Fujifilm GFX 50S II vs Sony A9 II: An Expert Real-World Camera Showdown

Choosing your next camera can be a daunting task, especially when faced with two very different beasts like the Fujifilm GFX 50S II and the Sony A9 II. Both come from well-respected manufacturers, boast pro-level credentials, and carry hefty price tags. But they serve quite different purposes under the hood.

Having tested thousands of cameras through years of hands-on experience, I’m excited to share with you a detailed, no-fluff comparison between these models. My goal is to help you understand how each camera performs across major photography disciplines, the tech that powers them, and who they're truly best suited for - whether you're a landscape junkie, a wildlife hunter, a portrait master, or a video storyteller.

Let’s dig into how these cameras shape up against each other, starting from their very bones.

First Impressions: Size, Build & Ergonomics

Pick up the Fujifilm GFX 50S II and the Sony A9 II side-by-side and you’ll immediately notice a stark difference in heft and presence.

The GFX 50S II is a medium format mirrorless camera, and it declares that status with a wider and chunkier frame measuring 150x104x87mm and tipping the scales at about 900g. The larger sensor necessitates a bigger body, which translates to a more substantial grip and prominent hand clubs for thumbs - something I appreciated during long landscape shoots in chilly weather when gloves are on.

The Sony A9 II, in contrast, is a full-frame powerhouse but noticeably lighter and more compact at 129x96x76mm and 678g. Its slimmer, more streamlined body is designed for fast-action shooters who need to stay mobile and inconspicuous - think sports arenas, street corners, or wildlife hides.

Both cameras have solid build quality with environmental sealing for dust and moisture resistance, essential for professionals.

For those who prioritize portability on extended shoots or travel, the A9 II feels like the more comfortable companion, though the GFX 50S II rewards you with that reassuring heft and robust durability.

Top Deck Controls & Interface: Getting Your Hands Dirty

While a camera’s specs are vital, how it feels and functions under your thumbs and fingers dictates the joy of shooting - or frustration.

The Fujifilm GFX 50S II sports a classic SLR-style layout with well-spaced dials and a tilting touchscreen LCD (3.2-inch, 2.36M dots) that lets you frame shots from tricky angles. Customizability on buttons is good but not overly generous; Fuji’s menu system is comprehensive but can feel slightly overwhelming at first due to menu layering.

On the other side, the Sony A9 II presents a pro-level control scheme, with slightly smaller physical buttons but a well-laid-out top plate for shutter speed, exposure compensation, and ISO dials. Its 3-inch touchscreen (1.44M dots) is responsive but less sharp compared to the GFX. Sony’s menu system has improved over the years but still requires some patience to adapt, especially if you're coming from more straightforward systems.

Both cameras feature dual card slots supporting UHS-II SD cards, essential for professional reliability and uninterrupted shooting.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Medium Format vs Full Frame Debate

Now, onto where these cameras differ most dramatically - their sensors.

The GFX 50S II flaunts a medium format 51.4-megapixel CMOS sensor sized at 44 x 33 mm, which is substantially larger than the 35.6 x 23.8 mm full-frame BSI-CMOS sensor of the Sony A9 II, which offers 24.2 megapixels.

What difference does the sensor size make?

Starting with resolution, the GFX’s 51MP resolution produces images sized 8256 x 6192 pixels, offering extraordinary detail - ideal for landscapes, studio portraits, and commercial work requiring large prints or heavy cropping. The larger sensor naturally facilitates a wider dynamic range and superior color depth, allowing subtle tonal gradations and richer skin tones.

The Sony A9 II’s 24MP sensor trades some resolution for superior speed and versatility. Its backside-illuminated sensor architecture excels in low-light shooting, with boosted ISO sensitivity up to 204,800 compared to the GFX’s 102,400 max boosted ISO. This makes the A9 II better suited for dimly lit environments such as sports arenas or wildlife at dawn/dusk.

With regards to anti-aliasing filters, both cameras have them enabled to reduce moiré at the expense of slightly softer images. For ultimate sharpness, it’s something to consider, though both resolve excellent detail in practice.

In my tests, the Fujifilm GFX 50S II delivers breathtaking image quality with its medium format sensor, notably in fine art, high-end landscape, and portrait scenarios. The Sony A9 II produces pin-sharp, clean images with remarkable dynamic range especially at higher ISOs, excelling in fast action and challenging lighting.

Autofocus & Shooting Speed: Tracking Action or Nailing the Portrait?

When the shutter-release lies at the center of your workflow, autofocus performance and burst rates become deal-breakers.

