What you need to know about the Fujifilm GFX 50R Fujifilm's latest digital medium-format camera is the GFX 50R, a rangefinder-styled interpretation of the GFX 50S that was announced at Photokina 2016.
Bearing more than a passing resemblance to some of Fujifilm's medium-format film rangefinders, the GFX 50R is 145g (0. 32lb) lighter than the 50S, and is 25mm (0. 98") thinner. The smaller size and redesigned controls serve to make the 50R handle very differently from its elder sibling.
What you need to know about the Fujifilm GFX 50R
But before we get into the handling, let's take a quick look over what isn't new on the GFX 50R. Compared to the 50S, we have the same sensor, processor, battery, film simulations and viewfinder panel (though EVF magnification takes a dip, at 0. 77x compared to 0. 85x).
This means that you're getting the same impressive image quality as the 50S in a smaller, lighter package and for less money - $4500 USD, to be precise. So while the hardware itself isn't the most exciting, the 50R does represent a new low price of entry to the world of medium-format digital imaging. There's still a question as to the advantages of this larger format over existing full-frame cameras, but there's some silver lining in that the 50R grants you access to Fujifilm's excellent lineup of sharp, well-built GF lenses.
What you need to know about the Fujifilm GFX 50R
As you can see, the GFX 50R slots in nicely between Fujifilm's X-E3 and an old Fuji GW690 III from the 1990s in terms of size. Though the 50R approaches the Hasselblad X1D for compactness and is much smaller than the Pentax 645Z, it's still a substantial camera. The 50R's rangefinder styling necessitates a smaller grip than the GFX 50S, and as a result, the 50R is best used with two hands.
What you need to know about the Fujifilm GFX 50R
Here, you can more clearly see the resemblance in controls between the GFX 50R and the X-E3. Both come with AF selection joysticks and a similar array of buttons, and both eschew a 'standard' four-way controller in favor of using directional swipes on the touchscreen. Despite our fears of Fujifilm's touchscreen interface mis-reading those directional swipes, they work just as they do on the X-E3, which is to say, rather well.
This layout, which places most of the direct controls within reach of your right thumb, isn't as convenient on the 50R as on the X-E3. With a suitably compact lens, the X-E3 can be easily operated one-handed. The extra heft of the 50R, regardless of which lens is attached, means you'll likely be supporting the camera with your left hand and manipulating controls with your right.
What you need to know about the Fujifilm GFX 50R
Along the bottom of the camera are a few other changes. The battery slots in here, rather on the side like the GFX 50S. There are also ports for AC power and USB-C behind a rubberized door. The GFX 50R does not support USB charging, but it does allow for tethered shooting and is fully compatible with Capture One.
Fujifilm has confirmed that there won't be a battery grip option for the GFX 50R, and as such, there are no connectors for one on the camera.
What you need to know about the Fujifilm GFX 50R
The top-plate controls on the GFX 50R are likewise similar to the X-E3. There's no dedicated ISO dial, but the front dial that surrounds the shutter button can be configured to serve that purpose. By default the rear dial biases the shutter speed in 1/3-stop increments above and below the chosen whole-stop value on the dedicated shutter speed dial. There are also plenty of physical customizable buttons, though they're not always easy to find with your eye to the finder - they're small, and sit nearly flush with the body.
As a staff, our views are mixed regarding the On/Off switch. In truth, no one is really a fan of it, but some of us are more indifferent than others. Whichever side of the fence you're on, there's no denying that it's on the small side and a little awkward to reach.
What you need to know about the Fujifilm GFX 50R
Getting back to the inside of the camera, we should note that because the GFX 50R has the same processor as the 50S, the camera exhibits some slight lagginess not present on the likes of the X-T3. This is particularly noticeable when enabling the Color Chrome effect, as an example.
But as we said at the start, the processor / sensor combo in the GFX 50R is capable of really stunning image quality, and the camera remains overall quite responsive.
What you need to know about the Fujifilm GFX 50R
So at its core, the GFX 50R is a smaller, cheaper 50S. But to make your GFX 50R kit as compact as possible, you'll want to pick up the GF 50mm F3. 5 pancake prime when it's released in 2019. It's one of three lenses from Fujifilm's updated roadmap, and should pair well with the 50R.
Pictured above, the GF 50mm F3. 5 is extremely compact, and offers a field-of-view equivalent to 40mm and a depth-of-field equivalent to roughly F2. 8 on a full-frame 35mm sensor.
What you need to know about the Fujifilm GFX 50R
Our full GFX 50R review is already underway, so stay tuned for updates to our sample gallery as well as further studio testing in the coming weeks. You can get your very own GFX 50R when shipping begins in November.
. dpreview.com2018-9-27 16:00
