Fujifilm GFX 50S Buying Guide

The Fujifilm GFX 50S is a game-changer in the world of medium format photography. It brings the unparalleled resolution and detail of medium format to a compact, user-friendly design. As a mirrorless camera, it offers the advantages of reduced size and weight, as well as the ability to preview your image exactly as it will be captured. The GFX 50S boasts a massive 51.4-megapixel sensor that delivers stunningly detailed, ultra-high resolution images. It's perfect for those serious about their photography, from professionals to passionate enthusiasts. The GFX 50S also offers a versatile range of shooting modes and features, making it adaptable to a wide variety of photographic situations. Its rugged build quality ensures it can withstand the rigors of professional use, while its intuitive controls and customizable menu system make it a joy to use.

When you first get your hands on the Fujifilm GFX 50S, you'll immediately notice its robust build quality. It's a camera that's designed to withstand the rigors of professional use, with a magnesium alloy body that's both lightweight and durable. The camera is also dust and weather-sealed, so you can take it out in a variety of conditions without worrying about damage.

The GFX 50S is a medium format camera, so it's a bit larger than your average DSLR, but Fujifilm has done a great job of keeping the size and weight to a minimum. It weighs in at around 825g (including battery and memory card), which is quite impressive for a camera of this caliber. The grip is well-designed and comfortable, making it easy to hold for extended periods of time.

The physical controls are another highlight of the GFX 50S. There are dials for shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation, all of which are easy to reach and operate. The buttons and dials have a nice, tactile feel to them, and they're all clearly labeled. This is a camera that's been designed with the user in mind, and it shows in every aspect of its physical design.

The Fujifilm GFX 50S really shines when it comes to resolution, color reproduction, and low-light performance. Boasting a 51.4MP medium format sensor, the GFX 50S offers you stunningly high resolution that captures every detail in your images. The camera uses Fujifilm's unique color reproduction technology to deliver rich, vibrant colors that are true to life. Whether you're shooting a vibrant sunset or a subtle, moody landscape, the colors you capture with the GFX 50S will be just as you remember them.

But what about when the light isn't perfect? That's where the GFX 50S really stands out. The camera's exceptional low-light performance means you can keep shooting even when the sun goes down. Noise is kept to a minimum, even at high ISO settings, so you can capture the atmosphere of a dimly lit scene without losing detail. With the GFX 50S, you don't have to worry about the light - you can just focus on capturing the perfect shot.

In terms of speed, the Fujifilm GFX 50S impresses with its ability to capture high-resolution images swiftly. Its shutter speed ranges from 60 minutes to 1/4000 second, providing you with a broad scope for creativity. Its electronic shutter speed, on the other hand, can reach up to 1/16000 second, making it perfect for capturing fast-moving subjects.

The autofocus system of the GFX 50S is also noteworthy. It uses a contrast-detection autofocus system with 117 points, which can be divided into 425 points for more precise focusing. The camera is quick to focus in good light and maintains its performance in low light conditions.

Battery life, however, is one area where you might find the GFX 50S lacking. On a full charge, the battery lasts for approximately 400 shots. While this might be sufficient for casual shooting, for long days of shooting or professional use, you might want to keep an extra battery on hand. Despite this, the GFX 50S does support USB charging, which can be a lifesaver in situations where you can't recharge the battery conventionally.

The Fujifilm GFX 50S offers an impressively user-friendly experience. It's designed with a traditional dial-based control scheme that will feel instantly familiar to anyone who's used a Fujifilm camera before. The main exposure controls (shutter speed, aperture, and ISO) are all directly accessible via dedicated dials, making it easy to adjust settings on the fly.

The menu system is logically organized and easy to navigate. You'll find a wide range of options to customize the camera to your liking. You can assign functions to six customizable buttons, which is a nice touch that allows you to quickly access your most frequently used settings.

The GFX 50S also features a customizable Quick Menu. You can populate this with up to 16 functions of your choice, providing a shortcut to the settings you use most often.

One standout feature is the ability to save and recall up to seven custom shooting profiles. This means you can set up the camera for different shooting scenarios (like landscape, portrait, or sports) and switch between them with ease.

In summary, the Fujifilm GFX 50S is a highly customizable camera that's also surprisingly easy to use. Its intuitive controls and user-friendly menu system make it a pleasure to shoot with, regardless of your level of photography experience.

