Pentax 645Z Second Best Sensor Ever Tested after Hasselblad X1D… Fujifilm GFX 50S Test Coming Soon?

Pentax 645Z DxO Sensor Test

Back in October we reported that DxOmark said they will now test medium format cameras… and they kept their word.

The first camera they tested was the Hasselblad X1D, which immediatly jumped to the very top of the DxO Ranking, making it the best sensor they have ever tested (score 102). You can read their X1D report here.

Price and Specs: Pentax 645Z / Fujifilm GFX 50S / Hasselblad X1D

Now the full test of Pentax 645Z is also online and it confirms their preliminary results shared a few years ago. It gets a total score of 101. Check out the Pentax 645Z DxO sensor test here.

“It’s clear from our testing that the Pentax 645Z’s sensor is extremely capable, coming within a whisper of matching the performance of the Hasselblad X1D sensor (our highest-scoring sensor to date). The 645Z’s high dynamic range and color sensitivity make it ideally suited for capturing the types of scenes that are traditionally favored by medium-format photographers — landscapes, weddings, portraits, and still lifes (commercial). Medium-format shooters are interesting capturing images with lots of detail, low noise, and smooth tonal gradations.

In addition, the Pentax 645Z controls noise well, making it suitable for use in relatively low light, and perhaps expanding the range of conditions in which medium-format cameras are traditionally used.

It’s interesting to compare the Pentax 645Z sensor against the Nikon D850’s because although the former is about 1.7x larger, it’s also around three years older. While the 645Z beats the Nikon sensor in our tests, the Nikon comes closer than you might expect, given the size difference. If Sony made a medium-format sensor with the same design as the D850, it would beat the sensors in both the Pentax 645Z and the Hassleblad X1D-50c.”

Now only the Fujifilm GFX 50S is missing, and let’s hope the test follows soon.

Fuji’s Secret Test

As I reported here, before making the final decision to go Medium Format, Fujifilm made a secret test, using a Pentax 645Z file. The results of this test convinced them to go Medium Format. What exactly happened and what did they test? A trusted source told us everything here :)

Fujifilm X-E3: Impressive AF Tracking… Small, but Fujifilm Needs More “Fujicake” Pancake Lenses!

LivingVertical had a long Fujifilm X-E3 live stream Q&A (1:26 hours). Check out the video above.

But since I know that many of you might not have the time right now to watch it all, and I’m in bed on my 9th day of antibiotics anyway ;), I took my time and made summary of his main points below.

Overall he is seriously impressed with the camera, especially with the autofocus. Just two major complaints: the EVF eye piece does not protrude enough to block light properly and given the small size of the camera, he would like to have more pancake options from Fujifilm, besides the XF27mm and XF18mm, in order to make it really pocketable.

Do you agree? Would you like to have more “Fujicake” or “Fujimarit” options in the Fuji X lens line-up, in the addition to the F2 “Fujicron” and the fast F1.2 or F1.4 “Fujilux” lenses?

I certainly would love them. A nice 23 pancake prime and why not, maybe even a pancake zoom, something like the Panasonic 14-42mm OIS pancake (35mm equiv. to 28-84) that I owned in my early mirrorless life, before my love story with Fujifilm started.

So… here is the summary:

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Instax Boom: Fujifilm Sold 6.6 Million Instax Cameras in 2016. Expected 7.5 Million Sales in 2017…. and Instax Square SP-3 Reviews

Instax Boom

The rise of Instax seems unstoppable.

Fujifilm keeps up fueling its imaging division with money coming from all possible kind of Instax camera, printer and film sales.

And a few weeks ago, during the presentation of the brand new Instax Share SP-3 square printer, Fujifilm disclosed some numbers (via dc.watch – translation):

“Cheki [Japanese name for Instax cameras] also expanded its lineup according to lifestyle, and from the release in 1998, the cumulative sales volume worldwide is 25 million units. Last year it sold 6.6 million units, the highest ever. In fiscal 2017 we aim for 7.5 million units.”

