Fujifilm GFX 100 II vs GFX 50R

The Fujifilm GFX 100 II and the Fujifilm GFX 50R are two professional cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in September 2023 and September 2018. Both the GFX 100 II and the GFX 50R are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are equipped with a medium format sensor. The GFX 100 II has a resolution of 101.8 megapixels, whereas the GFX 50R provides 51.1 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Fujifilm GFX 100 II		Fujifilm GFX 50R
Mirrorless system camera		Mirrorless system camera
Fujifilm G mount lenses		Fujifilm G mount lenses
101.8 MP – Medium Format sensor		51.1 MP – Medium Format sensor
8K/30p Video		1080/30p Video
ISO 100-12,800 (50 - 102,400)		ISO 100-12,800 (50 - 102,400)
Electronic viewfinder (9440k dots)		Electronic viewfinder (3690k dots)
3.2" LCD – 2360k dots		3.2" LCD – 2360k dots
Fully flexible touchscreen		Tilting touchscreen
8 shutter flaps per second		3 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilization		Lens stabilization only
Weathersealed body		Weathersealed body
540 shots per battery charge		400 shots per battery charge
152 x 117 x 99 mm, 1030 g		161 x 97 x 66 mm, 775 g

Check GFX 100 II price at
amazon.com
Check GFX 50R offers at
ebay.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Fujifilm GFX 100 II and the Fujifilm GFX 50R? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Fujifilm GFX 100 II and the Fujifilm GFX 50R is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Fujifilm GFX 50R is notably smaller (12 percent) than the Fujifilm GFX 100 II. Moreover, the GFX 50R is markedly lighter (25 percent) than the GFX 100 II. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

Concerning battery life, the GFX 100 II gets 540 shots out of its Fujifilm NP-W235 battery, while the GFX 50R can take 400 images on a single charge of its Fujifilm NP-T125 power pack. The power pack in the GFX 100 II can be charged via the USB port, so that it is not always necessary to take the battery charger along when travelling.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Fujifilm GFX 100 II	152 mm	117 mm	99 mm	1030 g	540	Y	Sep 2023	US$ 7 499	amazon.com
2.		Fujifilm GFX 50R	161 mm	97 mm	66 mm	775 g	400	Y	Sep 2018	US$ 4 499	ebay.com
3.		Canon 5DS	152 mm	116 mm	76 mm	930 g	700	Y	Feb 2015	US$ 3 699	ebay.com
4.		Fujifilm GFX 50S	148 mm	94 mm	91 mm	740 g	400	Y	Sep 2016	US$ 6 499	ebay.com
5.		Fujifilm GFX 50S II	150 mm	104 mm	87 mm	900 g	440	Y	Sep 2021	US$ 3 999	amazon.com
6.		Fujifilm GFX 100	156 mm	144 mm	75 mm	1320 g	800	Y	May 2019	US$ 9 999	ebay.com
7.		Fujifilm GFX 100S	150 mm	104 mm	87 mm	900 g	460	Y	Jan 2021	US$ 5 999	amazon.com
8.		Fujifilm X-H2	136 mm	93 mm	85 mm	660 g	680	Y	Sep 2022	US$ 1 999	amazon.com
9.		Fujifilm X-H2S	136 mm	93 mm	85 mm	660 g	580	Y	May 2022	US$ 2 499	amazon.com
10.		Fujifilm X-T5	130 mm	91 mm	64 mm	557 g	580	Y	Nov 2022	US$ 1 699	amazon.com
11.		Hasselblad X1D II	148 mm	97 mm	70 mm	766 g	..	Y	Jun 2019	US$ 5 749	ebay.com
12.		Hasselblad X2D 100C	149 mm	106 mm	75 mm	895 g	420	Y	Sep 2022	US$ 8 199	amazon.com
13.		Leica Q2	130 mm	80 mm	92 mm	718 g	370	Y	Mar 2019	US$ 4 999	amazon.com
14.		Nikon Z8	144 mm	119 mm	83 mm	910 g	340	Y	May 2023	US$ 3 999	amazon.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The GFX 50R was launched at a markedly lower price (by 40 percent) than the GFX 100 II, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature a medium format sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the GFX 50R is 1 percent bigger. They nevertheless have the same format factor of 0.79. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.

Despite having a slightly smaller sensor, the Fujifilm GFX 100 II offers a higher resolution of 101.8 megapixels, compared with 51.1 MP of the Fujifilm GFX 50R. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 3.76μm versus 5.33μm for the GFX 50R). However, it should be noted that the GFX 100 II is much more recent (by 4 years and 11 months) than the GFX 50R, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Fujifilm GFX 100 II implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the GFX 100 II for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 58.2 x 43.7 inches or 147.9 x 110.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 46.6 x 34.9 inches or 118.3 x 88.8 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 38.8 x 29.1 inches or 98.6 x 74 cm. The corresponding values for the Fujifilm GFX 50R are 41.3 x 31 inches or 104.9 x 78.6 cm for good quality, 33 x 24.8 inches or 83.9 x 62.9 cm for very good quality, and 27.5 x 20.6 inches or 69.9 x 52.4 cm for excellent quality prints.

