Fujifilm GFX 100 Review

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Basic Specifications
Full model name:	Fujifilm GFX 100
Resolution:	102.00 Megapixels
Sensor size:	Medium format (43.8mm x 32.9mm)
Kit Lens:	n/a
Viewfinder:	EVF / LCD
Native ISO:	100 - 12,800
Extended ISO:	50 - 102,400
Shutter:	1/16000 - 3600 sec
Dimensions:	6.1 x 6.4 x 4.1 in. (156 x 164 x 103 mm)
Weight:	49.4 oz (1,400 g) includes batteries
Availability:	06/2019
Manufacturer:	Fujifilm
Full specs:	Fujifilm GFX 100 specifications

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102.00 Megapixels	FUJINON G Mount	Medium format size sensor

GFX 100 Summary

With twice the resolution of earlier GFX models, the Fujifilm GFX 100, unsurprisingly, offers outstanding image quality. What's more, is that besides the 102MP sensor, the GFX 100 provides a shockingly impressive set of features, performance, video specs and build quality to make it unlike any other medium-format camera on the market. With features like in-body image stabilization, phase-detect AF, Cinema 4K video up to 30p, and weather-sealed construction, the Fuji GFX 100 is arguably the most versatile medium-format camera on the market. Its usability is hampered somewhat by performance limitations and a still-limited native GF lens lineup, but in the end, the Fujifilm GFX 100 is still a very unique camera, offering an enticing combination of resolution and performance that simply isn't found elsewhere on the market.

Pros

Outstanding image quality; Fast hybrid AF with phase-detect; 5fps bursts at full resolution; In-body image stabilization; Improved EVF; Weather sealing; 4K UHD & Cinema 4K at up to 30fps.

Cons

Big and bulky; Shallow buffer depth with RAW files; Vertical grip not as comfortable; Native lens selection still limited.

Price and availability

The Fujifilm GFX 100 went on sale in June 2019 at a suggested retail price of $9,999.95 USD and $13,299.99 CAD. For reference, the GFX 50S launched in 2017 at $6,499.95 USD and the GFX 50R launched last year with a suggested retail price of $4,499.99, although both cameras are currently available at lower prices.

Imaging Resource rating

4.5 out of 5.0

Fuji GFX 100 Review

by Jeremy Gray and William Brawley
Preview posted: 05/23/2019
Last updated: 04/02/2020

Head with us to the Outer Banks of North Carolina,
where we put the Fujifilm GFX 100 to the real test!
(This project was made possible thanks to support from Fujifilm)

• • •

Fuji GFX 100 Review -- Product Overview

by Jeremy Gray
Originally posted: 05/23/2019

In September 2018, Fujifilm announced the development of the GFX 100, a new 100-megapixel camera in their medium-format mirrorless GFX camera system. While a fair bit of information was available back then, Fujifilm has now fully revealed the new camera, complete with many details we were not privy to last year.

There are many "world's firsts," including the first mirrorless camera with a 100-megapixel BSI image sensor, the first medium-format camera with in-body image stabilization and the world's first 4K-capable medium-format mirrorless camera. We now know more about each of these key features, plus much more.

Key Features

102-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor
Native ISO range of 100-12,800, expandable to 50-102,400
16-bit raw files
3.76 million PDAF pixels covering nearly 100% of the image area
Improved autofocus performance and speed
5.0 fps burst mode
5-axis in-body image stabilization
X-Processor 4
Integrated vertical grip
Weather-sealed magnesium alloy body
Dual UHS-II SD card slots
Top and rear sub displays
3-way tilting touchscreen LCD
5.76M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder
4K/30p video recording and Eterna Film Simulation
Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Body & Design: Integrated vertical grip, new displays and a revised control layout

By opting for a shape similar to a DSLR camera, the Fuji GFX 100 features a design more similar to the original GFX 50S than the recent GFX 50R camera. However, the GFX 100 incorporates a built-in vertical grip, whereas the GFX 50S' grip attachment was offered as an optional accessory. This design change has multiple impacts, including doubling the battery capacity of the GFX 100 when compared to a non-gripped 50S or 50R and allowing for a new sub-display on the rear of the camera.

Like the GFX 50S before it, the GFX 100 has a removable electronic viewfinder. When the EVF is detached, the camera is shorter and has less maximum depth. In total, the EVF-less GFX 100 is 5.67 inches tall (144 millimeters) and has a maximum depth of 2.96 in. (75.1mm). The width, 6.15 in. (156.2mm), remains unchanged, as one would expect. With the EVF attached, the GFX 100 is 6.44 in. (163.6mm) tall and 4.05 in. (102.9mm) deep. With a pair of batteries and a memory card, the GFX 100 weighs 46.6 ounces (1,320 grams). With the EVF attached, the weight increases to 49.4 oz. (1,400g).

