| Body Style | Digital Mirrorless |
| Sensor | Medium Format 100 Megapixel CMOS |
| Focus | Auto Focus Phase Detection Manual Focus |
| FPS | 5 frames per second |
| Shutter Speed | Maximum 1/8000 seconds |
| Video | |
| Storage | Dual SD card |
| LCD | |
| Dimensions | |
| Weight | |
| Battery Capacity |
Handling and Ergonomics 9/10
The GFX100S is a medium format camera, it is relatively compact, probably as large as an older full frame DSLR, think Nikon D850. It is not uncomfortable to hold and carry, Fujifilm did an excellent job making this camera as compact as possible and comfortable to hold, that being said this isn’t a single-handed street camera. The only oddly positioned buttons I found were the top two, which I can’t reach without repositioning my hand. I have medium size hands, if you have larger hands then this should be a problem for you. All essential dials and buttons are withing easy reach and perfectly position, add that to the fact that they can be configured to perform any functions, makes the GFX100S an easy camera to use.
Battery Life 7/10
Battery life is decent and will get you through a modeling photoshoot.
Image Quality 10/10
The Fujifilm GFX100S is the pinnacle of digital cameras, nothing out there beats it except the 150MP Phase One, which costs about 10 times as much. The photos that come out of this camera can only be described as stunning and magical. The color degradation is so smooth and rich, the dynamic range allow you to magically pull details out of shadows and recover details out of highlights. I used the Fujinon GF 50mm F/3.5 and you can see what type of photos this camera produces; it is simply in another league even compared with the top full frame cameras. Low light high ISO performance is superb up to 3200, with some color degradation beyond that but still very useful images up to ISO 6400.
Focusing 8/10
Focusing is surprisingly snappy, especially compared with its medium format cousins like the GFX100, GFX-50R, and GFX-50S/SII, thanks to its phase detection AF system, the older models use slower contrast-based AF which hunts in low light and is not as snappy in well-lit conditions. Withe the GFX100S I was able to follow my model’s movements without losing focus, something I struggled with when using the GFX50SII, and this is the main reason why I upgraded, not for the additional resolution. Since this camera was not designed for sports or fast action, I will not rate it with that in mind. For a portrait, catwalk, landscape, or even street photography, the GFX100S really shines, even shooting in low light the AF performance is really good. Does the AF compare with the Sony A7 or Canon R, definitely not, but for a 100-megapixel medium format camera it performs surprisingly well.
Video/Audio Recording 7/10
The GFX100S can record video, however I never used it professionally, it does have a great sensor, film simulations, and IBIS so you can get away with some great quality footage, but I wouldn’t use it in a movie production.
Who Is This Camera For
The GFX100S is perfect for professional portraits, landscape, artistic, product, restaurants, clothing ads, and virtually anything that is relatively still. It can even be used street photography if you have the guts to show it off in downtown LA for example, as it will attract the wrong type of attention. I would definitely get insurance for the GFX100S. It is also perfect for weddings ceremonies, as it will allow you to stay further away and not interfere with the ceremony, and crop in post while retaining top image quality. The GFX100S is not suited for wedding receptions, as the AF system will not keep up with people dancing and jumping, kids running around, etc..
Who Is This Camera Not For
I wouldn’t use this camera for sports, fast action, or birds in flight photography, you will get some shots in focus, but you will miss many. If you are OK with capturing a few lucky shots, then you can use the GFX100S for such situations. I also wouldn’t use it if size and weight matters, this is a large camera, and its lenses (Except for the 50mm f/3.5) are large and heavy.
Recommended Lenses
The GF50 f/3.5 is a perfect all-around lens, it is relatively compact, very light, and extremely sharp edge to edge, with very little distortion. It is a do it all lens and with the 100MP sensor it is like having an all-around zoom lens. Another exceptional lens I have tested is the GF80mm f/1.7 which is more suited for portraits but is definitely larger and weighs more than the GF50 f/3.5. If I had to choose, I would prefer the 50mm f/3.5 even if it doesn’t produce a shallower DOF, which I am not always a great fan of. Read my article about fast primes and shallow DOF blur and why I find it hyped and overused.
Final Verdict
If you are looking for the best of the best stills camera with top professional image quality, then the GFX100S is the perfect gear for you. You can get a used one in today’s market for less than $4,000. Every time I look at photos that come out of this camera I am blown away by the clarity, smooth color degradation, sharpness, and overall image quality and feel.
Here are some photos from the Fujifilm GFX100S