Fujifilm GFX 50S II – 50 Megapixel Medium-Format for Just £3.5K

The new Fujifilm GFX 50S II is the most affordable GFX branded medium-format camera ever, offering a 51.4 megapixel sensor for just £3499 / €3999 / $3999, putting in on a par with the likes of the Canon EOS R5 and Sony Alpha A1 full-frame mirrorless.

Paired with the equally new GF 35-70mm F4.5-5.6 WR kit zoom, the 50SII costs less than £4000 / €4500 / $4500 with a lens, making medium-format more accessible than ever before.

The new Mark II GFX 50S uses the same 51.4 CMOS sensor as the original 50S model, but pairs it with the latest X-Processor 4, which enables the new version to offer a whopping 79 upgraded functions.

Externally it’s identical to last year’s GFX 100S camera, with the same magnesium alloy, weather-resistant body, the same PASM control dial and top LCD panel, and the same rear LCD screen, electronic viewfinder and AF joystick on the rear.

The GFX 50S II also benefits from 6.5 stops of IBIS, a feature that was missing on the original 50S, and the subsequent addition of a 205 megapixel Pixel Shift Multi Shot mode.

Brand new to the Mark II edition is “Contrast Rapid AF”, an improved version of the contrast-based autofocus system that can focus in 0.272sec with the 35-70mm lens, just 0.1sec slower than the GFX 100S with the same lens and its more advanced PDAF system.

Video is restricted to 1080/30p rather than 4K, a limitation of the sensor that the 50SII uses, and it’s no speed demon with a fastest continuous shooting speed of 3fps.

The 50S’s removable viewfinder and battery grip have both been sacrificed in the interest of making the Mark II version lighter, smaller and crucially cheaper (as it’s simpler to manufacture).

We’ve got a gallery of full-size Fujifilm GFX 50S II sample photos (JPEG and Raw) and a gallery of Fujifilm GFX 50S II hands-on photos for you to enjoy.

Wondering what the differences are between the new and old models? Then check out our in-depth Fujifilm GFX 50S II vs GFX 50S Head-to-head Comparison to find out.

Fujifilm Press Release

Fujifilm announces FUJIFILM GFX50S II

A compact and lightweight body equipped with powerful image stabilisation and high resolution 51.4MP large-format sensor

FUJIFILM Corporation (President: Teiichi Goto) is pleased to announce that the “FUJIFILM GFX50S II” (GFX50S II) will be released in late September 2021 as the latest addition to the GFX Series of mirrorless digital cameras equipped with a large format sensor_*1.

The GFX50S II packs the 51.4MP large-format sensor to boast an incredible image-resolving power, capturing every detail in sharpness across the frame. Light is recorded to the pixel which is 1.7 times that of a full-frame sensor_*2 to achieve a wide dynamic range and a high signal-to-noise ratio. The resulting image reproduces deep tonality and texture from shadows to highlights, and delivers image clarity with minimal noise even when taken in low light. One of the strengths of the large format sensor is its ability to produce a very shallow depth of field. It is complimented by GF lenses’ edge-to-edge sharpness to accentuate the main subject against a blurred background for added three-dimensional definition.

The camera is innovatively designed for added groundbreaking mobility so that users can explore its exceptional image quality in a broad range of shooting fields. It integrates the high-speed image processing engine “X-Processor 4” and the latest algorithm with an autofocus system with an enhanced refresh rate to seize a decisive shutter opportunity. Another powerful feature is its five-axis in-body image stabilization(IBIS) mechanism that provides up to 6.5 stops of anti-shake advantage_*3, the highest in the history of the GFX Series, to compensate for camera shakes during hand-held shooting and minimize motion blur in low light or in outdoor settings where a tripod cannot be used.

Despite carrying an impressive array of key devices, the camera comes in a compact form factor, weighing approximately 900g. Enjoy exceptional image quality in great portability, afforded by its size equivalent to full-frame cameras. The GFX50S II brings the premium world of large-format image quality closer than ever before with its advanced AF, high-performance In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS) and compact lightweight body, superior to conventional medium-format cameras in every sense.

*1 An image sensor that measures 55mm diagonally (43.8 mm x 32.9 mm) and is approx. 1.7 times bigger than a 35 mm full-frame sensor

*2 When compared to a 50 megapixel full-frame camera

*3 When mounted with the FUJINON Lens GF63mmF2.8 R WR

Product Features

Superior image quality delivered with the use of a unique 51.4MP large-format sensor

• The GFX50S II is equipped with a 51.4MP large format sensor, which delivers incredible image resolution when combined with a GF lens.

• The camera uses a specialized design that uses smaller light-collecting micro lenses on the sensor to create a wider gap between adjacent pixels, thereby boosting light resolution per pixel for added image sharpness.

• Having a larger light-receiving area per pixel results in excellent ISO sensitivity, dynamic range and tonality, controlling highlight / shadow clipping while conveying the subject’s texture, definitions and even the atmosphere of the scene in precise details.