Despite its larger sensor, the mirrorless GFX 100 is not substantially different in size from flagship full-frame DSLRs. Take the Nikon D5, for example, which is marginally wider, slightly shorter and only a little bit thinner than the GFX100 with its EVF attached. Their weights are 15 grams different. It's a similar story with the Canon 1DX Mark II, which is about the same width, slightly taller and a bit thinner than the GFX 100, while weighing over 100 grams more.

Like the GFX 50S, the GFX 100 utilizes a 3.2-inch touchscreen display which tilts in three directions (up around 90 degrees, down about 45 degrees and to the side for portrait orientation by about 45 degrees). Unlike the GFX 50S, the battery compartment in the GFX 100 has been revised to eliminate the bulge that was behind the GFX 50S' display. The touchscreen LCD has 2.36 million dots, the same resolution as the 50S.

The EVF-GFX2 electronic viewfinder is a new OLED design, featuring 5.76 million dots and 0.86x (35mm equivalent) magnification. The GFX 50S' OLED EVF had 3.6 million dots and roughly the same magnification (0.85x). Eyepoint is 23mm and there's a diopter adjustment from -4 to +2m^-1. The new EVF is compatible with the same optional EVF-TL1 Tilt Adapter as the 50S.

When looking at the rear of the camera, there are a few notable changes to the control layout when compared to the GFX 50S. For starters, the oft-criticized location of the playback button has moved from the top left of the camera to the bottom right of the display. Further, the four directional buttons (which can conveniently be assigned to act as four separate function buttons) have been removed entirely, leaving a large area for grip. Previously unmarked buttons are now labeled for AF-ON and AE-L functionality. Like the GFX 50S' vertical grip, the built-in vertical grip of the GFX100 incorporates mirrored controls, meaning that it should operate in essentially the same way and offer similar controls regardless of shooting orientation. Plus, there's a new 2.05-inch 256×64-dot Monochrome OLED sub-display below the primary rear display, which delivers various shooting information.

While the rear of the GFX100 has undergone some revisions, the top of the camera is dramatically different. There is still a large status display on the top, but the dials of the GFX 50S are basically gone. There's a drive mode dial to the left of the viewfinder, but no dedicated shutter speed or ISO dials. The top status LCD offers a virtual dial mode to digitally mimic the now-absent dials.

The GFX 100 has been designed for use harsh conditions and incorporates weather sealing in 95 locations throughout the magnesium alloy camera body and detachable EVF. Further, the camera features a "double-structure" design, which separates the lens mount, image stabilization mechanism and image sensor from the main body panels. Fujifilm states that this design provides more precision and robustness while offering additional protection to critical components.

Sensor and Shooting Modes: New 102-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor aims to impress

Arguably, the star of the show is the new image sensor. After all, if you're investing in a medium-format camera system, you must be seeking out the best in image quality. The GFX 100 features a newly-developed 102-megapixel backside-illuminated CMOS image sensor. The sensor size is 43.8 x 32.9 millimeters, which is about 1.7 times the area of a full-frame sensor but smaller than the medium-format sensors in Phase One and Hasselblad's high-end systems, which are roughly 54 x 40mm. To help ensure sharp images, the GFX 100's sensor omits an optical low-pass filter.

The new sensor is the world's first 100-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor in a mirrorless camera. Beyond megapixel count, another important improvement is that the GFX 100 can capture 16-bit raw files, something that the 14-bit GFX 50S/R cameras do not offer. (14-bit raw files are still available.) Despite the denser pixel arrangement, the 102-megapixel sensor offers the same native ISO range of 100-12,800 as the GFX 50S/R. The range can be extended to as low as ISO 50 and as high as ISO 102,400.

In terms of shooting modes and features, the GFX 100 offers the same assortment of modes and Film Simulations (16 in total) as the other GFX cameras, including the recent monochrome Acros Film Simulation and Fujifilm's new Color Chrome Effect. The GFX 100 does incorporate the Eterna Film Simulation, although that is oriented more toward video, and we will discuss video shortly. The metering system remains a 256-zone system which offers multi, spot, average and center-weighted metering modes. Auto ISO functionality also remains unchanged, offering three custom Auto ISO ranges with user-selectable settings. The GFX 100 continues to utilize a focal plane shutter, with a maximum flash sync of 1/125s. The overall shutter speed range remains unchanged at 60 minutes to 1/4,000s using the mechanical shutter or EFCS, with speeds as fast as 1/16,000s using the electronic shutter.

Although not exclusive to the GFX 100, it is worth pointing out that the camera can be shot tethered with Capture One. The compatibility with GFX cameras was only recently added to Capture One software but is of substantial interest for studio photographers in particular. Capture One also now supports Fujifilm's Film Simulations, which is a nice touch.

