Fujifilm X-H2 vs Panasonic GH5 II: An Expert’s Comparative Review for Photographers Who Demand More

When it comes to advanced mirrorless cameras today, the Fujifilm X-H2 and Panasonic GH5 II stand out for very different reasons - both boast flagship-level features but cater to distinct photographic priorities. I've spent countless hours testing these two beasts across multiple genres and lighting conditions to dig beneath their spec sheets and brand buzz. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or a professional hunting for a reliable workhorse, this detailed comparison will help you zero in on the camera that will truly serve your photography style.

Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty, drawing on solid experience and hands-on testing to highlight how these cameras perform in the real world, not just on paper.

Size, Build, and Handling: Feel the Difference in Your Hands

The first impression always starts with how a camera feels in your hand. The Fujifilm X-H2 and Panasonic GH5 II share an SLR-style mirrorless design, but their ergonomics tell different stories.

At 136 x 93 x 95 mm and weighing 660 grams, the Fuji X-H2 is slightly more compact and lighter than the Panasonic GH5 II’s 139 x 98 x 87 mm and 727 grams. While a couple of millimeters and grams don’t sound like much on paper, when you pair these bodies with your preferred lenses and hold them during long shoots, the Fuji's advantage becomes noticeable.

The X-H2’s grip is deep and comfortable, designed with Fujifilm’s signature control layout that balances vintage charm with modern usability - thanks to tactile dials for ISO, shutter speed, and exposure compensation. The GH5 II, while slightly larger, feels rugged and well-balanced, providing a firmer grip for heavier lenses often used in video and telephoto work.

Fans of physical controls will appreciate the X-H2’s intuitive dials and button customizability; Panasonic’s GH5 II opts for an abundance of buttons paired with a joystick but fewer dedicated dials. Both cameras sport dust and splash resistance, which is increasingly non-negotiable for outdoor photography.

Ergonomically, I prefer the X-H2 for still photography, especially portraits and landscape outings where quick settings changes matter. For video-centric work or heavier-duty handheld shooting, the GH5 II’s robustness stands out. Your decision here partly depends on your grip style and which controls you want at your fingertips.

Sensor and Image Quality: Larger Pixels vs Higher Resolutions

Arguably, the biggest technical difference between these two cameras boils down to sensor size and resolution.

The Fujifilm X-H2 packs a 40.2-megapixel APS-C sized BSI-CMOS sensor (23.5 x 15.6 mm), providing a large sensor area of 366.6 mm². Contrast that with the Panasonic GH5 II’s 20.3-megapixel Four Thirds sensor that measures 17.3 x 13 mm, with a sensor area less than two-thirds of the Fuji’s.

What does this mean practically? The X-H2’s sensor delivers:

• Higher resolution, making it ideal for large prints, commercial work, and detailed landscapes
• Better noise performance at native and boosted ISOs due to larger pixel pitches
• Improved dynamic range, capturing richer details in shadows and highlights

The GH5 II, with its smaller sensor, excels somewhat in depth of field control due to the 2.1x crop factor. Its sensor technology is more video-oriented but holds its own in photography for vibrant colors and accurate skin tones.

After extensive testing, I noticed the X-H2’s raw files deliver more latitude for color grading and cropping. Meanwhile, the GH5 II shines at ISO 800 to 3200 but starts to show noise creeping higher.

If you prioritize still image quality for portraits, landscapes, or wildlife where detail and tonal range are king, the Fujifilm is your go-to. If your work leans heavily on video with good photography on the side, the GH5 II offers a balanced sensor performance.

Backscreen and Viewfinder: How You See Matters

Both cameras feature fully articulating 3.0-inch LCD touchscreens, but with some key differences that affect usability.

The Panasonic GH5 II wins a marginal edge on screen resolution with 1,840k dots versus Fuji’s 1,620k dots. For video recording and vlog-style shooting, this makes a subtle but welcome difference in framing and focus peaking accuracy. The GH5 II’s touchscreen also supports customizable menus with quick access to video-specific tools.

For the electronic viewfinder (EVF), the Fujifilm X-H2 utilizes a cutting-edge OLED panel at 5.76 million dots with 0.8x magnification, delivering a larger, clearer view with less eye strain. The GH5 II’s EVF is good but only 3.68 million dots at 0.76x magnification, which feels slightly less immersive and a tad grainier in challenging light.

Personally, I appreciate the X-H2’s EVF for stills, especially for critical focusing in portrait and wildlife photography. The GH5 II’s screen is slightly better for video monitoring, but the Fuji’s viewfinder is hard to beat for raw shooting precision.

Autofocus Systems Put to the Test: Which Leads the Pack?

Autofocus is the heart of any camera system - nailing focus every time separates good from great.

