A camera’s real value isn’t just in specs—it’s in how it fits your work. High-resolution sensors, dynamic range, and autofocus systems matter, but usability, workflow, and price matter just as much. The best camera for you isn’t always the latest model; it’s the one that balances performance and practicality.
Coming to you from Scott Choucino with Tin House Studio, this detailed video looks at the Fuji GFX 100S after extensive real-world use. Unlike quick first impressions, Choucino has tested this camera on commercial shoots, from high-end portraits to still life. At 100 megapixels with 16-bit raw files, the GFX 100S delivers serious image quality at a price that makes it a strong contender in medium format. It’s not the cheapest option, but in terms of sheer resolution and bit depth, few cameras come close without jumping to systems like Phase One. For portraits and still life, the GFX 100S holds its own, but it’s not the best fit for every type of work. Sports and wildlife shooters won’t find the speed they need here, and the electronic viewfinder can feel like a drawback for those used to optical finders.
One of the biggest drawbacks is battery life. The combination of a massive sensor and live view drains power fast, making extra batteries or an external power setup essential for long sessions. Tethering was another challenge—initially unreliable and frustrating to set up, though Capture One now fully supports it. The menu system is another weak point. Choucino, coming from Canon, found it chaotic and unintuitive, though once dialed in, saving settings to a memory card helped eliminate ongoing headaches. For still life, the GFX 100S often stays mounted on a Cambo technical camera, paired with Sekor lenses, while for portraits, a zoom is the go-to.
Image quality comparisons put the GFX 100S up against cameras like the Canon 5DS R and even Phase One systems. While the GFX holds up well, subtle differences in tonal rolloff and shadow detail show where the more expensive Phase One files pull ahead. That said, for most applications, the Fuji delivers more than enough resolution and flexibility. In commercial work, extra megapixels and bit depth make retouching easier, allowing for cleaner masking and adjustments in post. When clients ask for last-minute changes—shifting colors, extending backgrounds, or refining highlights—having that extra file information can save a shoot. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Choucino.
