A Tale of Two Titans: Fujifilm GFX 50S vs Sony A7R V - The Ultimate Comparison for Serious Photographers

When faced with the choice between the Fujifilm GFX 50S and the Sony A7R V, you’re not just picking a camera - you’re stepping into two different photographic worlds. On one hand, the GFX 50S is a medium format powerhouse that promises exquisite detail and tonal richness. On the other, the Sony A7R V, a full-frame marvel, delivers blistering speed, cutting-edge autofocus, and 8K video prowess.

Having spent several months wrangling with both cameras in varied settings - from windy mountain trails to dark football stadiums and bustling city streets - I’m bringing you a hands-on, no-holds-barred comparison. This article dives deep into how these cameras perform across genres, their technical might, ergonomic sensibilities, and ultimately, which might be your dream partner in crime for your photographic adventures.

So, buckle up! Let’s break this down layer by layer - sensors, autofocus, handling, and beyond - until we find out where each camera shines and where it might just leave you craving something else.

Hold It - Size and Ergonomics Make a Strong First Impression

The first thing you notice when picking up these cameras is the difference in physicality. The Fujifilm GFX 50S feels like a robust professional tool - medium format sensors don’t come small, after all. Its body measures 148mm x 94mm x 91mm and tips the scales at 740g with battery. The Sony A7R V, meanwhile, is more compact and lighter: 131mm x 97mm x 82mm, weighing 723g, including battery.

This size difference isn’t just about pocket space; it affects how you hold and use the camera for long sessions. The GFX 50S, with its chunkier grip and heft, feels stable on a tripod or held at the waist for landscape shots. It’s a bit of a workout for street photography or quick reaction moments, although it balances surprisingly well with Fujifilm’s G-mount lenses, designed for that medium format bulk.

Sony’s smaller footprint and slimmer profile makes the A7R V feel more nimble in the hand - a plus when you’re ducking through crowds or shooting long wildlife hikes. Plus, the A7R V’s compactness doesn’t sacrifice robust build quality; it’s weather-sealed and rugged despite being lighter.

Next up: how the cameras layout their controls can subtly shape your shooting flow.

Top-Down: Controls and Interface - Where Intuition Meets Speed

Examining the top plate layouts reveals philosophy as much as design.

The GFX 50S opts for a traditional SLR-style interface with distinct dials for ISO, shutter speed, and exposure compensation along the top and a cluster of buttons on the right. This approach encourages deliberate settings adjustment, perfect for studio portraits or landscapes where you want fine control without fumbling through menus.

Sony’s A7R V, conversely, sports a more modern keyboard with multifunction dials and programmable buttons. It’s designed for quick shifts between AF modes, ISO settings, and shooting modes on the fly. The Sony is also more touch-friendly, capitalizing on its fully articulating touchscreen - more on that soon.

If you value the tactile joy of dedicated dials, Fujifilm makes you happy. If speed and customization rank higher, the Sony’s control layout rewards muscle memory and rapid-fire shooting.

Speaking of screens, how do their LCDs and viewfinders stack up?

Eye on the Prize: Viewfinders and LCD Screens

Both cameras come with electronic viewfinders (EVFs) and rear LCD screens, but their execution and specs differ markedly.

The A7R V sports a jaw-dropping EVF resolution of 9440 dots, the highest I’ve tested, making it like looking through a razor-sharp window. The refresh rate is buttery smooth, essential when tracking fast action. Meanwhile, its 3.2-inch fully articulating touchscreen is a joy for composing at odd angles and navigating menus.

The GFX 50S doesn’t lag in clarity with a respectable 3690-dot EVF, but it lacks the fluidity and resolution of Sony’s finder. Its rear screen is a 3.2-inch tilting display with 2360 dots - good for most tasks but not suited for selfie-style or vlog-like shooting given the lack of articulation.

If you often shoot in bright, tricky light or require pixel-level manual focusing, the Sony EVF’s detail and lag-free refresh edge out the GFX’s finder, giving you confidence when adjusting focus or exposure.

Sensors and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Now to the headliner - sensor technology and resulting image quality.

The Fujifilm GFX 50S carries a medium format 44 x 33 mm CMOS sensor, significantly larger than Sony’s full-frame 35.8 x 23.8 mm sensor. That extra sensor real estate translates directly into incredible tonal nuance, shallow depth of field, and cleaner highlights and shadows in real-world shooting.

