FUJIFILM has announced the new GFX100RF, a lightweight medium format mirrorless camera with a fixed FUJINON GF 35mm f/4 Lens.
The new camera features an Aspect Ratio dial, FUJIFILM’s industry-standard film simulations, and a digital teleconverter. Essentially it looks like FUJIFILM has taken a lot of the same internals and features of the GFX100S II and put those into a slightly smaller-sized body with a fixed lens. It’s nice that there is a dedicated aspect ratio setting on a dial as well.
Having a fixed lens medium format camera is probably not going to appeal to most video shooters, but it could make for a decent (but not versatile) solution for use with a smaller-sized gimbal.
Key features
- Smallest, Lightest GFX + Built-In Lens
- 102MP 43.8 x 32.9mm BSI CMOS II Sensor
- FUJINON GF 35mm f/4 Lens (28mm Equiv.)
- Aspet Ratio Dial & Digital Teleconverter
- Internal 4-Stop ND Filter + Leaf Shutter
- 5.76m-Dot OLED EVF
- 3.2″ 2.1m-Dot 3-Way Tilting Touchscreen
- DCI/UHD 4K30p Video Recording
- 20 Film Simulation Modes & Q Menu
- Included Lens Hood and Filter Adapter
The GFX100RF utilizes the same 102MP 43.8 x 32.9mm BSI CMOS II Sensor that is found in their GFX100S II, GFX100 II, and the upcoming GFX ETERNA. The 102-megapixel high-speed image sensor also utilizes FUJIFILM’s latest 5th generation X-Processor 5 image processing engine, which is claimed to have fast readout speeds.
FUJIFILM has been working on medium format cameras since the film era. The 55mm large-format image sensor in the GFX100RF is nearly 1.7x larger than the 35mm image sensors found in full-frame cameras.
It features a high-resolution EVF, AI-driven autofocus and intelligent subject detection, and better IBIS. An improved X-Processor 5 offers greater speed, performance, and image quality.
Video Capabilities
The GFX100RF supports DCI and UHD 4K video recording at 4:2:2 10-bit H.265 All-Intra internally. F-log gamma setting can also be used for more advanced color grading during post-production. With a base ISO of 100, it offers low noise for shooting, while F-Log2 provides a claimed 13+ stops of dynamic range. Additionally, it features digital image stabilization (DIS) to correct camera shake and walking motion during video recording.
The camera can record Apple ProRes 4:2:2, 10-bit video at up to 4K/30p, but only over USB-C to an SSD. 4K/30p is lower than the 4K/60p and 8K/30p that its bigger brother the GFX100 II can do.
RECORDING RESOLUTIONS & FRAME RATES
Notes
*Selectable mode will be changed depending on the “Image Format” setting.
*For recording movies, use a SD memory card with UHS Speed Class 3 or higher.
*For recording movies in 360Mbps, use a SD memory card with Video Speed Class 60 or higher.
*For recording movies in 720Mbps, use a SD memory card with Video Speed Class 90 or higher.
*Selectable bitrate will be changed depends on the setting.
*Apple ProRes codec can be only recorded to SSD
*Bitrate for Apple ProRes codec is not selectable.
*Recording time can become short depending on the temperature and/or shooting conditions
The GFX100RF is compatible with the Frame.io Camera to Cloud service. Video and still image files can be uploaded directly to Frame.io, dramatically speeding up the workflow from shooting to editing.
Film Simulations Modes
The GFX100RF includes a total of 20 Film Simulation modes, including the new REALA ACE mode, which is based on Fujifilm’s color-negative film, offering a neutral color reproduction suitable for all subject types. Additionally, Fujifilm’s innovation of the pixel structure has enabled the use of ISO80 as a standard sensitivity.
The following Film Simulation Modes are available:
- Nostalgic Neg. Effect
- Provia
- Velvia
- Astia
- Classic Chrome
- Classic Neg
- Pro Neg. Hi
- Pro Neg. Standard
- Eterna
- Eterna Bleach Bypass
- Acros
- Monochrome
- Sepia
- REALA ACE
Additionally, Grain Effect can be adjusted as well as the Classic Chrome effect to fine-tune the look of imagery.
Size & Weight
Just like how the FUJIFILM GFX100S was a shrunken-down version of the GFX100, the GFX100RF is a shrunken-down version of the GFX100S II. The camera weighs 1.6 lb / 735 g (With battery and recording media), which means it only weighs a few hundred grams more than most compact full-frame mirrorless cameras. As a comparison, the GFX100S II weighs 1.94 lb / 883g (with battery, recording media, viewfinder).
This small size and weight make it an appealing prospect for anyone who was interested in shooting on a medium format camera but didn’t want to deal with the increased size and weight.
- Machined aluminum dedicated dials for direct adjustment over shutter speed and exposure compensation, as well as dual control dials, digital teleconverter rocker lever, aspect ratio dial, focus mode switch, and a manual aperture ring.
- Dual SD memory card slots for flexible file storage.
- Left side of the camera body features 3.5mm headphone and microphone ports, a USB-C port for in-camera battery charging and file transfers, and a micro-HDMI port for video needs.
