Fujifilm GFX 50S Detailed Review

In additional GFX 50S was introduced by Fujifilm in September 2016. It belongs to the Mirrorless Cameras category.

Fujifilm is well-known and shouldn’t require further introduction, please see our manufacturer’s page for more digital cameras by Fujifilm.

The GFX 50S has a Medium format CMOS sensor with size of 44 x 33 mm² (1.72″ x 1.30″).

Picture of GFX 50S’s sensor compared to popular format.

The 1-Euro coin has a diameter of 23.25mm.

The GFX 50S’s image sensor has an effective resolution of around 51 megapixel. The resolution is far above average and will easily be sufficient for years to come. Photos with this resolution can easily be printed in A2 size or larger, even if unwanted parts of the photo have to be cropped.

The Fujifilm supports taking images in RAW. RAW images are stored as they come from the sensor, without any in-camera processing or sharpening. Converting to JPEG or other formats takes place on the computer, using software like Adobe Lightroom or Fujifilm’s RAW converter. This involves one extra processing step but almost always results in superior image quality. Some filters, like converting to monochrome (black and white) will only yield decent results when used with RAW images.

The GFX 50S features a mechanism for automatic sensor cleaning.

The GFX 50S uses an electronic viewfinder with a resolution of 3.69 megapixel, an excellent value for a viewfinder like this which makes the camera a joy to use.

The magnifcation is c. 0.85x, an excellent value for an electronic viewfinder.

The infographic illustrates the viewfinder magnification of the GFX 50S. The black area represents a magnification of 1x, corresponding to natural size. Incidentally, the GFX 50S has the highest viewfinder magnification of any digital camera available today, indicated by the red frame.

Tip: If the viewfinder image of the GFX 50S is fuzzy, us the little wheel next to the viewfinder to adjust the sharpness.

The GFX 50S’s shutter speed varies from 1/4000s to 4s.

The GFX 50S’s sensitivity is from 100 ISO and 12800 ISO.

Also, Fujifilm’s sensitivity can be boosted to 102400. Therefore, ISO boosting will lead to growth noise.

The GFX 50S supports all general exposure modes.

The Fujifilm allows spot exposure for the difficult occasion.

The GFX 50S’s auto focus processor uses 117 AF points (or sensors). A basic rule of thumb says that the more AF points you have, the better. More AF points mean a better chance to have a point at the location of interest in a scene, a big plus in challenging situations (e.g. when panning the camera).

Manual focus is also possible with the Fujifilm, a plus in tricky situations or for some creative freedom.

The GFX 50S doesn’t feature a built-in flash. That is not unsusual in this camera category.

A flash or a trigger for remote flashes can be attached to the Fujifilm’s hotshoe.

The GFX 50S features a monitor with a diagonal of 81.00mm (3.2 in.) and a resolution of c. 2.36 megapixel. A resonable value that will make it easy to evaluate images directly in-camera.

The camera’s display is articulated, a plus for selfies and other challenging situations.

The GFX 50S’s monitor can work as a touch screen, just like a smartphone. That can be very useful, for example to pick AF points, but keep in mind that touch screens usually don’t work when wearing gloves.

Display characteristics at a glance:

GFX 50S video supported the resolution with 1920 x 1080 pixel.

Also the camera is equipped with an external microphone.

Fujifilm GFX 50S Video parameters:

The GFX 50S has Wi-fi connection. You can transfer photos to a mobile or laptop using wi-fi.

Eventually, if the wifi connection is disabled the wired connection may be used.

Connect the Fujifilm to a monitor or TV set over HDMI.

USB 3.0 is already supported by the Fujifilm. USB 3.0 greatly speeds up transferring images and videos to the computer.

Connection parameters:

The camera supports SD HC and SD XC cards.

Memory cards characteristics:

The Fujifilm GFX 50S has a NP-T125 LiIon battery. The battery provides a shooting life of 400 shots. It`s enough for one day or more.

The GFX 50S’s battery battery parameters:

The Fujifilm GFX 50S’s dimensions are 147.5 x 94.2 x 91.4mm³. (5.8″ x 3.7″ x 3.6″). That’s the body only, without lens. The camera’s weight is a rather considerable 920 grams (29.7 oz.). Add to this the weight of the lens.

Here is front and top view of the GFX 50S:

For a better idea of the size of the camera, takes a look off camera and ID card comparison image.