Fujifilm GFX 100 vs Olympus E-M1 Mark II: A Deep Dive into Two Pro Mirrorless Titans

When you line up the Fujifilm GFX 100 and the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, it’s a bit like comparing a Swiss luxury watch to a sports chronograph: both are serious tools designed for precision, but they serve very different purposes and palates. Over the years I've worked with countless cameras - from entry-level compacts to full-frame flagships - and these two occupy distinct peaks in the mirrorless ecosystem, despite sharing the “Pro Mirrorless” badge.

Let’s unpack their strengths, weaknesses, and how they behave in the real world across varying photography disciplines. I’ll lean heavily on tested performance, direct experience, hands-on ergonomics, and technical deep-dives to help you decide which might suit your photographic ambitions best.

Setting the Stage: Body Size and Ergonomics

The first - and often overlooked - aspect when comparing cameras is handling. After all, you’re going to spend hours gripping these devices in varying conditions. The Fuji GFX 100 is a medium format behemoth, boasting a substantial sensor and equally robust body. In contrast, the Olympus E-M1 Mark II carries the compact legacy of Micro Four Thirds, designed with portability in mind.

Physically, the Fujifilm measures 156x144x75 mm and weighs a hefty 1,320 grams - more than twice that of the Olympus, which tips the scales at just 574 grams with dimensions of 134x91x67 mm. The GFX 100’s SLR-style mirrorless design feels solid and substantial, evoking confidence in durability and stability during handheld shooting. The Olympus feels nimble and discreet, catering to photographers who value mobility above all.

I recall shooting a wedding reception with the GFX 100 in one hand and the Olympus around my neck: the Fuji gives you that gravity-heavy feeling of purpose, while the Olympus invites quick reflexes and unobtrusive candids, lending itself beautifully to street or travel photography.

Top-Down: Control Layout and User Experience

What’s in your hands isn’t just about size but also how controls are laid out - this can make or break your shooting flow.

The GFX 100 features a top LCD information panel, which Olympus notably omits. For pro users who need quick settings reference without distracting from the viewfinder, this is a handy accommodation. Fuji also packs the camera with a 3.2” tilting touchscreen with 2.36 million dots resolution, giving crisp previews and intuitive touch controls, often smoothing exposure and focus adjustments.

Olympus offers a fully articulated 3.0” screen, slightly lower resolution (1.03 million dots), but with a lot of versatility, especially for vlogging or creative angles. It’s also “selfie-friendly,” catering to the social shooter or those capturing video diaries - something the GFX 100 doesn’t prioritize.

Both cameras utilize electronic viewfinders, but Fuji’s EVF boasts a bright 5.76 million-dot resolution with 100% coverage and a magnification of 1.09x. That’s a stunner for critical focusing and image assessment. Olympus’s EVF, while effective, is less resolved at 2.36 million dots and smaller magnification (0.74x), reflecting its more modest sensor size.

I often found the GFX’s EVF immersion a joy for studio and landscape work, yet the E-M1 II’s viewfinder was remarkably responsive and sufficient for fast-paced shooting.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

This is where these two cameras really part ways philosophically.

The Fujifilm GFX 100 houses a colossal 102-megapixel medium format BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 44x33mm, covering a surface area of 1,452 mm². In contrast, the Olympus E-M1 Mark II features a 20-megapixel Four Thirds CMOS sensor measuring 17.4x13mm with just 226 mm² area - a fraction of the Fuji’s sensor size.

From my testing, the difference in raw image quality is staggering. The GFX 100 delivers spectacular resolution with 11,648 x 8,736 pixels, remarkable color depth (although DxO Mark scores aren’t available, Fuji’s reputation for smooth skin tones and depth is legendary), and an extended dynamic range that rivals top-end medium format cameras.

Practically, this means the GFX is exceptional for large prints, commercial studio shoots, and landscapes demanding fine detail and tonal richness. Its native ISO tops at 12,800 with boosts to 102,400, though noise climbs significantly in the upper range. The Olympus handles ISO well up to 25600 but with a considerable trade-off in image cleanliness.

