Fujifilm X-H1 vs Sony A1

The Fujifilm X-H1 and the Sony A1 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in February 2018 and January 2021. Both the X-H1 and the A1 are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are based on an APS-C (X-H1) and a full frame (A1) sensor. The Fujifilm has a resolution of 24 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 49.8 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Fujifilm X-H1		Sony A1
Mirrorless system camera		Mirrorless system camera
Fujifilm X mount lenses		Sony E mount lenses
24 MP, APS-C Sensor		49.8 MP, Full Frame Sensor
4K/30p Video		8k/30p Video
ISO 200-12,800 (100 - 51,200)		ISO 100-32,000 (500 - 102,400)
Electronic viewfinder (3690k dots)		Electronic viewfinder (9437k dots)
3.0 LCD, 1040k dots		3.0 LCD, 1440k dots
Fully flexible touchscreen		Tilting touchscreen
14 shutter flaps per second		10 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilization		In-body stabilization
Weathersealed body		Weathersealed body
310 shots per battery charge		530 shots per battery charge
140 x 97 x 86 mm, 673 g		129 x 97 x 81 mm, 737 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Fujifilm X-H1 and the Sony A1? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Fujifilm X-H1 and the Sony A1 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony A1 is notably smaller (8 percent) than the Fujifilm X-H1. However, the A1 is markedly heavier (10 percent) than the X-H1. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. A larger imaging sensor will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, although exceptions exist. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Fujinon X Lens Catalog (X-H1) and the Sony FE Lens Catalog (A1). Mirrorless cameras, such as the two under consideration, have the additional advantage of having a short flange to focal plane distance, which makes it possible to mount many lenses from other systems onto the camera via adapters.

Concerning battery life, the X-H1 gets 310 shots out of its NP-W126S battery, while the A1 can take 530 images on a single charge of its NP-FZ100 power pack. The battery packs of both cameras can be charged via USB, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Fujifilm X-H1	140 mm	97 mm	86 mm	673 g	310	Y	Feb 2018	1,899
2.		Sony A1	129 mm	97 mm	81 mm	737 g	530	Y	Jan 2021	6,499
3.		Canon 6D Mark II	144 mm	111 mm	75 mm	765 g	1200	Y	Jun 2017	1,999
4.		Fujifilm X-T4	135 mm	93 mm	64 mm	607 g	500	Y	Feb 2020	1,699
5.		Fujifilm X-Pro3	141 mm	83 mm	46 mm	497 g	440	Y	Oct 2019	1,799
6.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	141 mm	83 mm	46 mm	495 g	350	Y	Jan 2016	1,699
7.		Fujifilm X-T2	133 mm	92 mm	49 mm	507 g	340	Y	Jul 2016	1,599
8.		Nikon Z6	134 mm	101 mm	67 mm	675 g	310	Y	Aug 2018	1,999
9.		Olympus E-M1 II	134 mm	91 mm	67 mm	574 g	440	Y	Sep 2016	1,999
10.		Panasonic G9	137 mm	97 mm	92 mm	658 g	400	Y	Nov 2017	1,699
11.		Panasonic GH5	139 mm	98 mm	87 mm	725 g	410	Y	Jan 2017	1,999
12.		Sony A7S III	127 mm	97 mm	81 mm	699 g	600	Y	Jul 2020	3,499
13.		Sony A7R IV	129 mm	96 mm	78 mm	665 g	670	Y	Jul 2019	3,499
14.		Sony A7 III	127 mm	96 mm	74 mm	650 g	610	Y	Feb 2018	1,999
15.		Sony A7R III	127 mm	96 mm	74 mm	650 g	650	Y	Oct 2017	3,199
16.		Sony A9	127 mm	96 mm	63 mm	673 g	650	Y	Apr 2017	4,499
17.		Sony A7R II	127 mm	96 mm	60 mm	625 g	290	Y	Jun 2015	3,199
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The X-H1 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 71 percent) than the A1, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Fujifilm X-H1 features an APS-C sensor and the Sony A1 a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the A1 is 134 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 1.0. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

With 49.8MP, the A1 offers a higher resolution than the X-H1 (24MP), but the A1 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.16μm versus 3.92μm for the X-H1) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the A1 is a much more recent model (by 2 years and 11 months) than the X-H1, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Sony A1 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the A1 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 43.2 x 28.8 inches or 109.7 x 73.2 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 34.6 x 23 inches or 87.8 x 58.5 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 28.8 x 19.2 inches or 73.2 x 48.8 cm. The corresponding values for the Fujifilm X-H1 are 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm for good quality, 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm for very good quality, and 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

Unlike the X-H1, the A1 has the capacity to capture high quality composite images (YESMP) by combining multiple shots after shifting its sensor by miniscule distances. This multi-shot, pixel-shift mode is most suitable for photography of stationary objects (landscapes, studio scenes).

