If you like taking photographs of gorgeous artwork and majestic landscapes that benefit from high levels of detail, you probably want a medium-format camera. Problem is, those rigs typically cost north of $10,000, making them tough to justify for anyone other than actual professionals. Maybe Fujifilm’s more reasonably-priced GFX 50S can make for a viable consumer option.
No, it’s not entirely cheap either. At $6,500, though, it’s easily the most affordable medium-format camera in the market, with a price point that enthusiasts might actually find easier to justify, not to mention actually afford.
The Fujifilm GFX 50S is a mirrorless camera housing a 51.4-megapixel medium format sensor that measures 1.7 times the size of a standard 35mm sensor. Despite housing the large sensor, it comes in a body that’s around the same size as standard full-frame DSLRs, making it hassle-free to bring along to parties, events, and outdoor adventures. It pairs that sensor, by the way, with the outfit’s X Processor Pro engine, giving it an effective ISO range of 100 to 12,800, with a newly-developed focal plane shutter enabling minimum vibration and quiet shutter performance.
Features include an electronic viewfinder, a 3.2-inch LCD in the back, a customizable 1.28-inch LCD on top, and 1080p video recording at 30 fps. It comes in a weather-resistant construction to ensure it can handle outdoor elements with ease, with a vertical battery grip enabling stable operation, regardless of your shooting orientation.
Slated to ship in February, the Fujifilm GFX 50S is now available for preorder.