The arrival of the Fujifilm X-H1 is the most exciting release in the X series since the launch of the Fujifilm X-T2 in 2016. It slots into the lineup as the flagship model, above the X-T2 and X-Pro2, with a comprehensive spec for both serious photographers and videographers.
It presents a number of firsts on an X-series camera – it’s Fujifilm’s first mirrorless camera with in-body image stabilisation (IBIS), it’s the first top-end X-series model to feature a touchscreen, and it boasts the most robust build quality of any X-series camera to date. There’s plenty more besides, which I’ll touch on in detail below.

Fujifilm X-H1 – Price and release date

When stock of the camera arrives in March, the Fujifilm X-H1 is expected to cost £1699 (body only) or £1949 with the battery grip kit. The X-H1 will initially be made in black and there are no immediate plans to produce a graphite silver version.
Purchased on its own, the optional VPB-X-H1 battery grip will cost £299 with no batteries. At the time of launch, however, Fujifilm is going to offer a battery grip kit, comprising an X-H1, VPB-X-H1 and two spare batteries, for £1949.
Fujifilm X-H1
The design of the X-H1 is a blend of the best from the company’s X-T2 and GFX 50S

Fujifilm X-H1 – Features

The X-H1 is built around the same 24.3-million-pixel X-Trans CMOS III sensor and X-Processor Pro as found inside the X-T2 and X-Pro2. This pairing provides a sensitivity range covering ISO 200-12,800 (expandable to ISO 100-51,200), with a sensitivity ceiling of ISO 25,600 when shooting video.
Fujifilm X-H1
The X-H1’s 2 24.3-million-pixel X-Trans CMOS III sensor on show behind the X-mount
The big talking point is the introduction of 5-axis in-body image stabilisation (IBIS), which provides a maximum 5.5 stops of benefit when using unstabilised lenses such as the XF35mm f/1.4 R. With most OIS lenses, the camera palms off the pitch and yaw correction to the lens, and corrects the other three axes in-body. With the XF80mm f/2.8R LM OIS WR, the lens corrects four axes of movement, with roll corrected by the camera body.
Fujifilm X-H1
Fujifilm’s in-body stabilisation (IBIS) unit was designed and manufactured in Japan
Adapted lenses that get paired with the X-H1 only receive 3-axis in-body IS, though, as focus distance information is a prerequisite for 5-axis in-body image stabilisation. The key thing to take away from the X-H1’s IBIS is that it gives many lenses a new lease of life, and users the opportunity to shoot sharp handheld shots at considerably slower shutter speeds than has previously been possible on other X-series cameras.
Fujifilm X-H1
The top-plate LCD reveals basic setting information even when the camera is switched off
Fujifilm has also refined the autofocus algorithm on the X-H1 to further improve the accuracy and speed of focusing in low-light situations. It can be used with lenses with aperture up to f/11 – for example, the XF100-400mmF4.5- 5.6 R LM OIS WR with teleconverter XF2X TC WR – whilst the performance of continuous AF (AF-C) during zooming is also said to be significantly improved.
Fujifilm X-H1
Other stills performance upgrades include flicker-free shooting, which detects the rapid on-off pulsing of artificial lights indoors, and the introduction of a CM (continuous medium) mode on the drive dial. The latter lets users shoot between CH (continuous high 8fps) mode and CL (continuous low 3fps) mode at 6fps. Just like the X-T2, the fastest the X-H1 can shoot without a grip attached is 8fps.
Fujifilm X-H1
Fujifilm was keen to stress at our product briefing that the X-H1 is not primarily designed for videographers and has been designed as a high-end stills camera with the capability of shooting high-quality video. In this respect, the X-H1 is rather similar to the Panasonic Lumix G9.
It doesn’t shoot cinema- or broadcast-quality 4:2:2 10-bit colour like the Panasonic Lumix GH5 or Panasonic Lumix GH5S, but the video specification has been improved in many areas over the X-T2.
Fujifilm X-H1
Fitted with the Fujifilm 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR lens
Upgraded video functionality includes 4K/30p 4:2:0 8-bit internal recording at a maximum of 200Mbps (100Mbps and 50Mbps are available) and HDMI live output options include 4K/30p 4:2:2 8-bit. F-log video recording direct to the card is available in 4K and Full HD video formats, and there’s a new dedicated video menu, with the option to record movies to one card and stills to the other. Slow-motion recording in Full HD at 120fps is possible, however one feature the X-H1 lacks is the option to extract still images from 4K footage.
Fujifilm X-H1
The X-H1 has a similar shutter button to the GFX-50S. It doesn’t support a screw-in cable release
All existing ‘film simulation’ filters can be used in movie mode, and there’s a new movie-optimised film simulation called Eterna that mimics the feel of that particular old Fujifilm film stock, producing a look with low contrast and low saturation with soft shadows.
Like the X-T2, the X-H1 has a stereo microphone input at the side and a headphone socket for audio monitoring is provided at the side of the battery grip, which I’ll touch on in more detail shortly.
On the top plate the X-H1 adopts the same LCD panel and leaf-sprung shutter button that you find on the Fujifilm GFX-50S, while at the rear you get the same two-way tilting mechanism as the X-T2, with the benefit of touchscreen control like we’ve seen previously on the Fujifilm X-E3.Fujifilm X-H1

