Fujifilm’s authentic GFX100S was a well-liked different to the GFX100 as a result of it supplied the identical picture high quality in a thinner physique at a cheaper price. It does have some flaws, although, most notably that its autofocus would not all the time sustain with the topic. Likewise, the corporate not too long ago launched the $5,000 GFX100S II as a smaller, cheaper different to the $7,500 flagship GFX100 II. It seems primarily the identical as earlier than, however has an up to date sensor, processor, autofocus, and extra.
Each cameras are clearly geared toward professionals, however is the GFX100 II value the additional $2,500, or is the S mannequin appropriate for most individuals?
Fujifilm
Fujifilm’s GFX100S II is an unlimited enchancment over the unique, providing the identical picture high quality because the GFX100 II however costing $2,500 much less.
- Wonderful picture high quality
- Improved autofocus
- Good controllability
- First rate battery life
- Video functionality is weak
- Steady capturing high quality deteriorates
Adorama $4,999
Physique
At 1.9 kilos, the GFX100S II is an oz lighter than its predecessor, and its physique design and controls are practically similar. As earlier than, it comes with a mode dial and focus selector change, twin management dials, a drive choose button and a fast menu. On the high is a small, always-on show that reveals settings, a simulation mode dial, and a histogram. This fashion you possibly can see all the important thing settings when capturing at hip stage.
It feels extra like a mirrorless digicam than a traditional medium format digicam. It handles nicely, however after utilizing each fashions, I favor the GFX100 II’s bigger physique and further controls, although it is 5 ounces heavier.
The rear 3.2-inch 2.36 million-dot show stays unchanged and may be tilted up, down, and proper, however won’t flip. Nonetheless, Fujifilm has elevated the viewfinder’s decision to five.76 million dots, so it is considerably sharper than the earlier mannequin’s 3.69 million-dot EVF.
The GFX100S II consists of twin SD UHS-II card slots, however lacks the high-speed CFexpress port just like the GFX100 II. Whereas it makes use of the identical battery as earlier than, it will probably now take 540 images on a single cost, up from 530. USB-SSD connectivity is a brand new characteristic that allows quicker burst capturing and ProRes video seize.
Efficiency
The GFX100S II does shoot quicker than its predecessor, as much as 7 fps in comparison with 5 fps in mechanical shutter mode. Nonetheless, with out a quick CFexpress card, you possibly can solely seize about 30 compressed RAW frames earlier than the buffer fills up. When capturing repeatedly, the digicam will downscale from 16-bit RAW pictures to 14-bit RAW pictures, and the picture high quality shall be barely affected. Luckily, most footage is prone to be sharp due to some main enhancements to autofocus. Even with the quicker burst speeds, I observed that the proportion of sharp images elevated considerably when capturing fast-moving topics.
The AF enhancements do not cease there. AI face and eye monitoring is smarter and extra correct, that means your topic’s eyes (reasonably than their eyelashes) usually tend to be in focus, which is essential with 100-megapixel decision. Fujifilm has additionally launched new themed monitoring modes for animals, birds, vehicles, bikes, bicycles, planes and trains.
The steadiness of the fuselage has additionally been upgraded, and the diploma of vibration discount has been elevated from the earlier six ranges to eight ranges. This lets you seize dim scenes or blurred movement at shutter speeds as little as half a second, with out the necessity for a tripod. As with earlier fashions, rolling shutter distortion is an actual situation with this digicam in digital mode, so neither you nor your topic can transfer round an excessive amount of whereas utilizing it. In any other case, you will get some nasty tilt that ruins your images.
Picture high quality
For succesful skilled photographers, the GFX100S II delivers unparalleled picture high quality. The 100-megapixel sensor delivers razor-sharp images with 16-bit RAW pixel depth and 14 stops of dynamic vary, beating most different mirrorless cameras. This implies you possibly can shoot in very darkish, shiny or high-contrast circumstances and retain element in all components of the picture.
The colour science of Fujifilm is right for portrait work, with correct and pleasing pores and skin tones. The extent of element means prints may be enlarged to very giant sizes, approaching 40 x 30 inches at 300 pixels per inch (PPI). The decision and exact colour rendering additionally make it preferrred for panorama images, artwork archival work, and extra.
Wonderful RAW high quality permits photographers to carry out detailed post-production work with out compromising picture high quality, even on incorrectly uncovered pictures. In low gentle circumstances, above ISO 8000 you begin to see fairly a little bit of noise. Nonetheless, once you scale down a 100-megapixel picture to a extra affordable dimension, plenty of the grain disappears.
In the meantime, JPEG pictures output immediately from the digicam are additionally wonderful. Like different Fujifilm fashions, the GFX100S II comes with a variety of movie simulation options, from the brand new Reala Ace to Velvia, Acros and extra. {Most professional} photographers like to regulate their pictures, however many could shoot each RAW and JPEG through movie simulation to allow them to present one thing to a shopper instantly and make detailed changes later.
video
In contrast to the dearer GFX100 II, movie is that this digicam’s weak level. Decision is restricted to 4K 10-bit, and whereas there isn’t any cropping, in depth pixel binning reduces sharpness. You possibly can seize 10-bit 4:2:2 ProRes video at as much as 30fps, however this requires an SSD drive to be linked. There is not truly any slow-motion mode, as each 4K and 1080p recording are restricted to 60 fps.
Whereas the footage lacks the sharpness of different mirrorless cameras just like the Sony A1, colour rendering is great. You may as well enhance dynamic vary by capturing in Fujifilm’s FLog or FLog2 mode and making use of a LUT in put up.
Video mode has much less rolling shutter than Photograph because of pixel binning, however you continue to should be cautious to not transfer the digicam an excessive amount of to keep away from extreme wobbling and tilting. The in-camera anti-shake is simply efficient when capturing handheld and with little motion. If you happen to attempt to take video whereas strolling, you will see some severe bumps. All in all, I take into account the Fujifilm GFX100S II to be primarily a photograph digicam, with video just for emergencies.
wrap up
The $5,000 Fujifilm GFX100S II affords professionals wonderful picture high quality at a considerably cheaper price than the $7,500 flagship GFX100 II. It even exceeds purchaser expectations, providing pretty quick autofocus bursts which can be extra dependable than the unique GFX100S. Video is not a robust level, however that does not matter to its goal market.
The GFX100S II can be the most cost effective digicam within the mainstream medium format phase, with its fundamental rivals being the GFX100 II or Hasselblad’s $8,200 X2D100C. I extremely suggest it for portraits and different varieties of detail-critical capturing. Nonetheless, burst velocity and autofocus are nonetheless not adequate in fast-moving scenes.
For individuals who want extra velocity and reliability for weddings or reside occasions, you would be higher off choosing a high-resolution full-frame mannequin just like the $3,700 Nikon Z8, the $6,500 Sony A1, or Canon’s new $4,300 EOS R5 II.
