Fujifilm
X-H2S
Stacked APS-C speed flagship with 40fps and 6.2K video.
$2,499
Launch priceReleased May 2022
Sigma
sd1 Merrill
APS-C Foveon X3 body delivering extraordinary per-pixel detail and unique color rendering.
$2,299
Launch priceReleased Mar 2012
X-H2S is 10.3 years newer.
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Wins
X-H2S
Wins
sd1 Merrill
1 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AX-H2S has lower AF low-light limit (-7 EV vs 0 EV)
- AX-H2S has higher AF points / zones (425 vs 49)
- AX-H2S has higher Max video bit rate (720 Mbps vs 150 Mbps)
- AX-H2S has higher RAW buffer depth (175 frames vs 60 frames)
- AX-H2S has higher Burst (electronic) (40 fps vs 15 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareX-H2S
136 × 93 × 85 mm
660 g (1.46 lb / 23.28 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
sd1 Merrill
146 × 114 × 80 mm
680 g (1.50 lb / 23.99 oz)
X-H2S is 9mm narrower and 21mm shorter than sd1 Merrill but it is also 5mm thicker.
X-H2S is 20 g lighter than sd1 Merrill.
Depth (front-to-back): 85mm X-H2S · 80mm sd1 Merrill
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
X-H2S
136 × 93 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
sd1 Merrill
146 × 114 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
X-H2S
136 × 85 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
sd1 Merrill
146 × 80 mm
Sensor size, to scale
X-H2S
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
sd1 Merrill
23.5 × 15.7 mm · APS-C
369 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
X-H2S
✓ more lensesFujifilm X
105+
native lenses available
sd1 Merrill: mount data unavailable
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
X-H2S
AF low-light limit
-7 EV vs 0 EV — lower is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 136.3, 92.9, 84.6
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B, SD UHS-II, SDXC V90
AF points / zones
425 vs 49 — higher is better
Max video bit rate
720 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Automobile, Motorcycle/Bike, Airplane…
RAW buffer depth
175 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
40 fps vs 15 fps — higher is better
Reasons to choose
sd1 Merrill
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 145.5, 113.5, 80
Card types
Adds CompactFlash
ISO max (native)
25,600 vs 12,800 — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Vehicle
Resolution
46 MP vs 26.16 MP — higher is better
ISO min (native)
100 vs 160 — lower is better
EVF magnification
0.95 × vs 0.8 × — higher is better
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 580 shots — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓EVF refresh rate — Both 120 Hz
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
X-H2S
Pros
- ✓40fps burst
- ✓Stacked APS-C
- ✓6.2K video
- ✓Great AF
Cons
- –APS-C sensor
- –Complex menus
- –Crop for some modes
sd1 Merrill
Pros
- ✓Unique Foveon rendering
- ✓Exceptional detail
- ✓No AA filter needed
- ✓Distinct look
Cons
- –Very slow
- –Poor high ISO
- –SA mount limited
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the X-H2S and sd1 Merrill at major authorized retailers.
Fujifilm X-H2S
Sigma sd1 Merrill
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, X-H2S or sd1 Merrill?
X-H2S scores 9.5/10 versus 6.5/10 for sd1 Merrill — 40fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the X-H2S and sd1 Merrill?
X-H2S is 26.16 MP and sd1 Merrill is 46 MP, so the sd1 Merrill captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the X-H2S and sd1 Merrill have in-body image stabilization?
X-H2S has 7-stop in-body image stabilization, while sd1 Merrill has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the X-H2S or the sd1 Merrill?
X-H2S reaches 40 fps electronic. sd1 Merrill reaches 15 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the X-H2S and sd1 Merrill?
X-H2S weighs 660 g and sd1 Merrill weighs 680 g, so the X-H2S is 20 g lighter.
Do the X-H2S and sd1 Merrill record 4K video?
X-H2S: 4K up to 120p. sd1 Merrill: 4K up to 60p.
Are the X-H2S and sd1 Merrill weather sealed?
X-H2S: Yes. sd1 Merrill: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 580 shots (CIPA) for the X-H2S and 640 shots for the sd1 Merrill, giving the sd1 Merrill the edge.
How much does each cost?
X-H2S launched at $2,499 and sd1 Merrill at $2,299. The sd1 Merrill is $200 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way X-H2S vs sd1 Merrill vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Fujifilm and Sigma press materials.