• The ability of the large format sensor to produce a very shallow depth-of-field renders background out of focus beautifully, adding definitions to the subject and drawing attention to where the photographer intended.

Variety of Film Simulations

The GFX50S II comes with as many as 19 Film Simulations, including “Nostalgic Neg.,” developed for the launch of the GFX100S and characterized by high saturation and soft tonality. Use Film Simulation presets, designed for various subject types and scenes, while checking how they affect the final image in Live View.

Compact 5-axis In-Body Stabilization delivering up to 6.5-stops of Vibration Reduction

• The GFX50S II features a five-axis image stabilization mechanism that provides up to 6.5 stops of advantage_*3, the highest in the history of the GFX Series. This has been made possible with the use of a high-performance gyro sensor and accelerometer that can detect motions at high accuracy. The gyro sensor has been structured to boost its detection accuracy for precise image stabilization.

• This camera revolutionizes the way conventional medium-format digital cameras are used. Rather than being mounted on a tripod for slow and careful shooting, the GFX50S II can produce superior image quality hand-held with image stabilization.

Fast and high-precision AF thanks to the high-speed processing engine and latest algorithm

• The GFX50S II’s fast and high-precision AF system is assisted by the powerful devices such as large-format high resolution sensor, high-speed image processing engine “X-Processor 4” and image stabilization mechanism, operated with the latest algorithm. During the contrast detection process for AF, the built-in powerful image stabilization mechanism controls sensor motion blur to add speed and accuracy to the AF performance, ensuring to capture the decisive photo opportunity in any conditions.

• The GFX50S II uses the X-Processor 4 and the latest algorithm that improves AF’s refresh rate. This results in more accurate autofocus in Face / Eye Detection compared to a previous model._*4 The ability to quickly attain focus despite using the large-format sensor with a shallow depth of field, assists users greatly when shooting portraits with movements.

*4　FUJIFILM GFX 50S

Innovative compact and lightweight body for advanced mobility

• The use of the compact and powerful in-body image stabilization (IBIS) mechanism and shutter unit has been combined with optimized layout of various devices to achieve a logic-defying compact body for a large-format camera, weighing approximately 900g and measuring 104.2mm high and 87.2mm deep.

• The grip has been shaped so that the camera sits comfortably in the hand, ensuring comfort by significantly reducing hand strains when using a large zoom lens, for example.

• The casing is made of highly rigid magnesium alloy. Added thickness around the base of the lens mount, which is subject to greater load in particular, has made the camera body highly robust. The GFX50S II is also weather-sealed at 60 locations to offer dust- and moisture-resistance and ability to operate in temperatures as low as -10℃. The camera’s exceptional portability is coupled with its robustness in all shooting situations to expand the world of ultra high-resolution photography.

Easy operability for a smooth shooting experience

• The top panel features the Mode dial, typically seen in many digital cameras, so that users can handle the camera in a familiar fashion. It offers six customizable positions C1 – C6, allowing users to register their choice of functions to each of the positions and activate them quickly for a smooth photo shoot.

• There is a selector on the top panel to instantly switch between the still and video modes for added convenience.

• The use of a flat-shaped Focus Lever reduces physical discomfort even after extended use. It responds with enhanced sensitivity when moving the focus point, allowing users to attain focus at the intended location quickly.

• The 1.8-inch sub LCD monitor with excellent visibility is found on the top panel, displaying key EXIF settings such as shutter speed, aperture, ISO sensitivity and exposure. Additional information displayed includes the number of frames remaining when shooting stills and the remaining filing duration when recording video. The display can be customized for added convenience.

• On the rear panel is a 3.2-inch main LCD monitor with 100% coverage. It can tilt in three directions to enable high- and low-angle shooting, for which the electronic viewfinder (EVF) cannot be easily used.

“Pixel Shift Multi-Shot” function to capture and generate 200MP images free of false color

The GFX50S II features the Pixel Shift Multi-Shot function, capable of creating 200MP images free of false color presentation. The ability to reproduce a photo subject’s colors, texture and even its atmosphere in the finest of details makes the camera a perfect choice for archiving. Large artworks and historical artifacts, previously difficult to photograph in detail because of their size, can be captured in precise details in edge-to-edge clarity.

• This function uses the camera’s IBIS to shift the image sensor by 0.5 pixel to incrementally record 16 RAW images and combine them into a single Digital Negative (DNG) RAW file in the software “Pixel Shift Combiner,” producing an ultra-high-definition 200MP image. The high pixel count leads to an astonishing level of tonality and three-dimensional definitions for edge-to-edge clarity.

• The image sensor is shifted in high precision to ensure that each pixel records image data in red, green and blue, completely eliminating false color and recording the subject in accurate color information.

• The function can be configured to produce 51.4MP images, which are easier to handle, free of false color.

Product name, release date and price

The GFX 50S was officialy discontinued in February 2021 and the 50R model will also follow suit with the release of the new 50S II.

Expect to see the Fujifilm GFX 50S II available in-store from September 23rd 2021.

Image Gallery

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