Performance: Over 3 million PDAF pixels cover nearly the entire sensor

While we lauded the GFX 50's excellent autofocus coverage, its speed left a lot to be desired. The GFX 100 hopes to change that with its new phase-detect hybrid autofocus system. Its 102-megapixel sensor includes 3.76 million phase-detection autofocus pixels which offer "near 100 percent coverage." Fujifilm promises improved focusing accuracy and speed, particularly with respect to subject tracking and shooting low-contrast subjects. When compared to the GFX 50R, the GFX 100 can focus up to 210 percent quicker. Further, face/eye detect autofocus performance is said to be improved.

Continuous High burst mode is rated at 5.0 fps (up from 3.0 fps on the 50S), with claimed buffer depths of 41 JPEGs, 14 losslessly compressed raw or 13 uncompressed raw files. (See our Performance testing results.) When shooting with the electronic shutter, the top burst rate drops to 2.9 fps. A Continuous Low mode is also available rated at 2.0 fps for unlimited JPEGs, 20 losslessly compressed raw or 15 uncompressed raw files. Note that while the GFX 100 can capture 16-bit raw files in single-shot mode, in continuous mode it records 14-bit files.

Five-axis image stabilization enables 102-megapixel handheld shooting

The GFX100 notably offers in-body image stabilization, yet another "world's first" for a medium-format mirrorless camera. The GFX 100 has built-in five-axis image stabilization which works in conjunction with dedicated dual processors and gyroscopic accelerometers. The system promises up to five and a half stops of shake correction. The camera's entire focal plane shutter unit is suspended using four springs, which act to minimize the effect of shutter shock. Fujifilm promises that despite its 100-plus megapixel resolution, the GFX 100 will be able to be used handheld. There is a clear focus here on stability.

Video: DCI 4K, 4:2:2 10-bit uncompressed video, Eterna Film Simulation and more

Video features and performance were shortcomings with the GFX 50S/R cameras, but the GFX 100 hopes to change that. For starters, it can record 4K video, both DCI 4K (4,096 x 2,160) and 4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160), whereas the GFX 50 cameras top out at Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) resolution. The GFX 100 records 4K video at up to 30 frames per second using the full sensor width, includes the cinema-oriented Eterna Film Simulation and can record in F-Log Rec 2020. Other movie functions include Zebra setting, Zebra level, Time code setting, Tally light and Movie silent control.

Further, the GFX 100 can output 4K 4:2:2 10-bit uncompressed video to an external HDMI recorder while simultaneously capturing 10-bit 4:2:0 video to an SD card. Recording formats include MPEG-4 AVC / H.264 and HEVC / H.265 with 24-bit Linear PCM stereo audio using 48KHz sampling in a MOV container. 4K video is limited to about 60 minutes per clip, while Full HD is limited to about 80 minutes.

Presumably the improved autofocus performance for stills photography will apply to video recording as well, but we won't know for sure until we get our hands on a production-level camera and put it through its paces. Nonetheless, video has gone from being an afterthought with the GFX 50 cameras to a point of emphasis for the GFX 100.

Storage, Ports, Power and Connectivity

The GFX 100 incorporates dual SD card slots, like the GFX 50 cameras. Both slots are UHS-II compatible, but the omission of XQD and/or CFExpress is nonetheless interesting. UHS Speed Class 3 or higher is recommended for recording video and Video Speed Class 60 or higher is needed for 4K video at the highest offered bit rate (400Mbps).

The camera includes a USB Type-C (USB 3.2 Gen1) port which supports in-camera charging and power delivery (USB PD Rev 2.0 Ver 1.3), an HDMI Micro (Type D) port, 3.5mm microphone and headphone jacks and a 2.5mm remote release jack. There is also a 15V DC IN connector.

A dedicated flash hot shoe is provided on the main body with contacts for the EVF, and a PC sync terminal is provided as well. The detachable EVF also features a hot shoe.

The GFX100 also includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth LE, and is the first GFX body to support the IEEE 802.11ac 5GHz (Wi-Fi 5) standard.

Power is supplied by a pair of lithium-ion batteries, the same NP-T125 battery packs as the GFX 50 cameras, and the GFX 100 is CIPA-rated for up to 800 shots when using the LCD, which is effectively double the battery life of the GFX 50 cameras (there are two batteries in the camera rather than one). When recording video, the battery life is approximately 170 minutes of 4K footage, or up to 240 minutes of Full HD footage.

GFX 100 versus GFX 50S/R

The Fujifilm GFX 100 has numerous new features which significantly outpace the pair of GFX 50 cameras. The most obvious change is the image sensor itself, which features almost twice the megapixel count, up from 51.4 to 102 megapixels. It is not only sheer resolving power which has changed, the GFX 100 can also record 16-bit raw files, whereas the GFX 50 cameras produce 14-bit raw files.

