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Fujifilm GFX 50S Comparison Review

The Fujifilm GFX 50S is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera that was announced in September 2016 and is equipped with a medium format sensor. It offers a resolution of 51.1 megapixel.

camera

Is the Fujifilm GFX 50S a good camera? The GFX 50S has a Camera Elo of 2488. This rating puts the GFX 50S among the top 50 percent of all mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (medium format cameras), the GFX 50S ranks below average. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 3-star performance rating.

Headline Specifications
Fujifilm GFX 50S
Mirrorless system camera
Fujifilm G mount lenses
51.1 MP, Medium Format Sensor
1080/30p Video
ISO 100 - 12 800 (50 - 102 400)
Viewfinder optional
3.2 LCD, 2360k dots
Fully flexible touchscreen
3 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed body
400 shots per battery charge
148 x 94 x 91 mm, 740 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.

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Body comparison with a credit card

An illustration of the physical dimensions of the Fujifilm GFX 50S vis-à-vis a credit card is provided in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are presented. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

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

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Fujifilm GFX 50S 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.

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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 148 mm 94 mm 91 mm 740 g 400 Y Sep 2016 6,499ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 5D Mark IV 151 mm 116 mm 76 mm 890 g 900 Y Aug 2016 3,499 amazon.com
3.
 
Fujifilm GFX 100 II 152 mm 117 mm 99 mm 1030 g 540 Y Sep 2023 7,499 amazon.com
4.
 
Fujifilm GFX 100S 150 mm 104 mm 87 mm 900 g 460 Y Jan 2021 5,999 amazon.com
5.
 
Fujifilm GFX 50S II 150 mm 104 mm 87 mm 900 g 440 Y Sep 2021 3,999 amazon.com
6.
 
Fujifilm GFX 50R 161 mm 97 mm 66 mm 775 g 400 Y Sep 2018 4,499ebay.com
7.
 
Hasselblad X1D II 148 mm 97 mm 70 mm 766 g .. Y Jun 2019 5,750 amazon.com
8.
 
Hasselblad X1D 150 mm 98 mm 71 mm 725 g .. Y Jun 2016 8,995ebay.com
9.
 
Leica Q3 130 mm 80 mm 93 mm 743 g 350 Y May 2023 5,995 amazon.com
10.
 
Leica M10 139 mm 80 mm 39 mm 660 g 210 Y Jan 2017 6,595ebay.com
11.
 
Leica SL 147 mm 104 mm 39 mm 847 g 400 Y Oct 2015 7,450ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Fujifilm GFX 50S was launched in the US market at a price of $6,499. 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.

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Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tent to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

The Fujifilm GFX 50S 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 among the large-sensor cameras that aim for top notch image quality.

Fujifilm GFX 50S sensor measures

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for most cameras. 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 following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of alternatives.

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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 Medium Format 51.1 8256 61921080/30p25.414.1297796
2.
 
Canon 5D Mark IV Full Frame 30.1 6720 44804K/30p24.813.6299591
3.
 
Fujifilm GFX 100 II Medium Format 101.8 11648 87368K/30p25.915.03651101
4.
 
Fujifilm GFX 100S Medium Format 101.8 11648 87364K/30p25.814.73391100
5.
 
Fujifilm GFX 50S II Medium Format 51.1 8256 61921080/30p25.914.83456100
6.
 
Fujifilm GFX 50R Medium Format 51.1 8256 61921080/30p25.714.4316998
7.
 
Hasselblad X1D II Medium Format 51.3 8272 62001080/25p25.714.5323499
8.
 
Hasselblad X1D Medium Format 51.3 8272 62001080/25p26.214.84489102
9.
 
Leica Q3 Full Frame 60.3 9528 63288K/30p25.414.7321696
10.
 
Leica M10 Full Frame 23.8 5952 3992none24.413.2213386
11.
 
Leica SL Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/30p25.013.4182188
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The GFX 50S indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the GFX 50S can use is 1080/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The following tables report on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Fujifilm GFX 50S and comparable cameras.

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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 50Soptional Y3.2 / 2360 full-flex Y 1/4000s 3.0/s n n
2.
 
Canon 5D Mark IVoptical Y3.2 / 1620 fixed Y 1/8000s 7.0/s n n
3.
 
Fujifilm GFX 100 II9440 Y3.2 / 2360 full-flex Y 1/4000s 8.0/s n Y
4.
 
