Fujifilm XH2 vs XH2s vs XT5
One of the most common questions I get is why do I own all three of Fujififilm’s flagship cameras, which one I prefer and why I pick one over the other. Although I think I answered it before, the questions are still coming so in this blog I will clear this up as much as I can.
This blog will be split into four key sections:
Why I own all three cameras
What I like and don’t like about each one
Why I select each one for a shoot or trip
If I had to only keep one, which one would it be
Disclaimer
As always with gear blogs I need to make a disclaimer. I’m not affiliated with Fujifilm and all my gear was purchased with my own money at the same price and time as anyone else. I’ve used Fujifilm cameras exclusively for over 5 years however I’m not a fanboy and would switch if something more suitable comes along. Finally this blog is not a review of each camera, I’ve made those already before.
Why I have all 3
There are a few key reasons why I own and use all three cameras. Let’s start with the XH2s. This is my primary video camera. It has the most dynamic range, the fastest readout, the best video specs and the best autofocus. Some of these are marginal gains while others such as sensor readout are significant. This also doubles up as my action camera if for whatever reason I need to photograph sports, wildlife and so on.
Next is the XH2. This is my primary stills camera when I am working. My definition of working is when I am in a location or on a shoot where I need to walk away with shots. This camera is also suited for longer durations, tougher environments, burst shooting and using larger lenses. Also this is a great backup for the XH2s.
Finally is the XT5. This is my fun photography camera. It’s small, light and fun to use. Coupled with the smaller primes, it’s a great casual camera for days out when the pressure to create is off. It also acts as a third backup for my main two workhorse cameras. Think of it in this way. The XH2 / XH2s are your work vans while the XT5 is your sports car for weekends. When I look at my usage over the last year, it’s split pretty evenly between all cameras.
What I like and don’t like about each one
XT5
I love the compactness and weight of this camera. It’s fun to use, it looks great and it’s a camera that makes you want to pick, hold and use. Coupled with the smaller f2 primes, it makes for a perfect daily set up. The form factor also means that it doesn’t get in your face and you can use to capture family, friends or your travels without people always noticing it.
I also love the top dials even though I don’t use them as often as I should. If you really want to slow down with your photography and be more mindful about the settings you use, those dials are great. Finally I love the screen design. Unless you need to film yourself, this design is perfect.
As much as I love how the top dials look and how they slow you down, they do get in the way if you need to work fast. For example if you want to go from aperture priority to shutter priority, it’s a few steps and not just one click like on the XH bodies. Also these dials are a weak point when it comes to weather sealing. Every XT body I owned had issues with water and dirt ingress through these dials. This caused various issues from sticky dials to the camera short circuiting.
On that note, I feel the build quality of this camera is a step down from the previous generations. By no means does it feel plasticky or cheap, but the cost cutting is there.
XH2
This is a camera you can bash around and it will be just fine. It’s built like a tank and has a simple and intuitive user interface. I love the extra physical buttons and find the top dial to be a huge time saver. You can save different set ups to each custom mode and switch between them in a second. The grip is excellent and you can happily hold it all day without getting annoyed or tired. The CF express card means no waiting around after taking a burst and not waiting too long when importing into your computer. I personally love the ability to go from photo to video mode in one click and the top display is incredibly useful. For video I like the fact I can shoot in ProRes and without a crop. Something you can’t do on the XT5. As for image quality and autofocus, both are carryover from the XT5 and are great.
The main dislike I have about this camera is the size. Of course bigger grip and more features will increase the size but when you can get full frame cameras that are smaller and more technically advanced, it does make you question the bulkiness of this camera. For some people it’s not an issue and is the price you pay for having an ergonomic set up however if you like travelling light, then this can become annoying after a while. The second biggest dislike is the slow readout of the sensor. This means you get a lot of rolling shutter in video and you have to be mindful of how fast vertical objects are moving in your frame.
XH2s
All the positives from the XH2 carry over to this camera and there is more. Although there is a slight drop in resolution, you really can’t tell unless pixel peeping. However you get more dynamic range, less high ISO noise and much less rolling shutter. The autofocus is a little quicker and the same can be said for the whole camera. It feels snappier and more responsive than the XH2 or the XT5. Finally you have more video options and better video quality across the board. When it comes to dislikes the only one is the size, the same as for the XH2.
Why I select each one
Depending on the shoot, trip, lens selection or even my mood I will select a different camera or a combination of different cameras.
If it’s a job and I’m being paid by a client, then I bring the XH2s and XH2 as they are my workhorses.
If I’m going on a big trip that will involve both photo and video, if that trip is expensive or somewhere far away, then I will use the two XH bodies and might even consider bringing the XT5 as an extra backup.
If I’m going backpacking with just one bag and I need to be very light and minimal, I will bring either the XT5 if I don’t plan on making videos or the XH2s if I plan on filming.
If I’m going out to only photograph for myself then the XT5 comes along.
If I plan on using bigger lenses such as the f1.4 primes or the zooms, the XH2 / XH2s is better suited.
If I plan on shooting in harsh, dirty or wet environments, the XH2 / XH2s is my choice.
If I just want to focus on photography, being present and enjoying the process, the XT5 is the clear winner.
If I had to only keep one
Lastly if for whatever reason I had to only keep one body, then it would be the XH2s if I still plan on making videos and shooting for clients. If I would only focus on photography and shoot for myself, it would be the XT5. The XH2s is a better tool while the XT5 is more fun to use. That’s really what it comes down to.
With all that said, any of these cameras and even any of Fuji’s older cameras dating back to the XT3 will do 90% of what these new ones can. The XH2s is only worth it to people who actually need ProRes or 30 frames per second or faster readouts. If you don’t need these specific things, then you don’t need to spend so much money on this body. You don’t need any of these latest top of the range cameras to get great photos and videos. I have them because it’s my job and given I own a business, these are tax exempt expenses. This is my bread and butter so I can justify expensive equipment. On the other hand I love hiking however I don’t go out and spend 100s of pounds on top of the range boots because I don’t do it often enough or to a high level. Just a good pair of trainers is usually enough for me.
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