The switch to mirrorless and, in particular, the Fuji X-H2S, has proven to be a step in the right direction. Here are the benefits I've observed after over a year of use:
- The ability to preview the exposure in the viewfinder or LCD screen prior to pressing the shutter button is HUGE. No more guessing, chimping, and/or wasted shots. It almost seems like cheating
- The Electronic shutter does not scare off the critters like my DSLR did
- The more compact size doesn't hurt
- Higher Burst rates can capture images of moving subjects that were not possible with my DSLR
- Animal and human eye detect is very helpful in nailing those sharp eyes
- The custom buttons can save a lot of time when switching from one subject (ie. wildlife) to another (ie. landscapes)
Is it all cupcakes and sunshine? Well, no. Firstly, the digital viewfinder does not update the image as fast as the optical viewfinder on the DSLR does. So for example, with Birds in Flight (BIF), there is a bit of lag when trying to follow these subjects in the viewfinder with my new Fuji X-H2S. It is subtle but noticeable. Is it a deal breaker? No.
Secondly, given that my Fuji is equipped with a cropped sensor, low light performance is not optimal. Noise can creep into my images perhaps more than I'd prefer. This is exacerbated by the relatively slower lenses that I'm using for my shots. For example, at the narrow end (600 mm), my aperture is at F8. Topaz Photo AI, which I've purchased recently, has come to the rescue however. It can handle noise and sharpness with wonderful efficiency. It is an important part of my workflow.
In summary, despite a few challenges, my Fuji rocks! It truly is a durable, functional, and diverse hybrid camera. I would highly recommend it to those who focus (no pun intended) primarily on wildlife photography with an interest in other genres as well.