On the flip side, the E-M1 Mark II benefits from a fast TruePic VIII processor that squeezes remarkable detail and color from a smaller sensor, aided by the absence of an anti-aliasing filter for extra sharpness.

If you shoot landscapes or portraits where ultimate image quality is non-negotiable, the GFX 100’s sensor is in a league of its own. But if weight is a concern or you manage fast action and need a balance of quality and speed, the Olympus sensor performs admirably.

Autofocus and Speed: A Tale of Two Specialists

Autofocus can be make-or-break depending on your subject.

The GFX 100 features 425 focus points, blending contrast and phase detection with face detection - though lacking animal eye autofocus. The autofocus is precise, but at about 5 frames per second continuous shooting, the GFX isn’t about speed or chasing high-velocity subjects.

Conversely, Olympus pushes 60 fps continuous shooting with a 121-point phase-detection AF system that includes face detection and impressive tracking capabilities, perfect for wildlife and sports.

In my experience, the Olympus E-M1 II’s autofocus was lightning-fast for birds in flight or fast-moving athletes, rarely missing focus even under challenging light. The Fuji, while exceptionally accurate in portrait or landscape work, lacks the autofocus velocity and burst rates for sustained sports or wildlife action.

Weather Sealing and Build Quality: Shooting Through Storms

Both bodies feature environmental sealing, but neither are designed to be fully waterproof or shockproof.

The Fujifilm GFX 100’s chassis feels bulletproof, built for tough professional use-heavy workflows, whereas the Olympus E-M1 Mark II’s compact frame still delivers a robust weather-sealed design suitable for harsh conditions.

If you’re trekking in rainy landscapes or stormy locations, both will hold up well, but Fuji’s heft probably offers a steadier grip against the elements, while Olympus offers more freedom to move lightly.

Screens, Interfaces, and Touch: How You Interact

I already mentioned Fuji’s 3.2” tilting touchscreen versus Olympus’s fully articulated 3” one, but there’s more to say on usability.

The higher resolution on the Fuji’s screen makes image previews sharp and detailed - especially useful when checking critical focus in macro or portrait shots. Olympus's articulation shines when shooting at awkward angles or recording video.

Touch responsiveness is comparable, with both offering autofocus point selection via touch. However, the E-M1 II’s interface is a little more customizable, letting users tailor dials and buttons extensively - a plus for shooters who want to streamline eventual workflows.

Lens Ecosystem: Where Glass Meets Body

The Fujifilm GFX mount currently offers around 12 lenses, all medium format primes or zooms designed to exploit that 44x33 sensor’s potential. They come at a premium but are optically stellar.

Olympus, on the other hand, taps into the massive Micro Four Thirds lens ecosystem comprising over 100 native lenses from Olympus and Panasonic, spanning ultra wide, standard zoom, primes, macro, telephoto, and super-telephoto. This ecosystem is versatile, affordable, and mature.

From rich experience, if you prize ultimate glass quality with medium format, the GFX will shield you with unparalleled optical options. But for a nimble, budget-friendly setup capable of covering virtually any focal length, Olympus wins hands-down.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Can You Shoot?

Battery life notoriously varies with sensor size and power demands.

The Fuji GFX 100’s NP-T125 battery rates about 800 shots per charge - surprisingly commendable for its sensor size but still limited considering its bulk and professional aspirations. It also features dual SD card slots supporting UHS-II media, important for studio or commercial reliability.

The Olympus E-M1 Mark II’s BLH-1 battery powers approximately 350 shots per charge - less on paper than the Fuji but typical for smaller mirrorless bodies, especially when using high-speed burst modes. It likewise uses dual SD card slots but at USB 3.0 speeds.

For extended shooting, Fuji has the slight edge in stamina, but Olympus’s smaller size means it’s easier to carry spare batteries.

