The Fujifilm X-H1 Needs a Real Reason to Exist

Like it or not, the Fujifilm X-H1 has no real reason to exist, much less be considered their flagship. If the X-H2 is to happen, it needs one to justify its status as the “flagship” of the X-series range Fujifilm claims it to be. When it first came out, it was $2000 for basically just a $1500 X-T2 with a bigger grip and IBIS.

Sorry, but that’s not gonna cut it if they plan to release an X-H2 with X-T3 guts at the end of that product’s lifecycle, especially if they plan to price it above $1500 again.

It needs a real reason to exist and I have an idea. Give the X-H2 a 30MP, APS-H sized sensor with a Bayer color array. The former will work with most, if not all, of their current X-series lens lineup. The latter will allow them to implement pixelshift imaging to create up to 120MP images.

This will help get more people to look at Fujifilm X-series for professional settings. Chiefly is the direct resolution a physically larger sensor can facilitate. Pixelshift capability will then appeal to photographers in landscape photography. The camera would be able to still benefit from the faster readout speeds that facilitate high frame rate 4K, high burst rates and usable electronic shutter at a cost that is still affordable for the hobbyist and enthusiast crowd. It would conceivably combine all the speed and cost benefits of APS-C with the high resolution results limited to bodies priced beyond most potential buyers’ budgets.

Most importantly, it allows Fujifilm to provide full frame results with crop sensor speed without forcing a new lens standard to commit to. Best of all, the established lens lineup, body, and technologies within allows Fujifilm to price it very competitively in a fast shrinking market.

It would easily justify a $2000 price point and truly make the X-H their X-series flagship instead of being the overpriced, fraternal twin of their X-T camera. Keep the X-T as the compact, APS-C X-Trans ILC priced around $1500 and make the X-H a 30+MP, APS-H flagship with IBIS and pixelshift, priced at $2000-2500. That would undercut the competition by as much as $1500.

I would gladly prepay in full to help make this happen.