First images with Fujifilm's medium format compact GFX100RF

Contents

Just a week ago, Fujifilm presented the new GFX100RF compact camera with a medium format sensor. We had the opportunity to take a closer look at it and take some first pictures in Prague. In the following we present our impressions.

Yes, Fujifilm's GFX100RF really is more compact than you would expect from a medium format camera and also considerably lighter. At 743 grams, it weighs ten grams less than a Leica Q3 with a full-frame sensor and is also 1.5 centimeters less expansive than the latter – if you leave out the protective filter and lens hood. However, I found it more comfortable to carry with the filter and lens hood. The front lens is well protected and there is no need for a lens cap.

I also found the two card slots for SD cards very convenient, as these are rather unusual for a compact camera. The operation is not very exciting, as I like the typical XT concept with dials for the exposure parameters. It provides for a separate dial for each exposure parameter (ISO, shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation) instead of the usual PASM mode dial. There is a double dial on the top for ISO and exposure time and another for exposure compensation. The aperture ring is located on the lens. For my taste, it was a little too stiff, but has small knobs to provide more grip for the fingers. There is another ring for the distance setting.

Format selection

There are three other special wheels and levers. Firstly, there is a small wheel at the top to change the recording format. The sensor offers a 4:3 format as standard, which is not necessarily typical of a medium format. The wheel also offers 1:1, 7:6, 5:4 and 3:2, but also more unusual formats such as the panorama formats 16:9, 65:24 or 17:6 (based on the antique and analog Fuji GX617) and finally a portrait format with 3:4. The fact that the format switching is so prominent and not hidden in the menu means that users are more likely to try it out. This was certainly the case during my first test. I particularly liked the extreme panoramas.

One detail is interesting in this context. In addition to the JPEG with the selected format, the camera also saves an uncropped raw if desired. When loaded into Adobe Lightroom, the cropped raw appears first, but if you switch to the cropping overlay, the entire raw is visible and the frame can be changed later as desired. You can therefore use the format selection in the camera to first assess the effect and then implement it later in image processing.

Zooming without a zoom lens

The digital zoom on the camera works in the same way and can be changed using the three-part control element on the front below the shutter release. Here you can choose between four sections. Fujifilm speaks of a changed focal length, which is of course not true. These are sections from the 35-millimeter image that correspond to focal lengths of 45, 63 or 80 millimeters. This is quite different from what would be achieved with corresponding lenses, especially since telephoto focal lengths not only change the section, but also have a shortening effect. Even with the "focal length selection", the overall image is retained in the raw, and the section can still be changed afterwards during raw development.

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Fujifilm GFX100RF Stufen digitaler Zoom (5 Bilder)

The viewfinder or monitor on the back of the camera show the selected section when selecting the zoom. Another lever on the front of the camera can be used to display the entire image when zooming in; the zoomed area then appears as a frame on the display. The third option is to view the surroundings semi-transparently. The display then looks like an analog illuminated frame viewfinder.

These are all additional options that many people will probably not even use. On first contact, it was fun to get to grips with them and experiment. Having these options can definitely be a benefit.

The camera provided already had firmware version 1.0 installed. Nevertheless, small inconsistencies occurred from time to time. For example, – the camera suddenly jumped to the menu when a wheel – was moved somewhat briskly. However, these were isolated cases.

Presentation at its best

The picture quality is impressive. As expected, the images look very vivid and detailed and as if you were looking at one of the sister models with interchangeable lenses. Whether the image stabilizer is really lacking when working certainly depends on which subjects you primarily want to photograph. Not really for street photography, as extreme detail accuracy is not necessarily important here, and with the 35 millimetres of the lens, it is quite possible to take hand-held photos without blurring. A tripod is recommended for products, architecture or landscapes.

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Fujifilm GFX100RF ISO-Reihe (14 Bilder)

Our ISO series shows that the noise becomes visible from ISO 1600 and is clearly noticeable from ISO 12,800. However, it is quite even and details are still clearly visible. Even shots taken at ISO 102,400 still look respectable when viewed "only" full screen.

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Fujifilm GFX100RF Blendenreihe (6 Bilder)

The lens leaves a very good impression overall. It only distorts slightly and shows no other abnormalities. The focal length of 35 millimetres (28 millimetres KB equivalent) is quite wide-angle and therefore primarily suitable for street photography, reportage and travel. It is less predestined for classic portraits or other subjects that you would like to crop in front of a harmonious background, even if you use the digital zoom. Nevertheless, the bokeh is harmonious when the subject is in the foreground and the background is far away. The picture series shows an aperture bracket.

Conclusion

To be honest, it was difficult to let go of the Fujifilm GFX100RF. I would have liked to spend a lot more time with the camera and test it in all kinds of situations. The first impression is successful. It's fun to take pictures with the compact. The image yield was good and the image quality convincing.

Of course, if you only take pictures for social media or for the screen, you could also take many pictures with a good smartphone camera. The special experience of taking photos with a high-end camera like this is similar to driving a Ferrari. I'd like to borrow it once, but I wouldn't afford it.

(pen)