A potelyt.com – Photography & Imaging Resources
ad

When you use links on apotelyt.com to buy products,
the site may earn a commission.

PW

Fujifilm GFX 50S II Comparison Review

The Fujifilm GFX 50S II is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera that was announced in September 2021 and is equipped with a medium format sensor. It offers a resolution of 51.1 megapixel.

camera

Is the Fujifilm GFX 50S II a good camera? The GFX 50S II has a Camera Elo of 2991. This rating puts the GFX 50S II among the top 20 percent of all mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (medium format cameras), the GFX 50S II ranks among the top 30 percent.

Headline Specifications
Fujifilm GFX 50S II
Mirrorless system camera
Fujifilm G mount lenses
51.1 MP, Medium Format Sensor
1080/30p Video
ISO 100 - 12 800 (50 - 102 400)
Electronic viewfinder (3690k dots)
3.2 LCD, 2360k dots
Fully flexible touchscreen
3 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilization
Weathersealed body
440 shots per battery charge
150 x 104 x 87 mm, 900 g

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

ad

Body comparison with a credit card

An illustration of the physical dimensions of the Fujifilm GFX 50S II vis-à-vis a credit card is provided in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Fujifilm GFX 50S II vs credit card front
GFX 50S II versus credit card top view
GFX 50S II and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Fujifilm GFX 50S II alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

scroll hint
Body Specifications
#   Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Fujifilm GFX 50S II 150 mm 104 mm 87 mm 900 g 440 Y Sep 2021 3,999 amazon.com
2.
 
Canon R5 C 142 mm 101 mm 111 mm 770 g 320 Y Jan 2022 4,499 amazon.com
3.
 
Canon R5 138 mm 98 mm 88 mm 738 g 320 Y Jul 2020 3,899 amazon.com
4.
 
Fujifilm GFX 100 II 152 mm 117 mm 99 mm 1030 g 540 Y Sep 2023 7,499 amazon.com
5.
 
Fujifilm GFX 100S 150 mm 104 mm 87 mm 900 g 460 Y Jan 2021 5,999 amazon.com
6.
 
Fujifilm GFX 100 156 mm 144 mm 75 mm 1320 g 800 Y May 2019 9,999 amazon.com
7.
 
Fujifilm GFX 50R 161 mm 97 mm 66 mm 775 g 400 Y Sep 2018 4,499ebay.com
8.
 
Fujifilm GFX 50S 148 mm 94 mm 91 mm 740 g 400 Y Sep 2016 6,499ebay.com
9.
 
Hasselblad X2D 100C 149 mm 106 mm 75 mm 895 g 420 Y Sep 2022 8,199 amazon.com
10.
 
Panasonic S1R 149 mm 110 mm 97 mm 1016 g 380 Y Feb 2019 3,699 amazon.com
11.
 
Sony A1 129 mm 97 mm 81 mm 737 g 530 Y Jan 2021 6,499 amazon.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
padding

The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Fujifilm GFX 50S II was launched in the US market at a price of $3,999. 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. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

logo
Check GFX 50S II price at
amazon.com

Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units 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 more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

The Fujifilm GFX 50S II features a medium format sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 0.79. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Fujifilm GFX 50S II among the large-sensor cameras that aim for top notch image quality.

Fujifilm GFX 50S II sensor measures

For most cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of alternative cameras.

scroll hint
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 50S II Medium Format 51.1 8256 61921080/30p25.914.83456100
2.
 
Canon R5 C Full Frame 44.8 8192 54648k/60p25.414.5308296
3.
 
Canon R5 Full Frame 44.8 8192 54648K/30p25.314.6304295
4.
 
Fujifilm GFX 100 II Medium Format 101.8 11648 87368K/30p25.915.03651101
5.
 
Fujifilm GFX 100S Medium Format 101.8 11648 87364K/30p25.814.73391100
6.
 
Fujifilm GFX 100 Medium Format 101.8 11648 87364K/30p25.714.5322799
7.
 
Fujifilm GFX 50R Medium Format 51.1 8256 61921080/30p25.714.4316998
8.
 
Fujifilm GFX 50S Medium Format 51.1 8256 61921080/30p25.414.1297796
9.
 
Hasselblad X2D 100C Medium Format 102.1 11656 8762none25.914.93550101
10.
 
Panasonic S1R Full Frame 46.7 8368 55844K/60p26.414.13525100
11.
 
