Fujifilm has quickly emerged as a fan favorite camera manufacturer among camera fans and photographers alike.
With the release of the new GFX 100 II, Fujifilm has revolutionized the medium format camera…….again! Since the beginning of time, the Kryptonite for all medium format cameras has always been speed…and video and of course cost but we will come to that part later on. Let’s take a deep dive into the new Fujifilm GFX 100 II.
PHOTOGRAPHY:
Photography has never been a problem for medium format cameras, whether film or digital. The GFX 100 II is no different, it has a 100-megapixel medium format sensor with a size of 43.8×32.9 which makes it slightly smaller than a traditional medium format SLR but ah well, Medium format it is! The camera features the classic 400MP pixel shift technology from the original GFX cameras which moves the camera sensor via the IBIS and combines 4 shots into one. Though lackluster for moving subjects, it could be a viable feature for studio work and professional photographers. The camera also brings along the fan-favorite film simulations featuring 20 film simulations that emulate classic Kodak and Fujifilm profiles with the new addition of Reala Ace which is essentially a smoother version of the Provia simulation with a bump in clarity. Let’s cut straight to the chase though, the biggest stand-out feature of this camera is the SPEED, IBIS, and autofocus. There are 8 stops of in-built image stabilization combined with 5 axis compensation which is a massive step up from the predecessor as well as a brand new AI-assisted autofocus system which is worlds ahead of the previous iteration, it rarely misses the mark and is almost on pat with much faster full frame cameras. This coupled with 8 FPS continuous shooting makes this the most versatile medium format camera to date.
VIDEOGRAPHY:
While this is no competition for the likes of the Canon R5 II or the Nikon Z9 in terms of its video capabilities, the newly added features have vastly transformed this camera into a much more capable and versatile offering. It can shoot 8K 24P video in 17:9 format and 30P in 16:9 format as well as 5.8K, 4K, and 1080P while supporting PL mount Anamorphic lenses with an adapter and even has the de-squeeze factor built into the screen. Furthermore, the autofocus and IBIS enhancements make their way into the video department as well which is of course a welcome upgrade. The classic Fujifilm film simulations are found in the video modes and combined with the simply absurd number or video aspect ratios, this camera is shockingly capable in the video department.
PRICING AND CONCLUSION:
The price starts at $7,500 for the body only. While that is quite steep, the alternative medium format cameras from other brands have almost always been much more expensive while offering less than half features and versatility of this camera.
All in all, Fujifilm has changed the game for medium format cameras making it the most accessible medium format camera yet.
