The GFX 100S is designed for those who want the best possible image quality, whether they are shooting stills or video. It has a new sensor that is three times as large as the previous model’s, and it also has a new processing algorithm that gives it superior detail and color rendition. The camera also features Fujifilm’s advanced autofocus system, which is said to be faster and more accurate than other models in its class.
A recent survey has shown that only 10% of Fujifilm users who took part in it have purchased GFX equipment. The remaining 90% are Fujifilm X Series users who use the less expensive and smaller APS-C sensor cameras. It remains to be seen if the GFX user base will grow with the introduction of the GFX 100S, but after testing the camera over the long Easter weekend, we believe it is safe to say Fujifilm is on track to attracting more users to the GFX Series and larger than full-frame format.
Fujifilm GFX 100s review: Design
The GFX100S is a smaller and lighter camera than the GFX100 and more closely resembles a full-frame DSLR at 150x104x44mm and 900g. The camera can get tiresome when used handheld for extended periods of time when coupled with a GFX lens. Despite having a very cozy and deep grip during our testing, we had to keep setting it down every 20 minutes or so. Additionally, while the hand grip’s middle finger indent is ideal for people with small hands, people with larger fingers might find it too small.
The Fuji X-T30’s rear thumb rest is deep, but some people may object to the Q button’s location on the ridge of the rest. However, we didn’t experience this problem during our testing. The rest of the control layout will be familiar to most photographers, with a 1.8-inch LCD display on the right and the conventional mode dial on the left of the top plate. To show shooting parameters, a histogram, or the virtual shutter speed and ISO dials that distinguished the GFX 100 camera, this display can be customized.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 Camera has a small button on the side of the EVF that can be used to illuminate the top display, and graphics can be displayed in either the default white on black or black on white. Similar customization options are available for the Quick Menu as well, allowing it to be shown on a live view background or an opaque grey screen on the rear LCD monitor. In fact, almost anything including drive modes and exposure settings can be programmed to meet a user’s specific needs.
The Fujifilm GFX 100S features a 3.68-million dot electronic viewfinder (EVF) compared to some high-end full-frame cameras that have a higher resolution OLED panel, but this has helped keep costs down. Despite this, the EVF is crisp and has a 35mm equivalent magnification of 0.77x. Thankfully, it still has the GFX 100’s large 3.2-inch tilting rear monitor and a bevvy of touch controls that are familiar to users of Fujifilm’s most recent cameras. ..
Fujifilm GFX 100s review: Feature
The Fujifilm GFX 100S is a smaller camera than the GFX 50R, but it still has in-body image stabilization. It is rated at six stops of camera shake compensation, which is more than the GFX 50R’s five.5 stops of correction.
The Fujifilm GFX 100S digital camera features image stabilization technology that can work in tandem with stabilized lenses. By utilizing a pixel-shift option that was only enabled to the GFX 100 via a software upgrade, the GFX 100S can shoot 400MP high-res photographs due to the sensor and image stabilization combination. However, reducing the size of the body also required sacrificing the battery life. Fujifilm has chosen to use the smaller NP-W235 pack that debuted with the X-T4 rather than the larger NP-T125 packs of the earlier GFX bodies, though this does offer a CIPA rating of 460 shots per charge.
The GFX 100S comes with a standard mode dial, which will be a relief for prospective users who are eager to switch from their outdated systems to the new GFX 100S. The top has the customizable 1.8-inch status display for shooting parameters, which can show the virtual dials that were introduced in the GFX 100. The rear of the device has an 8-way textured nub in place of the customary 4-way joystick controller, allowing for movements in addition to the usual horizontal and vertical directions.
The Fujifilm GFX 100S has a fixed OLED EVF with a 3.69 million dot resolution and a 0.77x magnification to reduce costs. Despite this, the 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen on the rear LCD monitor is still present and mounted triaxially. This enables the monitor to swivel up to 60 degrees to the side and up to 90 degrees upward.
The new GFX100S camera is the same as the older model, but it has 4K/30p 10-bit 4:2:0 internal recording and the choice of F-Log and HLG 10-bit 4:2:2 or 12-bit ProRes RAW to an external recorder. Additionally, HDMI can record 16-bit RAW video to the most recent Atomos Ninja V recorder. The GFX100S outperforms the older camera in terms of movie clip lengths, offering a maximum recording time of 120 minutes as opposed to the earlier model’s 60 minutes. ..