Fujifilm GFX 100S3690 Y3.2 / 2360 full-flex Y 1/4000s 5.0/s n Y
5.
 
Fujifilm GFX 50S II3690 Y3.2 / 2360 full-flex Y 1/4000s 3.0/s n Y
6.
 
Fujifilm GFX 50R3690 n3.2 / 2360 tilting Y 1/4000s 3.0/s n n
7.
 
Hasselblad X1D II3690 n3.6 / 2360 fixed Y 1/2000s 2.7/s n n
8.
 
Hasselblad X1D2360 n3.0 / 920 fixed Y 1/2000s 2.3/s n n
9.
 
Leica Q35760 n3.0 / 1840 tilting Y 1/2000s 15.0/s n Y
10.
 
Leica M10optical n3.0 / 1037 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s n n
11.
 
Leica SL4400 Y3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/8000s 11.0/s n n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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The LCD screen on the Fujifilm GFX 50S 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

One useful feature of the GFX 50S 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.

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

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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 50SYstereo / monoYYmicro3.0Y--
2.
 
Canon 5D Mark IVYmono / monoYYmini3.0YY-
3.
 
Fujifilm GFX 100 IIYstereo / monoYYfull3.2Y-Y
4.
 
Fujifilm GFX 100SYstereo / monoYYmicro3.2Y-Y
5.
 
Fujifilm GFX 50S IIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.2Y--
6.
 
Fujifilm GFX 50RYstereo / monoYYmicro3.0Y-Y
7.
 
Hasselblad X1D IIYstereo / monoYY-3.0Y--
8.
 
Hasselblad X1DYstereo / monoYYmini3.0Y--
9.
 
Leica Q3Ystereo / mono--micro3.1Y-Y
10.
 
Leica M10Y- / -----Y--
11.
 
Leica SLYstereo / monoYYfull3.0Y--
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It is notable that the GFX 50S 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 can be found in the free online Fujifilm GFX 50S Manual or on the Fujifilm support site.

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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 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]).

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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....4.5/585/1005/54.5/5 Sep 2016 6,499ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 5D Mark IV4.5/5+ +4/587/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2016 3,499 amazon.com
3.
 
Fujifilm GFX 100 II............ Sep 2023 7,499 amazon.com
4.
 
Fujifilm GFX 100S5/5+ +5/590/1005/55/5 Jan 2021 5,999 amazon.com
5.
 
Fujifilm GFX 50S II5/5..5/587/100..5/5 Sep 2021 3,999 amazon.com
6.
 
Fujifilm GFX 50R5/5..5/584/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2018 4,499ebay.com
7.
 
Hasselblad X1D II....4/5..4/54/5 Jun 2019 5,750 amazon.com
8.
 
Hasselblad X1D..o..81/100..4/5 Jun 2016 8,995ebay.com
9.
 
Leica Q35/5..4.5/5...... May 2023 5,995 amazon.com
10.
 
Leica M104.5/5......4/54.5/5 Jan 2017 6,595ebay.com
11.
 
Leica SL4/5..4/584/1004.5/54/5 Oct 2015 7,450ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Fujifilm GFX 50S FAQ

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

What technology is the imaging sensor in the Fujifilm GFX 50S based on?

The camera is build around a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.

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

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

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

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

Can the Fujifilm GFX 50S be equipped with an optional viewfinder?

Yes, Fujifilm provides the EVF-TL1 as an accessory (here on amazon) that can be mounted on the hotshoe.

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

Fujifilm does not publish a shutter rating for the GFX 50S. 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?

Fujifilm embeds the number of shutter actuations in image metadata. You can check the number of shots that your GFX 50S 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?

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?

No, the Fujifilm GFX 50S 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?

The GFX 50S 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 for flash photography?

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

Does the Fujifilm GFX 50S 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 use?

The camera gets its power from the NP-T125 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Is there a vertical grip available for the Fujifilm GFX 50S?

Yes, Fujifilm offers the VG-GFX1 as an optional accessory to facilitate shooting in portrait orientation and to provide additional battery power.

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

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 a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. An an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Fujifilm GFX 50S
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Fujifilm G mount lenses
    Launch Date September 2016
    Launch Price USD 6 499
    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 Pro
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type Viewfinder optional
    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
    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 3.0
    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-T125 power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)400 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 148 x 94 x 91 mm
    (5.8 x 3.7 x 3.6 in)
    Camera Weight 740 g (26.1 oz)

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