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Didn't really see this one coming: 26MP APS-C sensor similar FX3 body and similar FX3 specs same FX3 interface (from latest firmware) unconfirmed: Price around $2,500 announcement in late September (Source: SAR) If the rumoured price is confirmed this could be quite disruptive as it would be almost half the price of an FX3 and by far the cheapest FX line camera. The latest FX3 firmware adds LUT support, Cine EI modes & timecode sync. So basically a GH6, XH2S & R7 competitor.

It will certainly come down to the sensor and specs. Hopefully it uses the 26MP XH2S stacked sensor. By the way A7IV becomes APS-C in 4K60p, has terrible rolling shutter, no 4K120p and overheating issues. In the end, it probably won't convert FF Sony shooters but rather aimed at S35 FS5/FS7 users like myself that are used to the crop factor and have according lenses like the Sigma 18-35 etc.

I mostly lurk here but I got the X-H2S about a month ago. Because I got it together with the Tascam XLR adapter, my order was delayed significantly so I missed the chance to use it on most of the gigs I had lined-up originally. The one time I've used it for video, it was the Wide of a three-camera interview setup (with R5Cs as the CUs) feeding an ATEM Mini ISO. Lens was the XF 23mm f/2 (set to f/4) with AF-C / Face Detect-on. The R5Cs were set to 4K/S35 mode and one had an EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II (set to f/4) while the other had an RF 24-105mm f/4. The Good: Color: The X-H2S was set to Astia and the R5Cs were set to EOS Standard Profile and their footage was relatively interchangeable (this I already knew from my previous experience mixing Canon and Fujifilm cameras). Video autofocus: The X-H2S autofocus is significantly better than my previous X-T3 -I didn't notice any focus hunting during the multi-hour shoot which is something I can't say for my previous X-series bodies in similar setups. Keeps going: It records for longer than 29.99 minutes! That's all I want in my hybrid cameras since my main moneymaker is long form documentary. Formats: ProRes! h.265! h.264! I've always appreciated the level of control Fujifilm gives the operator over file output. Anyone who's used a BMPCC will know the frustration of being format-limited by resolution and vice-versa. CF-Express -as much as I hate that I'm back to cameras that have non-matched dual card slots, at least they're the same type as what I use in my R5Cs. And GB for GB, CF-Express is cheaper than SDXC UHS-II. But holy hell do they get hot. The Bad: The button and dial layout is significantly different from my other X-series cameras and it drives me nuts. One of the main reasons I skipped the X-T4 was specifically because they altered the layout and this has the same problem. I can re-map some of the functionality to standardize with my other X-series bodies but there are wholly deleted buttons and switches (the drive-mode and exposure-mode are two glaring examples) that is going to force me to change mindset whenever using the X-H2S with another of my X-series cameras. I might have to sell all my older bodies and just get another X-H2S (or the 40MP model) so that I don't get annoyed. The fan works and I'm glad I have it. The problem is, as I type this... I can't remember where I put it. It can only be attached when you're using the camera, as it prevents the screen from closing/cannot remain attached permanently. It also has two sets of rubber covers that are easily lost if you're frequently attaching/detaching it. It's a very dumb implementation and is probably going to get lost and re-purchased. I wish they had just gone the route that Canon did and elegantly integrated into the body. No anamorphic view. I have three Sirui anamorphics for XF-mount and I still have to use my Atomos Ninja Inferno. No Waveform - I come from a "traditional" video production background so I was so excited to get these back into my workflow on my R5Cs when I don't want to attach a larger monitor. At least the Zebras on the X-H2S are still well implemented... HDMI frame stuttering -this is something that happens on my X-T3 frequently, and I haven't had a chance to really figure out why it happens (is it thermal? is it a framerate mismatch? etc...). I noticed it happening to the feed coming from X-H2S but, again, I've only used it once so I can't rule out user error here, either. The Jury is still out: Photos: My other money maker is photography. One of my main clients is a symphony and so I'm constantly shooting in fast-moving, high contrast scenarios using electronic shutter. The X-series cameras I own (T2, H1, T3) have been as-good-as the R5C in all aspects except resolution, autofocus and extreme high-ISO. Previously, choosing a body has been a trade-off between auto-focus performance vs rolling shutter artifacts. I'm hoping that the X-H2S solves both those issues but I know there's a shadow recovery penalty with the new stacked sensor. The new season starts in about a month so only time will tell if it's actually going to be problematic. Video autofocus: I haven't had a real-world opportunity to test the X-H2S's video autofocus against the R5C's. Hopefully, it'll be as good as the R5C -which is a low standard :-). Honestly, I was surprised by how inferior the Canon cinema implementation of DPAF is compared to the non-cinema version. Tracking moves I could do with robotic automation on the 70D/80D/5D4 I wasn't able to do with the R5C. It's made food documentary and product video capture more... annoying than it should be. Conclusion: I'm still stuck in the value-conscious mindset I was in a few years ago -when it would definitely have been an either/or situation- so, I'm kind of torn on whether I wasted $3000 USD on the X-H2S or $5000 USD on the R5C. If only one or the other existed, I'd probably be happy but since they both exist and they both have respective strengths and weaknesses... it's weirdly still a toss-up. I am happy that I have enough work to justify owning both. After re-reading what I wrote above (and how non-committal I still am), I will say this: the X-H2S is what I wished the BMPCC 6K Pro would have been. It is definitely more expensive when kitted-out equivalently but it does almost everything better. If $5000 USD is within your budget and rolling-shutter isn't a big deal, the Canon R5C is the better tool versus the X-H2. But at $3000 USD (base+TASCAM audio unit) the X-H2S is the only hybrid camera that does all the things it does, and does them well. JP

It seems quite a few of us were on Fuji for some time and then moved on. They are back to being that really niche company nobody is really hyped about. and that's kind of good in my book, I'd go as far as to say that even appeals to me. I hate having the same gear as everyone and Fuji has its own kind of visual imprint. The hardware too with the top dials & compact lenses. It's kind of like Leica, without the prestige & price tag. I'm not about to ditch Canon or Sony by the way. Too invested in them, and they do the job, I can operate them with my eyes shut. But that's also the problem, they're utilitarian, boring. Fuji is a breath of fresh air, even the idiosyncrasies make you work a little different. Long story short, I have humongous GAS for this XH2S. It really ticks the boxes as far as feature ratio/price. Adding a fourth system is a little nuts but my projects are really diversified and this would be my creative/experimental system for more artsy/fine art projects. @MrSMW What did you end up pulling trigger on?

I just took a quick look at the CineD review. Very nice. But what I found more interesting was the latest user comment By a Mr. Burkhart, apparently a professional who owns an Alexa. https://www.cined.com/fujifilm-x-h2s-lab-test-rolling-shutter-dynamic-range-and-exposure-latitude/ And speaking of Alexa, here is an article which suggests an unknown 3rd party designed the new Alexa 35 sensor: https://ymcinema.com/2022/07/18/arri-chief-color-scientist-alev-4-wasnt-developed-by-arri/