Camera and lens prices continue to rise, but somehow, Fujifilm’s latest medium format mirrorless model includes a ton of new features but costs significantly less than its predecessor. Fujifilm has announced its new GFX100 II camera at its Live broadcast of the 10th Summit from Stockholm, Sweden, and in addition to a new sensor, a new autofocus with subject detection and full-width 4K video, the new camera will be priced at $7,499 when it goes on sale in the fall, about $2,500 less than the GFX100.
Combine that with a new $2,299 55mm f/1.7 R WR lens (equivalent to a 44mm full-frame) and a pair of 30mm and 110mm tilt-shift lenses ($3,999 and $3,499, respectively ) that will also launch in the fall, and the somewhat dormant GFX line suddenly seems to have some life.
At first glance, the GFX100 II looks more like its lower-cost GFX100S cousin than the original GFX100 it’s about to replace. The 100 II has a shorter, more standard-sized body that is smaller and lighter than its tall predecessor. The vertical grip is now an optional add-on, but what the new camera loses in stature, it attempts to make up for in specs. The GFX100 II’s 43.8 x 32.9mm sensor, which has 1.7 times more surface area than full-frame 35mm, maintains the same 102-megapixel resolution, but its ISO range now reaches a lower level with a range of 80 to 12,800 (instead of its predecessor’s 100 to 12,800 range), and its full-width 4K recording can now perform 60 frames per second, double its previous frame rate.
102 megapixel still images and 8K video
Also in the speed department, the GFX100 II borrows the fifth-generation X processor from Fujifilm’s X-H2S and X-H2 cameras. Along with the processor comes subject detection autofocus and the ability to record 10-bit Apple ProRes 4:2:2 to its dual SDXC or CFexpress Type-B memory cards.
Additionally, the GFX100 II’s new tricks include allowing the same subject tracking to be used in video, and the camera can achieve 8K/30p recording when cropped to 1.44x, which will be the true pixel-to-pixel resolution. of 8K in its medium. Format sensor. It’s not yet known how the camera’s combination of a smaller body and 8K recording will be able to handle overheating; Fujifilm has made their existing add-on cooling fan compatible with the GFX100 II to try and help.
While this is all great for video, photographers may appreciate that the GFX100 II has a new 9.44 million-dot electronic viewfinder, can shoot up to 8 fps (quite fast for medium format), has a new film simulation called Reala Ace (based on Reala color negative film) and its adjustable rear LCD screen quickly tilts up, down or to the side like that of the Fujifilm X-T5. Note that while this style of screen may be quicker to deploy for quick hip shots, it sacrifices the ability to point forward for self-recording.
The GFX100 was a well-regarded but niche camera when it came out in 2019, and now the GFX100 II’s more aggressive pricing and smaller form factor appear aimed at making Fujifilm’s flagship more accessible to those who want to give the jump to medium format. It’s still an expensive system, but not too many years ago simply being in the medium format conversation easily meant a cost of $20,000 to $40,000 or more for a camera body designed to live in the studio. The GFX100 II looks as versatile as medium format has ever been for a price that’s a fraction of what it used to be.
