FUJIFILM X-H2 and X-T5 Cameras Get Better AF with Firmware Update

Firmware Update

by Jakub HanMay 29^th, 2023

FUJIFILM X-H2 and X-T5 cameras get autofocus improvements with the latest firmware update. The AI-enhanced AF subject detection and dynamic tracking performance are improved. Furthermore, many FUJIFILM cameras (X-H2, X-H2S, X-Pro3, X-T5, X-T4, X-T3, X-S10, X-T30 II, X-T30, X-E4, and X100V) got new firmware updates to support the new FUJIFILM XApp.

A few days ago, Japanese camera manufacturer FUJIFILM announced new products during the annual X Summit 2023.

• First and foremost, the company announced the new “small-but-mighty” FUJIFILM X-S20 mirrorless camera. Make sure to check out Johnnie’s review of the X-S20 if you missed it.
• Furthermore, FUJIFILM announced a new ultra-wide prime lens, the FUJINON XF 8mm f/3.5 R WR. We had this lens in our office for some time, and my colleague Florian did a few tests and published his interesting “first impression” article.
• Last but not least, FUJIFILM launched the new XApp for both APS-C X-mount cameras and medium format GFX cameras. The app is available for both iOS and Android, and it should provide better connectivity between the camera and your smartphone or tablet device.

To reflect the new changes, FUJIFILM released new firmware updates for many of its X-mount cameras. Let’s take a look at the details.

FUJIFILM firmware update – May 24, 2023

Many FUJIFILM cameras got new firmware updates that bring support for the newly launched XApp as well as some minor “setup menu setting functions” optimization. These cameras include the following models:

• FUJIFILM X-H2S (firmware ver. 5.00)
• FUJIFILM X-H2 (firmware ver. 3.00)
• FUJIFILM X-Pro3 (firmware ver. 2.00)
• FUJIFILM X-T5 (firmware ver. 2.00)
• FUJIFILM X-T4 (firmware ver. 2.00)
• FUJIFILM X-T3 (firmware ver. 5.00)
• FUJIFILM X-S10 (firmware ver. 3.00)
• FUJIFILM X-T30 II (firmware ver. 2.00)
• FUJIFILM X-T30 (firmware ver. 2.00)
• FUJIFILM X-E4 (firmware ver. 2.00)
• FUJIFILM X100V (firmware ver. 3.00)

Please note that the FUJIFILM medium format cameras, the GFX100S, and the GFX50S II, also got the updates, but the new firmware is currently suspended. The company is working hard to fix the firmware and make it available as soon as possible.

FUJIFILM X-H2 and X-T5 get improved AF

For two cameras from the above list, the firmware update also brought improvements in autofocus functionality. Both X-H2 and X-T5 now have an AI-enhanced AF, including improved AF tracking performance. The full explanation of the new AF improvements is as follows:

• Subject detection enhancement by AI (Artificial Intelligence).

(1) Current subject detection function improvement – Subject detection performance has been improved in situations that were difficult to detect with the current firmware, such as “backlighting”, “looking sideways”, and “small subjects”.

(2) New subject category added – “Insect” and “Drone” detection is newly realized, in addition to the existing “Face”, “Eyes”, “Animal”, “Bird”, “Automobile”, “Motorcycle & Bike”, “Airplane” and “Train”. Insects can be detected by setting the subject as “Bird”, and drones can be done by setting it as “Airplane”.

• Dynamic tracking performance enhancement by the improved AF algorithm.

(1) The motion prediction algorithm has been improved to enable stable tracking of subjects moving at high speed in the frame.

(2) The AF focusing speed has been improved when continuous shooting is started by simultaneously pressing the AF-ON button and the release button while the camera is out of focus. The AF starts to focus at a faster rate than before, even in situations when the situation is changing moment by moment.

(3) It is now difficult to miss a shutter release opportunity, even in fast-paced situations such as sports.

Price and availability

All the above-mentioned firmware updates can be downloaded right now free of charge from FUJIFILM’s support page. The FUJIFILM XApp can also be downloaded and installed free of charge from Google’s Play store or from the Apple app store, depending on your device.

Both FUJIFILM X-H2 and X-T5 cameras are available for $1,999 and $1,699, respectively.

Do you use FUJIFILM cameras for your photo/video work? What do you think about the new XApp and the AF performance of the latest FUJIFILM cameras? Let us know in the comments section underneath the article.