Pick up the new Fujifilm GFX100RF and you would be easily reminded of the classic X100 camera from the same Japanese company from more than a decade ago.
The much-loved original had the most intuitive controls without ever needing a top-plate LCD screen. Yes, it was a simpler time in photography.
Now, the new Fujifilm GFX100RF camera follows the same philosophy. If you’re looking to shoot with a compact, fixed-lens camera that marries analogue charm with digital controls, this should surely be on your radar.
The new camera is housed in a silver and black leatherette body that reminds you of yesteryear’s 35mm film cameras. On top of the camera, there are shutter selection and exposure value compensation dials.
The camera lens sports an aperture control ring that manipulates the aperture size to either capture a sharp picture or create a creamy bokeh for portraits.
A new ISO sub-dial within the shutter dial controls the ISO sensitivity. Together, the controls on the Fujifilm GFX100RF allows you to quickly glance at the camera settings without needing an LCD screen.
There is another new dial at the back of the camera, which lets you set the frame aspect ratio. This could be the typical 3:2 ratio (similar to mirrorless cameras), 4:3 (on micro four-thirds cameras or smartphones) or 65:24 (mimicking a 2:1 superwide frame).
Since the 102-megapixel medium-format sensor on the Fujifilm camera has an aspect ratio of 43.8:32.9, it’s best to use the 4:3 settings to maximise the resolution provided by the sensor.
The new GFX100RF’s value comes from its superior sensor performance, which beats the typical 28mm full-frame sensor seen on most cameras today.
Due to the high pixel count and large photodiode sites, images are crisp and sharp even when viewed up close. ISO performance is also top-notch, with very little ISO noise coming from a photo shot at ISO 5000.
With such a high-megapixel sensor, you will need more storage and a speedy UHS-II card to save the RAW images. A 64GB UHS-II card can save 148 uncompressed RAW files, 224 lossless files, and 430 compressed RAW files.
The total number of files you can save is further reduced if RAW files are saved alongside JPEG files that are at least 20MB. Get ready to get some expensive cards for your images.
The size of the GFX100RF is rather compact for a medium-format camera. At 133.5 x 90.4 x 76.5mm, the camera is just slightly larger the the original Fujifilm X100 and fits into my camera bag as easily too.
The grip is not as protrusive as a modern-day mirrorless camera but it is surprisingly handy in ensuring a secure hold of the camera body. I just wish there is a proper thumb rest with the camera.
For me, the built-in neutral density filter is the killer feature of the first X100 and GFX100RF. By cutting down light into the camera, I can capture eye-popping portraits using the widest aperture to create background bokeh.
The bad news is that the GFX100’s widest aperture is “only” at f4, not the f2 found on the X100, as that would mean a much bigger and impractical lens on the GFX100RF, which is intended to be portable for street photography.
Unlike the original X100, the GFX100RF has a phase detection autofocus system that quickly picks up objects to focus on. Switching to eye detection makes it easy to shoot portraits, too. However, sometimes, the camera is quite hesitant to lock its focus. I have to reduce the size of the focus point to help the camera achieve focus faster.
The other Fujifilm feature you’d like is the use of filters. Unlike what you find on smartphones, the GFX100RF’s filters are subtler and almost film-like. The film simulations that give me an old Japanese camera feel are Chrome and Reala Ace. For that cinematic look, check out the Eterna film simulation.
The GFX100RF is designed with still photography in mind – while it has enough video-making chops, it is not at the level of many of today’s Sony and Canon cameras.
The maximum resolution on the new Fujifilm camera is DCI 4K at a 17:9 aspect ratio at 29.97 frames per second with a bitrate of 720Mbps. It can save in Apple ProRes High Quality, HEVC/H.265, and MPEG-4 video formats.
There are also microphone and headphone monitoring 3.5mm phone jacks, along with a micro HDMI port for connecting to an external screen. This is especially useful when the rear screen cannot swing forward for selfie vlogging.
The GFX100RF is positioned as the ultimate street photography tool, and its S$7,999 price tag reflects that ambition. It ships with a 35mm f/4 lens – equivalent to 28mm on full-frame – which is an excellent focal length for capturing street life and environmental scenes.
However, this fixed aperture and focal length can be limiting for other genres, especially portraiture, where more background separation and bokeh are often desired.
Fujifilm has thoughtfully included a variety of crop ratios to suit different shooting scenarios, and thanks to the ultra-high-resolution medium format sensor, image quality remains remarkably high even when cropping in.
Still, this flexibility is likely to be most appreciated by a niche group of photographers who demand top-tier resolution in a compact medium-format body.
If your work is primarily intended for digital platforms or social media, there are more affordable and practical options available like the Fujifilm X100 VI that has most of the best features from the GFX100RF.
However, if maximum image quality is your top priority – and you enjoy working with a 28mm-equivalent field of view – the GFX100RF is a powerful and uncompromising tool that delivers stunning results. You also need to have a spare S$7,999 in the bank, of course.