With respect to autofocus, the GFX 50S/R utilized a 425-point contrast-detect autofocus system, which covered quite a bit of the image area. However, the GFX 100 significantly ups its game by incorporating 3.76-million phase-detect autofocus pixels in its hybrid autofocus system. Further, the PDAF pixels cover "nearly 100% of the image area" and promise up to 210% faster autofocus performance, particularly in low-contrast situations.

Burst performance has improved as well, rated at up to 5.0 fps versus 3.0 fps despite the larger files.

The GFX 100 features a design more similar to the GFX 50S than the 50R, although it is significantly different from both. For starters, the GFX 100 has a built-in vertical grip, which allows for the addition of a second battery (and twice the battery life) and a new rear sub display. The GFX 100 maintains a large top display, like the GFX 50S, but has ditched the top dials which adorn both GFX 50 cameras. Like the 50S, the GFX 100's electronic viewfinder is detachable and its rear 3.2-inch touchscreen tilts in three directions. The GFX 100 does offer an improved EVF resolution and we are curious to see how the new EVF performs in the real world, as we did have some issues with the EVF performance on the GFX 50S, both in terms of appearance and overall usability.

There are additional significant new features. The GFX 100 can record 4K video (DCI 4K and 4K UHD) video at up to 30 frames per second, a resolution that the GFX 50 cameras did not offer. The GFX 100 also incorporates a five-axis in-body image stabilization system, a world's first feature for a medium-format mirrorless camera.

Fuji GFX100 Pricing and Availability

• • •

Fujifilm GFX 100 Field Test

Camera of many firsts is expensive, but delivers great quality & performance

by Jeremy Gray | 07/29/2019

In 2017, Fujifilm launched their brand-new mirrorless medium-format GFX camera system with the GFX 50S camera. With a launch price of $6,500 USD, the camera was expensive, but it was also a good value for a medium-format camera system. Since then, I have spent a lot of time using the GFX 50S camera and have come to appreciate its numerous strengths while sometimes being more frustrated with its shortcomings. The GFX 50S delivers fantastic image quality and a pleasant overall user experience, but its autofocus performance has been a key area of weakness.

Doubling down on the excellent image quality is the new GFX 100. As its name conveys, the camera incorporates a 102-megapixel image sensor, which not only doubles the megapixel count of the GFX 50S (and GFX 50R) camera, but the sensor also comes equipped with a new hybrid phase-detect autofocus system. The 100-plus megapixel sensor and its 3.76 million phase-detect autofocus pixels are far from the only new features in the GFX 100. It is also the world's first mirrorless medium-format camera to include in-body image stabilization and 4K/30p video.

These new features have resulted in an increase in price to $10,000 USD. This is a lot of money for a camera, but on the other hand, you get a lot of performance for the money. Plus, compared to traditional digital medium format camera systems, the GFX 100 is quite affordable. Let's take a closer look to see how the 102-megapixel sensor performs, evaluate the overhauled autofocus system and learn more about the exciting new GFX 100.

Read our Fuji GFX 100 Field Test

Fujifilm GFX 100 Conclusion

The most versatile medium-format camera ever?

by William Brawley | 11/12/2019

The Fuji GFX 100 is one of the most unique and ambitious new cameras to come out in 2019. The third offering in Fujifilm's GFX medium-format mirrorless system, the GFX 100 dwarfs not only the other GFX cameras in physical size but also with regards to image quality, AF performance, video features and build quality. Heck, the GFX 100 out-specs most other modern mirrorless cameras in several areas. In fact, the GFX 100 takes aim at those professional and high-end photographers who often reach for gripped, flagship DSLR cameras from Canon and Nikon. Taking the medium-format camera into totally new areas, this model moves beyond the usual slow, methodical photographic genres typically associated with medium-format cameras.

It's more than just a high-resolution camera aimed at landscapes, portraits or studio work. The GFX 100 blends its high-resolution sensor with high-performance capabilities and durable construction that make the camera surprisingly well-suited for some types of action, sports and other fast-paced endeavors -- subjects not traditionally favorable for medium-format cameras. What's more, it's also packed with video features not typically available in this kind of camera. In simpler terms, the GFX 100 is highly versatile in multiple ways.

However, it's not all sunshine and roses. As with most good products, there are a few rough spots. Size and weight, as well as performance limitations, native lens selection and, of course, price are important considerations that might make some take pause when deciding if this is the right camera for them. The GFX 100 is undoubtedly the most versatile medium-format camera to date, but it's not the best or most ideal camera for every type of photographic situation.