Fujifilm has just announced its smallest and lightest medium format camera yet, the GFX100RF, in the heart of Prague, and we couldn’t miss it. What are our first impressions? Does it hold up to expectations? Or does it exceed them? In short, yes. But you’re not here for the short version, are you
Truly Small, Truly Light
When I say small and light, I mean it. The camera is lighter than the GFX 50R and even the X-T5 bundled with the XF 16-50mm lens. In terms of the thickness of the body, I’d maybe compare the feel to that of the X-Pro lineup. It simply felt great in hand—unobtrusive, comfortable. Keep in mind I’ve been an X-Pro shooter ever since the first one came out, so I’ve never really needed DSLR-style deep grips, which you will not find on rangefinder-style cameras such as this one.
Many of the controls have returned, including the fan-favorite shutter speed dial with the built-in ISO dial. It is the same mechanism as the one on the X100V, but since the new GFX sensor goes down to ISO 80, there wasn’t enough room for the higher 10,000 and 12,800 values. For those, you’ll have to use the “C” position and select them using one of your set dials. The aperture ring works just as we’ve known since the original X100, with a slight change to the “handles.” They are more pronounced and round this time around compared to the flat, slim ones of the X100 series.
The GFX100RF does bring some new and well-thought-through ergonomic choices to the table. A prominent feature on the front of the body is the cylindrical group of rockers and dials, each with its specific purpose. Up top, we find a very tactile On/Off switch. Right below the switch, there is your standard front command dial, which can be used to adjust whichever feature you tell it to via your custom dial settings. It is considerably wider than the usual Fujifilm dials and feels nice to use. The lowest position is occupied by a rocker used to change focal length via a digital crop.
Last but not least is the side-to-side rocker used to change aspect ratio preview and view mode.
The whole body of the camera feels premium and well-made with precision. The top cover is made from a single block of aluminum, making the edges sharp and the buttons flush and precisely fitting.
A Different Aspect
One of the most exciting features is the new dial on the back of the body dedicated to aspect ratios. From your standard 4:3, 3:2, 1:2, or 16:9, we also get the options of 3:4, 65:24, and beautiful 17:6. The last two were inspired by analog panoramic cameras such as the legendary Fujifilm TX-1/TX-2 (also known as Hasselblad XPan and XPan II) or the medium format Fujifilm GX617. These can be shot in a single frame with no panning needed, with approximately 50 megapixels of resolution. Such a long and narrow frame makes you look at the world around you differently, in an entirely new light, and with much excitement. I feel that if I happened to own the GFX100RF, the dial would most likely live at the 17:6 position.
Not the Brightest
The camera is small mainly due to the fact that the lens is fixed to the body with no possibility of changing it. This allowed Fujifilm to create an optical design capable of sitting close to the sensor, saving precious space in the bag. Compact size does come at a cost, however. The built-in 35mm lens (28mm in full frame terms) has its brightest aperture limited to f/4—not much of an issue for daytime photography. The depth of field is still very lovely given the sheer size of the sensor. Once the light goes down, though, you may find yourself a bit limited. There were moments when I was already at a maximum ISO of 12,800, and the shutter speed started approaching sub-1/50 s lengths. Hard to hold still at 102 megapixels with stabilization already, let alone without it, as this camera lacks both IBIS and OIS.
Images First
Yes, there is a microphone input and a headphone output on the camera, but this is a stills camera first. Once you get used to the new options, it handles just like any other Fujifilm camera. I felt right at home with it.
As mentioned above, the GFX100RF uses the same second-generation 102-megapixel CMOS sensor introduced with the release of the GFX100 II camera a few years back. It is an absolutely brilliant sensor with near-unmatched resolving capability, fast phase-detection autofocus, and decent shutter rates. That is one of the main reasons why Fujifilm can afford both digital teleconverter mode as well as custom aspect ratio crops at the same time.
The dynamic range is already well-documented to be amazing, the grain at higher ISO values is very well-managed, and sharpness is what we’ve all come to expect from a medium format camera—uncompromising.
What I Liked
- Compact body
- Lightweight
- Precisely crafted
- Tactile controls
- Aspect ratio dial
- Reworked front controls
- Dual SD card slot
- Large battery
- Leaf shutter
- Tilting screen
- Stellar image quality
- Reliable autofocus
- Crisp viewfinder
What I Disliked
- The smaller f/4 aperture (but I get the size-saving necessity)
- The aspect ratio dial needs to have JPEG files enabled
A Complete Package
I’m not entirely sure I’d use it as a wedding camera, for example, due to the smaller f/4 aperture during the evening party. But up until then, it seems like the obvious choice. As a street and documentary photographer, I feel it fits such a purpose perfectly. Autofocus is fast enough for most uses, tracking seems reliable (in the few short hours of testing), and the colors produced are simply stunning.
Bundle it up with a beautiful body, dual SD card slot, NP-W235 battery with a long battery life, a fast and crisp electronic viewfinder, tilting rear LCD screen, or the threaded shutter button, and you may just have the winner of the perfect “always on you” camera. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go look at my finances, because the 17:6 aspect ratio has me obsessively hooked.
Samples
Taken in the short time I had with the Fujifilm GFX100RF.
Such a pity about the lack of IBIS. I have shaky hands, so this is a deal breaker for me.
I love that manufacturers are taking this route of making what are essentially professional compact cameras. Personally I would love one with a Nikon interface... as this would save me having to switch controls continually (having done this in the past, its a real pain). Thing missing - for sure IBIS - and then also the F/4 lens. I have seen some fairly compact f/1.8 lenses, so not sure I fully see the need for the f/4 choice, perhaps its then this combined with the larger sensor...
It would be kind of frustrating to carry a medium-format camera without being able to get less depth of field than a full frame + f/2.8 gear. If it had a f/2.0 lens, IBIS and OS, this would be a truly amazing camera.
It looks a very interesting camera. Let’s remember cameras like this are more specialised and not a genetic do it all. For landscape on a tripod lack of IBIS and f4 is not a problem. Even in a studio setting the same applies. It’s a camera designed for specifics. Those wanting f1.2 should just look elsewhere as this camera is not for them. I think this could well have a big following if the price is right.
IMO I think the crop modes are a slight red herring. Ok you see in camera what if will look like but I imagine the type of shooter this is aimed at will do some post processing. The other thing I doubt is its use for street photography! With so many smaller cheaper more versatile options out there what street photographer would shoot with this 102MP monster given its £4.5K price tag, which given its spec is really not too bad.