Fujifilm GFX100 II evaluation: hands-on first look

When Fujifilm launched its GFX medium-format mirrorless system in 2016, the goal was to ship cameras that surpassed the picture high quality achievable utilizing full-frame fashions. However whereas it’s honest to say that the unique GFX 50S and the later GFX 100 succeeded on these phrases, they lagged behind when it got here to hurry and autofocus. With the brand new Fujifilm GFX100 II, the agency is aiming to shut that hole and make the digital camera a real all-rounder, so house owners shouldn’t really feel any have to preserve a second system to cowl for its weaknesses. This implies it appears set to be among the finest Fujifilm cameras but.

Fujifilm GFX100 II at a look:

• $7499 / £6,999 body-only
• 102MP 44x33mm BSI-CMOS sensor
• ISO 80-12,800 (customary)
• As much as 8fps taking pictures
• 9.44m-dot, 1.0x, OLED viewfinder
• 2.36m-dot, 3.2in, 3-way tilt display
• 8K 24p, 4K 60p, Full HD 120p video recording

At $7499 / £6,999 body-only, the GFX100S II is a high-end skilled instrument. As such, it’s a alternative for the present Fujifilm GFX100 reasonably than the smaller, extra reasonably priced GFX100S. It brings important updates over each, with a brand new sensor and Fujifilm’s newest topic detection autofocus, powered by the most recent X-Processor 5. It additionally seems to have fastened the dealing with flaws that beset the GFX100.

Fujifilm GFX100S II: Options

Let’s take a look at what the GFX100 II has to supply. Fujifilm says its new GFX 102MP CMOS II HS sensor has been fully redesigned, with an elevated light-gathering means enabling a base sensitivity of ISO 80, in comparison with ISO 100 earlier than. This guarantees decrease noise and elevated dynamic vary. On the different finish of the dimensions, its prime customary sensitivity is ISO 12,800, with prolonged settings as much as ISO 102,400 accessible.

Fujifilm has fitted the GFX100 II with a brand new, fully redesigned 102MP medium format sensor. Credit score: Andy Westlake

Fujifilm has considerably improved the steady taking pictures pace, as much as 8 frames per second with autofocus, in comparison with 5fps on the GFX100. What’s extra, this comes with a sizeable buffer of 300 frames in uncooked, dropping to 75 when taking pictures uncooked + JPEG pairs. This could make the GFX100 II a significantly higher choice for taking pictures fast-moving topics.

The sensational 9.44m-dot, 1.0x viewfinder is detachable, however not suitable with earlier GFX fashions. Credit score: Andy Westlake

On this word, the digital camera additionally features Fujifilm’s newest autofocus system, together with topic recognition alongside the same old face and eye detection. Out there choices are Animal, Chicken, Vehicle, Motorbike & Bike, Airplane, and Practice. Nonetheless, there’s no choice for the digital camera to modify between these topic sorts robotically.

Two card slots are supplied, one for CFexpress Sort B and the opposite for UHS-II SD. You too can see the headphone socket. Credit score: Andy Westlake

The brand new sensor and sooner processor additionally carry a substantial step up in video functionality, with the digital camera able to taking pictures in 8K decision at 30fps. It additionally boasts inside 4K 60P recording in 4:2:2 10-bit color. Utilizing the F-Log2 profile in Dynamic Vary Precedence mode, Fujifilm is promising 14+ stops of dynamic vary. AF monitoring can be accessible throughout recording.

Right here you possibly can see the digital camera’s ethernet, microphone, full-size HDMI and USB-C ports. Credit score: Andy Westlake

Fujifilm has added help for a variety of cine lenses with completely different picture circles used by way of mount adapters, together with Premista, 35mm, and anamorphic codecs. The digital camera helps inside Apple ProRes recording and may output RAW video to an exterior recorder by way of its full-size HDMI socket, in both ProRes or BlackMagic format. An ethernet port permits footage to be uploaded to cloud platforms reminiscent of Body.io.

Fujifilm’s acquainted NP-W235 battery gives 540 pictures per cost. Credit score: Andy Westlake

Fujifilm’s ordinary set of wonderful Movie Simulation modes is joined by a brand new Reala Ace choice, which has related tonality to the Normal/Provia mode, however decrease color saturation. In-body stabilisation guarantees as much as 8 stops of shake suppression, dropping to five.5 stops with telephoto lenses. Energy is supplied by Fujifilm’s ordinary NP-W235 battery, promising 540 pictures per cost.

Fujifilm GFX100 II key options:

• Modular: The viewfinder is removeable, whereas a vertical battery grip, cooling fan, and EVF tilt adapter are non-obligatory extras
• Autofocus: The GFX100 II features Fujifilm’s newest topic recognition system, as seen in its latest X-system fashions
• Viewfinder: The 9.44m-dot, 1.0x OLED viewfinder is the most important and most detailed we’ve ever seen
• Storage: That is the primary GFX mannequin with a CFexpress Sort B card slot, alongside UHS-II SD. Recordsdata can be recorded to a USB-C SSD.

Fujifilm GFX100S II: Developed design

In design phrases, the GFX100 II resembles a beefed-up GFX100S, however with the modularity of the unique GFX 50. The viewfinder might be eliminated and an non-obligatory adapter permits it to tilt by means of 90°. There’s an add-on vertical grip that completely replicates the principle taking pictures controls, and a fan unit for prolonged video recording instances. It’s a hefty beast, at 152.4 x 117.4 x 98.6 mm and 1030g with the viewfinder in place, and in your hand it feels extraordinarily strong.

From the again the GFX100 II resembles the GFX100S, however with a beefed up, extra purposeful design. Credit score: Andy Westlake

The management format is predicated on the GFX100S, with an publicity mode dial and two digital dials for altering publicity settings. However it features a set of three customisable operate buttons behind the shutter launch, whose present features are proven on the big top-plate standing show. Two extra customized buttons are discovered on the entrance. This gives fast entry to steadily used features reminiscent of face detection or topic choice.

The display tilts up, down and sideways, and pulls out farther from the again in comparison with the GFX100. Credit score: Andy Westlake

Maybe essentially the most placing function once you choose up the digital camera is the viewfinder. This boasts 9.44m-dot decision and 1x magnification, making for an enormous and extremely detailed view. Its refresh charge is 60 fps, however you possibly can swap it as much as 120fps at a decrease 0.7x magnification. Beneath it, the three.2in 2.36m-dot display employs Fujifilm’s ordinary 3-way tilt design. However it may be pulled additional out from the physique in comparison with the GFX 100, so it’s not blocked by the viewfinder.

Fujifilm GFX100S II: First Impressions

It’s tough to have a look at the Fujifilm GFX100 II and be something however impressed. The spec sheet is massive step ahead, the physique appears like a severe skilled instrument, and the viewfinder is completely sensation.

The non-obligatory VG-GFX II battery grip gives replicate controls for portrait-format taking pictures. Credit score: Andy Westlake

After all, the large query is how profitable Fujifilm has been in its try to shut the hole to pro-spec full-frame cameras by way of pace and autofocus. We’ll look into this in additional element after we get our fingers on the digital camera for a full evaluation.

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Fujifilm GFX100S II: Full Specs

Fujifilm GFX100 II with the GF 110mm F5.6 T/S lens. Credit score: Andy Westlake