What’s particularly nice about the screen is the way it allows you to drag your thumb over the panel while your eye is raised to the EVF to change the focus position. Entering the quick menu also gives you the option to select settings by touch – however, we’re still not at the point where the main menu or key exposure variables can be selected and adjusted by the tap of a finger.
Above the screen there’s a stunningly detailed 3.69-million-dot electronic viewfinder with 0.75x magnification. Other important features to note include the X-H1’s quieter mechanical shutter, which has been made possible by mounting the shutter unit on shock absorbers.
There’s also Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, which help form an instant wireless connection with mobile devices. This is another feature that carries across from the Fujifilm X-E3.

Fujifilm X-H1 – Body and design

The X-H1 is built around an entirely new metal chassis to accommodate the new IBIS system. As a result it’s larger and heavier than the X-T2, but at 673g (body only), it’s still less than half the weight of many professional DSLRs.
To reaffirm its robust build quality for professional use, the X-H1 is finished in scratch-resistant paint and has 94 weather seals around the body to prevent water and dust reaching the internals.
Fujifilm X-H1
The Fujifilm X-H1 feels noticeably larger in the hand compared to the X-T2
The overall design and arrangement of buttons combines the best of what the X-T2 and GFX-50S have to offer. The quick-menu button is positioned next to the thumb rest like the GFX-50S, with the exposure-compensation button offset from an unthreaded on/off shutter button.
The top-plate LCD takes the place of where the exposure-compensation dial used to be on the X-T2, and can be inverted to display shooting settings as black on white or vice versa. There are large playback/delete and AE-L/AF-ON buttons either side of the electronic viewfinder too.
Fujifilm X-H1
The AF-ON button at the rear falls nicely to hand and is easily operated by the thumb
With the X-T2 and X-H1 in front of me and both eyes closed, I had no difficulty identifying one from the other based on size and feel in the hand. The handgrip is noticeably larger and sculpted differently, but like the X-T2, it provides a comfortable handling experience, with and without gloves, and offers superb AF control thanks to its perfectly positioned AF point toggle selector.
Photographers with large hands and anyone who previously thought the X-T2’s handgrip was on the small side are likely to appreciate the chunkier feel of the Fujifilm X-H1.

