When Fujifilm introduced its GFX medium-format mirrorless system in 2016, the aim was to deliver cameras that surpassed the image quality achievable using full-frame models. But while it’s fair to say that the original GFX 50S and the later GFX 100 succeeded on those terms, they lagged behind when it came to autofocus and shooting speed. With the new GFX100 II, the firm has worked hard on closing that gap to make the camera more of an all-rounder.
As its name suggests, the GFX100 II is a replacement for the GFX100 from 2019, rather than the smaller, more affordable GFX100S that appeared in 2021. It brings significant updates over both, including a new sensor and the addition of subject-detection autofocus, powered by the firm’s latest X-Processor 5. Fujifilm has also returned to a smaller, single-gripped body more akin to the GFX 50S.
At £6,999 body-only, the GFX100 II is clearly a high-end professional tool. However it’s not quite as expensive as its most obvious competitor, the Hasselblad X2D 100C, which costs £7,369. It also costs rather less than the GFX100 did. But on the other hand, the superb 60MP full-frame Sony Alpha 7R V is very much cheaper (£3,999). So does this medium-format monster really make sense?
Features
Let’s look at what the GFX100 II has to offer. Like its predecessor, it employs a 102MP sensor that measures 44x33mm, making it 68% larger in area than fullframe. However, while the pixel count remains the same as before, Fujifilm says that everything else about the sensor has been completely redesigned. It boasts an increased light-gathering ability that enables a base sensitivity of ISO 80, compared to ISO 100 before, which promises both lower noise and increased dynamic range. Its highest standard sensitivity is ISO 12,800, with extended settings up to ISO 102,400.
Fujifilm has significantly improved the continuous shooting speed, with the camera capable of 8 frames per second with autofocus, compared to 5fps on the GFX100. What’s more, this comes with a sizeable buffer of 300 frames in raw, dropping to 75 when
