Noble compact with medium format sensor: Fujifilm GFX100RF with 100 megapixels

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A compact camera with a medium format sensor is certainly not a revolution, but it is certainly special. With the GFX100RF, Fujifilm is now taking this unusual step. The new camera offers a solid-looking body with a 100-megapixel sensor and a fixed 35-millimeter lens. Associations with the X100VI from the same manufacturer immediately come to mind, and this is certainly intentional. The Fujifilm X100 has been a cult camera for years, with each new generation only available in small numbers and always sold out quickly. Despite its considerable price, it is still very much in demand. And who knows, perhaps the new GFX100RF also has what it takes to achieve something similar in the upper-class and thus grab a small piece of the (luxury) segment that Leica has been successfully occupying for a long time.

Elegant and compact

From the outside, the solid aluminum body of the GFX100RF is not exactly dainty, but at the same time it radiates a simple elegance — without too many buttons and dials. To keep the entire structure compact, Fujifilm has brought the optics of the 35 mm lens - KB-equivalent focal length 28 millimetres — closer to the sensor than in the mirrorless models with GF bayonet. According to the data sheet, the construction with an initial aperture of f/4.0 consists of ten lenses in eight groups. The focal length is therefore primarily suitable for street, landscape, and travel photography. The closest focusing distance is only 20 centimetres, which enables dynamic compositions.

As a special feature, there is a switch lever on the front of the camera that can be used to change the crop factor of the sensor in several stages. This results in viewing angles that correspond to lenses with 45, 63 or 80 millimeters (KB equivalent 36, 50 or 63 millimeters). Fujifilm calls this a “digital teleconverter”, which is certainly accompanied by reduced resolution or pixel interpolation.

In addition, photographers can use a dedicated setting dial to select nine further variants from the standard 4:3 shooting format to adapt the image to the desired composition. These include an extreme panorama (65:24) and a slight portrait format (3:4).

Newly designed optics

A new feature of a GFX camera is an ND filter with four f-stops integrated into the lens. This makes it possible to shoot with an open aperture in bright light or to use longer exposure times. Another unusual feature is the mechanical central shutter in the lens. Modern cameras normally work with a focal plane shutter in front of the sensor. This technology offers advantages when using flash, as it allows you to set any exposure time and you are not limited to a minimum flash sync speed of typically 1/125 or 1/250 second. And because the shutter is in the lens and not in front of the sensor, the developers were able to place the optical elements directly there, which makes the particularly compact design possible.

High-resolution sensor, but without IBIS

Inside, a new GFX 102MP CMOS II sensor works together with the familiar X-Processor 5, which ensures good performance at six frames per second and fast, precise autofocus with AI-trained subject recognition for faces, mammals, birds, cars, and airplanes. The maximum resolution of the sensor is 11,648 × 8,736 pixels (4:3) with dimensions of 43.8 mm × 32.9 mm, which results in a pixel size of 3.76 micrometers. What the GFX100RF lacks is a sensor-based image stabilizer (IBIS), which obviously could not be implemented in the compact housing. But perhaps it is not necessary considering the wide-angle lens.

The rear LCD monitor is Fujifilm-typical foldable and offers limited touch capabilities for autofocus and zoom in playback mode. The resolution is 2.1 million pixels (1024 × 682 pixels). The electronic viewfinder has a resolution of 5.76 million pixels (1960 × 1306 pixels) and a magnification of 0.84x. Depending on the format set, a so-called surround view function limits the image area on the outside with semi-transparent areas, similar to an analog illuminated frame viewfinder. It therefore not only displays the selected image section.

Video and accessories

The GFX100RF records 4K videos at 30 frames per second and 4:2:2 10-bit color depth. In F-Log2 mode, the camera is said to record moving images with a dynamic range of more than 13 EV stops.

An aluminum lens hood and a protective filter (PRF-49) are included in the scope of delivery. The filter is attached with a special adapter ring and ensures increased weather resistance, allowing the camera to be used in light rain as well as in dusty environments.

Conclusion

Fujifilm has often taken unusual paths. And these have proved successful on several occasions. For example, the decision in 2017 to develop mirrorless medium format cameras instead of relying on the 35 mm format like all other well-known camera manufacturers. With its unusual high-end compact, the manufacturer is now trying to appeal to a new target group and perhaps even create a new cult camera.

The Fujifilm GFX100RF will be available in stores from April at a price of 5500 euros.

(pen)