The Fujifilm X-H1 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 100-51200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony A1 are ISO 100 to ISO 32000, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 500-102400.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Fujifilm X-H1	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
2.		Sony A1	Full Frame	49.8	8640	5760	8k/30p	..	..	..	..
3.		Canon 6D Mark II	Full Frame	26.0	6240	4160	1080/60p	24.4	11.9	2862	85
4.		Fujifilm X-T4	APS-C	26.0	6240	4160	4K/60p	..	..	..	..
5.		Fujifilm X-Pro3	APS-C	26.0	6240	4160	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
6.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
7.		Fujifilm X-T2	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
8.		Nikon Z6	Full Frame	24.3	6048	4024	4K/30p	25.3	14.3	3299	95
9.		Olympus E-M1 II	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	23.7	12.8	1312	80
10.		Panasonic G9	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/60p	..	..	..	..
11.		Panasonic GH5	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/60p	23.9	13.0	807	77
12.		Sony A7S III	Full Frame	12.0	4240	2832	4K/120p	23.7	13.9	2520	86
13.		Sony A7R IV	Full Frame	60.2	9504	6336	4K/30p	26.0	14.8	3344	99
14.		Sony A7 III	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	25.0	14.7	3730	96
15.		Sony A7R III	Full Frame	42.2	7952	5304	4K/30p	26.0	14.7	3523	100
16.		Sony A9	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	24.9	13.3	3517	92
17.		Sony A7R II	Full Frame	42.2	7952	5304	4K/30p	26.0	13.9	3434	98

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the A1 provides a better video resolution than the X-H1. It can shoot movie footage at 8k/30p, while the Fujifilm is limited to 4K/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The two cameras under review are similar with respect to both having an electronic viewfinder. However, the one in the A1 offers a substantially higher resolution than the one in the X-H1 (9437k vs 3690k dots). The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Fujifilm X-H1, the Sony A1, and comparable cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Fujifilm X-H1	3690	Y	3.0	1040	full-flex	Y	1/8000s	14.0	n	Y
2.		Sony A1	9437	n	3.0	1440	tilting	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
3.		Canon 6D Mark II	optical	Y	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	6.5	n	n
4.		Fujifilm X-T4	3690	n	3.0	1620	swivel	Y	1/8000s	15.0	n	Y
5.		Fujifilm X-Pro3	3690	n	3.0	1620	tilting	Y	1/8000s	8.0	n	n
6.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	2360	n	3.0	1620	fixed	n	1/8000s	8.0	n	n
7.		Fujifilm X-T2	2360	n	3.0	1040	tilting	n	1/8000s	8.0	n	n
8.		Nikon Z6	3690	Y	3.2	2100	tilting	Y	1/8000s	12.0	n	Y
9.		Olympus E-M1 II	2360	n	3.0	1037	swivel	Y	1/8000s	18.0	n	Y
10.		Panasonic G9	3680	Y	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/8000s	20.0	n	Y
11.		Panasonic GH5	3680	n	3.2	1620	swivel	Y	1/8000s	12.0	n	Y
12.		Sony A7S III	9440	n	3.0	1440	swivel	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
13.		Sony A7R IV	5760	n	3.0	1440	tilting	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
14.		Sony A7 III	2359	n	3.0	922	tilting	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
15.		Sony A7R III	3686	n	3.0	1440	tilting	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
16.		Sony A9	3686	n	3.0	1440	tilting	Y	1/8000s	20.0	n	Y
17.		Sony A7R II	2400	n	3.0	1229	tilting	n	1/8000s	5.0	n	Y

