With the amount of technological advancements that we’ve come to expect, or in some cases demand, from camera manufacturers, where can they go without simply making a camera that does everything for you? All manufacturers, of any worth, are continually enhancing the features of their cameras. Fujifilm is one of these manufacturers, with one of the highest pixel count APS-C sensors, and their range of affordable medium format cameras puts pressure on other manufacturers to keep up in some aspects
The Fujifilm GFX100 II might just be out of reach for a lot of us financially at the moment but it certainly sets the bar high in terms of image and detail-gathering quality, so perhaps a future investment and something to save for.
Specs
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Megapixels: 102
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ISO Max: 12,800
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ISO Min: 80
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Autofocus System: Intelligent Hybrid AF (TTL contrast AF / TTL phase detection AF)
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Image Processor: X-Processor 5
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Metering System: TTL 256-zone metering
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Screen Resolution: 2,360,000
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Frames Per Second: 8.7
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Shutter Speed Fast: 1/4,000
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Shutter Speed Slow: 60 min
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VF Coverage: Approx. 100%
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Weight: 948 g
More detailed specs can be found here.
Build Quality
The FujiFilm GFX100 II is a relatively light and compact medium format camera, weighing in at 1,030 g, including EVF, battery, and memory card, and overall dimensions of 152.4 mm x 117.4 mm x 98.6 mm. This, compared to its predecessor, the GFX100, makes it a more portable camera, allowing for long days of handheld shooting. 
Fujifilm cameras are generally well-built and designed to withstand a range of environmental conditions. Weather-sealed in 95 points around its body, including 19 separate seals on the viewfinder itself, and with working temperatures of -10 degrees C to +40 degrees C, you can be at peace knowing your investment can withstand what the environment throws at it.
The EVF now has 9.44 million dots, an upgrade on the previous incarnation, and is crystal clear when using it. This can also be removed and replaced with a swivel-type EVF that will allow for different shooting angles where viewing accessibility may be a little compromised. This EVF can be purchased separately, but I cannot comment on its functionality as I have only used the fixed type. The 3-way tilting 3.2-inch LCD again is crystal clear, has 2.36 million dots, and an aspect ratio of 4:3.
Performance
This is where the camera truly shines with its large medium format 102-megapixel sensor that results in stunning image quality with exceptional detail and dynamic range. The camera never faltered once during my time with it, providing images with stunning detail and clarity. This was very advantageous for both the landscapes and products I photographed.
The focus system is reliable and responsive, ensuring that everything you want to be in focus is consistently sharp and detailed. I never once engaged the manual focusing due to the speed at which the back button locked and stayed on subject. For landscapes, however, that was not such a problem.
Continued on from previous incarnations, the always-on display is there, allowing you to see your settings when you look at the camera. This display can also be configured to your own visual preference and ensures the camera is readily available for instant use.
Fuji and Nikon, for me, are the two menu systems I have always navigated easily, and as expected, the same Fuji menu system exists in this camera, with a plethora of settings and customizations allowing you to fine-tune your preferences quickly and efficiently. Granted, I set up the camera to match my Fujifilm X-T5 configuration in terms of the menu, so jumping between the two wouldn’t be an issue. However, I never once shot with my X-T5 when I had the GFX100II.
If you like your compositional flexibility, allowing you to experiment with different framing options, the camera offers a range of different aspect ratios, including my personal favorite, 65:24. The usual film simulations are present in the camera, providing you with creative options when it comes to your photography.
Handheld shots like the one above, even down at 1/25th second, resulted in rich detail-gathering abilities thanks to the camera's IBIS of 8 stops.
Now and again, I would accidentally engage the Q menu button, which would then have me scanning over the menu to see if I had changed any of my settings. This was infrequent, however, and mainly when I was having a peek at the image I had just taken. It never once happened when the camera was on the tripod, and I don’t remember this happening when I tested the GFX100S, so it is probably down to my handling of the camera as I don’t think the location of the button has changed even a fraction from the GFX100S.
Many images below were photographed using the FUJIFILM GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR lens, and others with the FUJIFILM GF 50mm f/3.5 R LM WR Lens. Both lenses, as expected, complemented the system and performed admirably in all situations.
Who Is The Camera For?
In my opinion, the simple answer to that is landscape photographers and product photographers initially, as the detail-gathering capabilities of the camera’s sensor are incredible. As a landscape photographer, the camera was a joy to use, capturing every detail with clarity and boasting a great dynamic range that I intentionally pushed just to see how far it could go. Only twice did I have to bracket, and that was shooting directly towards the sun. Portrait photographers, depending on their preferred burst rate, as the camera can shoot up to 8 fps at 102 megapixels in mechanical shutter and up to 5.3 fps in electronic shutter. Admittedly, I never once considered shooting portraits with the camera, as I had planned so many landscape trips in the time I had it.
