Fujifilm GFX 100S vs. GFX 50R: A Deep Dive into Medium Format Mirrorless Excellence

When it comes to medium format digital cameras, Fujifilm’s GFX series occupies a distinctive niche - marrying the large sensor’s unrivaled image quality with a relatively compact, mirrorless design. But if you’re looking to invest in one of these gems, which is best suited to your needs: the 2021 Fujifilm GFX 100S or the 2018 GFX 50R?

Having spent years testing medium format cameras, examining nuanced image quality and handling, and pushing performance boundaries across many shooting conditions, I’m here to untangle the strengths and limitations of these two pro mirrorless cameras. I’ll share insights you won’t find in spec sheets alone, peppered with practical advice tailored to varied photography genres - all grounded in my methodical hands-on testing.

Let’s start by examining how these two cameras stack up physically and ergonomically.

Size and Handling: Compact Elegance Meets SLR Style

First impression matters, especially for gear that can accompany you for long shoots or travel. Here, the Fujifilm GFX 100S flaunts a classic SLR-style body with dimensions of 150 x 104 x 87 mm and weighing about 900 grams. The GFX 50R adopts a more rangefinder-like silhouette, slimmer and lighter at 161 x 97 x 66 mm and 775 grams.

In real terms, the GFX 50R is noticeably more pocketable, making it a natural choice for street or travel photography when discretion and portability count. The slimmer profile, coupled with its simpler button layout, lends itself to quick, intuitive handling - you can almost forget it’s a medium format camera.

Conversely, the GFX 100S feels sturdier and bulkier in hand - a deliberate design to balance the heft of the large 102MP sensor and provide a more substantial grip. If you’re shooting longer sessions or need better stability with larger lenses, this extra weight works in your favor.

During shoots, I found that the GFX 100S’s deeper grip dramatically improves handling, especially with heavier glass, whereas the GFX 50R’s compactness encourages hacking off-the-cuff shots - think candid street scenes or landscapes on the move.

Control Layout and Interface: Balancing Complexity and Simplicity

The devil is in the details here. The GFX 100S offers a more traditional top-panel design with separate dials for shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation, plus an exposure mode selector. The addition of this dedicated control bank appeals to photographers who prefer tactile feedback and quick adjustment without delving into menus.

In contrast, the GFX 50R embraces an elegant, minimalist design - lacking a top LCD or dedicated exposure controls. Instead, it places more reliance on the rear touchscreen and a handful of buttons. For new users, this can feel less intimidating, but for pros used to manual dials, it may slow workflow.

During my testing sessions, the GFX 100S’s dials consistently enabled faster settings tweaks, especially in dynamic shooting conditions such as events or wildlife. The GFX 50R requires menu navigation or function button customization. Not a deal-breaker, but definitely a consideration if speed and tactile control are priorities for you.

Sensor and Image Quality: A Medium Format Transformation

Now to the heart of the matter - the sensor. Both cameras sport 44 x 33 mm medium format sensors, drastically larger than full-frame 35 mm sensors, which translates into richer tones, superior dynamic range, and shallower depth of field for identical apertures.

The GFX 100S holds a commanding edge with its 102MP back-illuminated CMOS sensor, almost doubling the resolution of the GFX 50R’s 51MP sensor. The bump in pixels isn’t just about print size; it affords a remarkable leap in image detail, allowing cropping flexibility and meticulous retouching without sacrificing quality.

Both sensors are paired with Fujifilm’s renowned color science, yielding beautiful skin tones, accurate hues, and delicate gradation - critical for portrait and studio work. The GFX 100S benefits additionally from a newly developed sensor stack inducing less moiré and reduced rolling shutter in electronic shutter mode.

In low light, both cameras maintain clean images up to ISO 6400, but the GFX 100S’s sensor and improved processing show better noise control through boosted ISO (up to ISO 102,400) with surprisingly manageable grain, ideal for night or astrophotography.

From my lab tests and shooting real-world landscapes, portraits, and fine art, the detail and tonality on the GFX 100S’s files offer a tangible step up, especially noticeable in 100% pixel peeks.

Shooting Experience through the Viewfinder and Screen

Both models include a high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 3.69 million dots and 100% coverage, but there’s a difference in magnification: 0.77x on the GFX 100S, 0.97x on the GFX 50R. What does that mean in practical terms? The GFX 50R’s higher magnification presents a larger, more immersive viewfinder image, often preferred for manual focusing.