Sony A1 Full Frame 49.8 8640 57608k/30p25.914.5316398
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
padding

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The GFX 50S II indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the GFX 50S II can use is 1080/30p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the GFX 50S II has an electronic viewfinder with a resolution of 3690k dots. The viewfinder offers a field of view of 100% and a magnification of 0.77x. The following tables report on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Fujifilm GFX 50S II and comparable cameras.

scroll hint
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 50S II3690 Y3.2 / 2360 full-flex Y 1/4000s 3.0/s n Y
2.
 
Canon R5 C5760 Y3.2 / 2100 swivel Y 1/8000s 12.0/s n n
3.
 
Canon R55760 Y3.2 / 2100 swivel Y 1/8000s 12.0/s n Y
4.
 
Fujifilm GFX 100 II9440 Y3.2 / 2360 full-flex Y 1/4000s 8.0/s n Y
5.
 
Fujifilm GFX 100S3690 Y3.2 / 2360 full-flex Y 1/4000s 5.0/s n Y
6.
 
Fujifilm GFX 100optional Y3.2 / 2360 full-flex Y 1/4000s 5.0/s n Y
7.
 
Fujifilm GFX 50R3690 n3.2 / 2360 tilting Y 1/4000s 3.0/s n n
8.
 
Fujifilm GFX 50Soptional Y3.2 / 2360 full-flex Y 1/4000s 3.0/s n n
9.
 
Hasselblad X2D 100C5760 Y3.6 / 2360 tilting Y 1/4000s 3.3/s n Y
10.
 
Panasonic S1R5760 Y3.2 / 2100 full-flex Y 1/8000s 9.0/s n Y
11.
 
Sony A19437 n3.0 / 1440 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding

The LCD screen on the Fujifilm GFX 50S II is flexibly attached to the body. In particular, the LCD is multi-hinged and can be tilted both vertically and horizontally to enable odd-angle shots in landscape and portrait orientation. The LCD thereby offers a lot of flexibility to adjust and use the rear screen in a diverse set of situations.

articulated screen
Flexible screen on the GFX 50S II

One useful feature of the GFX 50S II is a presence of 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.

ad

Connection 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 50S II and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

scroll hint
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 50S IIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.2Y--
2.
 
Canon R5 CYstereo / monoYYmicro3.2Y-Y
3.
 
Canon R5Ymono / monoYYmicro3.2Y-Y
4.
 
Fujifilm GFX 100 IIYstereo / monoYYfull3.2Y-Y
5.
 
Fujifilm GFX 100SYstereo / monoYYmicro3.2Y-Y
6.
 
Fujifilm GFX 100Ystereo / monoYYmicro3.1Y-Y
7.
 
Fujifilm GFX 50RYstereo / monoYYmicro3.0Y-Y
8.
 
Fujifilm GFX 50SYstereo / monoYYmicro3.0Y--
9.
 
Hasselblad X2D 100CYstereo / mono---3.2Y--
10.
 
Panasonic S1RYstereo / monoYYfull3.1Y-Y
11.
 
Sony A1Ystereo / monoYYfull3.2Y-Y
padding

It is notable that the GFX 50S II has a microphone port. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.

Further information on the features and operation of the GFX 50S II can be found in the free online Fujifilm GFX 50S II Manual or on the Fujifilm support site.

ad

Expert reviews

While the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it says nothing about, for example, the handling, responsiveness, and overall imaging quality of the GFX 50S II 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. This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The table below summarizes the assessments of some of the best known camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

scroll hint
Review Scores
#    Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Fujifilm GFX 50S II5/5..5/587/100..5/5 Sep 2021 3,999 amazon.com
2.
 
Canon R5 C..+ +........ Jan 2022 4,499 amazon.com
3.
 
Canon R54.5/5+4/591/1004.5/54.5/5 Jul 2020 3,899 amazon.com
4.
 
Fujifilm GFX 100 II............ Sep 2023 7,499 amazon.com
5.
 
Fujifilm GFX 100S5/5+ +5/590/1005/55/5 Jan 2021 5,999 amazon.com
6.
 
Fujifilm GFX 1004.5/5+ +4.8/590/1005/54.5/5 May 2019 9,999 amazon.com
7.
 
Fujifilm GFX 50R5/5..5/584/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2018 4,499ebay.com
8.
 