Pros
- 102 megapixels
- (New) minimum ISO 80
- Weather sealed
- Size
- Weight
Cons
- Understandably, the camera’s price point may be a consideration for some, but those invested in medium format photography will find the GFX100 II a worthwhile investment that provides a versatile tool for capturing stunning images across various genres.
Final Thoughts
After using the camera for 32 days, my only regret is that I can’t afford to purchase one. The camera is solid and a joy to use. Except for my little niggle with the Q menu button, which only happened occasionally, the camera performed exceptionally. I am a massive Fuji fan, yet at the same time, I won’t be swayed by bells and whistles or sensor sizes just because of a brand name. The camera delivers what you would expect and more and is the perfect workhorse, in my case, for landscapes. It is a robust detail-gathering machine that delivers exceptional-quality images.
If you are considering purchasing one more details can be found here.
Do I see Etive Mor? Beautiful shots, Gary 😊
It is indeed Ondrej, it's a beautiful location. Many thanks :)
I had used their GFX 50 and it was excellent quality so I am sure their 100 MP is even better as long as their lenses can handle it .
Their lenses were super sharp for 50 and very beautiful color tones .
It’s just an ugly camera lol 😂
There is also their 100S version you can find used on B&H for $3000.00 or cheaper if get lucky . I just don’t know if their sensor is the same or not … but S is cheaper
It's not the same. Image quality is pretty much identical, but the speed of the 100 II is much improved.
fully agree! if you ever had a 100 II in your hands you will not go back to the 100 S.
I bought it and I love it! Just it is still not an all-rounder, that's important to consider! In doubt I always take my a7r5, but for dedicated use is perfect! And much much better then the precedent ones I also tested myself. I also prefer it to the hasselblad where the often mentioned hasselblad colour science is quite nice but as I do post with all photos I don't care ... But the Fuji lenses are faster and the autofocus is far beyond. The hasselblad is more beautiful, no doubt! But the beauty in front of the lense is captured more reliable with the Fuji ;)
yes Hasselblad is SO beautiful but even I found it too slow ! and I even shoot Mamiya RZ67 ! plus I hated the shutter sound of Hasselblad lol
The question is how many pixels do you need? Will it out-perform a 60mp Leica or Sony? How many pixels are required for a typical print size and can the print medium represent them effectively? This is definitely a nice product. Is there a PC lens? My ideal set-up would be some kind of sensor that would replicate a graflok mount. I don't mind using a hand held light meter and manual focus for landscapes.
the cropped medium format sensor gives you another image then the full format sensor of a leica or a sony. it feels different, hard to describe. seems to be more dense somehow. i love them all three. the sony is the best workhorse in my opinion, the autofocus is stunning. the m11 I love for creative photowalks and the fuji is stunning for portrait or landscape or for instance car shoots. the autofocus has much improved, but is still by far not there where the sony is.
The Sony is a very confusing camera. It has the AF of a sports camera, but the pixel count of a landscape camera. It is compact in size with a decent viewfinder. The video is OK, but the sensor obviously has rolling shutter challenges. Nothing is perfect! I shot MF and LF in film days and know the difference, but then the paper would respond to the difference. Can you "see" the difference in a 18 x 12 or so. Even if you can "see" the difference, will it turn an OK picture into a great one?
I can see it. But it depends on the motive. And for sure, there is a huge impact on the glass, not only on the sensor. for sony I use mostly the 50mm gm 1.2 and the 135mm gm 1.8, as I love their "look" and my preferred focal length is 50mm. The fuji is used with 55mm 1.7 and 110mm 2.0, which should be equal to around 40 and 85 mm, respectively. So there it starts that a comparison is not perfect. The fuji offers me many options to crop into the photo. And when (!!) the autofocus worked well, and I did everything all right, it is really stunning how many details you can still see sharply.
You can see this on 18 x 12 if you have a precise look. So, in conclusion, I would say you get a resolution that is about 50% more than you can achieve on the Sony. But if you shoot "moving targets" for sure you get 50% or more garbage shots. IF the shot was perfect, it is clearly better. Will it turn a bad shot into a great one? For sure not! But sometimes, you find something within the photo you were unaware of during capturing. And then you have the reserves to use it. Or you can shoot a detail of something that would have been uninteresting usually. But by the high resolution, it gets maybe stunning. It's like a macro shot but different. But if it is sh ... it becomes sh... in high res, that´s it ;)