Although they share similar key specifications and features, the XT5 and the XH2 that were both released in 2022 actually differ a lot when it comes to their appearance and control layout, with the former also being priced substantially lower than the latter.
So we’re bringing you this in-depth Fujifilm X-T5 vs X-H2S head-to-head comparison to help you choose between these two mirrorless cameras.
You can also read our detailed Fujifilm X-H2S review to find out exactly what we think of that camera.
Sensor
The image sensor is one of the biggest differences between these two cameras.
Whereas the X-H2S offers 26.1 megapixels, the new X-T5 ups the ante considerably to a brand new 40.2 megapixel sensor, offering much greater resolution.
Conversely, the sensor technology inside the XH2S is completely different to that found in the X-T5.
The XH2S uses the X-Trans CMOS 5 HS sensor, making its debut in the Fuji X-series camera range, with HS standing for High Speed.
This is a stacked sensor design similar to those we’ve seen in other recent flagship cameras, and it provides a big boost to the camera’s burst shooting, auto-focusing and video capabilities.
By contrast, the XT5 uses a X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor, which made its debut on the X-H2, with HR standing for High Resolution.
This is a BSI (back-side illuminated) sensor design that has much more of a focus on detail and resolution than out-and-out speed.
Pixel Shift Multi-shot
The X-T5 is the second ever X-Series camera to feature Pixel Shift Multi-Shot, which delivers 160 megapixel images for the ultimate quality when detail really matters.
Previously only seen on the company’s GFX-branded medium-format cameras and the X-H2, in the Pixel Shift Multi-Shot the camera records 20 frames, shifting the sensor by 0.5 pixels between each frame.
The resulting images are automatically combined into one DNG RAW file, which can be output to a desired file format using suitable RAW processing software.
The X-H2S does not offer this feature at all.
ISO Speed
The native sensitivity range of the XH2S camera is ISO 160 to ISO 12,800, which can be expanded down to ISO 80 and up to ISO 51,200.
The new XT5 has a native sensitivity range of ISO 125 to ISO 12,800, which can be expanded down to ISO 64 and up to ISO 51,200.
Video
The X-H2S offers a better video mode than the X-T5 and is definitely the one to buy if you’re mainly a videographer, although this new model certainly gives it a run for its money predominantly thanks to its 40 megapixel sensor.
The X-H2S offers a highest quality rate of 8K/30p with no crop recorded in 4:2:2 10-bit internally for approximately 160 minutes.
By contrast the X-T5 can’t record at all in 8K, topping out at 6K/30p with a 1.23x crop recorded in 4:2:2 10-bit internally.
Thanks to its stacked sensor design, the XH2S offers a faster rolling shutter than the X-T5 (1/180s vs 1/88s in 4K), though, and also offers greater dynamic range (14+ stops versus 13+ on the XT5).
Perhaps most crucially, the XH2S can record in 4K at up to 120fps, whereas the XT5 is limited to 4K/60p, which for many videographers will be even more important than having 8K recording.
Both can shoot 1080/240p slow-motion footage and support the new F-Log 2 profile with up to 14+ stops of dynamic range.
The X-H2S can also take advantage of a special cooling fan accessory which screws into the back of the camera and improves the maximum recording time from 17 to 51 mins at 40 Celsius. The X-T5 is not compatible with this accessory.
Combined with a compatible HDMI recording device from Atomos or Blackmagic Design, 12-bit RAW video output from both cameras can be recorded as Apple ProRes RAW or Blackmagic RAW.
The X-T5 features a digital zoom function that uses the camera’s 40.2MP sensor to deliver up to 2x of digital zoom with little to no loss in resolution, when recording video in 4K.
The X-H2S has a much larger buffer which increases the maximum available affect bit rate for video in comparison with the X-T5.
Finally, because it’s substantially smaller, there is no full size HDMI or 3.5mm headphone socket on the XT5.
Autofocus
Both cameras have exactly the same hybrid autofocus system with phase detection and and contrast detections points.
In the Single point AF mode there are up to 425 selectable AF points arranged in a 25×17 grid. Alternatively, the camera can be set to 117 points in a 13×9 grid, and the size of the points can also be varied.
In addition to Single point AF, there’s Zone AF which allows the AF points to be selected in 3×3, 5×5 or 7×7 groups, and Wide/Tracking AF.
They can automatically detect animals, birds, cars, bikes, planes and trains thanks to the X-Processor 5’s AI deep learning capabilities.