With a resolution of 51 megapixels (8256 x 6192), the GFX provides ultra-high-resolution files with a classic analog warmth thanks to Fujifilm’s renowned color science and the built-in anti-aliasing filter. The ISO range is from 100 to 12,800 natively, expandable to 50–102,400. This flexible expansion grants you some latitude in various lighting scenarios but keep in mind medium format sensors generally excel at base ISO rather than high ISO prowess.

Sony’s A7R V pushes resolution further with 61 megapixels (9504 x 6336) on a BSI-CMOS sensor. This back-illuminated design boosts low-light sensitivity and readout speed. Notably, the A7R V lacks an anti-aliasing filter, meaning sharper images at the risk of more moiré in texture-heavy scenes.

Sony’s ISO native range is 100–32,000 (expandable to 50–102,800), showcasing its edge in low-light flexibility. In my tests, the A7R V produced cleaner images above ISO 3200 compared to the GFX 50S, which favored lower ISOs for pristine image quality.

Put bluntly: for those chasing absolute ultimate image quality, particularly portraits or landscapes where detail and file size reign supreme, the GFX 50S’s sensor is a dream. But if you need more resolution, better low-light handling, and fast data throughput, Sony’s sensor technology leads the pack.

Let’s Talk Autofocus: Speed vs Precision on the Field

Autofocus systems have made leaps and bounds in the past half-decade, and these two cameras represent different generations and priorities.

The GFX 50S uses a contrast-detection AF system with 117 focus points. It offers single, continuous, tracked, and eye-detection AF but no phase detection - typical for medium format cameras of its era (2017). In practical shooting - think landscapes or posed portraits - this system is fine, especially with plentiful light. However, impatience creeps in when shooting wildlife or sports with fast, erratic movements; hunting for focus can slow your session down.

Sony’s A7R V, benefiting from a 2022 design, boasts an advanced hybrid autofocus system featuring 693 focus points and combines phase detection with contrast detection. In real world use, this means noticeably snappier, more accurate autofocus, especially with the inclusion of animal and human eye AF tracking that is nearly flawless even under challenging conditions.

Try capturing a speeding soccer game or a darting bird with these two, and you’ll appreciate Sony’s considerable edge in autofocus speed, accuracy, and tracking reliability - scores that you can’t fake with specs alone.

Burst Shooting and Speed – When Every Millisecond Counts

If you’re into sports or wildlife photography, continuous shooting speed is critical.

The GFX 50S tips the scales at a leisurely 3 frames per second when shooting continuously - fine for controlled subjects but painfully slow for fast action. The shutter speed tops out at 1/4000s (mechanical) and up to 1/16000s in electronic shutter mode, good but not blazing by today’s standards.

Sony’s A7R V counters with a solid 10 fps mechanical shutter and 7 fps electronic shutter, both with full AF/AE tracking. This workflow speed is a boon for capturing blistering fast moments without missing a beat.

So if your aesthetic involves freezing motion during a birds-in-flight or sports event, the Sony is your go-to.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing for Tough Conditions

Both cameras offer durable, magnesium alloy bodies with weather sealing.

While neither is fully ruggedized (no officially freezeproof or shockproof ratings), both offer dust and moisture resistance suitable for pro outdoor use. Real-world experience revealed both bodies tolerate rain and dusty environments well, but Sony’s smaller size makes prolonged handheld shooting more comfortable in inclement weather.

Lens Ecosystem: Doors Open Vs Boutique Exclusivity

The GFX system has a limited but high-quality 12-lens lineup, all medium format lenses optimized for extraordinary image quality but expensive and comparatively heavy.

Sony’s E-mount boasts an immense ecosystem with 187 lenses ranging across all price points and focal lengths, from ultra-compact primes to super-telephoto pro zooms, including third-party support. This versatility allows photographers to dial in exactly the tools they want regardless of genre.

Choosing a Fujifilm GFX means committing to medium format glass with associated bulk and price, while Sony’s A7R V invites exploration across genres and budgets with an open arm.

Battery Life and Storage Options: Endurance Matters

The GFX 50S uses the NP-T125 battery rated around 400 shots per charge, which is fair for medium format but may require spare batteries for long outdoor shoots.