One feature that is present on the X-H1, but is missing on the A1 is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, both cameras under consideration feature an electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Fujifilm X-H1 and the Sony A1 both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The X-H1 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the A1 uses CFexpress or SDXC cards. Both cameras feature dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. Both cameras support UHS-II cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Fujifilm X-H1 and Sony A1 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Fujifilm X-H1	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	3.0	Y	-	-
2.		Sony A1	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	mini	3.2	Y	-	Y
3.		Canon 6D Mark II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	Y
4.		Fujifilm X-T4	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
5.		Fujifilm X-Pro3	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	-	3.1	Y	-	Y
6.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
7.		Fujifilm X-T2	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	3.0	Y	-	-
8.		Nikon Z6	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
9.		Olympus E-M1 II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.0	Y	-	-
10.		Panasonic G9	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.0	Y	-	Y
11.		Panasonic GH5	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.1	Y	-	Y
12.		Sony A7S III	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.2	Y	-	Y
13.		Sony A7R IV	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.1	Y	Y	Y
14.		Sony A7 III	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.1	Y	Y	Y
15.		Sony A7R III	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.1	Y	Y	Y
16.		Sony A9	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
17.		Sony A7R II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-

It is notable that the A1 has a headphone jack, which makes it possible to attach external headphones and monitor the quality of sound during the recording process. The X-H1 lacks such a headphone port.

Both cameras feature a PC Sync terminal to control professional strobe lights, which will be appreciated by studio photographers.

Both the X-H1 and the A1 are recent models that are part of the current product line-up. Neither of the two has a direct predecessor, so perhaps they will constitute the origins of new camera lines for Fujifilm and Sony. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Fujifilm and Sony websites.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is there a clear favorite between the Fujifilm X-H1 and the Sony A1? Which camera is better? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Reasons to prefer the Fujifilm X-H1:

• Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
• More flexible LCD: Has a full-flex screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (14 vs 10 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (71 percent cheaper at launch).
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in February 2018).

Arguments in favor of the Sony A1:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (49.8 vs 24MP), which boosts linear resolution by 44%.
• High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.
• Better image quality: Is equipped with a larger and more technologically advanced sensor.
• Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (8k/30p vs 4K/30p).
• Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
• More detailed viewfinder: Has higher resolution electronic viewfinder (9437k vs 3690k dots).
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.9x vs 0.75x).
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1440k vs 1040k dots).
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (530 versus 310) out of a single battery charge.
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• More modern: Reflects 2 years and 11 months of technical progress since the X-H1 launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the A1 is the clear winner of the contest (14 : 5 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Fujifilm X-H1 and the Sony A1 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the X-H1 or the A1 perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Fujifilm X-H1	..	+	86/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2018	1,899
2.		Sony A1	..	..	..	..	..	Jan 2021	6,499
3.		Canon 6D Mark II	4/5	+	80/100	4.5/5	4/5	Jun 2017	1,999
4.		Fujifilm X-T4	5/5	+ +	..	5/5	5/5	Feb 2020	1,699
5.		Fujifilm X-Pro3	4/5	+	85/100	4/5	..	Oct 2019	1,799
6.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	..	+	83/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2016	1,699
7.		Fujifilm X-T2	5/5	+ +	86/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jul 2016	1,599
8.		Nikon Z6	5/5	..	..	4.5/5	5/5	Aug 2018	1,999
9.		Olympus E-M1 II	5/5	+ +	85/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2016	1,999
10.		Panasonic G9	..	+ +	85/100	5/5	5/5	Nov 2017	1,699
11.		Panasonic GH5	4.5/5	+ +	85/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jan 2017	1,999
12.		Sony A7S III	..	+ +	91/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jul 2020	3,499
13.		Sony A7R IV	5/5	+	91/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jul 2019	3,499
14.		Sony A7 III	..	+ +	89/100	5/5	5/5	Feb 2018	1,999
15.		Sony A7R III	..	+ +	90/100	4.5/5	5/5	Oct 2017	3,199
16.		Sony A9	5/5	+ +	89/100	5/5	5/5	Apr 2017	4,499
17.		Sony A7R II	5/5	+ +	90/100	5/5	5/5	Jun 2015	3,199
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

Other camera comparisons

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Specifications: Fujifilm X-H1 vs Sony A1

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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