Fujifilm Manager Mr.Oishi was at the press event for the Fujifilm GFX system in Thailand and also chatted with the media.
The Thai youtube channel กล้องกล้วยกล้วย published 3 videos of the event, but only 2 are of interest for us (see them at the bottom of the article).
GENERAL GFX MEDIUM FORMAT PRESENTATION
So, top Fujifilm manager Toshi Ilda said it clearly here: “We will NEVER go Full Frame!”
NOTE: this is not an article against full frame. I just try to put myself in Fujifilm’s shoes and see what it would mean for them to go full frame.
Now, apart from the fact that I 100% agree with what CanonWatch said:
“Never say never, even if you’re making the best APS-C mirrorless cameras on the market“
Remember when Fujifilm said they will never be able to offer IBIS on Fuji X Mount cameras?
Anyway, Fuji says. there won’t be any full frame camera, and according to this huge FujiRumors poll, most of you guys agree with Mr. Toshi.
But imagine…
Imagine Fujifilm would go full frame tomorrow morning.
Mostly due to the slower full frame sensor readout compared to APS-C (as listed in our advantages of APS-C over Full Frame), it would be a Full Frame Fujifilm that:
Sony has just published the flyer with additional details of the IMX461 sensor, the one used by the Fujifilm GFX 100.
“16-bit digital output makes it possible to readout the signals of 102 M effective pixels at high-speed of 2.7 frame/s in still picture mode. In addition, vertical subsampling binning and horizontal pixel binning realize high-speed 12-bit digital output for shooting moving picture.”
Features
You can check out the PDF here – via sony semicron
We recently reported here, that Sony officially listed the IMX571 26MP Fujifilm X-T3 and the IMX461 100 MP Fujifilm GFX100 sensors on their page.
Now these sensors are also listed at framos.com, and it gives us a few more details:
FUJIFILM X-T3
If you check out the X-T3 sensor details (table below), you will see that Sony’s 26 megapixel sensor has a bit depth that can go up to 16. The Fujifilm X-T3, though, shoots at 14 bit in regular mode and I hear 12 bit in sports mode.
It looks like Fujifilm did not/not yet enable 16bit readout mode, and went for 14 bit instead, because they prioritize speed over image quality.
In fact, 14 bit files are significantly faster to read out than 16 bit files, which, on the other hand, offer lower noise than 14bit.
Now, this is not a rumor, not at this stage… but…
… but I wonder if Fujifilm could enabled 16 bit a later stage via a firmware update, and maybe even give us the option to select between 14 bit for ultimate speed or 16 bit for ultimate image quality.
Anyway, Framos writes:
“The IMX571BQR-C is a diagonal 28.3 mm (Type 1.8) CMOS active pixel type image sensor with a square pixel array and 26.11 M effective pixels. This sensor incorporates maximum 36 dB PGA circuit and 16-bit A/D converter. 16-bit digital output makes it possible to readout the signals of 26.11 M effective pixels at high-speed of 6.84 frame/s in still picture mode. In addition, it realizes 12-bit digital output for high-speed 4K moving picture by window readout mode. This sensor is designed for use in consumer cameras. Please consult your imaging experts at FRAMOS if you have any questions.”
See the Fuji X-T3 sensor details at framos here.
Fujifilm X-H2
Fuji Guy Billy already said here, that the 25% better heat dissipation of the Fujifilm X-H1 body over the X-T2 body, allows them to run the X-Processor Pro faster in the X-H1 than on the X-T2.
I guess the same will be valid for the Fujifilm X-H2, and hence it will be able to squeeze even more power out of the brand new Fujifilm X Processor 4.
I wonder if that would make it easier for Fujifilm to offer 16 bit on the X-H2.
Fujifilm GFX100
Framos.com also shares the details of the Fujifilm GFX 100 sensor, the IMX461. They write:
“The IMX461AQR-C is a diagonal 55 mm (Type 3.4) CMOS active pixel type image sensor with a square pixel array and 102 M effective pixels. This IC incorporates maximum 36 dB PGA circuit and 16-bit A/D converter. 16-bit digital output makes it possible to readout the signals of 102 M effective pixels at high-speed of 2.7 frame/s in still picture mode. In addition, vertical subsampling binning and 3-horizontal pixel weighted binning realize high-speed 12-bit digital output for shooting moving pictures.
See the Fuji GFX100 sensor details at framos here.
Back in August, Tony and Chelsea Northrup have posted their thoughts about the so-called mirrorless war, where they basically predicted success for full frame, and said Fujifilm will remain a niche product, because it’s only APS-C and they don’t have super fast glass to match full frame DOF. You can see the summary of the video here.
Did the release of the Fujifilm X-T3 and Fujifilm GFX 50R made them more optimistic about Fujifilm’s future?
And did the Nikon Z7, Nikon Z6 and Canon EOS R keep up with the hype and hopes? And what about the Panasonic S1 and S1R?
Here some key points:
SONY