Connectivity
The Fujifilm GFX100S is a great camera for photographers who want to use Adobe Lightroom Classic or Phase One Capture One Pro. It has a USB-C port for tethered control, and can be plugged into a laptop or desktop. It also has a PC sync socket, which is slower than some full-frame systems but still fast enough for most purposes. The focal plane shutter on the GFX100S syncs at 1/125 seconds, which is about half the speed of some competing cameras that sync at 1/2000-sec leaf shutter lenses. ..
Image quality
The GFX100S camera is a great option for anyone looking to capture high-resolution images. It has plenty of resolution to play with, even if you have to crop the image significantly. The camera’s metering system performs admirably, maintaining details even in low light. This is true even when you have cropped the image to zoom in on the subject.
The advantage of medium format cameras is their ability to capture a wider dynamic range, which can be helpful when editing images.
The camera’s gorgeous tonality and Film Simulations from Fujifilm make it perfect for all types of photography. ..
Video quality
The GFX 100S is a great camera for filming, especially when used with the brand-new GF80mmF1.7 R WR lens. However, it is not ideal for AF while filming because of its fast autofocus.
This camera combination is great for static filming because it keeps the image stable, but it’s not so great when you’re moving the camera around because the GFX 100S won’t cover up any flaws in your technique.
The GFX 100 camera feels more useful when mounted to a tripod or maybe a gimbal, albeit a strong gimbal is required to get it balanced. With a firm support, deliberate movements, and manual focusing, the GFX 100 really feels better suited to a slower, more deliberate filmmaking technique. Despite having in-body stabilization, it is not a vlogging camera. There are significantly less expensive 4K cameras that will perform better if you want to use camera movements and a run-and-gun shooting style.
Performance
The GFX 100S is a medium-format camera that has a buffer limit of 14 lossless RAW photos and shooting speeds of 5 fps. The speeds you’ll find on recent high-resolution models from Sony, Canon, or Fujifilm’s own X-series, on the other hand, are a far cry from that. With 3.76 million phase-detect pixels and up to 425 selectable AF points, the autofocus system appears promising on paper. ..
The A1 has some great features, but it can be a little slow when tracking subjects. Additionally, the eye-detect and tracking functions are pretty good, but they are less effective in more dynamic settings.
The GFX 100S is a great camera for studio work, but it may not be the best choice for photographers who also photograph weddings, births, and other events. After trying it out for a few days, Nathanael Charpentier and Samuel Dejours are no longer sure if they want to buy the GFX 100S for these types of photography. ..
Fujifilm GFX 100s review: Battery
The GFX 100S is a smaller, more power-efficient body that uses the same W235 battery as the GFX 100. According to CIPA standard tests, it is rated for 460 shots per charge using the LCD.
The CIPA rating for the GFX 100S is extremely demanding, and we’ve found that most cameras consistently give us more than twice the specified number of photos. This is reasonable to anticipate that you will get more than half as many shots out of the GFX 100S as you would from the 800-shot-per-charge rated twin-battery GFX 100, despite the fact that the figures are generally comparable between mirrorless cameras.
While many situations are likely to be covered by this, wedding photographers may find themselves wishing they had a spare battery. For these users, a two-battery charger is available. The X100S can be recharged via its USB-C port, but there is no provision for a vertical control or battery grip; for those things, there is the GFX 100.
Price and availability
The Fujifilm GFX 100S is a budget-friendly 100MP medium format camera that costs the same as some high-end professional full-framers, like the Sony A9 II, at $5,999, £5,499, or AU$9,499. It is actually less expensive than the new Sony Alpha 1 (which costs $6,500, £6,500, or AU$10,499).
The new model costs almost half as much as the GFX 100, which currently retails for an eye-watering $9,999/£9,999/AU$15,999. This makes the GFX100S an upgrade option for some photographers that is very real. The GFX100S was anticipated to hit store shelves by the end of February 2021, but in most markets, that deadline appears to have been postponed to an unknown date. ..
Conclusion
The Fujifilm GFX100S camera is a very small camera that has an integrated IBIS system that makes it easy to operate like any other DSLR without constantly using a tripod. This makes it fun to use, as you can feel impressed by the available visual quality.
The Fujifilm GFX100S camera is a great option for anyone looking to shoot high-resolution images. With its 100-megapixel sensor, the camera produces stunning images that look great even out of the camera.
