A tantalizing price for this 100MP medium-format beast
Fujifilm GFX100S II: two-minute review
Fujifilm has bucked the trend by launching a new camera that is actually cheaper than its predecessor, despite three years of inflation and the improved features on board. There is, therefore, more to the new Fujifilm GFX100S II than its upgraded features – it’s priced aggressively to grab the attention of pro photographers teetering between the best full-frame cameras and medium-format.
Costing around 10% less than the GFX100S was at launch, the GFX100S II is available for $5,000 / £5,000 / AU$8,700, which is a similar price to what you’d pay for comparable full-frame mirrorless cameras – a sensor format Fujifilm isn’t making cameras for, but a market it clearly wants a piece of.
And with a whopping 102MP sensor creating high-resolution images exceeding those from any full-frame model, even those shot with the class-leading Sony A7R V, there are plenty of pros who could be better served by the GFX100S II’s larger medium-format.
Not only has Fujifilm priced the GFX100S II aggressively, but it has trickled down some of the most powerful features the format has ever seen from the pricier GFX100 II flagship, including 7fps burst shooting and AI subject detection autofocus.
It might not be quite as fast as the GFX100 II overall, but the GFX100S II is no slouch and goes some way to put to bed the notion that medium-format is simply slow and confined to a small number of scenarios, such as studio portraiture.
During my hands-on time with the GFX100S II, I’ve taken photos and videos of animals in a wildlife reserve and been super impressed by the details in those images, but also by the overall speed and autofocus performance in what were pretty challenging scenarios, such as shooting through foliage and enclosure fencing.
The question now for pro photographers considering a larger medium-format camera is less about budget and more about needs. Yes, the GFX100S II is still slower in general than a camera like the Sony A7R V, but not by a lot. And with it you get higher-resolution images with true-to-life colors that are noticeable to pros – at times making full-frame camera image quality feel ordinary.
For balance, we do need to consider the system that a camera is part of. Thankfully, there are numerous decent Fujifilm GF lenses for the GFX100S II. However, in general they are pricier and chunkier than full-frame equivalents.
Also, for most users interested in the format, there might not be enough reason to upgrade from the GFX100S II’s predecessor, the GFX100S, which despite being phased out is still available to buy and now at cut prices – just $4,399 at B&H Photo or £3,499 at WEX – and with which you still get 102MP photos.
All being said, if you weren’t already sure about the sensor format, the GFX100S II is the most compelling case for medium-format yet.Fujifilm GFX100S II: release date and price
Body-only price is $4,999 / £4,999 / AU$8,699
Available from June 17
Optional metal grip available, but no vertical battery grip
Launched alongside the GF 500mm f/5.6 lens, which costs $3,499 / £3,499 / AU$6,099
Fujifilm is clearly going after those teetering between full-frame and medium format, aggressively pricing the GFX100S II. It’s actually cheaper than the GFX100S was at launched by around 10%, despite three years of inflation and the improved features added.
At $4,999 / £4,999 / AU$8,699 in body-only form, the GFX100S II is going up against some of the best full-frame cameras, such as the Nikon Z8 and Sony A7R V, and is a decent alternative for those that need the best image quality over outright speed.
Unlike the flagship GFX100 II, you can’t buy a vertical grip for the GFX100S II, which would improve the ergonomics with larger lenses and increase battery life. However, you can buy a standard metal hand grip for $120 / £135 / AU$245. There’s no word on kit bundles yet, but we do know the sales start date, which is June 17. Fujifilm GFX100S II: design and handling
Same body layout as the GFX100S, but with ‘bishamon-tex’ leather exterior
Improved 5.76m-dot non-removable EVF
Two-way tilt touchscreen great for shooting at awkward angles
It might look different to the GFX100S, but the GFX100S II has pretty much the same control layout and form factor. The key difference in the looks department is the camera’s finish, which is Fujifilm’s ‘bishamon-tex’ leather, as first seen in the GFX100 II (see photo, below).
