Fujifilm announces the GFX-100S

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

Who remembers the Fujifilm GFX-100? This 102-megapixel camera produces fantastic images with an unprecedented resolution. However, the camera is large and heavy, and not intended for anyone who does not want to carry too much. Fujifilm has now released the GFX-100S. A GFX-100 in a smaller package.

I photographed with the GFX-100 for several weeks in 2020, including some portraits and landscapes in Lofoten. Although it was not perfect and had some annoying points, it was a lovely camera to work with. You just need to have no problem with the size, weight and price.

Fujifilm has now announced the GFX-100S. This camera is the GFX-100 in miniature, with the same 102-megapixel sensor in a camera body similar in size to a full-frame camera. However, the sensor is 1.7 times larger than a full-frame sensor.

For the JPEG photographer, there are no fewer than 19 exclusive Fujifilm film simulation settings, including the new Nostalgic Neg.

The phase detection autofocus system covers almost 100% of the image, allowing it to focus in around 0.18 seconds in very poor light conditions, down to -5.5EV. With the new processors on board, the camera has improved tracking AF and eye/face AF.

The GFX-100S has newly designed 5-axis image stabilisation built in, which can provide up to 6 stops of stabilisation. This is half a stop more than in the GFX-100.

Unlike the GFX-100, this little brother has a PASM dial, including six programmable settings. This makes setting the programmable options easier and, above all, faster than using the familiar Q menu. Unfortunately, the other dials for ISO and shutter speed that we know from the Fujifilm system are missing.

The camera is also suitable for recording video in 4K at 30 fps. It is possible to record in the 10-bit 4:2:0 F-log format, directly to the SD card or to an external recorder. With an external recorder, it is also possible to use 12-bit Apple ProRes raw.

The price of the camera is particularly noteworthy. At just under 6,000 euros, it can be said that this 102-megapixel medium format camera is no longer unaffordable. Although it is, of course, still a considerable investment.

The key specifications at a glance

• 102-megapixel 43.8 x 32.9mm BSI CMOS sensor
• 16-bit raw images
• ISO range of 100-12,800, expandable to 50-102,400
• Continuous shooting at up to 5 frames per second
• 4K video at 30 fps
• 5-axis image stabilisation up to a maximum of 6 stops
• 3.69-million-pixel OLED viewfinder with 0.77x magnification
• 3.2” touchscreen with 2.36 million pixels
• 460 images per battery charge
• Two UHS-II SD card slots
• 1.8” LCD screen on top of the camera
• Hybrid autofocus system with 425 AF points across almost 100% of the image
• 19 film simulation settings
• 400-megapixel high-resolution setting

First impressions

With the GFX-100S, Fujifilm has released a smaller, but above all cheaper, version of the GFX-100. In some respects, the GFX-100S even seems to have become an improved version. The larger sibling probably still has some additional features, but whether they justify the extra cost seems doubtful.

I do hope that the main drawbacks of the GFX-100, the poor design of the buttons and dials, have been improved in the GFX-100S.

Although the GFX-100 is already a niche camera, the GFX-100S will make it less interesting. But it is still far too early to make a real judgement about that. The camera will be available from March 2021 for 5,999 euros.

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