- Powered by an NP-W235 lithium-ion battery, which is rated to provide approximately 820 frames per charge.
- Weather-resistant design once the included. adapter ring and filter are attached for safe, confident use in a variety of weather conditions.
According to FUJIFILM, the camera is made from beautifully machined aluminum components, from top-plate and baseplate to aperture ring, hot shoe cover, and battery door. The sharp, defined edges, solid build quality, and unique warmth retained through its thermal properties create an unparalleled tactile experience. Each detail, crafted with the dedication of a master artisan, turns every interaction with the camera into a source of inspiration and joy.
Other Features
Aspect Ratio Dial and Digital TeleconverterIn addition to the impressive image quality the 102MP sensor provides, it also facilitates working in different aspect ratios or at different effective focal lengths (crops) while maintaining a high effective resolution. Encouraging the use of these creative tools, the GFX100RF includes a dedicated Aspect Ratio Dial on the back of the camera and a lever beneath the shutter button to control Digital Teleconverter settings:
Located on the back of the camera, above the LCD, is a dedicated dial for switching through nine distinct aspect ratios: 4:3, 3:4, 5:4, 1:1, 3:2, 7:6, 65:24, 17:6, and 16:9. Many of these options recall FUJIFILM’s own past medium format film camera systems, ranging from the native 4:3 ratio that is shared by the GX680 system; the 7:6 format shared by the GW670 and GF670 cameras; the ultra-wide panoramic 65:24 from the TX-1 rangefinder; and the unique 3:4 vertical ratio, which recalls some of the GA645 and GS645-series 6 x 4.5 cameras.
The chosen aspect ratio will be visible when working with either the EVF or the rear LCD when shooting JPEG + Raw or JPEG only, but aspect ratio selections will not be visible if working in raw-only recording.
On the front of the camera is a rocker lever that is programmed to shuffle through three different Digital Teleconverter settings, 45mm, 63mm, and 80mm—recalling three of FUJIFILM’s GF lenses for their interchangeable-lens GFX system.
Since the GFX100RF has a fixed 35mm f/4 lens, this tool makes use of the massive 102MP resolution and crops into the image to simulate the field of view as if working with different focal lengths, all while maintaining reasonable resolution.
Wide-Angle 35mm f/4 Built-In Lens
The main contributor to the GFX100RF’s uniqueness is the built-in GF 35mm f/4 wide-angle prime lens; effectively turning this camera into a fun, intuitive, and always-ready point-and-shoot that retains the exceptional image quality you’d expect from medium format.
The lens uses ten elements in eight groups, including two aspherical lenses and Nano GI Coating to reduce reflections across the frame. This design keeps the lens compact while delivering excellent image quality. Sharpness is consistent from center to edges, while autofocus is smooth and accurate thanks to the DC motor
The 35mm focal length is equivalent to 28mm on full-frame cameras, giving a general wide-angle field of view that suits a broad array of subjects, ranging from street and documentary applications to landscapes, interiors, and travel situations to even close-up subjects thanks to a 7.8″ minimum focusing distance. The f/4 maximum aperture is effective for available light shooting and offers some depth of field control but mainly helps to keep the overall size and weight of the camera down for everyday carry.
Taking a page from the X100-series cameras, the GFX100RF’s lens design also incorporates an internal 4-stop neutral density (ND) filter and uses for leaf shutter for more exposure flexibility.
- The 4-stop ND gives access to slower shutter speeds or wider aperture settings when working in bright conditions; perfect for situations when you want to exaggerate subject movement with motion blur or if you want shallower depth of field in bright, sunny conditions.
- The leaf shutter design, in typical medium format fashion, affords the ability to sync flash with any mechanical shutter speed (up to 1/4000 sec) for creative fill flash techniques or to better freeze motion while maintaining sufficient background exposure.
EVF & LCD
The GFX100RF features a 5.76m-dot EVF with 0.84x Magnification. This LCD features a unique three-way tilting design that moves both upward and downward for shooting from high and low angles, and also tilts to the side to benefit shooting in the vertical orientation when in live view.
The new Surround View feature adds semi-transparent overlays or lines to show the area outside the frame.
Autofocus
The GFX100RF utilizes Fujifilm’s latest high-speed image sensor, along with its advanced image processing engine, to deliver Artificial Intelligence (AI) based subject-detection autofocus (AF), which was most recently featured in the FUJIFILM X-H2S mirrorless digital camera. Developed with Deep Learning technology and updated with the latest prediction AF algorithm, GFX100RF incorporates AI-based subject-detection AF to quickly track and detect animals, birds, vehicles, and other fast-moving objects like insects and drones, and it automatically keeps them in focus. Tracking AF for video has also been enhanced, enabling easy subject tracking with touch controls.
Price & Availability
The FUJIFILM GFX100RF will retail for $4,899 USD, which makes it $1,100 USD less than the price of the GFX 100S when it was first announced. It will be available in June. As a comparison, the FUJIFILM GFX100S II costs $4,999 USD.
Specifications
