And the pattern is, that the sensor used on the X series, later on finds its way also on the GFX series.
The only difference? The sensor used in the GFX series comes from the same silicon wafer of the one used for the X series, it is just cut out 4 times bigger (and of course with different CFA array on top, meaning a Bayer vs an X-Trans one).
That’s a well known fact for FR-readers, but in case you are still hesitant about it, just read what Fujifilm Nordic told in March 2022, confirming that X and GFX share the same technology also in terms of sensor and processor. Hence, looking at the X series will give indications also on the future of the GFX series.
Assuming that Fujifilm will continue to share the same sensor platform on the X and GFX system, and considering the statements made by Fujifilm Nordic, people believe that Fujifilm will soon launch new GFX cameras using the sensor technology of the X-H2 cameras.
And if I’d sum up the most “rumored” options for the future of GFX, I’d nail it down to three cameras that people think could come in a not so distant future::
Fujifilm GFX100S with 102 MP stacked BSI sensor
Fujifilm GFX150S (or GFX160S) with 158 MP non-stacked BSI sensor
Fujifilm GFX100S MKII (same sensor of current GFX100S but with new processor)
I don’t buy into the narrative that wants you to believe you can make professional work only with full frame gear.
And it’s not just a “feeling” of mine. It’s a hard core fact proven by the irrefutable reality that you can win the Pulitzer prize or the World Press Photo Award with images taken by Fujifilm APS-C cameras.
And I also don’t buy that “sensor size is everything” narrative.
Look, I’ve shot it all: from my loved Micro Four Thirds to APS-C and Medium Format, and yes, even quite some Sony Full Frame as I have easy access to that system thanks to the SonyAlphaRumors guy living not far away from my home.
So I can confidently say: every system has its Pros and Cons and every system, from M43 to MF, can be used for professional use, of course with some cameras being better suited for certain uses than others.
So if somebody tells you that you absolutely need a system with a 70% larger sensor than full frame (the GFX system) to really stand out with the quality of your images, then you better don’t trust that person.
And yet, as we said, every system has its Pros and Cons, and the advantage of the GFX system is undeniably that it offers the best image quality you can get for a more than reasonable price.
Then add to this that the Fujifilm GFX100S and GFX50SII have the size of the Canon R5, are even smaller than the Panasonic S1 cameras and cheaper than full frame cameras like the Sony A1, and you start to get a combination of advantages that might make the Fujifilm GFX perfect for your needs.
And it sounds like the combination of advantages the GFX system offers was perfect for Jason Eng, who, in a talk with Evelyn from TCSTV explains his move to the GFX system.
Here is a quick summary:
Jason’s assistant Aiden was looking to buy into a new system. He looked at Sony, Nikon and Canon and almost pulled the trigger on the Canon
Jason suggested him to try the GFX50SII which costs about the same what Aiden was about to spend for the Canon
Aiden put his hands on the GFX50S and it had “these magical files“
then they also shot the GFX100 side by side with Sony A1 and Canon R5
even by just comparing the images on the laptop sized screen, they noticed the detail in shadows and the way that the camera handled gradation from highlight to shadow was just… “I could not unsee it, it tortured me until I inevitably bought the system“
he bought the GFX100 with a classic pro body with integrated grip and fully usable autofocus
he often shoots vertical, so having the integrated grip is important
he was and still is a Sony shooter, enjoying a smaller and lighter body
then Fujifilm offered the GFX100S with its smaller and lighter body and it reached a larger target audience than what the GFX100 could do
both options, GFX100 and GFX100S, are great
he often shoots tethered and loves that the film simulation he uses goes right into Capture One
as a long time Sony user for 10 years, color was always hard. The standard was Canon
when Fuji released their APS-C mirrorless cameras he loved the colors, but he could not commit to a smaller sensor than FF
but now they have exceeded his expectations and gone larger than full frame
skin tones are great, reds are beautiful, rich and deep
he uses also legacy glass adapted to the GFX system
Fujifilm offering GFX cameras from $4,000 to $6,000 is a game changer for medium format
color and shadow tonality range, you can’t unsee it once you see it side by side
Contrary to what we were used so far, this time they also included non Fujifilm X Photographers to the talk, meaning photographers that are not part of the official X photographers program, but who simply started using X or GFX gear, even though they have no relationship with Fujifilm Corporation.
The first not official X/GFX photographer to be part of the Fujifilm Nordic Webinar series is called Soren Solkaer.
