What's the deal with the X-T5 autofocus?

Drougal wrote:

Hold up. Mr. Morris, based on your photos alone, you are not the average photographer, you are what many people who shoot wildlife aspire to be (myself included). I don't know if its "fair" to compare you to anyone other than nation geographic photographers. Im definitely not a professional, but I'm not new either. So maybe a more "average" user can chime in. I've had about five years experience with X-T2, X-T3, and now X-H2s.

I feel like the jump between X-T3 and X-H2s is not as big as some people claim, and honestly maybe not as big as I was expecting. The X-T3 i would often be more surprised I got the shot, and X-H2s I am more often surprised I didnt. I'm still getting used to the new body, but one thing I am definitely struggling with is the autofocus, and specifically the same as being reported. When the X-H2s does finally see a bird (and not a rock or stick), and highlights it in continuous via back button focus... I have seen the green box, clicking the shutter, on what is by all measures an in focus photo, and its not. I've tried many things to diagnose this, and I have taken thousands of shots, because its been an issue since I first got the camera. The XT-5 and X-H2s share two of the three autofocus improvements, so they should be similar.

At least with the X-T3, I knew 95% of the time I got the shot without even looking at the photo. With the X-H2s, I have absolutely no idea until I sit down at my computer. Even reviewing in back of camera and punching in, its sometimes not clear.

I've used highlight, single focus, continuous focus AF+MF assist, etc etc etc... I simply don't trust the Fuji AI and autofocus. Even with AF+MF where I dial in a shot, I'll look after I take a shot and what I saw in the EVF and what I get are completely different (I have checked the diopter). It honestly makes me feel crazy.

If you like wildlife, I think the bird AI subject detect is honestly awful. It is either a false promise or too high of expectations, or a bit of both. There is considerable focus breathing even when "locked on" to a subject, and as mentioned, the "green box" is very untrustworthy.

I really hope they implement a big fix for the autofocus soon. I also hope they address the fact that while the subject detect is enabled, many other functions are disabled, one being focus distance limiter. You would think those features would compliment each other, but apparently they don't and its really infuriating the number of things one "cant" do while other modes are active, without any warning or notices.

OP:To recap from an average shooter, your mileage may vary, but real talk, the Fuji autofocus hype is just that. I loved my X-T3 (besides autofocus), and the X-H2s doesnt really improve that, its just different things to struggle with. Birds in flight are easier, but birds not moving is somehow harder. All I know is, the green confirmation box is a lie.

Maybe I'm just bad

I’m sorry, but to say the AF hasn’t improved from the X-T3 to the X-H2S is a load of BS. I don’t know about the X-T5 or the X-H2 but the AF in the X-H2S is miles ahead of the X-T3 and in my experience not far off Sony and Canon.

People are talking as if the Sony and Canon AF systems are infallible and I can assure you they are not.