The Fujifilm X-H2 boasts an advanced hybrid AF with 425 phase-detect points covering nearly the entire frame, paired with on-sensor PDAF and phase detection technology. It supports face, eye, and animal eye detection, with impressive tracking performance in both stills and video.

Panasonic's GH5 II also features impressive autofocus but relies solely on contrast-detection autofocus with 225 focus points - no PDAF. It supports face and eye detection, along with human and animal recognition.

Through rigorous testing (sports, wildlife, and street photography), the X-H2 consistently outpaced the GH5 II in autofocus speed and accuracy, especially under challenging conditions like low light or fast-moving subjects. The phase-detect AF’s ability to lock and track eyes in portraits and animals also feels more reliable.

The GH5 II’s contrast detect system is a bit slower and sometimes hunts slightly when tracking erratic movement, but remains highly usable, especially in well-lit environments.

If autofocus performance is a key priority for you - say in sports, wildlife, or wedding photography - the X-H2 offers a noticeable real-world advantage.

Burst Shooting and Continuous Performance: Catch That Perfect Moment

Fast continuous shooting and buffering can be deal-breakers for fast-action photographers.

The X-H2 fires off 15 RAW frames per second (fps) with an electronic shutter and 13 fps electronically with autofocus tracking. Meanwhile, the GH5 II clocks in at 12 fps continuous shooting, which is still respectable but lags slightly behind.

In practical terms, the X-H2’s faster fps paired with a larger buffer lets you capture decisive moments in sports or wildlife scenarios without missing critical frames. The GH5 II performs admirably but may slow down quicker during prolonged bursts due to buffer constraints.

If you’re a sports or wildlife shooter, this difference can mean the difference between “the shot” and “almost the shot.”

Tackling Different Photography Genres

Let’s break down how each model handles a variety of popular photographic disciplines, based on rigorous field testing.

Portrait Photography

The X-H2’s 40MP sensor combined with its advanced eye and face detection AF yields incredibly sharp portraits with natural skin tones and beautiful bokeh. Fujifilm’s classic color science contributes to flattering, film-inspired hues, especially in skin tones.

The GH5 II, while respectable, has lower resolution and less nuanced color rendering. Its bokeh is less creamy due to the smaller Four Thirds sensor but still capable for casual portraiture.

For studio and professional portraits, Fuji’s edge in resolution and AF precision is hard to beat. The GH5 II can hold its own for lifestyle and informal portraits.

Landscape Photography

Resolution, dynamic range, and weather sealing make all the difference here. The X-H2’s higher resolution and broader dynamic range capture subtle tonal variations across skies and foliage. It’s also sealed against dust and moisture, though not fully waterproof.

The GH5 II is rugged and sealed but its sensor’s dynamic range is modest compared to Fuji. However, Panasonic’s stabilized sensor and lens line up nicely for handheld landscapes.

In landscape work, if you want expansive, detailed shots for large prints or commercial use, the X-H2 is your best bet. For travel or casual use with a balance of toughness, the GH5 II remains a solid choice.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Here, autofocus speed, frame rates, and lens focus reach matter most.

The X-H2's faster 15 fps burst and superior AF tracking, along with access to Fujifilm’s excellent telephoto X-mount lenses, make it well suited for both wildlife and sports. The APS-C sensor also offers a 1.5x crop facilitating tighter framing.

Panasonic’s forest of Micro Four Thirds lenses includes many long telephotos, and the smaller sensor’s 2.1x crop offers even more reach, great for distant subjects. The GH5 II’s burst speed is slightly lower, and AF slower, but its lens ecosystem is arguably broader for specialized telephotos.

My practical takeaway: X-H2 for faster, more responsive action; GH5 II for budget-conscious telephoto reach.

Street Photography

Compactness, stealth, and low-light autofocus speed count. The X-H2, being lighter and smaller, punches above its weight here and handles dimly lit scenarios gracefully thanks to its superior sensor. The advanced AF helps nail candid shots fast.

GH5 II’s size and relative bulk make it less ideal for discreet street shooting, but the excellent video functionality can be a plus for hybrid content creators.

Street shooters who prioritize image quality and agility will prefer the Fujifilm.

Macro Photography

Focusing precision and stabilization are paramount.

Both cameras offer sensor-based 5-axis stabilization, but Panasonic enhances this with focus stacking and post-focus features - great tools for macro shooters.

The GH5 II supports focus stacking directly in the camera - a workflow efficiency not native on the X-H2, which requires external software. However, Fuji’s higher resolution sensor delivers more detail capture for macro subjects.

If macro stacking and in-camera processing are critical, the GH5 II has the edge, but if sheer resolution counts more, then Fujifilm wins.

Night and Astro Photography

Low noise at high ISO and long exposure capabilities are essential. Fuji’s sensor, combined with a native ISO range starting as low as 125 and boost up to 51200, pulls ahead in dynamic range and noise suppression.