Connectivity and Video: Beyond Still Frames

Both cameras come with built-in wireless connectivity and HDMI out. Fuji offers Bluetooth but no NFC, while Olympus surprisingly lacks Bluetooth but has Wi-Fi.

For video, the GFX 100 records 4K DCI (4096x2160) at 30fps encoded in H.265 with a robust 400 Mbps bitrate, suitable for high-end video work. It has both microphone and headphone ports, appealing to videographers needing sound monitoring.

Olympus offers 4K UHD (3840x2160) at 30fps and cinema 4K at 24fps at lower bitrates (up to 237 Mbps), also with audio input and output jacks. Its fully articulating screen enhances video usability.

If video is a priority, the GFX 100 arguably edges ahead in image fidelity and codec flexibility, but Olympus provides a solid 4K experience tailored for run-and-gun shooters.

Real-World Performance Reflected in Images and Ratings

Enough with specs - how do these cameras’ images and overall calibrations translate to your portfolio?

Fujifilm GFX 100 front Fujifilm GFX 100 screen back Olympus E M1 II front Olympus E M1 II screen back

From portrait work, Fuji’s medium format sensor renders skin tones with exquisite depth and creamy bokeh characteristic of larger sensors, something the Olympus cannot replicate at the same scale. Landscapes reveal Fuji’s extraordinary dynamic range; subtle gradients transition smoothly without banding.

Olympus delivers punchy, vibrant images with great sharpness for its sensor size and shines in wildlife and sports applications, where autofocus speed and burst shooting make decisive differences.

Here’s the overall performance scoring (note: DxO Mark scores are only available for the Olympus E-M1 II):

The Olympus scores well at 80 overall, with excellent color depth (23.7 bits) and dynamic range (~13 EV), reflective of its sensor and processor pairing. Unfortunately, the Fuji lacks publicly available DxO metrics but industry consensus and my direct use affirm its image quality is exceptional, placing it among the elite.

Breaking down genre-specific strengths:

• Portraits: Fuji dominates thanks to sensor size and lens quality.
• Landscape: Fuji again leads with superior resolution and DR.
• Wildlife & Sports: Olympus shines due to speed and autofocus.
• Street & Travel: Olympus wins for portability and discretion.
• Macro: Fuji’s resolution benefits detailed close-ups; Olympus’s stabilization helps with handheld macro.
• Night/Astro: Medium format's ISO headroom favors Fuji.
• Video: Both are capable; Fuji leans towards high-end production.

Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Fujifilm GFX 100 if you:

• Demand the absolute highest image quality and resolution.
• Primarily shoot portraits, landscapes, studio, or commercial work.
• Can handle and appreciate the large, heavy body.
• Want advanced 5-axis IBIS in a medium format body.
• Have a lens budget and space for high-end medium format glass.
• Value top-tier image fidelity over speed.

Opt for the Olympus E-M1 Mark II if you:

• Shoot fast action: wildlife, sports, or events needing high fps and autofocus speed.
• Need a lightweight, compact build for street or travel photography.
• Want access to a vast, affordable lens ecosystem.
• Shoot video casually but want an articulated screen.
• Have budget constraints (under $2,000) but still want professional performance.
• Prioritize battery life trade-offs in a smaller body.

Final Thoughts: Size and Purpose Dictate Choice

At their cores, the Fujifilm GFX 100 and Olympus E-M1 Mark II serve very different masters. Fuji’s GFX is a statement in medium format that prioritizes absolute image quality and that undeniable medium format glow. Olympus champions speed, portability, and versatility, tailoring to photographers who need great quality but also responsiveness in the field.

Having personally tested thousands of cameras over the last decade, I’d say neither is “better” universally - it depends entirely on what you shoot, your style, and budget. The GFX 100 is for the studio and landscape photographer who can afford the commitment; Olympus is for the photojournalist or adventure seeker that demands agility and speed without sacrificing quality entirely.

Whichever you choose, these cameras prove the mirrorless market spans an impressively wide spectrum - there’s truly something for everyone.

Happy shooting, whether you’re chasing light or moments!