The Fujifilm GFX100S is an attempt by the company to make medium-format cameras more accessible to the general public. Due to the size and weight of medium format cameras, they have traditionally been utilized almost exclusively within studio settings, particularly those capable of producing 100-megapixel images. The Hasselblad and PhaseOne cameras are only two examples that fall within this category, yet, even the Fujifilm GFX 100 is considered rather costly.
The Fujifilm GFX100S is about the same size and weight as a full-frame DSLR, such as the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, but it costs less than the most recent version of Sony’s Alpha 1 full-frame mirrorless camera. Fujifilm has shrunk its medium format camera rather than going with the flow of industry trends.
Fujifilm accomplished the downsizing by reworking the mechanics that control the shutter and the image stabilization. Because of this, the business could relocate the battery pack to the grip, eliminating the need for the vertical grip that had been a distinguishing feature of its predecessor.
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Although it is lighter and more compact than its predecessor, it is still heavier than the typical weight of a full-frame mirrorless camera. However, when combined with a GFX lens, the entire package is still considered to be of moderately substantial importance.
Features
Even though the sensor proportions are the same as those used in the 50MP medium format bodies, Fujifilm refers to its 100MP cameras as a large format. Fujifilm uses the same sensor size for both medium and large formats. Because of this, the 102-megapixel sensor included within the GFX100S is 1.7 times more expansive than a full-frame equivalent.
And for it, a vast body is typically required. However, when held in hand, the GFX100S looks so similar to a full-frame camera that it can easily confuse the two. This is a significant departure from the original GFX 100.
However, its much-reduced size is not the only element that draws attention to it. By reusing the technology developed for the company’s smaller bodies, such as the X-H1, X-T4, and X-S10, Fujifilm could reduce the size of its in-body image stabilization system while simultaneously increasing the size of its in-body image stabilization system its capabilities by a complete stop.
The image stabilization system also comes into action when employing the camera’s high-resolution mode, which produces 400MB still images due to the combination of 16 photographs captured via pixel shifting. This mode spits out the still photos.
Fujifilm GFX100S Design
The GFX100S has dimensions of 150 by 104 by 44 millimeters, weighs just 900 grams, and more closely resembles a full-frame DSLR than its predecessor did. However, when combined with a GFX lens, the new camera can become physically taxing to operate for extended periods while held in hand. Even though the grip was comfortable and profound, we needed to put it down around every 20 minutes while testing it.
And while the hand grip includes a middle finger depression that is ideal for users with tiny hands, it may be insufficient for users with giant fingers because of the grip’s size. Finally, it is essential to note that, even though the rear thumb rest is quite substantial, the Q button that allows access to the Quick Menu is located on the ridge of the rest. This configuration may worry some people, just as it did with the Fujifilm X-T30; however, we did not experience this problem when conducting our tests.
The remainder of the control arrangement will be familiar to most photographers (whether you’re going from a DSLR or a mirrorless system), with a conventional mode dial on the top plate’s left side and a 1.8-inch LCD located on the right side of the camera. This display may be modified to show shooting parameters, a histogram, or the virtual shutter speed and ISO knobs, one of the distinguishing features of the GFX 100.
Fujifilm GFX100S Performance
As was just said, Fujifilm reduced the quality of the electronic viewfinder (EVF) and the battery to reduce the cost of the GFX100S; nevertheless, these changes do not affect the camera’s overall performance.
Despite having a lesser resolution, the electronic viewfinder (EVF) offers a crisp frame reproduction, making it competitive with numerous mirrorless options. Similarly, the display on the back is susceptible and straightforward to read even when you’re outside.
It is essential to remember that this camera is medium format even though it is tempting to compare the performance of the GFX100S to the version of the current line-up of pro-full-frame mirrorless cameras, with their blitzing fast burst rates and superfast autofocus tracking. First, however, it is essential to remember that this camera is in medium format.
Because of this, you won’t be able to shoot in bursts of 20 frames per second, and the focusing may seem sluggish and clumsy in contrast to other cameras. Nevertheless, the GFX100S continues to deliver outstanding results in the medium format area.
