I reviewed the Fujifilm X-H1 for Digital Camera World back in 2018. I loved it but I was cautious about the specs because it seemed a modest gain over the X-T2 at the time. Now, in 2023, I realise just how good the X-H1 was. And that is after using the later X-H2 and X-H2S.
In just about every technical respect, the X-H2 and X-H2S are a major step forward from the X-H1. And yet, with hindsight, the X-H1 was ahead of its time. Even today, it’s a great camera. Sure, it can’t hold a candle to the X-H2S for continuous shooting speed and 4K video, or the X-H2 for 8K video and resolution, but in every other respect it’s within a hairs-breadth of its modern successors, and even ahead in one significant respect.
Sometimes it’s only with hindsight that you realise how good a camera actually was.
So just to do a quick spec check, the 24MP X-H1 was essentially a Fujifilm X-T2 with a big grip and in-body stabilisation. These did seem a couple of modest gains when the X-T2 was riding high. The X-H1 did enjoy some attention, but it never gained the same traction as the X-T series and eventually fizzled out, appearing at knock-down prices for a little while before disappearing.
Life can be unfair. Sometimes it takes hindsight to realise just how good a camera is, or was, and it’s often too late. So I’ll explain why I still really rate the Fujifilm X-H1.
First, its 24MP sensor is a couple of generations behind the latest Fujifilm X-Trans sensors, but it’s a still a very good sensor, and 24MP is enough for most in the APS-C format.
Second, it was the first Fujifilm X-mount camera to have in-body stabilisation. That’s still not something you can take for granted even today. Just take a look at the Sony, Nikon and Canon APS-C mirrorless range.
Third, it had a top plate status panel. Have you any idea how rare these are these days, especially on cameras in this price range? Not everyone will care about top plate status panels, but for those who do, the X-H1 ticks an important box.
But there’s something else. The X-H1 had all this but also Fujifilm’s top plate shutter speed and ISO dials. These have been abandoned in the X-H2 and X-H2S, and also the lower-end X-S10 and X-S20 models. Fujifilm has gone mainstream. It’s dropped the external controls that made it famous in favor of generic mode dials and control layouts.
In fact, the Fujifilm X-H1 is the only Fujifilm camera ever to offer a top LCD, in-body-stabilization and external exposure controls. There probably won’t be another.
The X-H1’s feather-light shutter release takes some getting used to, its specs are good but not exceptional by today’s standard and it’s only available now on the used camera market.
But while it’s too late to buy one new, it’s not too late to find a good used example, and this is a highly competent and effective camera with a physical layout we’re never likely to see again.
If only it had got the credit it deserved. Fujifilm might have been convinced to stick with its classic manual controls instead of chasing the mainstream.