Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Photography
  3. News

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Fujifilm goes bigger and lighter with new medium format mirrorless camera

Daven Mathies
By

venus optics gfx adapter fujifilm hero
Image used with permission by copyright holder
The rumors were true. On Monday, Fujifilm announced it is working on a new mirrorless medium format camera system. Dubbed the GFX 50S, it uses a 51.4-megapixel sensor measuring 43.8 x 32.9mm. A new line of GF lenses will be developed for the system as well.

fujfilm-gfx-sensor-detailFujifilm calls the GFX a response to requests from professional photographers to bring the innovations and signature color reproduction of the smaller X series to a larger format. Rather than compete with Sony, Fujifilm decided to just skip full frame and move from APS-C straight to medium format. The GFX 50S will use the X-Processor Pro imaging processor first introduced with the X-Pro2 to provide the same high-quality color and tone reproduction that Fujifilm shooters are familiar with.

Recommended Videos

The camera features what Fujifilm calls a revolutionary new design for medium-format systems and is a lighter weight and more compact than competing cameras.

Related

Part of this is thanks to the mirrorless nature that foregoes the bulky optical viewfinder systems of other cameras, but it also saves space by being modular. The electronic viewfinder, for example, can be positioned at any angle — or removed entirely. An optional battery grip can also be added to improve ergonomics when shooting in portrait orientation.

fujifilm-gfx-front
Image used with permission by copyright holder

While its compact form factor should make it easier to hold by hand, the GFX 50S is built around tethered shooting — a preferred method by studio photographers. Fujifilm promises it will be compatible with various RAW conversion programs.

The new G Mount features a short, 26.7mm-flange distance which Fujifilm says will help limit vignetting and improve edge-to-edge sharpness on the new GF lenses. Speaking of lenses, Fujifilm also announced six models on Monday, including a 63mm f/2.8, 32-64mm f/4, 120mm f/4 Macro, 110mm f/2, 23mm f/4 ultra-wide angle, and a 45mm f/2.8.

fujifilm-gfx-side
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Additionally, Fujifilm has said each lens will be dust and weather resistant and will operate in temperatures as low as 14-degrees Fahrenheit. Combined with the camera’s compact form factor, this could make the GFX 50S a fantastic camera for outdoor and landscape shooters.

While pricing has yet to be announced on the camera or any of the lenses, Fujifilm said the system will be available in early 2017.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Daven Mathies
Daven Mathies
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Daven is a contributing writer to the photography section. He has been with Digital Trends since 2016 and has been writing…
The sleek Fujifilm X-A7 mirrorless is a lightweight in both size and price
fujifilm x a7 announced dsf0027

Previous

Next

Read more
Fujifilm’s newest medium-format lens is lighter than a can of soda
fujifilm fujinon gfx 50mm f35 lens announced gf50mmf35 r lm wr feature02

Medium format is known for both image quality and bulk -- but Fujifilm’s latest GFX series lens is the company’s lightest medium format lens yet, making camera-lens combos that are even lighter than some full-frame DSLRs. Announced on Thursday, July 18, the Fujinon GF 50mm F3.5 R LM WR is designed to match the resolution of the GFX bodies all in optics that weigh less than 12 ounces. The company says the lightweight design makes the lens ideal for street and landscape work.

The 50mm lens, equivalent to a 40mm on a full-frame camera, is designed from nine elements in six groups and a nine-blade aperture. The optics, Fujifilm says, are designed for maximum resolution, including the 102-megapixel sensor of the GFX 100, and also support the reproduction of rich tones. One aspherical element is used to fight spherical aberration and barrel distortion. The company says the lens is made with technology that allows for sub-micron precision for optimal image quality.

Read more
The Fujifilm GFX100 is a 102-megapixel, stabilized beast of a mirrorless camera
fujifilm gfx100 announced fujifilmgfx100

After moving into medium format, Fujifilm is diving headfirst into triple-digit megapixels. Announced on Wednesday, May 23, the Fujifilm GFX100 doubles the earlier model’s megapixel count with 102, the highest resolution mirrorless camera yet. But that’s not the only first Fujifilm is making claims to -- the GFX100 is also the first medium format with in-body image stabilization, 4K video, and a phase detection autofocus working from a backlit sensor. The camera was first teased during Photokina last year as a concept camera.

Designed as a flagship model and not a replacement to the GFX 50S or GFX 50R, the GFX100 houses a 102-megapixel medium format backlit sensor. That’s paired with the X-Processor 4 for handling what’s undoubtedly going to be large image files. The phase detection autofocus system on the sensor focuses up to twice as fast as the company’s other medium-format options, Fujifilm says, inspired by the autofocus on the X-T3. The camera can also shoot in 16-bit RAW or 16-bit TIFF.

Read more