Fujifilm GFX100S Image Quality
The sheer magnitude of the 102 MP that is at our disposal is enough to pique the interest of the vast majority of us. The GFX100S does not fall short in any way in terms of the amount of detail it can capture because of its high-resolution sensor. This is something that cannot be disputed. If you need to crop a significant portion of the image or you want to print it very large, there is more than enough resolution for you to work with in this instance.
Even after making considerable cropping adjustments to zoom in on the subject, as we have done in the example below, the metering mechanism of the camera performs brilliantly, preserving the features in the image regardless of whether they are in the light or shade.
The renowned dynamic range that can be achieved with a medium format camera is the following advantage. If you try to underexpose frames when using an APS-C or full-frame camera, there is a reasonable probability that you won’t have the leeway to bring photographs back to life during post-processing; but, if you use a medium format camera, this is typically highly possible. We underexposed several test images by two or three stops. During the editing process, we were blown away by how beautifully the details were retained and brought to the forefront of the image.
Fujifilm GFX100S Specs
| Body type | SLR-style mirrorless |
|---|---|
| Body material | Magnesium alloy |
| Sensor | |
| Max resolution | 11648 x 8736 |
| Image ratio w h | 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 |
| Effective pixels | 102 megapixels |
| Sensor size | Medium format (44 x 33 mm) |
| Sensor type | BSI-CMOS |
| Processor | X-Processor 4 |
| Color space | sRGB, Adobe RGB |
| Color filter array | Primary color filter |
| Image | |
| ISO | Auto, 100-12800 (expands to 50-102400) |
| Boosted ISO (minimum) | 50 |
| Boosted ISO (maximum) | 102400 |
| White balance presets | 7 |
| Custom white balance | Yes (3 slots) |
| Image stabilization | Sensor-shift |
| CIPA image stabilization rating | 6 stop(s) |
| Uncompressed format | RAW + TIFF |
| JPEG quality levels | Super fine, fine, normal |
| File format | JPEG (Exif v2.3)Raw (14/16-bit RAF)TIFF (8/16-bit) |
| Optics & Focus | |
| Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View. |
| Autofocus assist lamp | Yes |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Number of focus points | 425 |
| Lens mount | Fujifilm G |
| Focal length multiplier | 0.79× |
| Screen/viewfinder | |
| Articulated LCD | Tilting |
| Screen size | 3.2″ |
| Screen dots | 2,360,000 |
| Touch screen | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD |
| Live View | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Electronic |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.61× (0.77× 35mm equiv.) |
| Viewfinder resolution | 3,690,000 |
| Photography features | |
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed (electronic) | 1/16000 sec |
| Exposure modes | ProgramAperture priorityShutter priorityManual |
| Built-in flash | No |
| External flash | Yes (via hot shoe or flash sync port) |
| Flash X sync speed | 1/125 sec |
| Continuous drive | 5.0 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes |
| Metering modes | MultiCenter-weightedAverageSpot |
| Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
| AE Bracketing | ±5 (2, 3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV, 2 EV steps) |
| WB Bracketing | Yes |
| Videography features | |
| Format | MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 |
| Modes | 4096 x 2160 @ 30p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 25p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC cards (UHS-II supported) |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) |
| USB charging | Yes |
| HDMI | Yes |
| Microphone port | Yes |
| Headphone port | Yes |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Wireless notes | 802.11ac + Bluetooth |
| Remote control | Yes |
| Physical | |
| Environmentally sealed | Yes |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | NP-W235 lithium-ion battery & charger |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 460 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 900 g (1.98 lb / 31.75 oz) |
| Dimensions | 150 x 104 x 87 mm (5.91 x 4.09 x 3.43″) |
| Other features | |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| Timelapse recording | Yes |
| GPS | None |
Fujifilm GFX100S Verdict
The Fujifilm GFX100S is a revolutionary camera, but its predecessor, the GFX 100, was already a game-changer in its own right. For the first time, a medium format camera with 100 megapixels is available, and it has a body the size of a DSLR. It also has image stabilization and costs the same as some of the most recent full-frame mirrorless cameras.
The GFX100S is one of the more mainstream and approachable medium format cameras on the market due to a large amount of X-series technology included in its design.
