As we know since the Fujifilm X Summit, Fujifilm introduces the 5th generation cameras with two sensors:
26MP X-Trans CMOS 5 HS
40MP X-Trans CMOS 5 HR
The first model to come was the “HS” version, hence the Fujifilm X-H2S.
In order to mark this specific model, Fujifilm printed the letter “S” on the front of the camera.
All this considered, there was a wide-spread belief out there that the “HR” model would therefore have an “R” printed in front of the camera.
However, as we can see from the first leaked image of the Fujifilm X-H2, there is nothing at all on the front. Where the X-H2S has the “S”, the X-H2 will have nothing.
But hey, don’t blame me guys!
I already told you that leaked images of the Fujifilm X-H2 will be the most boring ever as it will use exactly the same body of the Fujifilm X-H2S.
On a positive note, having the same body means you’ll be able to use all your X-H2S accessories on the X-H2, including the world famous modular optional cooling fan ;).
We recently shared the official Fujifilm recommended CFexpress Type B card list here.
We saw that not all CFexpress TypeB card are made equal and that only these 4 card models can do it all and can do it best (among the ones tested by Fujifilm).
Other cards work well too, but maybe don’t give you as long bursts as others, or can’t record ProRes and so forth (full details here).
For your convenience, here are the cards recommended
In order to try to get clarification, I fired off a few emails to sources asking if Fujifilm simply did not test those cards on the Fujifilm X-H2S or maybe if they did test them, and saw they performed so bad that they excluded it from the recommended CFexpress Card list.
Well, today a source wrote me back and told me that the Fujifilm did test them, and they did not perform well, so they did not include them in the list.
More precisely, the source mentioned the following card models as not working properly:
So these are the AngelBird card models you should definitely avoid to use on your Fujifilm X-H2S.
I am aware about the brand new AngelBird MKII CFexpress Type B cards. I don’t have info on those ones, but I think we can be cautiously optimistic that they will work fine. However, I still don’t recommend to buy any CFexpress Card except for the ones officially recommended by Fujifilm.
Once Fujifilm updates its recommended CFexpress card list, I will inform you.
When I re-watched the X Summit, I was confused by the statement the Japanese Fujifilm manager made in regards to the 5th generation 26MP stacked and 40MP non-stacked sensor.
His statement:
there is no other camera platform more suitable to have them both than the ‘X-H” Series
I wondered what he meant by that, and I concluded it could be either one of the 2 options mentioned below:
only the X-H line will offer both sensor options
since the X-H line is the most suitable, it will be the first to feature both sensor options. Other less suitable lines might get both options too, but only later on as the priority is the X-H line
NEW ENTRY: some FR-reader said this is just marketing blah blah blah aimed to sell as many X-H cameras as possible and then both sensors will find its way in most camera lines anyway
SPECULATION (NOT RUMOR): In my eyes, it would make sense to put both sensor options in at least all of Fuji’s higher end models, as ordering the same Sony sensor in larger numbers, helps to push down the cost for each sensor.
But what Fujifilm will decide to do is unknown at this point. And maybe it is even unknown to Fujifilm itself.
This would mean that in regards to all other lines, Fujifilm would have to make a decision on which sensor to pick for each camera.
And if that would be the case, I can already see lots of head scratching at the Fujifilm HQ trying to figure out which sensor is best for which line.
If that’s really the case, then I thought that the generous FujiRumors community will gladly invest a bit of its time to give Fujifilm its opinion on this matter by commenting on this article and by voting the surveys down below.
The Fujifilm X-T line was never supposed to be a flagship camera.
Let me explain why.
When Fujifilm launched the Fujifilm X-H1, they called it their flagship camera, giving it top of the line features that no other camera had at that time (like IBIS) and in part still no other camera, except for X-Pro3, has (like the ultra-tough body). The Fujifilm X-T2 was positioned under the X-H1.
However, since it took Fujifilm so long to release the Fujifilm X-H1 successor, the Fujifilm X-T line had to take over the “flagship-role” for a couple of years.
But now, with the the release of the Fujifilm X-H2S and the pre-announced Fujifilm X-H2, everything is going back to normal so to say.
X-H is the flagship, and X-T is the mid-range.
And that’s not me saying it, but Fuji Guy Billy, who went through the “what is what” in the Fujifilm camera lineup with Bigheaedtaco, who then shared Billy’s list with us in the video below (starts 9:59).
X-S series:
Refinement: Base Level
Interface: DSLR design with PSAM interface
X-T** series:
Refinement: Base Level
Interface: classic SLR design with classic interface
X-E series
Refinement: Base Level
Interface: Rangefinder design with classic interface
Who REMAINS and who is OUT
I agree with Bigheadtaco when he speculates that all those camera lines mentioned in the list will see a successor at some point. Otherwise I believe Fuji Guy Billy would not have mentioned them
if correct, this means that also the X-E line will continue, hence there is hope for a Fujifilm X-E5
this means little hope for Fujifilm X-A8, Fujifilm X-T300, X-A30
the “new” entry level (or base line) is considered the X-T** and X-S line
PSAM PANIC
there will be 3 lines with a more classic interface, and 2 lines with PSAM dials
Non-PSAM dial camera lines will remain the majority in the Fuji lineup (4 non PSAM lines vs 2 PSAM lines)
Fujifilm has not lost its soul! Classic control lovers like me will have plenty of cameras to pick from also in the future
By getting rid of a few lines and separating more clearly the remaining ones, Fujifilm has addressed one of the major concerns that was confusing Fujifilm X shooters: too many camera lines positioned too close to each other without sufficient differentiation.
In short we could say that every line will have a higher end and a lower end version
HIGH: X-H line – LOW: X-S line
HIGH: X-T* line – LOW: X-T** line
HIGH: X-Pro line – LOW: X-E* line
P.S.: It was just so much more fun when Fujifilm used other terms to identify their camera lines, like when they said the X-T** line for hipsters :).
There is a question I get very often these days via email but also in the comments here on FujiRumors. Does the X-H2 HR have the same body of the X-H2S HS?
Well, in regards to the Fujifilm X-H2 HR body, Fujifilm will do what in my opinion makes most sense (for R&D reasons): they will use exactly the same body of the Fujifilm X-H2S and just put a different sensor inside.
I know some will be disappointed that also the Fujifilm X-H2 will have a PSAM dial, but here are two positive aspects of that:
you’ll be spared blurry leaked camera images when we have our X-H2 rumor marathon (because I am sure we will have lots to talk about)
Ah, speaking of rumors… do not think we are done yet.
In fact, I am working on so many rumor fronts right now. One of them of course being the Fujifilm X-H2 40MP, but the eye of FujiRumors is also watching beyond that already. ;)