Thanks to the 40 megapixel sensor, the X-T5 offers a greater number of PDAF points (3.3 million) than the X-H2S. Fujifilm say that the new model still isn’t quite as fast at tracking moving subjects as the X-H2S, though.
Burst Shooting
Thanks to its X-Processor 5 and stacked sensor, the XH2S can shoot at an incredible 40fps when using the electronic shutter, without any crop at all and completely blackout-free. It also offers fast 15fps continuous shooting speed when using the mechanical shutter.
With its higher resolution sensor, the X-T5 can only shoot a 20fps burst when using the electronic shutter, although it does match the 15fps rate for the mechanical shutter.
There is also one other very important difference between them, and that’s the size of the internal buffer.
Whereas the XH2 can record up to 1000+ JPEGs or 1000+ RAW files at 40fps, the X-T5 can only manage a comparatively meager 119+ JPEGs or 19 RAW files before the 20fps continuous shooting rate starts to slow down.
Shutter Speed
Both of these new cameras improve the fastest shutter speed for the electronic shutter by 2.5 stops, from 1/32000 sec on the previous generation to 1/180000 sec.
This allows users to leave the aperture wide open in very bright conditions such as a sunny beach or a ski slope, or to capture a split-second motion.
Body and Design
The design of the body and controls is one of the biggest differences between the XT5 and the XH2S.
On the latter camera, Fuji decided to remove a lot of their usual traditional dials and controls and added a lot more Function buttons.
Most notably, the classic Fujifilm ISO, Shutter Speed and Exposure Compensation dials that are still found on top of the XT5 made way for a PASM dial on the XH2S.
Fujifilm also added a huge number of Custom modes to the Shooting Mode dial – 7 in fact – to help compensate for those changes.
If you’re a fan of the traditional dials and controls that Fuji users have come to know and love, the X-T5 is clearly the camera for you.
IBIS
The XT5 is the sixth Fujifilm camera to feature 5-axis in-body image stabilisation (IBIS), following on from the X-H1, X-H2S, X-H2SS, X-H2S and the X-S10.
Both models provide up to an impressive 7 shutter steps of compensation for stills.
Viewfinder
The X-T5 has a very good 3.68M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder with 0.75x magnification, 100fps refresh rate and a built-in eye sensor.
The X-H2S has an even more detailed 5.76M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder with larger 0.80x magnification and a faster 120fps refresh rate.
LCD Screen
One of the biggest differences between these two cameras is the action of the LCD screen.
Fujifilm have gone back to a 3-way tilting LCD on the new X-T5, rather than the vari-angle screen on the X-H2S, saying that it better matches the more stills-focused nature of the newer model.
The resolution of the XT5’s screen has been increased slightly from 1.62M-dots to 1.84M-dots, though, making it the highest-res screen of any current Fujifilm APS-C camera.
Memory Cards
Both models have dual memory card slots, but unlike the newer X-T5 which has two UHS-II SD card slots, the X-H2S has one UHS-II SD slot and one CFexpress Type B slot to help take full advantage of the camera’s blistering speeds.
Battery Life
Fujifilm are claiming that the X-T5 offers 740 shot battery life in economy mode, which is actually 20 frames more than the XH2S.
Both cameras can also be powered and charged via a USB-C connection, which is useful if you’re out and about and have a compatible power-bank to plug the camera into.
Vertical Battery Grip
Perhaps somewhat controversially, the new X-T5 does not support a vertical battery grip (there are no contacts on the bottom of the camera).
Fujifilm say this is based on market data for the X-T4 which showed that the majority of owners did not buy one.
Instead you can buy the optional MHG-XT5 metal hand grip if you feel than the body on its own is too small.
The X-H2S does support a vertical battery grip, which as well as making handling easier in portrait mode, greatly increases the available battery life to 1,850 frames in economy mode.
Price
The new Fujifilm X-T5 is priced at £1699 / $1799 body-only in the UK and USA respectively.
The Fujifilm X-H2S is priced at £2499 / $2499 body only.
This makes the XH2S a whopping £800 / $700 more expensive than the new XT5, a difference that is primarily driven by the stacked sensor inside it, which is much more costly to manufacture than the BSI sensor found inside the X-T5.
Conclusion
With it classic retro styling and 40 megapixel sensor, the new Fujifilm X-T5 is more clearly focused on stills photography than the X-H2S, which excels in burst shooting and video performance.
There’s also quite a large difference in price between them, so what do you think? Would you choose the classic new X-T5 or the technically more capable but much more expensive X-H2S? Leave a comment below!
