My Love-Hate Relationship With the Fujifilm X-H2

I've been a Fujifilm fan for a while now, and after spending a lot of time with the Fujifilm X-H2, I can say there are plenty of things I love about this camera.

But there are also a few things that annoy me.

For the most part, the X-H2 has been a camera I really enjoy using. I love the image quality, the controls, and how much flexibility it gives me when I'm shooting. At the same time, using it in real situations has also shown me some of the things I wish Fujifilm had done a little better.

So, instead of making this a super technical camera review, I want to share five things I love and hate about using my Fujifilm X-H2.

Let's get into it!

The Love: Impeccable Image Quality

This is probably my favorite thing about the X-H2.

The 40.2-megapixel sensor gives me a lot of detail to work with, especially when I'm editing or need to crop an image afterward.

Do I need 40 megapixels for every photo I take? Probably not.

But I definitely appreciate having that extra resolution when I need it.

I also really enjoy the colors I get from Fujifilm cameras. The Film Simulation modes are something I actually use, and Classic Chrome is still one of my favorites because of its slightly muted look.

Even when I plan to edit the RAW file later, I like having a good-looking image straight out of the camera.

One example was when I took the X-H2 to Coca-Cola's Classic Christmas at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington.

There were a lot of lights, colors, decorations, and people moving around, and I was really happy with how much detail and color I was able to capture, especially at night.

Coca-Cola's Classic Christmas event, held at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington, TX, captured on December 22, 2024, with a Fujifilm XH2 and XF16-80mm F4 lens.

The Hate: Okay Battery Life

The battery life isn't terrible.

But I also wouldn't call it amazing.

For normal shooting, I can usually get plenty of use out of one battery. If I'm out for most of the day constantly taking photos, reviewing images, changing settings, and recording some video, though, I definitely start watching that battery percentage.

I've had days where I needed to swap batteries toward the end of a shoot.

Thankfully, I normally carry extras with me, so it has never really become a major problem.

Still, I wouldn't complain if Fujifilm gave me a little more battery life.

For me, this falls more into the annoying category than something that would actually stop me from using the camera.

The Love: User-Friendly Interface

Another thing I really enjoy about the X-H2 is the way the controls are set up.

I know some Fujifilm photographers prefer the traditional dedicated dials, but I actually like the PSAM dial on the X-H2.

It is simple, familiar, and practical.

I especially like having the seven custom settings available directly from the top dial. Once I have everything set up the way I want it, I can quickly move between different shooting situations without digging through the menus every time.

I noticed this during a visit to the Fort Worth Zoo.

The lighting can change pretty quickly as you're walking around. One minute you're outside in direct sunlight, then you're in the shade, and a few minutes later you might be inside an exhibit.

Being able to quickly change what I need without fighting with the camera makes a big difference.

The customizable buttons are helpful too. I can set up the camera around the way I actually shoot instead of constantly going into menus looking for settings.

A vibrant group of pink flamingos captured at the Fort Worth Zoo in May 2024, using a Fujifilm XH2 with an XF16-80mm F4 lens.

The Hate: Autofocus Performance in Certain Conditions

This is probably the part of the X-H2 that frustrates me the most.

Most of the time, the autofocus works perfectly fine.

Then every once in a while, it doesn't.

I've noticed this more when I'm shooting at night or working in difficult lighting with a lot of contrast.

If I'm photographing something that isn't moving, it isn't a huge deal. I can just refocus and take another photo.

It becomes much more frustrating when I'm trying to capture a candid moment.

If something happens and the camera misses focus, I can't exactly ask everyone to recreate the moment.

That's probably why autofocus bothers me more than something like battery life. I can carry another battery. I can't always recreate a photo.

To be fair, this doesn't happen constantly. I've taken plenty of sharp photos with the X-H2, including in difficult lighting.

I just wish the autofocus was a little more consistent in those situations.

A low-light shot with blurred bokeh highlights from Coca-Cola's Classic Christmas event, captured on December 22, 2024, with a Fujifilm XH2 and XF16-80mm F4 lens.

The Love: Strength for Video

Photography is still the main reason I use my X-H2, but I also really like knowing that I have a capable video camera with me when I need it.

The X-H2 gives me plenty of video options, including 4K recording, without requiring me to carry a completely separate camera.

I also like being able to use Fujifilm's Film Simulations with video.

Sometimes I want to spend more time editing and color grading afterward. Other times, I just want footage that already looks good coming out of the camera.

Having the option to do either is nice.

I don't use every single video feature the X-H2 offers, and honestly, I probably never will.

But I would rather have those features available when I need them than wish I had them later.

The Hate: Slightly Heavier Design

The X-H2 feels solid.

I actually like that about it.

It feels well built, and when I have a larger lens attached, the whole setup feels balanced and professional.

The problem is that after carrying it around for several hours, you definitely start feeling the weight.

The camera itself is around 660 grams, and once you start adding larger lenses, batteries, and other accessories, the weight adds up pretty quickly.

If I'm only shooting for an hour or two, I don't really think about it.

After a full day of walking around with it, I definitely do.

Would I like Fujifilm to make it lighter?

Absolutely.

But I also wouldn't want them to sacrifice the solid build just to make the camera lighter.

So again, it's something I'm willing to deal with.

A photo taken with the iPhone 16 Pro Max, showcasing the Fujifilm XH2 and XF70-300mm F4-5.6 lens.

Reflections on My Journey

After spending a lot of time with the Fujifilm X-H2, I still really enjoy using it.

The image quality is probably what I love most. I also appreciate the controls, customization, Fujifilm's colors, and the fact that I can use the same camera for both photography and video.

Of course, it's not perfect.

The battery life could be better. The autofocus can occasionally frustrate me in difficult lighting. And after carrying the camera around all day with a larger lens, I definitely start wishing the whole setup weighed a little less.

But none of those things have made me regret using the X-H2.

If anything, using this camera has reminded me that there really isn't a perfect camera.

Every camera is going to have something you love and something you wish was different. What matters more is whether the camera works for the way you shoot and whether you're willing to live with its weaknesses.

For me, the X-H2 still gets a lot more right than it gets wrong.

And yes, I'm still a Fujifilm fan.

I'm just not afraid to complain about Fujifilm every once in a while.

• What do you love or hate about your X-H2?

• If you're thinking about buying one, did this help you decide?

Let me know in the comments below!

Please be respectful and considerate when posting comments. :)