Fujifilm X-H1 – Battery grip

With a larger footprint than the X-T2, the X-H1 requires an all-new battery grip. Much like the X-T2’s vertical power booster, the VPB-X-H1 battery grip for the X-H1 accepts two NP-W126S batteries in addition to the one battery inside the camera. It offers many performance-enhancing benefits whilst giving the camera a brawnier feel and a better handling experience when used in portrait orientation.
Fujifilm X-H1
The AF-ON and AE-L buttons on the grip are considerably smaller than those on the camera body
Without the VPB-X-H1 attached the X-H1 can shoot 310 shots from a single battery – slightly less than the X-T2, which can manage 340 shots. Fit the battery grip to the underside of the camera and that soars to 900 shots.
Interestingly, the start-up time of the X-H1 is not as quick as the X-T2’s (0.4secs as opposed to 0.3secs), but with the camera set to its performance-enhancing boost mode and the battery grip attached, the continuous shooting speed rises from a healthy 8fps to a brisk 11fps using the mechanical shutter. The fastest the X-H1 can shoot at with the grip is 14fps, but like the X-T2, this is only when the electronic shutter is used.
Fujifilm X-H1
The shutter, exposure-compensation and quick-menu buttons are grouped closely on the battery grip
Other benefits see the viewfinder blackout time reduce from 130ms to 114ms with the grip attached, and the frame rate of the EVF also increases from 60fps to 100fps. The maximum duration of 4K recording time without the VPB-X-H1 attached is 10 minutes, but this also extends to 30 minutes when it’s fitted.
The battery grip is built to the same dust- and splash-resistance standards as the camera body, and can be used at temperatures down to -10°C. The controls include the shutter-release button, focus lever, AE-L button, AF-ON button, thumbwheel, Q button, and Fn button.
Fujifilm X-H1
The grip is designed to mimic landscape format handling of the camera in the portrait orientation
It has a headphone jack to monitor sound during video recording and, rather like with the X-T2’s vertical power booster, the two batteries in the grip can be charged via a power supply (AC-9VS) within a couple of hours. The only thing to note is that, as with the X-T2, the third battery inside the camera cannot be charged via the battery grip.

First impressions

The introduction of the X-H1 into the X-series has seen Fujifilm take a different approach to what we’ve seen before. Rather than making the smallest and lightest mirrorless camera possible, Fujifilm has done quite the opposite and made a larger, more durable camera for demanding photographers who insist on having in-body stabilisation, with an excellent stills and video specification.
Fujifilm X-H1
It’s a camera that’ll have wide versatility across many different genres of photography, with the implementation of IBIS being particularly appealing for wedding, press, reportage, event and wildlife photographers who frequently shoot handheld. Pairing the X-H1 with the non-stabilised XF56mm f/1.2 R and firing off a series of handheld shots in low-light was a good early test. Pin-sharp shots of a static subject were easily achieved using shutter speeds as slow as 1/8sec and 1/5sec.
The revised layout and controls are an amalgamation of the best of the X-T2 and the company’s medium-format GFX 50S. Having a top-plate LCD for glancing and referring to shooting settings at the expense of losing the exposure-compensation dial is a decision well made in my opinion. I’m also particularly fond of the new large AF-ON button at the rear that’s well positioned and will be regularly used by those who shoot using the back-button focusing technique.
Fujifilm X-H1
With the VPB-XH1 grip attached
Touchscreen control is welcomed too, but I’m still left asking the question: when will it allow us to navigate through the main menu and not just the quick menu?
I found the X-H1’s larger eyecup offers a more comfortable shooting experience when it’s raised to the eye, and although the larger grip takes some getting used to after using the X-T2, it feels more brute-like and ready for use with larger lenses like the XF200mmF2 R LM OIS WR we’re expecting to see later in 2018.
While some existing X-T2 users might be tempted to upgrade, others will prefer the lighter, smaller feel of the X-T2 in the hand, which must be said still remains an excellent camera two years on from its launch. The price difference will play an important role too, with the cost of the X-H1 (body only) being around £265 more than the X-T2 at the time of writing.
It’s larger than the X-T2, but remains considerably smaller and lighter than full-frame DSLRs
Serious videographers after professional, broadcast-quality 4K (60p) 4:2:2 10-bit internal recording from a small, portable mirrorless camera are still likely to sway towards the Panasonic Lumix GH5 or GH5S. Nevertheless, the X-H1’s video specs are impressive and shows Fujifilm’s commitment to satisfying video users, not just a stills-focused audience.
What’s going to be particularly interesting is to find out what Fujifilm’s plans are for in-body image stabilisation next. Will they somehow find a way to squeeze it into other, smaller X-series camera bodies going forward by miniaturising the IBIS unit, maybe on the rumoured X-T3 that’s supposedly going to arrive later in the year, or keep it exclusively for the X-H series? For now we’ll just have to wait and see what the future holds.