The Fujifilm GFX 50S II Body Hands-On Review

Where quality meets affordability, it’s the camera every professional photographer needs to get their hands on.

If you’re interested in shooting high-quality digital images, a large format camera is simply the way to go. Nothing compares the seemingly gorgeous quality of its images, and true-to-life tones. For mainly being a film photographer, I’ve made it clear to only use digital cameras when necessary, but have been completely inspired to pick up digital again after one afternoon with this beautiful baby. It’s utterly inspiring what visible differences I’ve discerned from this format from my full-sensor Canon 5DM4 DSLR. While it’s increasingly apparent that the recycle time of continuous-shooting doesn't compete with my DSLR, that doesn’t steer a user away from its otherwise perfect specs.

Level up to Large Format GFX50S II offers the perfect mix of accessibility and flexibility. Pair it with the new GF35-70mmF4.5-5.6 WR lens and you’ll find a wonderfully affordable combination that delivers images from a 51.4-megapixel sensor, which makes it the perfect gateway to large format photography. Get outstanding results with professional features that include 19 of FujiFilm’s lovely Film Simulations, advanced autofocusing, and a vast range of exposure controls providing limitless opportunities for creativity.

GFX50S II features a redesigned in-body image stabilization (IBIS) system that is 20% smaller, and 10% lighter, than the version found in GFX100. Despite this reduction in size and weight, it provides up to an impressive 6.5 stops of five-axis stabilization (based on CIPA standards), providing dramatically broad possibilities for image makers wanting to work more freely with slow shutter speeds. Even when light levels are low, and a tripod isn’t available, steady images are on the horizon.

GFX50S II weighs just 900g (1.98lb) and is similar in size to many to full-frame cameras, which makes the ergonomically contoured handgrip and PASM dial - used to access the camera’s main exposure functions - feel wonderfully familiar and accessible. A gorgeous blend of curves and edges, the camera body is finished with a top-plate LCD to display key settings, a redesigned focus lever, and a feather-touch shutter release to turn that familiar feeling into an intuitive image-making experience.

Fast, reliable autofocus comes to GFX50S II, thanks to a combination of advanced technologies and Fujifilm’s powerful X-Processor 4 imaging engine. Sensor readout speeds have been boosted from 130fps to 250fps compared to GFX50S, enabling razor-sharp responses – whether subject tracking or picking out a face in a crowd. An improved autofocusing algorithm, taken from the latest FUJIFILM X Series and GFX System cameras, boosts focusing performance in all modes, including face and eye detection. The AF system also brilliantly works in tandem with in-body image stabilization (IBIS) to provide up to 6.5 stops of handheld stability. This simply means the camera’s autofocusing performance will be up to the task when the creative senses are flowing.

Also — the “wow” factor is real when inputting a CineBloom filter on this mind-blowing sensor. Just take a peek at the images, including RAW comparison shots between the FujiFilm and my friend’s Nikon DSLR.

• 51.4 Megapixel Large Format CMOS Image Sensor

• X-Processor 4 Image Processor

• 3.0 Frames per second

• Updated Autofocus (AF) algorithm for optimized performance with G Mount lenses

• Up to 6.5 stops of Internal Body Image Stabilization (IBIS)

• Compact, weather resistant body