This is the Fujifilm GFX100RF: A Compact Medium Format Camera with a 102MP Sensor

GFX100RF: Medium Format Capability

At the heart of the GFX100RF is a 43.8 x 32.9mm CMOS sensor packing 102MP of resolution and 16-bit color. Impressively, the GFX100R has a native ISO of 80 and 70% more light gathering area than a full-frame sensor.

The sensor is paired with Fujifilm's X-Processor 5. This is the same processor that's found in Fujifilm's interchangeable lens medium-format cameras, the GFX50 and GFX100.

Our friends over at PetaPixel had a chance recently to use this camera. Here are their impressions:

Fixed Lens Rangefinder Design

Unlike its GFX siblings, however, the GFX100RF is a fixed-lens rangefinder style camera. Weighing in at only 1.6 pounds, and just slightly larger than the X100 series of cameras, it's clear Fujifilm's aim with this camera was making medium-format photography more accessible.

In this vein, Fujifilm has made this a fixed lens camera, implementing a 35mm, f/4 lens. At first glance, this lens's aperture might seem like an odd choice for a high-end rangefinder. However, because the sensor on this camera is larger than full frame, you have to do a bit of math to find the full frame equivalent. We'll spare you that calculation and just tell you that though the lens's aperture is f/4, the actual depth of field it captures is equivalent to somewhere between f/3 and f/3.5. In other words, you're going to get good subject separation but not quite as much as and f/2 or f/2.8 lens would provide on a full-frame or APS-C sensor camera.

One unfortunate omission from this camera is IBIS. The good news is that the lens features a leaf shutter capable of shooting up to 1/4000th of a second, which should be enough to freeze your subject in most situations.

Fujifilm says minimum focusing distance for the GF 35mm f/4 is 7.8 inches.

GFX100RF Hardware and Design

Because this is a rangefinder style camera, Fujifilm has included an EVF, several customizable dials and a 3-way tilting touchscreen.

The viewfinder is a high resolution 5,760,000 dot display while the touchscreen is a 3.2-inch 2,100,000 dot display.

On top of the camera you'll find a combined shutter speed and ISO dial and a dedicated exposure compensation dial. You'll also find a new dial for aspect ratio. Using this dial, you'll be able to tap into all that juicy 102MP of resolution and crop your frame in the following aspect ratios: 1:1, 3:2, 3:4, 4:3, 5:4, 7:6, 16:9, 17:6, and 65:24.

On the front of the camera, Fujifilm has also placed a customizable command dial next to a rocker switch that can be customized for up to four different functions.

Fujifilm has used its W-235 battery in this camera, providing 800+ shots between charges. On the side of the camera you'll find a pair of UHS-II SD card slots, a nice addition.

The Best SD Cards for the Fujifilm GFX100RF

In order to make the most use of those speedy, UHS-II SD card slots on the Fujifilm GFX100RF, you want to opt for a high-quality, consistently performant SD card. That's why OWC's Atlas Ultra SD cards make the perfect storage companion for the GFX100RF.

OWC Atlas Ultra SD cards are UHS-II V90 and capable of up to real-world 250MB/s write and 300MB/s read speeds. These cards were created for the most advanced use cases of photography and video work, including handling high-burst image sequence RAW photography and high bitrate 4K and 6K video recording.

With the GFX100RF's massive 102MP sensor, you don't want to cut corners with a cheap SD card. The Atlas Ultra will handle those massive RAW files with ease and keep buffer times to a minimum.

Plus, Atlas Ultra cards are extremely tough, making them a perfect travel companion. These cards are bend/shock/X-ray resistant and IP67 dust-proof and waterproof.

Atlas Ultra V90 SD cards start at $59.99. You can find more information here.

Plus, you can pair these cards with a super fast, OWC Dual SD Card Reader, making it quick and easy to offload and backup both of your GFX100RF's cards.

Fujifilm GFX100RF Key Specs, Pricing, and Availability

Sensor Type

43.8x32.9mm Medium Format CMOS

Effective Resolution

102MP (11,648 x 8736)

Aspect Ratio

1:1, 3:2, 3:4, 4:3, 5:4, 7:6, 16:9, 17:6, 65:24

Video

DCI/UHD 4K30p

Viewfinder

5,760,000 Dot, 100% Coverage

Rear LCD Screen

3.2", 2.1m-Dot, 3-Way Tilting Touchscreen

Lens

35mm f/4 (28mm Full-Frame Equivalent)

Minimum Focus Distance

7.9” / 20 cm

Digital Teleconverter

45mm, 63mm, 80mm (35mm, 50mm, 63mm Full Frame Equivalent)

Media/Memory Card Slot

Dual Slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC

Dimensions

5.3 x 3.6 x 3" / 133.5 x 90.4 x 76.5 mm

Weight

1.6 lb / 735 g (With Battery, Recording Media)

The Fujifilm GFX100RF is available to pre-order now and will start shipping in April.

Price: $4,899