As of early 2018, Fujifilm stepped up their game with a flurry of impressive new video features packed into the Fujifilm X-H1. Aimed at aspiring filmmakers and hybrid shooters, the X-H1 has a new body style that was designed from the ground up. It's larger than the other X-Series cameras to accommodate robust new specs. I’ll fill you in on these standout features – never before seen in a Fujifilm camera. And I will explain why they're such a big deal!
Inside the Fujifilm X-H1
In Body Image Stabilization (IBIS)
This is the first Fujifilm camera to introduce IBIS and it works just as expected. The best part is that any lens can be stabilized when mounted to the Fuji X-H1 body. The five axis stabilization enables five additional stops of hand-held stability when taking photos. This means that if 1/500 was the slowest shutter speed you could safely hold your camera without image shake, IBIS will allow you to go down to 1/15 to achieve the same result. Unfortunately, it will not slow down and stabilize the action happening within the scene. That would truly be a miracle!
Pro tip: disable your IS whenever you're locked off on a tripod. Also, do not use IS at higher shutter speeds on the XF 100-400mm lens (I've found that it can actually add shake to the image). When shooting handheld video the IBIS works really well for static shots. It keeps the frame nice and steady. However, you may run into problems if you're trying to produce smooth pans and tilts. This is because the IBIS tends to jump a tiny bit to keep up with the camera movement. In short, the IBIS is not designed to be a substitute for a fluid head with tripod, slider or gimbal. It does work really well for run and gun filmmaking though.
F-Log Video Recording
If you want to achieve the highest possible dynamic range when shooting video, then F-Log is the way to go. Now, for the first time, Fujifilm is providing a Log recording option in their mirrorless cameras. You no longer have to settle for Classic Chrome or ProNeg as your flattest image profile. As I recommend in my post about shooting video on the X-T1. Also, F-Log means you don't need to drag down the highlight, shadow and color saturation for video in the image quality settings. Like you used to on the X-T2 (F-Log was made available via firmware in 2018). F-Log's high dynamic range handles all of this for you and gives you a nice flat profile to grade in post production.
Better yet, Fujifilm has made an Eterna lookup table (LUT) available that you can download for free and apply to your F-Log footage in post or on a digital recorder. Eterna is Fujifilm's highly praised, cinematic, color negative film that has been used in the motion picture industry since the 1930s. Very pleasing Eterna results are also attainable (see sample photo) by skipping F-Log altogether and shooting video directly to the Eterna film simulation in-camera.
High-speed 120fps Recording
At long last we now have the capability to shoot buttery smooth, slow motion, 1080p footage by over-cranking our frame rate. The camera will conform 120 frames per second (fps) down to 24 or 30fps. I remember when only high-end cinema cameras like the Red Epic could do this. It was absolute magic. The Fujifilm X-H1 handles it all in-camera without any special editing software or plugins. Be aware that audio will never be recorded at 120fps. Slowing down audio sounds very odd and only works in rare situations. Like when Will Ferrell gets shot with that tranquilizer dart in Old School - LMAO!
I've got to say, shooting slow motion footage so much fun. It takes a lot of restraint to no overdo it. I am often guilty as charged. In my opinion, nearly everything looks better in slow motion. This capability was also made available to the X-T2 via the latest firmware. Just know that there is often some aliasing to contend with in these files so take care to expose properly and use the base ISO. It's a minor trade-off for bringing a high-end feature to the masses. When the X-H1 was released, there were very few affordable cameras capable of shooting high-speed 120fps at 1080p. The norm was 720p which is hardly usable.
More Fujifilm X-H1 video specs:
- External 4K recording: DCI, 200 mbps, 8-bit, 4:2:2, 24p
- Internal 4K recording: DCI, 200 mbps, 8-bit, 4:2:0, 24p
- 4K up to 30p and 1080p up to 60p
- H.264 codec
- Face detection while shooting 4K
- Video specific, custom picture settings
- 180 degree angle shutter speeds (i.e. 1/48th)
- Linear manual focusing (vs. the arbitrary, non-linear focus by wire)
- A premium sound, built-in microphone (24bit / 48KHz)
- Timecode for syncing multi camera footage in post
- Tally lights on the front and back to indicate recording
- Silent movie shooting (great for storing independent still/movie capture settings)
Paco Vázquez
Hi Seth:
Does the XH1 shoots 10 bit 422 with the Atomos Ninja 5?
Seth K. Hughes
No. It does however do 8 bit 4:2:2 externally