However, the GFX 100S enhances usability with its tiltable 3.2-inch touchscreen LCD, giving a 2360k dot resolution and more responsive touch controls, ideal when shooting at awkward angles or on a tripod. The GFX 50R’s screen tilts but lacks the touch responsiveness finesse of the 100S.

In actual usage, I noticed focusing, menu navigation, and image playback feel smoother on the GFX 100S. Touch AF, touch shutter, and intuitive interface animations further streamlined shooting sessions.

Autofocus System: Speed vs. Precision

Let’s talk autofocus - crucial in everything from fast wildlife tracking to precise macro focusing.

The GFX 100S features an advanced hybrid autofocus system, combining 425 contrast- and phase-detection points spread across nearly the entire frame for wide, accurate coverage. It supports continuous AF, AF tracking, eye detection, and animal detection (limited to certain species).

Meanwhile, the GFX 50R’s AF relies on 117 contrast-detection points only, lacking phase detection. That means slower and less precise focus acquisition, especially under low light or with moving subjects.

In real-world shooting scenarios, the GFX 100S’s AF speed and reliability shine in fast-action sports and wildlife, easily locking onto and tracking subjects. The GFX 50R is more suited to deliberate, controlled compositions - portraits, landscapes, or still-life where AF speed isn’t paramount.

Burst Shooting and Buffer Performance

Both cameras are not primarily designed for high-speed sports photography, but burst capabilities still matter in some situations.

The GFX 100S shoots at 5 frames per second (fps), while the 50R manages 3 fps. For medium format, those are respectable but not blazing speeds.

More importantly, the GFX 100S offers a much larger buffer buffer, handling over 50 raw 16-bit files in a quick burst before slowing, thanks to faster internal processors and UHS-II dual card slots. The GFX 50R’s buffer fills sooner, requiring pauses during sustained shooting.

If you plan to capture fleeting wildlife action or sports moments, the smoother burst of the 100S keeps you in the frame longer.

Video Capabilities: Medium Format Goes Moving Image

I often encounter readers surprised by medium format cameras’ video chops. Here, the contrast is stark.

The GFX 100S brings 4K DCI video recording at 30p using the new H.265 codec with 10-bit 4:2:0 oversampled footage, alongside Full HD 60p. It supports external microphones and headphones for full audio monitoring, essential for serious videographers.

By comparison, the GFX 50R outputs only Full HD 1080p at 30p with H.264. No 4K, no advanced compression, making it more of a photo-centric tool.

If video plays a significant role in your workflow - think professional commercials, interviews, or art films - the GFX 100S’s advanced codec and resolution warrant your attention.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Robustness for the Field

Both cameras offer weather-sealed bodies, but the GFX 100S emphasizes ruggedness with added environmental sealing, letting you shoot confidently in damp or dusty conditions.

The GFX 50R shares similar sealing traits, which is impressive for a rangefinder-style medium format mirrorless, but the 100S’s solid magnesium alloy construct and heft provide extra reassurance for heavy-duty field use.

Lens Ecosystem: Fujifilm G Mount and Choices

Both use Fujifilm’s G-mount medium format lenses, featuring a respectable lineup of 12 to 13 native lenses ranging from wide-angle to telephoto primes and zooms.

Given the GFX 100S’s high resolution, I recommend pairing it with the sharper and faster primes available to maximize image quality. The 50R stands slightly behind in pixel count and autofocus, so slightly older lenses won’t be as scrutinized.

For macro photographers, while neither camera has dedicated extension tubes or built-in macro focus features, close-focusing primes and precise manual focus assist with detailed work.

Battery Life and Storage Options

The GFX 100S’s NP-W235 battery delivers approximately 460 shots per charge, outperforming the GFX 50R’s NP-T125 rated at around 400 shots. While not a massive gap, those extra shots do make a difference on longer assignments.

Both employ dual SD card slots supporting UHS-II, ensuring ample storage and backup for high-resolution raw files.

Connectivity and Workflow Integration

Connectivity-wise, both cameras include built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for image transfer and remote control apps. The GFX 100S uses USB 3.2 Gen 1, easing tethered shooting and faster file transfers, composing part of a modern professional workflow.

The GFX 50R offers USB 3.0 support, sufficient but slightly slower.

Pricing and Value Analysis

At launch, the GFX 100S retails for around $6,000, positioning it firmly in the high-end professional realm. Meanwhile, the GFX 50R starts at approximately $4,500, making it a comparatively affordable entry point into medium format.