The Fujifilm GFX 50S is compatible with the G-mount lenses, which are specifically designed for the 43.8 x 32.9mm sensor that this camera houses. The GF lens range includes prime, zoom, and macro options, providing you with a wide array of choices to suit your photographic needs. You'll be thrilled to know that these lenses are renowned for their sharpness, allowing the GFX 50S to take full advantage of its high-resolution sensor.

Furthermore, the camera's 3.76 million phase detection pixels ensure that the autofocus performance is smooth and fast, even when using larger, heavier lenses. The performance of the lenses is further enhanced by the camera's in-body image stabilization system, which helps to reduce camera shake and ensure sharp images even at slower shutter speeds. However, it's worth noting that not all GF lenses are stabilized, so you'll need to check this feature if it's important to you.

In terms of lens performance, users have praised the excellent image quality, with minimal distortion and chromatic aberration. The color rendition is also superb, which when combined with the GFX 50S's excellent color reproduction, results in stunningly vibrant and detailed images.

The Fujifilm GFX 50S boasts of a built-in Wi-Fi, allowing you to instantly share your photos and videos with your smart devices. You can control the camera remotely, making it a breeze to capture group shots or wildlife photography. The camera's video capabilities, however, are somewhat limited. It can record Full HD videos at 30fps, but lacks 4K video recording. This might be a bit disappointing if you're a videographer looking for high-resolution video. But for the average user, the video quality is more than sufficient for everyday use.

Other notable features include a dual SD card slot for ample storage and easy file management. The GFX 50S also supports tethered shooting via USB or Wi-Fi for studio work. It has a 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen LCD and a secondary top LCD panel to display settings. The camera also includes a high resolution electronic viewfinder that can be removed if desired. The Fujifilm GFX 50S is a feature-packed camera, offering a lot more than just high resolution images.

Users have plenty of reasons to rave about the Fujifilm GFX 50S. Its outstanding image quality is a major crowd-pleaser, with many praising the 51.4MP sensor's ability to capture crisp, highly detailed shots. The camera's dynamic range also gets a thumbs up, as it allows users to capture a wide spectrum of tones, from the deepest blacks to the brightest whites, all without losing detail.

The ergonomic design of the GFX 50S is another favorite feature. Its comfortable grip, well-placed controls, and overall balance make it a joy to use, even for extended shooting sessions. The camera's durability is also highly praised, with users noting that the weather-sealed body can withstand harsh shooting conditions.

Many users also appreciate the versatility of the GFX 50S. Its compatibility with a wide range of GF lenses allows photographers to explore various creative possibilities. The camera's Wi-Fi connectivity and impressive video capabilities also add to its appeal, making it a well-rounded tool for both photography and videography enthusiasts.

While the Fujifilm GFX 50S has won over many photographers with its impressive specs and performance, it's not without its share of criticisms. One of the most common complaints is its hefty price tag. This is a high-end camera, and its cost reflects that. However, some users feel that the price is a bit steep, especially when compared to other mirrorless cameras on the market.

Another issue raised by users is the camera's size and weight. The GFX 50S is a large camera, even by medium format standards. This can make it difficult to carry around for extended periods, particularly for those used to smaller, lighter mirrorless models. The camera's bulk can also make it feel less balanced in the hand, especially when paired with larger lenses.

Battery life is another area where the GFX 50S falls short according to some users. While the camera does have an optional battery grip, this adds to the overall weight and size. Users have also noted that the autofocus, while accurate, can be a bit slow, particularly in low light conditions.

Lastly, some users have expressed disappointment with the lack of in-body image stabilization. This feature, common in many other mirrorless cameras, would have been a welcome addition to the GFX 50S, particularly given its high resolution sensor and the potential for camera shake to impact image quality.

The Fujifilm GFX 50S is a standout camera that expertly combines exceptional image quality with a pleasingly retro design. Its 51.4MP sensor delivers outstanding resolution, allowing you to capture stunningly detailed images with vibrant, true-to-life colors. Its low-light performance is also commendable, making it a reliable companion for those twilight photo shoots. The GFX 50S is not just about image quality, though. Its speed and autofocus capabilities are impressive, and the battery life is more than adequate for a full day's shooting.

The camera's ease of use is another highlight. The menu system is intuitive and customizable, so you can tailor it to your specific shooting style. And with a range of compatible lenses and Wi-Fi capabilities, the GFX 50S offers a high level of versatility.

On the downside, some users have reported that the camera's video capabilities could be improved. However, it's important to remember that the GFX 50S is primarily a stills camera, and it excels in this area.

In conclusion, the Fujifilm GFX 50S is a highly capable, versatile camera that delivers exceptional image quality. It's a worthy investment for serious photographers who demand the best from their gear.