The GFX 100 II has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

Unlike the GFX 50R, the GFX 100 II has the capacity to capture high quality composite images (YESMP) by combining multiple shots after shifting its sensor by miniscule distances. This multi-shot, pixel-shift mode is most suitable for photography of stationary objects (landscapes, studio scenes).

The Fujifilm GFX 100 II has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 50-102400. The Fujifilm GFX 50R offers exactly the same ISO settings.

In terms of underlying technology, the GFX 100 II is build around a BSI-CMOS sensor, while the GFX 50R uses a CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Fujifilm GFX 100 II	Medium Format	101.8	11648	8736	8K/30p	25.9	15.0	3651	101
2.		Fujifilm GFX 50R	Medium Format	51.1	8256	6192	1080/30p	25.7	14.4	3169	98
3.		Canon 5DS	Full Frame	50.3	8688	5792	1080/30p	24.7	12.4	2381	87
4.		Fujifilm GFX 50S	Medium Format	51.1	8256	6192	1080/30p	25.4	14.1	2977	96
5.		Fujifilm GFX 50S II	Medium Format	51.1	8256	6192	1080/30p	25.9	14.8	3456	100
6.		Fujifilm GFX 100	Medium Format	101.8	11648	8736	4K/30p	25.7	14.5	3227	99
7.		Fujifilm GFX 100S	Medium Format	101.8	11648	8736	4K/30p	25.8	14.7	3391	100
8.		Fujifilm X-H2	APS-C	39.8	7728	5152	8k/30p	24.3	13.9	2249	86
9.		Fujifilm X-H2S	APS-C	26.0	6240	4160	6.2k/30p	24.3	13.9	2224	86
10.		Fujifilm X-T5	APS-C	39.8	7728	5152	6.2k/30p	24.3	13.9	2264	86
11.		Hasselblad X1D II	Medium Format	51.3	8272	6200	1080/25p	25.7	14.5	3234	99
12.		Hasselblad X2D 100C	Medium Format	102.1	11656	8762	none	25.9	14.9	3550	101
13.		Leica Q2	Full Frame	46.7	8368	5584	4K/30p	26.4	13.5	2491	96
14.		Nikon Z8	Full Frame	45.4	8256	5504	8K/30p	26.3	14.2	2548	98
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the GFX 100 II provides a higher video resolution than the GFX 50R. It can shoot video footage at 8K/30p, while the GFX 50R is limited to 1080/30p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The two cameras under consideration are similar with respect to both having an electronic viewfinder. However, the one in the GFX 100 II offers a substantially higher resolution than the one in the GFX 50R (9440k vs 3690k dots). The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Fujifilm GFX 100 II, the Fujifilm GFX 50R, and comparable cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Max Shutter Speed *	Max Shutter Flaps *	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Fujifilm GFX 100 II	9440	Y	3.2 / 2360	full-flex	Y	1/4000s	8.0/s	n	Y
2.		Fujifilm GFX 50R	3690	n	3.2 / 2360	tilting	Y	1/4000s	3.0/s	n	n
3.		Canon 5DS	optical	Y	3.2 / 1040	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0/s	n	n
4.		Fujifilm GFX 50S	optional	Y	3.2 / 2360	full-flex	Y	1/4000s	3.0/s	n	n
5.		Fujifilm GFX 50S II	3690	Y	3.2 / 2360	full-flex	Y	1/4000s	3.0/s	n	Y
6.		Fujifilm GFX 100	optional	Y	3.2 / 2360	full-flex	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	n	Y
7.		Fujifilm GFX 100S	3690	Y	3.2 / 2360	full-flex	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	n	Y
8.		Fujifilm X-H2	5760	Y	3.0 / 1620	swivel	Y	1/8000s	15.0/s	n	Y
9.		Fujifilm X-H2S	5760	Y	3.0 / 1620	swivel	Y	1/8000s	15.0/s	n	Y
10.		Fujifilm X-T5	3690	n	3.0 / 1840	full-flex	Y	1/8000s	15.0/s	n	Y
11.		Hasselblad X1D II	3690	n	3.6 / 2360	fixed	Y	1/2000s	2.7/s	n	n
12.		Hasselblad X2D 100C	5760	Y	3.6 / 2360	tilting	Y	1/4000s	3.3/s	n	Y
13.		Leica Q2	3680	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	Y	1/2000s	10.0/s	n	Y
14.		Nikon Z8	3690	Y	3.2 / 2089	full-flex	Y	1/32000s	30.0/s	n	Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One feature that is present on the GFX 100 II, but is missing on the GFX 50R is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, both cameras under consideration feature an electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Fujifilm GFX 100 II and the Fujifilm GFX 50R both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The GFX 100 II writes its imaging data to CFexpress (type B) or SDXC cards, while the GFX 50R uses SDXC cards. Both cameras feature dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. Moreover, both cameras support UHS-II cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s).