The Sony A9 II was built with speed demons in mind. Equipped with 693 autofocus points (a wide coverage of phase-detection AF), it features real-time Eye AF for humans and animals - a recent game-changer in the industry. Autofocus tracking is lightning fast and laser sharp. Paired with its 20 frames-per-second continuous shooting (silent electronic shutter mode), this camera can freeze and track moments others miss - perfect for sports, wildlife, or fast-paced journalism.

The Fujifilm GFX 50S II, on the other hand, employs a 425-point contrast-detection AF system. While it doesn’t boast phase detection points and is slower at 3 frames per second continuous shooting, its accuracy and reliability in studio and landscape work is excellent. Face detection works well in good light but there’s no animal eye AF. For macro or portrait shooters who aren’t chasing wild action, this system offers peace of mind through precision rather than speed.

For those shooting wildlife or sports, the Sony A9 II is vastly superior in autofocus speed, tracking ability, and burst frame rates. Portrait and landscape photographers with a more deliberate approach will appreciate the steady, accurate focusing of the GFX 50S II.

Handling the Human Subject: Portraits, Skin Tones & Bokeh

Portraiture is a nuanced craft, relying on how a camera tackles skin tones, subject isolation, and eye focus.

Due to its larger medium format sensor, the GFX 50S II naturally produces shallower depth of field at equivalent apertures, yielding creamy and beautiful bokeh that smoothly separates the subject from the background. Fujifilm’s renowned color science produces warm, natural skin tones with subtle rendering of hues that photographers swear by. The 1:1 aspect ratio option is a sweet spot for headshots.

The Sony A9 II, while excellent technically, does not replicate that same medium format look. Depth of field is tighter at wide apertures but has a different “feel” due to smaller sensor size. Real-time Eye AF ensures your portraits have tack-sharp eyes - a lifesaver for spontaneous moments or working with children and pets.

If your focus is professional portraiture or studio work demanding impeccable image quality and ultimate subject separation, the Fujifilm GFX 50S II takes the crown. However, for event photographers needing speedy AF and flexibility, the Sony A9 II’s facial and eye tracking are invaluable.

Landscapes & Outdoor Work: Dynamic Range, Weather Sealing & Resolution

Landscape photography demands high resolution, wide dynamic range, and rugged gear that holds up outdoors.

Thanks to its large sensor, the GFX 50S II captures more detail and dynamic range in shadow and highlight areas - crucial for sunrise/sunset scenes. With an ISO range starting at 100 and an expanded low ISO down to 50, it helps capture subtle textures in fine foliage or water reflections. Environmental sealing protects against spray, dust, and mild rain, making it a reliable choice for field work.

The Sony A9 II, though sporting a smaller sensor, still offers excellent dynamic range but with fewer megapixels. Its superior burst speed and autofocus come in handy for landscapes that include wildlife or fast-changing natural elements.

In practice, when resolution maximization and tonal depth trump speed, the Fujifilm GFX 50S II is the better tripod companion with expansive detail capture.

Wildlife and Sports: Tracking Speed and Burst Capability

The difference here boils down to the Sony A9 II’s fast autofocus system and high-speed burst capabilities. The combination of 693 autofocus points, real-time animal eye AF, and impressive silent shooting mode at 20fps makes it a fine tool for professional wildlife and sports photographers who need to lock focus on quick, erratic subjects.

The GFX 50S II isn’t designed for this kind of fast-paced photography. Its 3fps burst and contrast-detect AF render it more suited for controlled subjects rather than spontaneous wildlife action.

Simple advice? If you live to chase fur and feathers or cover the jock-in-action, the Sony A9 II is unmissable.

Street Photography: Discretion, Portability & Low Light

Street shooters appreciate compactness, fast AF, and superb low-light capabilities.

The Sony A9 II’s smaller size, lightweight frame, and silent electronic shutter mode mean you can shoot unobtrusively. Its excellent high ISO capability up to 204,800 (boosted) combined with fast AF lets you capture fleeting moments at night or low-light cafes with confidence.

The GFX 50S II’s large size and slower AF might make it awkward for street photography, turning heads wherever you go (and possibly spooking candid subjects). While it handles color and detail beautifully, the bulk limits spontaneity.

For the urban wanderer, the Sony A9 II holds clear advantages.

Macro Photography: Magnification & Precision Focus

Macro shooters need fine precision and stable shooting platforms.

The GFX 50S II, with its large sensor and excellent manual focus aids (focus peaking, magnification), lends itself well to macro photography, especially in controlled studio environments. The sensor stabilizer helps with handheld macro shots, reducing shake effects.

The Sony A9 II provides rapid autofocus but relies heavily on lens choice for macro magnification. The smaller sensor yields slightly more depth of field at comparable apertures, which sometimes eases focusing in macro work.

If you favor studio macro with heavy pixel-pushing, the GFX 50S II is advantageous; for macro work requiring speed and reach, the A9 II can keep pace.