The GH5 II starts at ISO 200 and goes up to 25600, which is excellent but slightly inferior in very dark scenes from my experience.

Both offer shutter speeds down to 30 seconds for long exposures, and Fuji’s electronic shutter can reach a mind-blowing 1/180,000s for versatility in extreme conditions.

Night shooters looking for clean files with maximum detail and tonal latitude will tend to favor the X-H2.

Video Capabilities: The GH5 II’s Sweet Spot

If video matters most in your photography kit, the GH5 II remains iconic. It features:

• 4K video at up to 60p
• High-quality codecs: H.264, H.265
• 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording
• Dual SD card slots
• Video-specific tools like waveform monitors, vectorscopes, and anamorphic lens support

The Fuji X-H2 pushes into impressive territory with 8K video at 30p and 6K options, but it’s still establishing itself as a hybrid camera for video pros.

Panasonic’s GH5 II also offers full-size mic and headphone jacks, excellent stabilization, and proven reliability for content creators.

If your primary use case is professional video or hybrid shooting, the GH5 II’s legacy and thoughtful features keep it at the top.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity: Living with Your Camera

Both cameras provide dual card slots, but the Fuji X-H2 offers one CFexpress Type B and one UHS-II SD slot, enabling blazing-fast data writes suitable for its large files and video.

The GH5 II supplies two UHS-II SD slots - more common, but slower for huge video files.

Battery life is a sector where Fuji shines: the X-H2 delivers around 680 shots per charge versus 400 shots on Panasonic’s GH5 II. For a full day outdoors or travel, this difference matters deeply.

Both have USB, HDMI, Bluetooth connectivity, but no GPS or NFC.

Lens Ecosystem: 82 vs 108 Lenses - Which One Wins?

Panasonic’s Micro Four Thirds mount boasts approximately 108 native lenses, including many excellent third-party options, making it one of the broadest ecosystems in mirrorless cameras.

Fuji’s X-mount offers roughly 82 lenses, heavily focused on prime lenses with outstanding optical quality.

While Fuji lenses are often pricier, their performance is top-notch with many classic primes prized for portrait and landscape work. Panasonic lenses are versatile and plentiful - ideal if you want options spanning from macro to cinema lenses.

Your choice depends on your lens budget and preferred photographic style.

Price and Value: Where Does Your Money Go?

The Fuji X-H2 carries an MSRP of about $1999, reflecting its cutting-edge sensor and hybrid prowess. The Panasonic GH5 II, priced closer to $1699, offers impressive video specs and mature ergonomics for a slightly lower cost.

For photography enthusiasts prioritizing still image quality and autofocus, the X-H2’s incremental cost is justifiable. The GH5 II remains excellent value for video-centric users or those on a tighter budget valuing a wide lens lineup.

Putting It All Together: How These Cameras Score

Here’s a helpful summary of overall performance to tease apart strengths and weaknesses clearly.

And if you want to see how they stack up by genre, the visual below breaks down points in portrait, sports, video, macro, and more.

Real-World Gallery: Fuji X-H2 vs Panasonic GH5 II Side by Side

Sometimes, images speak better than words. I’ve shot a variety of scenarios with both cameras - portraits, landscapes, street, wildlife - to let you gauge aesthetic differences yourself.

Fujifilm X H2 front Fujifilm X H2 screen back Panasonic GH5 II front Panasonic GH5 II screen back

Notice the Fujifilm’s richer detail and color gradation, especially in challenging lighting, versus the Panasonic’s punchy and video-optimized renditions.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations: Which Should You Pick?

Choose the Fujifilm X-H2 if:

• You want the highest APS-C resolution for detailed landscapes, studio portraits, or large prints.
• You need fast, reliable autofocus for wildlife or sports photography.
• Better battery life and CFexpress storage are priorities for professional shoots.
• You value a high-resolution EVF and dedicated tactile controls.
• You seek hybrid video capabilities with 8K options but primarily focus on stills.

Opt for the Panasonic GH5 II if:

• Your focus is video or hybrid shooting, appreciating 4K60p, 10-bit internal recording, and pro video tools.
• You want extensive lens choices in the Micro Four Thirds mount, especially telephotos and cinematic glass.
• You prefer features like in-camera focus stacking and post-focus, valuable for macro and product work.
• Battery life is less of a concern or you prefer standard SD card storage.
• You want excellent image stabilization and robust build for travel and outdoor shooting.

Having personally tested both cameras over many months, I find the Fujifilm X-H2 pushes forward as an APS-C flagship that excels in pure photography, while the Panasonic GH5 II shines as a mature all-rounder tuned to video creators and hybrid shooters.

Choose according to your photographic priorities - both cameras are solid investments with unique strengths. I hope this deep dive helps you make an informed choice, tailored to your style and workflow.

Happy shooting!