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Fujifilm GFX 100 II and Fujifilm GFX 50R and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Fujifilm GFX 100 II	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	full	3.2	Y	-	Y
2.		Fujifilm GFX 50R	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.0	Y	-	Y
3.		Canon 5DS	Y	mono / mono	Y	-	mini	3.0	-	-	-
4.		Fujifilm GFX 50S	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.0	Y	-	-
5.		Fujifilm GFX 50S II	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	-	-
6.		Fujifilm GFX 100	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
7.		Fujifilm GFX 100S	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
8.		Fujifilm X-H2	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	full	3.2	Y	-	Y
9.		Fujifilm X-H2S	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	full	3.0	Y	-	Y
10.		Fujifilm X-T5	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
11.		Hasselblad X1D II	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	-	3.0	Y	-	-
12.		Hasselblad X2D 100C	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	-	3.2	Y	-	-
13.		Leica Q2	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	-	-	Y	-	Y
14.		Nikon Z8	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	full	3.2	Y	-	Y

Both cameras feature a PC Sync terminal to control professional strobe lights, which will be appreciated by studio photographers.

The GFX 100 II is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Fujifilm. In contrast, the GFX 50R has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). There has not been a direct replacement model for the GFX 50R from Fujifilm. Further information on the features and operation of the GFX 100 II and GFX 50R can be found, respectively, in the Fujifilm GFX 100 II Manual (free pdf) or the online Fujifilm GFX 50R Manual.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Fujifilm GFX 100 II better than the Fujifilm GFX 50R or vice versa? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Reasons to prefer the Fujifilm GFX 100 II:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (101.8 vs 51.1MP) with a 41% higher linear resolution.
• High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.
• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (8K/30p vs 1080/30p).
• Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
• More detailed viewfinder: Has higher resolution electronic viewfinder (9440k vs 3690k dots).
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (1.27x vs 0.77x).
• Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
• More flexible LCD: Has a full-flex screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (8 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (540 versus 400) on a single battery charge.
• Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
• Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization built-in.
• More solid recording: Has a full-sized HDMI port for a sturdy connection to an external recorder.
• More modern: Reflects 4 years and 11 months of technical progress since the GFX 50R launch.

Arguments in favor of the Fujifilm GFX 50R:

• More compact: Is smaller (161x97mm vs 152x117mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 255g or 25 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (40 percent cheaper at launch).
• More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in September 2018).

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the GFX 100 II is the clear winner of the match-up (14 : 4 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Fujifilm GFX 100 II and the Fujifilm GFX 50R place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the GFX 100 II and the GFX 50R in practical situations. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Fujifilm GFX 100 II	5/5	+	5/5	..	..	4.5/5	Sep 2023	US$ 7 499	amazon.com
2.		Fujifilm GFX 50R	5/5	..	5/5	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2018	US$ 4 499	ebay.com
3.		Canon 5DS	..	+	..	83/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	US$ 3 699	ebay.com
4.		Fujifilm GFX 50S	..	..	4.5/5	85/100	5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2016	US$ 6 499	ebay.com
5.		Fujifilm GFX 50S II	5/5	..	5/5	87/100	..	5/5	Sep 2021	US$ 3 999	amazon.com
6.		Fujifilm GFX 100	4.5/5	+ +	4.8/5	90/100	5/5	4.5/5	May 2019	US$ 9 999	ebay.com
7.		Fujifilm GFX 100S	5/5	+ +	5/5	90/100	5/5	5/5	Jan 2021	US$ 5 999	amazon.com
8.		Fujifilm X-H2	5/5	+ +	5/5	89/100	5/5	5/5	Sep 2022	US$ 1 999	amazon.com
9.		Fujifilm X-H2S	5/5	+	5/5	90/100	5/5	5/5	May 2022	US$ 2 499	amazon.com
10.		Fujifilm X-T5	5/5	+ +	4.5/5	90/100	4.5/5	..	Nov 2022	US$ 1 699	amazon.com
11.		Hasselblad X1D II	..	..	4/5	..	4/5	4/5	Jun 2019	US$ 5 749	ebay.com
12.		Hasselblad X2D 100C	4/5	..	5/5	..	..	..	Sep 2022	US$ 8 199	amazon.com
13.		Leica Q2	..	..	4.5/5	84/100	4.5/5	4/5	Mar 2019	US$ 4 999	amazon.com
14.		Nikon Z8	5/5	..	5/5	94/100	5/5	4.5/5	May 2023	US$ 3 999	amazon.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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