Fujifilm GFX100S Cameralabs Review (vs Sony A1): A Tremendous, Inspirational and Satisfying Camera to Use

May 3, 2021
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Gordon from Cameralabs reviewed the Fujifilm GFX100S.

Here is a summary of his 20 minutes long review and you’ll find also the video down below.

In short: it’s amazing!

For GFX Lovers Only: the one and only Fujifilm GFX group

A more in depth comparison with the Sony A1 will follow, but some tidbits he already delivered in this review.

Fujifilm GFX100S: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / Focuscamera / Moment
Fujifilm GF80mmF1.7: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / Focuscamera / Moment

Summary

same sensor of GFX100 in a much smaller and affordable body
GFX100S marks the end of the GFX50S, which is now discontinued [Admin note: wrong, the reason is this one ;)]
GFX100S is more affordable than Sony A1
GFX100S feels in the hands like a Nikon D800 or Canon 5D
it loses vertical grip over GFX100, but it’s smaller and retains weather sealing, grip, and IBIS
NP-W235 battery used in Fujifilm X-T4 with 460 shots (CIPA rating)
fixed EVF also helps to reduce size
EVF has less resolution than GFX100
he compared it to the Sony A1 viewfinder, which on paper has higher resolution.
In use, the GFX100S viewfinder looks better than the specifications imply, perhaps because Fujifilm may be driving it in more modes at the full resolution than some rivals do
he never felt the EVF held the camera back, including magnifying the view for precise manual focus or checking focus in playback
3 way tilt screen. Most owners will stay behind the camera anyway, so they won’t miss the selfie option
PSAM dial. Switch stills/movie
top LCD
you can select up to 60 minutes shutter speed without having to enter bulb mode or use any cable release
top LCD can be set to display a large histogram, virtual dials, or camera settings
some of the buttons are small for a body this size
he would have loved backlit buttons
files are big, but you won’t shoot more than 5fps with this camera anyway and you are probably going to use it in more calm environments anyway
mini HDMI input can output 12-bit ProRes RAW to a compatible recorder
GF lenses offer a lot of quality, but there is more choice in for full frame bodies
he loved most using the GF50mmF3.5. It transforms the GFX100S into a surprisingly compact and light system, that you can use almost everywhere for casual shooting and enjoy high quality results
IBIS and phase detection increase your chances to get sharp results even handheld
using the GF45mm, he could get reliably sharp results at 1/10th of a second
for medium format, the AF speed is anything but normal
for sports and wildlife, modern Sony and Canon cameras are better, and also eye-AF is more foolproof on those bodies. But for medium format, the GFX100S is impressively quick. it often feels like using a smaller format camera
66% larger sensor than full frame
in lab test, the GFX100S easily out-resolves the Sony A1
using pixel shift on the Sony A1, the resolution goes a tad beyond the one of the GFX100S, but it requires a tripod and static subject
when used the GFX100S with pixel shift, it clearly outresolves the Sony A1 pixelshift
JPEGs look great without any work
GFX100S offers plenty of dynamic range
in video, phase detection can hesitate from time to time. Fujifilm X series also have this behavior. Fujifilm can improve this via firmware
Face and eye detection lacks of the ultimate confidence of latest Sony and Canon bodies, especially for maintaining focus on a subject that keeps moving and does not pause
Fuji’s most compelling GFX medium format camera to date
hugely detailed images with great out of camera quality we expect from Fujifilm
of course GF lenses are larger and more expensive to accommodate the bigger sensor behind them, but with a GF50mmF3.5 it’s a surprisingly portable system capturing superior images to anything costing less than 10K.
thanks to IBIS, you can take that full potential 100MP in fairly casual use
6K is expensive, but a relative bargain in the medium format world
the GFX100S is fast for medium format, but if you need to shoot wildlife and sports, smaller formats are better
there are 12 GF lenses, but full frame offers more choices
GFX100S is for those who desire the best image quality and desire a different experience to full frame
one of the most inspirational and satisfying cameras I’ve used for a long time
if you have the budget, the GFX100S is simply a tremendous camera
he looks forward to see how Fujifilm grows the system

Fujifilm GFX100S: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / Focuscamera / Moment
Fujinon GF80mmF1.7: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / Focuscamera / Moment

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