Sony’s newer NP-FZ100 battery boasts about 600 shots per charge, aligning with modern mirrorless standards - a noticeable advantage when you rely on your camera all day without swapping power.

For storage, both offer dual card slots - Fujifilm accepts dual SD UHS-II, while Sony pairs dual SD with CFexpress Type A, an option for blazing fast write speeds, beneficial when shooting 8K video or high-res bursts.

Video Capabilities - One Shoots Beyond Stills

The GFX 50S’s video chops are modest: Full HD 1080p up to 30 fps, typical for a medium format camera prioritizing stills.

The Sony A7R V, however, stands out with 8K video recording (7680 x 4320) up to 25 fps, plus advanced codecs like XAVC HS and S-I. It also includes 5-axis in-body image stabilization, headphone and microphone ports, and sophisticated video tools, making it a hybrid creative powerhouse.

If video is in your creative toolbox, the A7R V clearly steals the scene.

Genre-by-Genre Breakdown: Which Camera Excels Where?

Fujifilm GFX 50S front Fujifilm GFX 50S screen back Sony A7R V front Sony A7R V screen back

Photography isn’t one-size-fits-all, so let’s zoom into practical performance across popular genres.

• Portrait Photography: GFX 50S’s medium format sensor yields sublime skin tones and creamy bokeh. However, Sony’s eye and animal eye AF make nailing tack-sharp portraits easier in dynamic settings.

• Landscape: GFX’s larger sensor and color depth shine with expansive dynamic range and nuanced tonal gradations. Sony offers similar sharpness with higher resolution but slightly less tonal subtlety.

• Wildlife: Sony’s fast AF, silent shutter, and rapid burst win hands down.

• Sports: Sony’s faster fps and tracking accuracy leave GFX in the dust.

• Street: Sony’s smaller size, quiet shooting, and selfie-friendly LCD make it a no-brainer.

• Macro: GFX excels in shallow DOF control, but Sony’s superior AF precision and stabilization help handheld close-ups.

• Night/Astro: Sony’s BSI sensor and higher max ISO enable clearer low-light shots.

• Video: Sony only.

• Travel: Sony - lighter, smaller, more versatile lenses, longer battery life.

• Professional Work: Both are solid, but Sony’s wider lens choices, faster workflow, and hybrid functionality edge ahead.

Crunching the Numbers: Overall and Genre-Specific Performance

Let’s wrap these insights with some performance scoring from my hands-on tests.

Both cameras score highly overall, with strengths weighted differently - GFX’s image quality vs Sony’s autofocus and speed.

Wrapping Up: Who Should Buy Which?

Choosing between these cameras boils down to your priorities and photographic style.

• Opt for the Fujifilm GFX 50S if:

  • You prioritize ultimate image quality with medium format nuance.
  • You’re mostly shooting portraits, landscapes, or studio work.
  • You appreciate tactile dials and deliberate shooting.
  • You work mostly in controlled or lower-ISO environments.
  • You’re comfortable investing in medium format lenses and handling bigger gear.

• Opt for the Sony A7R V if:

  • You need a versatile powerhouse that excels in both stills and video.
  • Fast autofocus, high burst rates, and advanced tracking are crucial.
  • You shoot in a wide variety of genres, including wildlife, sports, and street.
  • You value ergonomic compactness and battery endurance.
  • You want access to a vast lens lineup and modern connectivity features.
  • You shoot handheld in low light or require 8K video capabilities.

Final Thoughts from the Field

The Fujifilm GFX 50S is a love letter to image quality purists and medium format enthusiasts - a camera that demands patience and rewards with visual poetry. Meanwhile, the Sony A7R V is a high-tech Swiss army knife, nimble, fast, and ready for virtually any assignment while packing the latest computational photography wizardry.

Having used both extensively, I find the choice less about better or worse and more about which tool aligns with your creative workflow and vision. Yes, the GFX files have that unmistakable “wow” factor, but for most pros and enthusiasts juggling diverse subjects and environments, the Sony A7R V’s dynamic capabilities offer a more practical and inspiring companion.

Whichever side you fall on, both cameras push boundaries in their realms - and that’s a win for all of us who just love to make great images.

Happy shooting!

For those who want to deep dive into tech specs, lens options, or test images, feel free to drop questions - I've spent enough time in the trenches with these beasts to help you decide your perfect fit.