Fujifilm GFX 50S....4.5/585/1005/54.5/5 Sep 2016 6,499ebay.com
9.
 
Hasselblad X2D 100C4/5..5/5...... Sep 2022 8,199 amazon.com
10.
 
Panasonic S1R4.5/5..4.6/589/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2019 3,699 amazon.com
11.
 
Sony A15/5o4.5/593/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2021 6,499 amazon.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
padding

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. 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. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

logo
Check GFX 50S II price at
amazon.com

Fujifilm GFX 50S II FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the GFX 50S II.

What type of imaging sensor is used in the Fujifilm GFX 50S II?

The camera has a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor at its core.

Which image processing chip is used in the Fujifilm GFX 50S II to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?

Fujifilm equipped the GFX 50S II with the X Processor 4 image processor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Fujifilm GFX 50S II?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 50-102400.

What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Fujifilm GFX 50S II?

Fujifilm does not publish a shutter rating for the GFX 50S II. Yet, shutters in comparable cameras from other manufacturers are said to be good for at least 200 000 actuations. It should be noted, though, that this number represents a Mean Time before Failure. The shutter might fail earlier, or it might last longer. Anyway, in order to exhaust an expected shutter life of 200 000 shots over, say, three years, one would have to take about 200 pictures each and every day.

How do I find the shutter count on my Fujifilm GFX 50S II?

Fujifilm embeds the number of shutter actuations in image metadata. You can check the number of shots that your GFX 50S II has taken up to now by uploading a recent image to the free online shutter count finder app.

Is completely silent shooting possible with the Fujifilm GFX 50S II?

The camera has an electronic shutter option, so that it is indeed feasible to capture images without any shutter noise.

Do I need to purchase an external camera trigger to shoot time-lapse sequences with the Fujifilm GFX 50S II?

No, the Fujifilm GFX 50S II has an intervalometer built-in, so that low frequency shooting (for example, flower blooming, sunset, moon rise) can be undertaken without the need to purchase a separate external intervalometer and related software.

Is it difficult to use manual focus lenses with the Fujifilm GFX 50S II?

The GFX 50S II offers focus peaking as a manual focus aid. This feature works by placing a colored highlight on in-focus zones within the image.

What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with the Fujifilm GFX 50S II for flash photography?

The GFX 50S II's flash sync speed is 1/125 sec.

Does the Fujifilm GFX 50S II support the Ultra High Speed (UHS) bus interface for SD cards?

Yes, the camera can indeed use UHS-II cards, which provide for data transfer speed of up to 312 MB/s, in both of its card slots.

Which battery does the Fujifilm GFX 50S II use?

The camera gets its power from the NP-W235 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Where can I find the best deals for the Fujifilm GFX 50S II?

Grey imports from Asia, as found on ebay, are often very attractively priced. However, these cameras come without a warranty from Fujifilm.

Camera to camera comparisons

If you would like to see a side-by-side review with another camera, just make your choice using the following search menu. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

~
    loader
    ad
    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Fujifilm GFX 50S II
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Fujifilm G mount lenses
    Launch Date September 2021
    Launch Price USD 3 999
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology CMOS
    Sensor Format Medium Format Sensor
    Sensor Size 44.0 x 33.0 mm
    Sensor Area 1 452 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 55 mm
    Crop Factor 0.79x
    Sensor Resolution 51.1 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 8 256 x 6 192 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 5.33 μm
    Pixel Density 3.52 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter
    Movie Capability 1080/30p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 12 800 ISO
    ISO Boost 50 - 102 400 ISO
    Image Processor X Processor 4
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.77x
    Viewfinder Resolution 3690k dots
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View
    LCD Size 3.2 inch
    LCD Resolution 2360k dots
    LCD Attachment Fully flexible screen
    V-logging Friendliness No front-flip
    Touch Input Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus Peaking
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 3 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy200 000 actuations
    Silent ShootingElectronic Shutter
    Time Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer Built-in
    Image StabilizationIn-body stabilization
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Dual card slots
    UHS card support Dual UHS-II
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 3.2
    HDMI Port micro HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port
    Headphone Socket Headphone port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in
    Body Specs
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed body
    Battery Type NP-W235 power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)440 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 150 x 104 x 87 mm
    (5.9 x 4.1 x 3.4 in)
    Camera Weight 900 g (31.7 oz)

    Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.

    You are here Home  »  CAM-parator  »  Fujifilm GFX 50S II Review