Soren Solkaer went digital since 2002
he instantly started shooting with Full Frame digital (but in his analog times he shot medium format)
about 1 year ago, his prost production guy told him “Sir, we have to talk, there is a new camera in town“
Soren was very skeptical. He didn’t want to change his camera as he was so used to his full frame gear
his post production partner told him there are files now, that are way better than his full frame files
in some of his exhibitions he prints 2×3 meters big, and squeezing that our of full frame can be done, but having a bigger file is a huge advantage
his post production partner told him the files of GFX are bigger and the quality is just amazing
despite being very reluctant, he tried out the GFX system and he saw that his post production partner was right
he did not start with the 50MP GFX but he started right with the 100MP GFX100S
on top of the resolution, there were many other things that hugely impress him of the Fujifilm GFX100S
he needed to get used to the menu, the buttons, etc
in the last 25 years he mainly took portraits of celebrities
the interviewer asks about the speed of the GFX100S, and he says that he shoots full manual control (except for autofocus), and after a bit of time of getting used, he now gets 100 out of 100 perfectly exposed and focused images
in some other of his project the file size itself is not necessary at all, and in those cases he still uses his full frame gear
lately for a projects he photographs bird formations flying in the sky at fairly low light. He shoots at 1/500 of a second and wide aperture, so he only has the ISO left to adjust. And the higher he goes with ISO, what is gained in resolution with the GFX100S, is lost in noise at high ISO.
another issue: GFX100S shoots at 5fps continuous AF. For birds, the more fps you get the higher the chance to nail the right moment
And here comes Soren’s question: Will there be any improvements down the line in terms of sensitivity and also buffer? Here is what Fujifilm Nordic answers:
there are some secrets Fujifilm Nordic can not reveal, but what they can say is that in May there will be an X summit with an announcement, where we will see new sensor and also new processor technology
there will be definitely a speed improvement on the APS-C X system, so why shouldn’t those improvements drop down also to the GFX system?
Actually the whole GFX system started this way: first 5 years with X system, then Fuji started with the GFX system and pulled the technical stuff of the GFX system into the X system
without telling every secret, but GFX system will get faster and faster with the new hardware
speed will increase on the GFX system
Fujifilm Nordic can’t tell when, but they are confident that it will go into that direction [of more speed]
one day Soren will get a medium format camera that can burst quite a lot more than the current GFX cameras
“we are working on it, definitely“
I guess it is safe to assume that Fujifilm Nordic is referring to the stacked APS-C sensor to be announced in May 2022 (as Fujifilm officially teased here) and hence hint to the possibility that the stacked technology could find its way also into future GFX cameras.
Just to be clear, so far in terms of rumors I have no hints about any stacked sensor GFX camera coming. Of course this doesn’t mean it won’t come, I just say that at the time of this article I have no information about it.
The summary above is just an extract of Soren’s part of the talk with Fujifilm Nordic. But actually the whole 2 hours talk also with the official Fujifilm X Photographers is well worth a listen. So make sure to check it out down below.
GFX Gear – Buy within April 3 and submit your claim by May 3
You can read all the details and get the download links in this article.
And here comes my curiosity: I recently started using the Camera Remote App to update my cameras, and I find it so comfortable, that I was wondering if anyone else is using it. Hence, down below is a little survey where you can tell us if you use the App or go old-style via SD-card.
GFX Trade in Deal: Trade in selceted Full Frame / Medium Format cameras and get €300 on top of your trade-in value if you purchase a GFX50SII or €500 top top of your trade-in value if you get the GFX100S. Deal available at official retailers like Calumet Germany here. List of qualified full frame trade in gear here.
FUJIFILM Corporation has identified a firmware incompatibility between specific X and GFX series cameras listed below. This incompatibility can result in macOS users being unable to directly access files if they were initially saved to SDXC memory cards in-camera.
To address this anomaly, Fujifilm is creating a firmware patch, which is expected to be available for free download by X Series and GFX System users soon.
In the interim, please review the following information carefully for further information and recommended next steps.
5 years ago Fujifilm’s decision became obvious to all of us: unlike everybody else, we are going to skip full frame, build up the best APS-C system in the known universe and offer as an alternative to full frame a medium format mirrorless system. The result: the Fujifilm GFX system.
And well, the Fujifilm GFX series turns 5 years old today.
It all started with the launch of the original Fujifilm GFX50S on January 19 and the slogan “The Game has Changed”.
I remember at that time lots of skeptical comments, especially by influencers who believe that only full frame matters.
But looking back, I guess much of that skepticism has dissipated by now, given that Fujifilm is now offering medium format mirrorless cameras (GFX100S) that are smaller than some full frame mirrorless cameras (Panasonic S1 series) and offer more megapixel at a more affordable price than some full frame mirrorless cameras (Sony A1).
Sure, all the cameras we mentioned above have other strengths, such as video or speed, but all I want to say is that the Fujifilm GFX series is finding a solid ground on which to flourish.
So here we are, 5 years, 5 GFX cameras and 13 lenses later (with more to come) to celebrate a wonderful system that has a terrific potential for the future, as I explained here.
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