Fujifilm GFX100S II Review: Great Performance at a Lower Price

Fujifilm GFX100S II Review

Fujifilm GFX100S II turned into a famous desire because it presented the equal extraordinary image pleasant because the extra steeply-priced GFX100, however in a smaller, lighter frame and at a decrease rate. However, the GFX100S had a few issues, particularly with its autofocus, which on occasion struggled to maintain up with shifting subjects.

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Fujifilm has now released the GFX100S II, priced at $5,000, as a greater low cost and smaller alternative to the $7,500 GFX100 II. The new model appears just like the original, but it comes with several enhancements, such as a better sensor, processor, and autofocus gadget.

Both of these cameras are designed for professional photographers, but is the GFX100 II really worth the extra $2,500, or is the GFX100S II correct enough for maximum people?

Pros and Cons of the Fujifilm GFX100S II

Pros:

  • Excellent image quality
  • Improved autofocus system
  • Easy to handle
  • Good battery life

Cons:

  • Weak video performance
  • Lower image quality when shooting in burst mode

Body and Design

The GFX100S II weighs 1.9 pounds, which is slightly lighter than its predecessor. The body design and controls are mostly the same, featuring a mode dial, focus selector switch, dual control dials, drive select buttons, and a quick menu button. There’s also a small display on top that’s always on, showing important settings, like simulated mode dials and a histogram. This makes it easy to check your settings even when shooting from the hip.

Though it handles well and feels more like a mirrorless camera than a traditional medium format camera, the GFX100 II has a slightly larger body and more controls, which some users may prefer despite the added weight.

The three.2-inch rear show with 2.36 million dots tilts in 3 directions but doesn’t flip out. The biggest development right here is the digital viewfinder (EVF), which now has a resolution of five.76 million dots, making it a whole lot sharper than the preceding model’s 3.69 million-dot EVF.

Unlike the GFX100 II, which has a high-speed CFexpress card slot, the GFX100S II sticks with twin SD UHS-II card slots. However, it may nonetheless shoot up to 540 photos on a unmarried price. It also comes with USB-C, microphone and headphone ports, and a micro HDMI connection. A new characteristic permits for USB-SSD connectivity, making it less difficult to capture burst pictures and record ProRes video.

Performance

The GFX100S II is quicker than the unique version, capturing at up to 7 frames according to 2d (fps) in comparison to 5 fps on the preceding model. However, with out a CFexpress card, you’ll best be capable of seize about 30 compressed RAW frames before the buffer fills up. Another factor to keep in thoughts is that photograph fine drops slightly when taking pictures bursts, as the digicam switches from sixteen-bit to 14-bit RAW.

That stated, way to the advanced autofocus machine, you’ll probably seize extra sharp pics, even if taking pictures rapid-shifting subjects. The AI-pushed face and eye tracking is smarter and greater accurate than before, so you’re much more likely to get your problem’s eye, as opposed to their eyelash, in ideal focus — that’s critical whilst capturing with a hundred megapixels of resolution. New subject-monitoring modes have also been added, including animals, birds, automobiles, and more.

The in-body stabilization has also been upgraded, imparting up to eight stops of shake reduction (as compared to six in the preceding model). This method you could shoot in low mild or at slow shutter speeds without needing a tripod.

There is still a drawback when using the digital shutter: if you or your situation moves an excessive amount of, you’ll get rolling shutter distortion, that could ruin your pictures by making them appearance skewed.

Image Quality

The GFX100S II is good for professional photographers who want fantastic photo first-class. Its one hundred-megapixel sensor captures exceedingly sharp photos, and the 16-bit RAW format gives 14 stops of dynamic range. This approach you’ll be capable of shoot in very brilliant or dark situations and nevertheless seize details in each the shadows and highlights.

The camera’s coloration science is fantastic, making it a outstanding desire for portrait pictures. Skin tones appearance natural and flattering, and the excessive decision way you can print pics in huge sizes without losing element up to 40 x 30 inches at 300 pixels in line with inch (PPI). The GFX100S II is likewise perfect for landscape images or art archiving, wherein color accuracy and detail are key.

Even in low light, the camera performs well, though you might see some noise at ISO levels above 8,000. However, reducing the image size from 100 megapixels helps eliminate some of that grain.

JPEG images instantly out of the camera also are exceptional. Fujifilm consists of numerous movie simulations, which include Velvia and Acros, allowing you to create stunning photographs with no need a good deal post-processing. Many pros will shoot both RAW and JPEG, using the JPEGs to quick display clients a preview and saving the RAW files for special modifying later.

Video Performance

Unlike the GFX100 II, video isn’t a strong point for the GFX100S II. It can shoot 4K 10-bit video at 30 fps, however the footage is less sharp due to pixel binning. You can capture amazing four:2:2 ProRes video, but you’ll want to connect an external SSD.

There aren’t any sluggish-movement alternatives, as both 4K and 1080p are capped at 60 fps. The rolling shutter problem is less of a problem when shooting video, however it’s nevertheless some thing to observe out for in case you’re moving the camera loads. The in-frame stabilization works nicely for stationary handheld pictures but isn’t effective for extra dynamic movements like strolling.

Overall, the GFX100S II is often a photography camera with video as a secondary feature.

Conclusion

The $5,000 Fujifilm GFX100S II gives top-tier photograph first-class at a much decrease charge than the $7,500 GFX100 II. With improved burst capturing and autofocus, it’s a robust improve over the authentic GFX100S, even though its video talents leave something to be favored.

For expert photographers who want extraordinary picture first-rate, the GFX100S II is a extremely good option. It’s also the most low-priced medium layout digital camera available on the market, with its foremost competition being the more luxurious GFX100 II or the $8,200 Hasselblad X2D 100C.

If you need quicker autofocus or burst speeds for weddings or stay occasions, you might need to take into account complete-frame cameras just like the $3,700 Nikon Z8, $6,500 Sony A1, or the $4,300 Canon EOS R5 II. However, for pix and other types of specific pictures, the GFX100S II is tough to overcome.