Fujifilm has officially introduced a remarkable addition to its camera lineup: the 102MP medium-format GFX100RF compact camera. This innovative camera stands out as a portable street photography tool, equipped with an impressive sensor and a fixed 35mm f/4 lens, offering a full-frame equivalent of 28mm. The GFX100RF is capable of capturing stunning images at a resolution of 11,648 x 8,736 pixels, making it one of the most advanced compact cameras available today.
What sets the GFX100RF apart from its competitors are its unique features rarely seen in compact cameras. This model includes a built-in ND filter and a dedicated aspect ratio dial, enhancing versatility for photographers. It utilizes the same 102MP CMOS II HS medium format sensor featured in the GFX100 II mirrorless camera, which Fujifilm teased last week as a higher-resolution alternative to the popular X100 VI APS-C compact camera.
While the GFX100RF is smaller than other GFX models, it weighs in at 1.62 pounds (735 grams), making it heavier than many full-frame mirrorless cameras. This premium camera is crafted from a single block of aluminum, with precision-machined components including the lens ring, dials, and bottom plate, ensuring both durability and aesthetic appeal.
The GFX100RF is specifically engineered for street photography, featuring easily accessible shutter speed, exposure compensation, and aperture settings that allow for quick adjustments. A new dial located on the back enables users to select from nine different aspect ratios, including 7:6, 1:1, 3:4, 16:9, 17:6, and the 65:24 XPan widescreen ratio, which is also found in other GFX models.
Furthermore, the camera includes a tele-converter selector/lever that allows photographers to digitally alter the focal length from the native 35mm to 45mm, 63mm, and 80mm, which corresponds to 35mm, 50mm, and 65mm full-frame equivalents, albeit with a reduction in resolution. A new Surround View function enhances composition by displaying the area outside the image range as a semi-transparent frame.
The fixed lens of the GFX100RF is designed with a sophisticated 10-element, eight-group configuration, which includes two aspherical lenses to minimize spherical aberration and field curvature. Fujifilm has incorporated a newly developed nano-GI coating that effectively suppresses internal reflections, enhancing image quality even at the edges of the frame. Despite its large sensor, the camera can focus as close as 7.9 inches, providing exciting high-resolution macro photography opportunities.
The GFX100RF features a leaf shutter mechanism instead of the traditional focal plane type, allowing for a more compact design. Notably, this is Fujifilm’s first GFX model equipped with a built-in four-stop ND filter, a valuable addition for shooting in bright light. This feature enables slower shutter speeds to create motion blur or wider apertures for a shallower depth of field, catering to creative photography styles.
In terms of autofocus capabilities, the GFX100RF boasts a similar system to the GFX100 II, including an advanced AF prediction function and face/eye detection that can recognize various subjects such as animals, vehicles, birds, and airplanes. The camera achieves burst speeds of up to 6 fps with the mechanical shutter at full resolution, slightly slower than the GFX100S II.
The GFX100RF is equipped with a 5.76-million-dot offset electronic viewfinder, akin to the one found on the X100 VI, and features a 3.1-inch 2-axis tilting rear display with 2.1-million-dot resolution. For videographers, the camera can shoot 4K video at 30fps with 4:2:2 10-bit color, likely utilizing some pixel binning. Fujifilm claims that it can deliver an impressive dynamic range of up to 13+ stops when using the FLog-2 setting.
Additional features of the GFX100RF include an SDXC UHS-II card slot, 20 built-in film simulations, SSD recording capabilities, and dedicated mic and headphone ports, as well as a microHDMI connector for expanded connectivity options. However, one notable omission compared to the X100 VI is the lack of in-body stabilization, which may be a consideration for potential buyers.
In conclusion, the Fujifilm GFX100RF compact camera brings a wealth of advanced features and high-resolution capabilities to photographers seeking a portable and versatile option for street photography and beyond.