Night & Astrophotography: ISO Performance & Exposure Flexibility

Thanks to its BSI-CMOS sensor, the Sony A9 II shines at night. The boosted ISO of 204,800 means minimal noise at very low light. Silent shooting combined with adjustable exposure modes aids astrophotographers capturing star fields or night landscapes.

The GFX 50S II’s medium format sensor can capture dynamic range extremes but noise performance at very high ISOs starts to lag. Its native ISO max of 12800 reflects this balancing act.

For starry sky enthusiasts and event shooters who regularly work in darkness, the A9 II holds the edge.

Video Capabilities: Resolution, Audio, and Stabilization

The Sony A9 II supports 4K UHD video at 30p, providing exceptional video image quality along with microphone and headphone jacks for audio monitoring - features content creators will appreciate. It also has integrated 5-axis sensor stabilization to smooth handheld footage.

The Fujifilm GFX 50S II limits video to Full HD 1080p at 30 fps, making it less suitable for serious video work but sufficient for casual or behind-the-scenes clips. It also features 5-axis sensor-based stabilization and has microphone and headphone ports.

If video is a significant part of your toolkit, the Sony A9 II is a better all-around choice.

Travel & Everyday Versatility: Battery Life & Weight Considerations

When hiking for miles or navigating airports, battery life and weight matter.

The Sony A9 II offers an impressive 690-shot battery life per charge (CIPA rating), compared to the GFX 50S II’s 440 shots. The Sony also has a smaller form factor, making it easier to fit in travel bags or quick-snatch city photo missions.

Both cameras support USB charging, but the Sony’s smaller power pack (NP-FZ100) is a lighter load than Fuji’s NP-W235.

For travel photographers prioritizing battery endurance and portability, the A9 II has the advantage.

Workflow, Lens Ecosystem & Price Value

The Fujifilm G mount provides 14 native lenses, many high-end primes and ultra-sharp zooms tailored for medium format. The investment in glass can be substantial but rewards with image quality.

The Sony E mount dominates with over 120 native lenses, from affordable zooms to professional-grade fast primes and super-zooms, offering tremendous versatility at varied budgets.

Price-wise, the Fujifilm GFX 50S II sits slightly lower at around $3999, remarkable for a medium format sensor, while the Sony A9 II charges closer to $4498 for a cutting-edge full-frame sports/street camera.

Choosing between the two also depends on workflow compatibility. Sony’s wide third-party software and plugin support plus faster buffer clearing make it a workflow champ for high-volume shooters.

Sample Gallery & Real-World Images

Nothing beats seeing how these cameras translate raw specs into real photographs.

Fujifilm GFX 50S II front Fujifilm GFX 50S II screen back Sony A9 II front Sony A9 II screen back

Displayed side by side, Fujifilm’s images reveal immense detail, depth, and color richness in portraits and landscapes, while Sony’s shots impress with focus precision in sports, low light sharpness, and dynamic range.

Final Scores: Overall Performance Compared

To crystallize the analysis:

• Fujifilm GFX 50S II scores high on image quality, build, and color reproduction.
• Sony A9 II excels in speed, autofocus, versatile shooting modes, and video.

Scoring by Photography Genre

Here’s a quick breakdown by usage type:

Who Should Buy the Fujifilm GFX 50S II?

• Fine art photographers, commercial portrait shooters, and landscape enthusiasts who crave the ultimate image quality and can work at a deliberate pace.
• Professionals who print large, sell gallery-grade prints, or require color depth and texture above all.
• Photographers who prioritize controlled shooting over speed and are happy investing in medium format glass.
• Those who primarily shoot stills and need less in terms of video and rapid autofocus.

Who Should Opt for the Sony A9 II?

• Sports photographers, wildlife enthusiasts, and photojournalists who need blistering autofocus, lightning-fast burst rates, and superb tracking.
• Street photographers or travel shooters requiring mobility, long battery life, and stealth.
• Hybrid shooters who want robust 4K video capabilities combined with outstanding stills performance.
• Budget-conscious pros who want a broad lens ecosystem to cover diverse scenarios.

Wrap-Up: The Practical Verdict

Neither camera is a “better” all-around choice; they serve different photographic masters. The Fujifilm GFX 50S II is a dream for image purity and detail - if you can handle its slower pace and larger form factor. The Sony A9 II is a versatile, speed demon suited for action-packed and hybrid shooters needing responsiveness and portability.

Considering price, features, and your shooting style will guide your best fit. As someone who's put countless frames through both cameras, my rule of thumb is: pick a camera that feels like an extension of your vision - not just a box with specs.

Happy shooting!

If you want to learn more about particular lenses or accessories for either system, or need hands-on tips on mastering autofocus modes, drop a note and I’ll gladly share!