3 minute read

Which GFX Camera Body Is Right for You?

Specialised for different photographers’ needs, here’s how GFX system camera bodies compare

So, you’re thinking of investing in the GFX system? Good choice – you’re about to discover a new level of photographic performance and quality. But, of course, there are four models in the range to choose from – GFX50S, GFX50R, GFX100 and GFX100S. Which is the best one for your style of photography and the pictures you want to make?

Here, we’ll break down the main differences between the camera body models to help you decide which is the most suitable for you. But let’s start with the features they share, rather than what makes them unique.

What Do All the GFX Models Share?

GFX50S, GFX50R, GFX100 and GFX100S are all built around the same lens mount and have the same G Format sensor size (measuring 43.8×32.9mm) so FUJINON GF lenses will fit any body in the system. Of course, that means you can decide to own different bodies and share lenses between them, letting you match the body to the type of photography you’re doing. It’s also worth mentioning that FUJINON GF lenses are all designed to offer resolving power beyond 100 megapixels, so lenses won’t lose quality if you change resolution.

The models are broadly the same in many other ways, too. All of the GFX system bodies offer shutter speeds of 1/4000 sec to 60 minutes with the mechanical focal plane shutter and 1/16,000 sec to 60 minutes with the electronic shutter. ISO range is identical at 100 to 12,800, and extendable from 50 to 102,400. Metering and exposure modes are the same, too, as is the level of exposure compensation offered at +/-5EV steps.

How Much Resolution Do You Need?

Although GFX50S, GFX50R, GFX100 and GFX100S share the same G Format sensor, and all can make images in a variety of aspect ratios – including 1:1, 3:2, 4:3, 5:4, 7:6, 16:9, and 65:24 – GFX100 and GFX100S are marked out by their 102-megapixel resolution.

Of course, at 51-megapixels, GFX50S and GFX50R have plenty of pixels to play with, allowing huge prints and heavy cropping, but if you need the ultimate in resolution, and all the extra benefits this brings, then GFX100 and GFX100S are for you. With GFX100 and GFX100S, you also get slightly more latitude in editing, as there’s access to 16-bit RAW files, while GFX50S and GFX50R top out at 14-bit, though that’s ample colour depth for most situations.

Do All GFX Bodies Have Image Stabilisation?

Some FUJINON GF lenses have an Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) feature, which compensates for camera shake and improves image sharpness, especially at slower shutter speeds when composing handheld. That’s the extent of stabilisation that is available if you’re using a GFX50S or GFX50R body, but it’s still a huge help for all sorts of subjects, from impromptu family photos to street-style pictures, and helps to get the maximum detail from the high-resolution sensor.

However, GFX100 and GFX100S have an In-Body Image Stabilisation (IBIS) function, which moves the sensor to compensate for vibration, offering additional benefits. With IBIS, not only can stabilisation be applied to any lens combination, it’s offered across five axes, so can be more accurate and more powerful, allowing up to 5.5 steps slower shutter speeds to be used on GFX100S and 6 steps slower shutter speeds on GFX100S.

How Much Speed Do You Need?

The GFX system is designed to maximise image quality, but there are also options for continuous capture if you need it. On GFX50S and GFX50R, you’ll get up to 3fps for up to 13 frames when using RAW image quality, but unlimited JPEGs – depending on your card space, of course!

GFX100 and GFX100S are faster, with a top rate of 5fps. On GFX100 you can capture up to 14 frames when using RAW image quality mode and 41 frames when using JPEGs, and on GFX100S you get a fractionally higher 15 RAWs or 42 JPEGs. In either case, this represents unprecedented speed for larger format bodies and makes them suitable for far more subjects.

GFX100 and GFX100S also employ a hybrid phase detection AF system, rather than the contrast detection system used on GFX50S and GFX50R, and this leads to a faster autofocus performance.

What Are the Video Options?

Another place where the models differ is in video recording. GFX50S and GFX50R offer Full HD video recording with 1920×1080 at 23.97p, 24p, 25p, and 29.97p. GFX100 and GFX100S, on the other hand, improves this to include DCI 4K 4096×2160 and UHD 4K 3840×2160 movies, both at 23.97p, 24p, 25p, and 29.97p. They also record DCI 2K 2048×1080 and Full HD movies in 50p and 59.94p.

As well as other video refinements, GFX100 and GFX100S record higher-quality 10-bit 4:2:0 video internally to the SD cards and 10-bit 4:2:2 video to an external device. So, if video is a driving force in your choice of camera, it’s the way to go in the GFX system.

What About Dimensions and Handling?

Aside from pure specifications, this is the area where each of the GFX system bodies really offers something different, and photographers can choose the option that best serves their needs.

GFX50S and GFX50R are essentially the same camera, but in very different bodies. The original GFX50S, GFX100 and GFX100S are styled more like DSLRs, with larger handgrips and their electronic viewfinders arranged centrally, while GFX50R stands apart with its rangefinder design meaning the electronic viewfinder arranged on the left side of the body. This design is perfectly suited to photography styles like street, where the photographer needs to monitor the wider scene while composing. There’s also a difference in EVF resolution and magnification. GFX100’s viewfinder has a 5.76 million dot resolution and a 0.86x magnification, while GFX50S, GFX50R and GFX100S share a 3.69 million dot resolution with a 0.77x magnification.

GFX50S and GFX100 can also accept the EVF tilt adapter EVF-TL1 accessory, but GFX50R and GFX100S cannot. Of all the cameras, GFX100 also has the largest body, with a vertical shutter release, built-in grip for easier shooting in portrait orientation, and it can accommodate two batteries for extended shooting. GFX50S can also use two batteries with the optional Vertical Battery Grip VG-GFX1 accessory.

With GFX100S you get the ultimate combination of power and portability, as it combines the resolution, speed and focusing strengths of GFX100 with a body that’s actually lighter than GFX50S.

All of the bodies in the GFX system feature a 3.2-inch 2.36 million dot LCD touchscreen for easier control and image review, but there’s a difference there, too. The screens on GFX50S, GFX100 and GFX100S all have a three-way tilt mechanism, while GFX50R’s screens tilts up and down.