As we reported here, in 2004 Fujifilm sold 100,000 instax camera and in 2015 they sold 5 million instax cameras. Regarding digital cameras, Fujifilm expected to sell 1.4 million digital cameras in 2015.

There are Instax cameras and film for all tastes out there, from the Hello Kitty Instax camera to the Star Wars Instax Film, Comic Instax Film, Candy Pop, Rainbow and a lot more. And as a Fujifilm manager said in this dedicated Fujifilm reportage, the Instax factory can’t keep up with the demand.

Still very surprising, though, that Fujifilm has no Instax Share SP-W wide printer to offer, in addition to the popular Instax SP-2 and the brand new Instax SP-3. Probably their biggest gap in the Instax line-up, along with the film only Instax SQ, which we already leaked (images included) here on FujiRumors, but still has to hit the market.

Anyway, a big success… also considering that with every Instax camera/printer Fujifilm sells, they keep up making money afterwards thanks to the (not cheap) instant film customer have to keep up buying.

But Instax is fun, as we lately reported also here, it can be a cool idea to use at weddings (or any party), it makes beer tastier (not kidding) and I use it a lot on my travels, because it’s a perfect tool to help to create connection with the locals and get a nice picture of them :) . Check out our Instax for Travels forum thread.

Instax Share SP-3 Square Printer Reviews

Older links, shared already in the SP-3 Live blogging

On my travel through Bali 2 years ago… kids loved to get a little print. :)

 

Kai Wong Fujifilm GFX 50S Review

Kai Wong tested the Fujiiflm GFX 50S.

  • lightweight
  • viewfinder is massive
  • he loves the way the GFX operates
  • film simulations are pretty damn good
  • focus speed is right, a lot faster than show models back at Photokina
  • focus in low light is not so consistent and quick, though
  • noise is low, at ISO 12,800 you get usable files, but noise is visible
  • maybe a bit too niche
  • fantastic landscape camera

You can see the video here…. and don’t forget to…

Fujifilm GFX 50S Secret Deal: How to Save $,1550 (instead of “just” $1,000) on Fujifilm GFX at BHphoto – full instructions here

Fujifilm GFX 50S + Any GF lens* (save $1,000): BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
* GF63mmF2.8 / GF45mmF2.8 / GF32-64mmF4 / GF120mmF4 / GF110mmF2 / GF 23mmF4

Fujinon GF 45mmF2.8 (save $300): BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
Fujinon GF63mmF2.8 (save $300): BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
Fujinon GF32-64mmF4 (save $450): BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
Fujinon GF120mmF4 Macro (save $550): BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
Fujinon GF 110mm F2 (save $550): BHphoto, AmazonUS, Adorama
Fujinon GF 23mm F4 (save $550): BHphoto, AmazonUS, Adorama

Fujifilm X-T2: Most Loved but Least Reliable Camera I’ve Ever Owned… Can You Trust your X-T2? (Poll)

The Freedom to Shitstom :)

As you know, FujiRumors is a free space, and Fujifilm has no influence on this blog at all. I can write what I want, when I want. The one and only goal I have, is to deliver you guys the best service I can.

So here on FujiRumors we are free to…

  • write about my main 2 complaints on the Fujifilm X-T1 – read here
  • launch polls investigating why people don’t buy Fujifilm (highlighting the weaknesses of the system) – read here
  • We love Kaizen, but recently called the Wireless Tethering feature a Joke – read here
  • When we think Fujifilm is losing the path (and its “soul”), we report (and comment) about it – read here
  • When reviewers give negative feedback about an important key feature of a new camera (such as the hybrid viewfinder on X100T), we will report about it – read here
  • FujiRumors is regulary the first place that reports about issues and bugs, such as the mushy buttons on the first batch of X-T1’s and more

Our freedom is our strenght, since it allows our community to give honest feedback to Fujifilm, and I know from sources, that Fujifilm considers this blog to be by very far their best resource for online feebdack…. and that’s possible only thanks to your huge participation :)

So what we have for you today, are 3 reports of failing Fujifilm X-T2 cameras.

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