Fujifilm GFX 50S II Medium Format Mirrorless Camera Body

Fujifilm GFX 50S II Camera Body Only Summary

Fujifilm’s medium format camera line-up has expanded with this updated Fujifilm GFX 50S II Medium Format Mirrorless Camera Body. It capitalises on the latest technologies available with the inclusion of a 51.4 megapixel sensor for incredible resolving power in a logic defying compact and lightweight camera body that weighs just around 900g. Low light and low noise capabilities are second to none, particularly as the GFX 50S II boasts up to 6.5 stops of vibration reduction, which is the highest available for Fujifilm’s medium format cameras at launch. Autofocus is fast and precise, drawing on the X-Processor 4 image processing engine together with the latest AF algorithms which support Face / Eye detection.

Key Features

• 51.4 megapixel medium format 43.8mm x 32.9mm Bayer array with primary colour filter
• 5-Axis in-body stabilisation with up to 6.5 stops compensation (with the GF 63mm f2.8 R WR).
• Fast, high precision AF using the latest algorithm
• X-Processor 4 image processing engine
• Compact and lightweight body with ergonomic handling
• Accurate colour 200MP pixel shift multi shot images
• 9 Film Simulations, including Nostalgic Neg.

Photographers who need high levels of sharpness and detail will revel in each pixel’s ability to capture up to 1.7x more light than a full frame camera sensor. This brings the opportunity to shoot scenes with a wide dynamic range, excellent noise control as well as formidable low light capabilities, particularly when combined with any of the excellent Fujifilm GF lenses.

Fujifilm GFX 50S II Medium Format Mirrorless Camera Body in More Detail

Highly desirable image quality

A unique 51.4MP medium format sensor is the key to the updated GFX 50S II’s capabilities. Sharpness is increased through the use of a design that uses smaller light-collecting micro lenses on the sensor to create a wider gap between adjacent pixels, which boosts light resolution. Capture 14bit RAW (RAF original format) and 8bit / 16bit RGB (In-camera Raw Conversion Only), with images up to 8256 x 6192.

The large 43.8mm x 32.9mm sensor area captures a broader dynamic range, excellent ISO sensitivity with native ISO100~12800 (1/3 step) and control over clipping in both shadows and highlights.

Medium format sensors are renowned for their ability to render a shallow depth of field when this is desired, enhancing the image and directing the viewer’s eye where intended.

Fujifilm film simulations

Fujifilm is renowned for their accessible Film Simulations which offer photographers beautiful results straight out of camera. The GFX50S II comes with 19 Film Simulations including Nostalgic Neg. developed for the launch of the flagship GFX100S camera. Live View shows the final result in-camera so you can check that you’ve selected the appropriate Film simulation.

5-Axis In Body Stabilisation with up to 6.5 Stops

Each iteration of Fujifilm’s medium format cameras seems to come with even better IBIS and that is the case with this latest model. It features leading vibration reduction at up to 6.5 stops compensation, enabling photographers to handhold even in low light, without the need for a tripod. A high-performance gyro sensor and accelerometer can detect motion extremely accurately resulting in this level of precise image stabilisation.

Fast and high-precision AF

Contrast detect AF is quick and accurate when using the GFX 50S II due to components working together in unison. This means that the sensor, processor and IBIS unit contribute to AF effectiveness when combined with the latest autofocus algorithm. Resulting Face / Eye Detection is more accurate than the previous model, assisting with portraits as well as moving subject tracking.

Compact and lightweight body design

Despite its medium format capabilities the camera weighs just around 900g and measures 104.2mm high and 87.2mm deep. This is somewhat logic defying when considering the image quality which it’s capable of. Fujifilm has also considered useability and ergonomics throughout with the inclusion of a comfortable hand grip that offers excellent purchase even with longer lenses like the GF 250mm f/4 telephoto.

Highly rigid magnesium alloy has been used for the casing with customary thickness added around the lens mount to support heavier glass weight. A jaw dropping 60 locations around the camera body have been weather sealed, resulting in a camera which will operate in dusty and wet environments down to -10C.

The top panel on the GFX 50S II features a customisable mode dial which will be familiar to X Series camera users migrating to the GFX system. A movie / stills mode selector provides quick changes between mediums, while a clever flat-shaped Focus Lever reduces physical discomfort even after extended use. Key EXIF data (which is also customisable) is displayed on a highly visible 1.8-inch sub LCD monitor, which includes shutter speed, aperture, ISO sensitivity and exposure settings.

The 3.2-inch main LCD monitor provides 100% coverage and can tilt in three directions for low and difficult angle shooting, and the 0.5 inch OLED Color Viewfinder has Approx. 3.69 million dots fro clear viewing.

Accurate colour 200MP Pixel Shift Multi-Shot

If 50 megapixels isn’t quite enough, Fujifilm has included the Pixel Shift Multi-Shot function which is capable of creating 200MP images free from false colour. This offers edge to edge clarity in ultra high resolution for archive quality images. The sensor is shifted by 0.5 pixels to incrementally record 16 RAW images and combine them into a single Digital Negative (DNG) RAW file in the software Pixel Shift Combiner. False colour is eliminated as the data is captured on each pixel in red, green and blue. You can also set this feature as a 51.4MP image to remove any false colour in a lower resolution image.

Movie capabilities

MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, Linear PCM (Stereo sound 24bit / 48KHz sampling) with Long GOP compression. Full HD 1920 x 1080 up to 29.97p at 50Mbps with a recording time of Up to 120min.

Media

• SD Card (-2GB)
• SDHC Card (-32GB)
• SDXC Card (-2TB)
• UHS-I
• UHS-II
• Video Speed Class V90

Read our blog post Fujifilm GFX 50S II Camera review here, with video review, more sample images and a specs comparison between the 100S and 50R.

Sample images

70mm f/10 1/125 ISO100

70mm f/5.6 1/640 ISO100

70mm f/5.6 1/100 ISO640

What’s in the box

• Fujifilm GFX 50S II Camera Body
• Li-ion battery NP-W235
• AC power adapter AC-5VJ
• Plug adapter
• USB cable
• Shoulder strap
• Body cap
• Hot shoe cover
• Cable protector
• Owner's manual

Optional accessories

• Hand Grip MHG-GFX S - This will improve the grip on the camera especially when longer lenses are mounted
• H Mount Adaptor G - Use GX 645AF lenses with this body
• Li-ion battery NP-W235 - get a spare for up to 440 shots on one charge
• Macro extension tube MCEX-18G WR - Connecting this macro extension tube to any GF lens allows macro photographs to be taken at a higher magnification ratio
• Macro extension tube MCEX-45G WR - as above
• Shoe mount flash EF-X500 - high power flash with a maximum guide number of approx. 50
• Fujifilm Wireless Commander EF-W1 - extend your creativity with a radio-controlled wireless communication system to control compatible Fujifilm flashguns.