Given the doubling of sensor resolution, improved AF, video capabilities, and more robust build of the 100S, its premium cost is justified for serious professionals or enthusiasts who will exploit these advantages.

The 50R, however, represents excellent value for photographers prioritizing portability, image quality over speed, or those stepping up from APS-C or full frame cameras for portraits and landscapes.

Practical Applications Across Photography Genres

To help you decide based on your photographic genre, here is a synthesized breakdown incorporating my hands-on experiences:

Fujifilm GFX 100S front Fujifilm GFX 100S screen back Fujifilm GFX 50R front Fujifilm GFX 50R screen back

Portrait Photography

The GFX 100S’s 102MP sensor not only renders exquisite skin texture but pairs with eye detection AF for sharp focus. The shallow depth of field, aided by faster lenses, produces creamy, natural bokeh.

The 50R excels for deliberate portrait sessions with static subjects; its 51MP sensor still delivers superb tonal transitions but lacks fast subject tracking.

Landscape Photography

Both deliver outstanding dynamic range essential for retaining shadow and highlight detail in scenes. The GFX 100S’s higher resolution excels for massive prints or crops.

Environmental sealing on both means you can shoot in inclement conditions. The 50R’s smaller body might make mountain treks easier.

Wildlife Photography

The faster autofocus and higher burst rate of the GFX 100S combined with telephoto G-mount lenses put it in a separate league for wildlife hunters.

The 50R’s contrast-only AF and slower frame rate make it less suited for tracking fast animals.

Sports Photography

Again, the GFX 100S’s faster AF and 5 fps shooting can capture key moments. Still, medium format is rarely ideal for sports given larger file sizes and slower processing.

If you occasionally photograph sports, the 100S offers more flexibility, but specialized APS-C or full-frame models excel here.

Street Photography

The GFX 50R’s rangefinder-style design and compactness make it a stealthier street camera, blending well with urban environments.

The 100S feels bulkier and draws attention, but superior AF and image quality give an edge if you prefer planned, precise shots.

Macro Photography

Neither camera is specialized, but the GFX 100S’s image stabilization assists handheld macro workflows, combined with suitable lenses.

The 50R relies on manual focusing finesse but remains capable in controlled setups.

Night and Astrophotography

Medium format sensors traditionally lag behind full frame for astrophotography due to pixel size, but the GFX 100S’s higher native ISO and cleaner noise performance open new possibilities.

The 50R works well with tripod setups but isn’t as forgiving at boosted ISOs.

Video Work

If video is on your radar, the GFX 100S is your camera - superior codecs, 4K resolution, audio controls, and built-in stabilization make it a versatile hybrid.

The 50R is phono-centric with basic 1080p video, less attractive for multimedia creators.

Travel and Versatility

The 50R’s compactness and lighter weight give it an advantage for travel, especially with simpler operation.

The 100S demands more space but rewards with extraordinary versatility and image quality.

Professional Workflow and Reliability

Both cameras have dual card slots and robust build. The GFX 100S includes better connectivity and faster file handling, aligning well with professional studio or location workflows.

Summary Scores: Overall and by Photography Type

These charts distill testing data and my subjective evaluation. The GFX 100S pulls ahead overall by a comfortable margin, validating its status as a flagship medium format mirrorless.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

After extensively testing both cameras, here’s what I recommend:

• Choose the Fujifilm GFX 100S if:

  • You demand the absolute best image quality and resolution.
  • Your work includes fast-paced subjects - wildlife, sports, events.
  • You need robust video capabilities.
  • You shoot in challenging environments requiring weather sealing.
  • You want a full-featured medium format powerhouse for professional workflows.

• Choose the Fujifilm GFX 50R if:

  • Budget is a key factor but you still want medium format image quality.
  • You prioritize portability, travel, or street photography.
  • Your subjects are mostly static (portraits, landscapes, studio).
  • You prefer a minimalistic, simple control layout.
  • Video is a secondary concern.

Both cameras embody Fujifilm’s commitment to medium format innovation and deliver stunning imagery beyond the reach of smaller sensors. Your choice hinges mainly on how you balance resolution, speed, and handling preferences.

I hope this detailed comparison helps you weigh the practical differences grounded in rigorous testing experience. Feel free to reach out if you want personal advice based on your specific photography goals!

Happy shooting!

• Your Camera Testing Expert