fuji x-h2 long term review

Fuji X-H2 Review: Long term review for photography and filmmaking

Fuji X-H2 Review

As a professional photographer and filmmaker, I’ve had the Fuji X-H2 as my go-to camera for two solid years. From portrait sessions to rugged landscape shoots, and everything in between, this camera has seen it all. It’s high time I shared my thoughts about what I’d consider an almost perfect camera. In this post, I’ll break down my experience into two parts: 5 things I love about the Fuji X-H2 and 5 areas that could use improvement. Whether you’re a fellow Fuji user or considering adding the Fuji X-H2 to your kit, I hope my insights will help.

Before diving in, I’d like to mention that the Fuji X-H2 has been a remarkably reliable camera for me. In over 17 years as a professional photographer, it ranks among the most dependable cameras I’ve owned—on par with my old Nikon D800. No malfunctions, freezes, or glitches. It’s always responsive, which is invaluable when you’re shooting under pressure.

Fujifilm X-H2 review.

Let’s start with the positives.

5 Things I Love About the Fuji X-H2

1. Ergonomics

This is, hands down, one of my favorite features. The Fuji X-H2 just fits my hands perfectly. The grip is comfortable, even when using heavier lenses, and the button layout feels intuitive and well-thought-out. For anyone who spends long hours with a camera in hand, this is a big deal. The way it balances means I never feel like I’m going to drop it, even during long shoots.

2. Weather Sealing

As a landscape photographer, weather sealing is non-negotiable. This camera has faced weekly splashes from shooting seascapes, sub-zero temperatures down to -7°C, and 35°C heat without missing a beat. Additionally, I’ve only had to clean the sensor four or five times in two years—impressive, considering how often I swap lenses outdoors.

3. Image Quality

The X-H2’s 40MP sensor delivers stunning image quality for both stills and video. In well-lit conditions, the results are sharp and clean and I have no problem shooting indoors at iso3200.

4. Stabilization

Fuji claims up to 7 stops of stabilization, and while I think that might be a touch optimistic, the stabilization is undeniably excellent. I’ve consistently managed sharp images at shutter speeds as slow as 1/6 of a second with wide-angle lenses—a real asset for handheld shooting.

5. Battery Life

Battery life is another strong suit of the Fuji X-H2. On a full day of landscape photography, I usually finish with some battery life to spare. Of course, I always carry a spare, but the X-H2 has proven efficient, even during demanding shoots.

Fuji X-H2 long-term review

5 Areas That Could Be Improved with the Fuji X-H2

6. Stiff On/Off Switch

This has been an issue since I first got the camera. The on/off switch requires a firm push, and over time—likely due to exposure to salty sea air—it’s gotten even stiffer. It’s manageable, but wearing gloves makes it tricky to operate. On the bright side, I’ve never accidentally turned it on in my bag, a common issue with other cameras like the fuji X-T3

7. Battery Door

The battery door no longer springs open as it did when the camera was new. While it’s not a dealbreaker, it can be frustrating, especially if you have short nails. My older X-T3, which has been through similar conditions, still works fine in this regard, so it’s a little disappointing.

8. Stabilization at Slow Shutter Speeds

While stabilization is generally excellent, I’ve noticed a specific issue when shooting handheld at slow shutter speeds (e.g., 1/3 of a second). The center of the frame is usually sharp, but the edges sometimes show subtle motion blur. This isn’t a dealbreaker, but it’s worth checking your shots carefully when pushing the limits of stabilization.

9. ISO Adjustment Interface

Unlike aperture and shutter speed, adjusting ISO takes over the screen with a dedicated ISO scale. This interrupts the view of your scene and histogram, which can be inconvenient. I’d much prefer if ISO adjustments were displayed seamlessly, like other settings. (I’ve since been told that you can now assign iso to the front command dial which overrides this. Apparently it was in a recent firmware update but I haven't tried it yet.)

fuji x-h2

10. Weight

At 660 grams, the X-H2 is hefty for an APS-C camera. While its full-sized HDMI port, CFexpress card slot, and 3.5mm jack are useful features for some, I rarely use them. For my needs, a lighter camera with dual SD card slots would suffice. To put it in perspective, it’s almost the same weight as the full-frame Nikon Z7 II.

Final Thoughts

Despite a few minor gripes, the Fuji X-H2 has been an incredible companion for my professional work and creative projects. Its reliability, image quality, and handling have made it a standout performer, and the issues I’ve experienced are relatively small in the grand scheme of things. A lot of the photos in my galleries are taken with the Fujifilm X-H2 so if you fancy checking some landscape photos out click the button below

If you’re considering the Fujifilm X-H2, I hope this breakdown helps you make an informed decision.

Fancy learning more about the Fuji X-H2 - Feel free to watch my Youtube video below. 👇