Smaller and lighter? Check. Big medium format sensor? Check! Fujifilm has just released their newest medium format digital interchangeable mirrorless camera, the Fujifilm GFX 50R. Weighing in 145g less and showing off a body that is 25mm thinner than the already-DSLR-sized GFX 50S, the new GFX 50R promises to be even more portable and packable. Here we have a medium format camera barely tipping the scales at 1.7 lb. For those of you keeping score at home, that is lighter than your Canon 5D Mark IV and your Nikon D850. Like its big(er) brother, the GFX 50R features a large 43.8 x 32.9mm 51.4MP sensor equipped with Fujifilm’s popular film simulation modes that include Velvia, PROVIA, and ACROS. And, just like the 50S, the new camera is fully weather and dust sealed.
Fans of the GFX 50S will notice that the GFX 50R does not contain the reflex camera-like “prism” viewfinder housing. Instead, the 50R has a layout and appearance similar to the X-series rangefinder-styled X-E3 camera with the built-in viewfinder located on the upper left of the camera’s streamlined rear chassis. You may also compose your images on the large 3.2” rear LCD monitor.
The rest of the spec sheet reads very similar to its GFX 50S stablemate, but, for those unfamiliar, the 51.4MP sensor allows for full HD video recording at 1920x1080 29.97p/25p/24p/23.98p 36Mbps and data is saved on dual SD card slots. The battery allows for approximately 400 shots on a full charge. The GFX 50R is also the first GFX camera with Bluetooth compatibility for pairing the camera to a smartphone or tablet for transferring pictures.
So, here we have a smaller and lighter, but super-capable digital medium format machine that comes in at an even lower price point than its big brother. What I am left to wonder is, now that medium format digital is becoming more approachable, will all those photographers who claim their full-frame sensors are far superior to cropped sensors be migrating to medium format? What do you think? Please share your impressions in the comments section below!
