Rumors of a
new Fujifilm X-H2 camera have resurfaced with claims that the flagship will undoubtedly feature a new X-trans sensor, rather than Bayer's more conventional design. Fuji's fairly reliable rumors were pretty unequivocal in a new post about the successor to the Fujifilm X-H1, stating that "the Fujifilm X-H2 will feature a new X-Trans sensor." This is a big deal for Fuji fans, as the company's X-Trans sensor design, which arguably creates images with unique characteristics, is one of the reasons Fujifilm cameras are chosen over Fujifilm alternatives. Canon and Sony. . The main difference between
Fujifilm's X-Trans sensor design and the more common Bayer equivalent is how it captures and processes colors. Camera sensors need a “color filter array” because their individual photosites only respond to light intensity. Instead of using the classic Bayer 4x4 grid (one red, two green and one blue), the X-Trans sensors have a more complex 6x6 layout of red, green and blue filters. It's not necessarily better, but it produces small differences in character from images produced by cameras like the alleged X-H2. Many Fujifilm fans cite improved sharpness and better high ISO performance, though the X-Trans demo process requires more processing, which can affect battery life. Perhaps most important to most camera fans is the fact that the Fujifilm X-H2 is expected to shoot 8K video as well and cost less than €2,500 (or around €2,400 / AU€4,500). That would make it a more affordable 8K mirrorless camera than the Canon EOS R5 (€3,899 / €4,199 / €6,899AU).
Review: X-H2 marks the spot for next-gen Fuji cameras
(Image credit: Avenir) These rumors that
the Fujifilm X-H2 apparently has a new X-Trans sensor that will appeal to Fuji fansi, but other factors are likely to be more important to the average camera buyer. The big recent trend in the camera world has been the emergence of "stacked" sensor designs, whose higher read speeds have produced a leap forward in continuous frame rates for action capture and video performance. While it's not yet clear if the X-H2 will jump on this bandwagon, we've already seen rumors (spurred by an interview with Toshi Iida, Fujifilm's director of European operations) that Fuji was working on developing some innovative functionality, so it's not expected to arrive until 2022. Our best guess at this point is that this feature is a new stacked X-Trans processor and sensor combo, which will help unlock performance improvements like 8K video. That would be a big deal because so far all recent Fujifilm cameras have been based on the existing pairing of a 26.1 MP X-Trans sensor and an X-Processor 4. If so, then
the Fujifilm X-H2 would probably be promoted as a more affordable hybrid flagship than its current full-frame competitors like the Canon EOS R5. The ability to shoot 8K video is becoming more common in flagship cameras, allowing videographers to crop and produce multiple 4K shots from the same footage. Until now, though, it's only been available on expensive full-frame cameras like the Canon EOS R5 and Sony A1. If the Fujifilm X-H2 shoots 8K video and offers performance improvements that are unlocked by a new stacked X-Trans sensor, then it could offer a compelling APS-C alternative in much the same way as the Fujifilm X-T4, which is currently being considered the best camera for photography