Fujifilm X-T3 Sensor: Can Fujifilm Unlock Full 16 Bit Sensor Power via Firmware Update or Maybe Come to Fujifilm X-H2?

Fujifilm Sony Sensors

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.

Technical Tables

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MIRRORLESS WARS Part 2: Fujifilm vs Canon, Nikon, Sony and Panasonic by Tony Northrup

Mirrorless Wars

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

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Fujifilm Manager at PhotoPlus: “We Expect Fujifilm GFX 100 to Cost About $9,995. Fujifilm X-T3 Sales are On Fire!”

Fuji GFX100

Cameta Camera interviewed Brandon from Fujifilm about the Fujifilm X-T3 and the Fujifilm GFX100. You can see both videos below.

Here is what Brandon says:

Fujifilm GFX100

  • Brandon expect the Fujifilm GFX100 to cost about $9,995, so just under $10,000
  • Fujifilm invested millions in the new processor, which allows fast autofocus on the X-T3, and the Fujifilm GFX100 will have the same processor
  • the market for 100MP cameras will expload with the Fujifilm GFX100

Fujifilm X-T3

  • it’s an excellent seller. About 1 month after release, sales are just on fire

Fujinon Roadmap lenses

  • XF16-80mmF4: it’s not a replacement for the current kit lens, just an addition. Price will be very attractive
  • XF33mmF1.0: an exciting lens


FR-Reader Images from Photoplus

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Fujifilm GFX 50R Street Photography, Kai Wong Hands On and Could the Fujifilm GFX 100 have an X-Trans Sensor?

Fujifilm GFX 50R

William Chua took the Fujifilm GFX 50R out for some street photography in Cologne. You can read the full blog post and see the samples at williamchua.com. Some excerpts:

  • Being a GFX 50s user, he was not too excited about this camera. But after using it for a few days, he has to say he loves it more and more
  • Its a great camera for street photography
  • might not be as comfortable to use with big glass like the GF 250mm
  • in a lot of his sample images, he used face detection, and he’s glad to say it works extremely well

Jonas Rask shares his impressions of the Photokina 2018 in the best way possible: by sharing wonderful images taken with Fujifilm GFX 50R and X100F. Check out his article “When the floor dust settles” at jonasrask here.

Kai Wong was at photokina and shares his walkthrough the various booths. Of course he also checked out the Fujifilm GFX 50R. Jump to minute 5:43 here, to check out the part about Fujifilm.

MediumFormat: First Impressions of the Fujifilm GFX 50R at mediumformat

PhoBlographer writes in his Fujifilm GFX 50R first impressions that the Fujifilm GFX 50R is the camera he’s been waiting for. They would like a 50MP X-Trans version and pay even more for it, and faster glass (such as the rumored GF 80mm F1.4) would also be appreciated. Read it all at phoblographer here.

Spanish: The Spanish site albedomedia (translation) goes hands on with the Fujifilm GFX 50R. They share their impressions as well as some media slides including an overview of Fujifilm’s camera history, which you can see below.

Fujifilm GFX 100 MP X-Trans

ThePhoblographer had a talk with Fujifilm USA manager Justin Stailey, mainly about the Fujifilm GFX 50R, but there was also a question about the Fujfiilm GFX 100.

Phoblographer: Why isn’t the GFX 100MP sensor an X Trans sensor?
Justin: I don’t think we said that it was or was not X-Trans. but…In Medium Format, the Bayer Sensor has proven to provide excellent image quality

So, despite hinting that a Bayer sensor is more likely than an X-Trans sensor, Fuji Manager Justin did not exclude the possibility it could be a 100 Megapixel X-Trans sensor. Read the whole interview at phoblographer.

We remind you that the Fujifilm GFX 100 megapixel camera should offer pixel shift multishot, which would indicated that a Bayer sensor is more likely. Read more here.

Fujifilm GFX 50R / 50S
GFX 50R: Adorama, AmazonUS, FocusCamera
GFX 50S: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS

Fujinon GF Lenses
GF 23mm (save $620): BHphoto, AmazonUS, Adorama, Focuscamera
GF 45mm (save $300): BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS, Focuscamera
GF 63mm (save $350): BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS, Focuscamera
GF 110mm (save $660): BHphoto, AmazonUS, Adorama, Focuscamera
GF 120mm (save $640): BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS, Focuscamera
GF 250mm (save 780): BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
GF 32-64mm (save $550): BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS, Focuscamera

Follow FR on Facebook, Instagram, RSS-feed and Twitter

RUMOR, NEWS and COMMUNITY
Fujifilm GFX facebook group
Fujifilm GFX facebook page

 

Fujifilm Camera History – via albedomedia

 

Top Fujifilm Manager Toshihisa Iida: “We will NEVER go Full Frame”

Fujifilm Manager Interview

DPReivew just published the interview they had with top Fujifilm manager Toshihisa Iida at photokina 2018, which includes the clearest statement I have ever heard so far if Fujifilm will go full frame or not. It’s a clear “No, never!”

He also opens to the possiblity of an interchangeable lens Instax camera and maybe even cine lenses for the GFX system.

Here some excerpts of the interview.

Q: Will Fujifilm ever enter the full-frame market?
A: No, never. Because we don’t have that legacy – luckily or unluckily. We don’t see any point in Fujifilm entering that market, particularly since we have good APS-C and medium format systems. If we entered full-frame [our systems] would just start cannibalizing each other. We’re happy to stay with two completely independent systems.

Q: Do you see many of your users upgrading from X to GFX?
A: Not quite yet. Because they’re totally different systems. […] I hope that in near future more X Series customers will step up to GFX.

Q: GFX 50R and GFX 100S
A: All GFX 50R controls must be reachable with one hand, that was our concept for usability. We wanted the camera to be more suited to street, reportage and portrait photography. The forthcoming 100MP camera is more SLR style, with a detachable viewfinder, more similar to the 50S, but with an integrated battery grip for greater battery capacity. The sensor and the image stabilization system need more power. The biggest challenge was image stabilization.

Q: Will the viewfinder experience of the 100MP camera be better to the current GFX 50S and 50R?
A: It should be a lot better, yes, because the readout speed of the new sensor is a lot quicker. The sensor and the processor itself are both upgraded. The processor is much more powerful.

Q: Video features on Fujifilm cameras?
A: The forthcoming 100MP camera will be the first 4K/30p GFX camera. […] With the X Series we have a plan, for example to extend recording time, and make the menus more usable for still and video shooting.

Q: 100MP and 4K/30p represent a huge amount of data – is SD media still appropriate?
A: I think that SD media and HDMI output are enough for now

Q: Do you welcome third-party lens manufacturers that want to create lenses for XF and GF?
A: They’re not open standards as yet, but of course our customers want choice. We’re always considering what would benefit our customers, and more lenses are generally beneficial for customers.

Q: Should we expect to see more smaller, compact lenses for GF mount, like the forthcoming 50mm pancake?
A: Yes, in the future we’d like to expand our lineup of compact lenses for GF.

Q: In the past we’ve spoken about software corrections for some lenses. Do you see a future where your high-quality lenses could be made smaller using software?
A: We always prioritize optical quality first, minimizing software correction. That’s our policy at the moment, and I don’t think it will change. That’s why the APS-C format is important to us. We make the lenses as small as possible, without [a lot of] software correction.

Q: What are the challenges of designing fast focusing large-aperture lenses?
A: A brighter lens means that each element is heavier. So we need to build in more powerful focus actuators, but there’s limited space. So it’s always a tradeoff of lens brightness, focus speed, and how heavy the lens is.

Read the whole interview at dpreview here.