Sony Alpha 7IV. Both are superb hybrid cameras, both have enviable specs. Both were drawing me in but Sony’s marketing, in particular the endless Youtube videos featuring “photographers/videographers” using the A7IV, were playing on my mind.
I bought the X-T4 without really comparing it to other models. I enjoyed the X-T2 so much I felt that there would be very little difference in the ergonomics. This time, however, I decided I had to try both the Fujifilm X-H2 and the Sony Alpha 7IV, side by side. And so I went to the excellent WEX Photographic in Newcastle and spent time trying both.
For me, the X-H2 won hands down. The ergonomics felt better, the EV was simply stunning, and the LCD screen was a definite step above the A7IV.
Of course, it was not full frame, however, it was 40mp, a small step up from the 33mp of the Sony. In my previous life the 40mp would not have been a selling point, however, since leaving Ukraine, I have been pushing more into landscapes and seascapes with a view of selling large format prints. The extra megapixels of the X-H2 will certainly come in useful.
Another tempting feature was the X-H2 price. At nearly £700 cheaper and not requiring a complete change of lenses, it made perfect sense.
So how am I finding it?
What Life is Like With The Fujifilm X-H2
If you have read any reviews or seen any videos on the Fujifilm X-H2 you will know that ergonomically it is more akin to a modern DSLR/Mirrorless design than the X-T series. Gone are the retro, multiple top dials, replaced with the PASM dial, top plate LCD and front and rear aperture/shutter speed dials.
The eclectic design language of Fuji cameras is highlighted by the fact you can still use the aperture ring on the Fuji lenses however you can also dial in the aperture with the front or rear dial (you can choose which).
Although the change to the modern design was a little confusing for the first couple of shoots, the fact is that since 2001, every digital camera I owned apart from Fujifilm used this design. It did not take long for my muscle memory to reawaken and for me to start understanding the camera.
Ergonomically the Fujifilm X-H2 feels a major step up from the X-T4. It’s a solid, large camera, similar in size to the full-frame Sonys. I bought with it the hefty Fujifilm 100-400mm. It dwarfs my remaining X-T2 but feels comfortable and balanced on the X-H2.
Most importantly for me, the shutter button feels solid. A half press is easy to do without triggering the shutter. It’s a flat button rather than the X-T4's knurled knob with thread for a manual cable release. It’s difficult to accidentally trigger the shutter.
Image Quality With The Fujifilm X-H2
I am a long-term Lightroom user and there are well-documented issues with Fuji RAW files in Lightroom. I am not going to deny I was disappointed with the results from my first shoot with the Fujifilm X-H2. I used a slightly higher ISO of 800 and imported normally into Lightroom. With even a little processing the dreaded Fuji “worms” appeared.
I took to the Internet and did a little research, finding out that the chief culprit for the worms is Adobe’s detail sharpening slider. This is set to too high on default import.
I changed my default import dialogue to zero detail, it made a significant difference. I can now push and pull the raw files around like I would any other high-end camera. The dynamic range is excellent, the colours bright and natural and by adding only a tickle of detail in output sharpening, I get wonderfully sharp images.
I have not shot many videos yet, but the Fujifilm X-H2 specs are a step up from the X-T. It can shoot 8k/30p but more importantly 40k/60p with a very minimal crop. The Sony Alpha 7IV had a significant crop at 40k/60. It also has a full-sized HDMI output, which is useful for me when using my Shinobi monitor. The mini HDMI on previous models was scarily easy to damage, in fact, I have come close to doing it myself.
Is The Fujifilm X-H2 Another Perfect Camera?
Yes, at the moment and for me. The ergonomics suit me much better. The extra megapixels whilst not vital are certainly useful. The video upgrades help future-proof the camera for the foreseeable future, in particular the 8k.
Having solved the “worms” issue, the image quality is excellent. More importantly, I love using the camera. It’s a joy to handle and shoot with and when that’s the case, you know you have made the right decision.
Cameras Mentioned in This Article
1. Fujifilm X-H2
Jason liked this camera so much, it's now his main workhorse. With its comfortable ergonomics to its impeccable image quality, the X-H2 is a camera worth considering.
2. Fujifilm X-T4
Read Jason's full rundown of the excellent Fujifilm X-T4. He covers the video capabilities, the ergonomics, and the technical details of the image output. Read his review here.
3. Sony Alpha 7IV
Jason calls the Sony Alpha 7IV a “superb hybrid camera.” You might want to consider it for its enviable specs.
