Introduction
 |
As the newest member of Fujifilm’s GFX medium format system, the GFX 100 II sits in a unique position. It’s smaller and cheaper than the original GFX 100, but brings better responsiveness and autofocus performance than the lower-end GFX 100S along with niceties such as a high-res viewfinder.
But it’s a little more than a basic refresh, since it also sports new styling and a new processor with improved circuitry to speed up sensor readout times. Oh, and we didn’t even mention – this is a medium format camera that shoots 8K video, too! Dig into the video resolutions, and you’ll find a number of useful modes from there down including 4K and 1080P. There’s plenty to explore, so let’s take another look at the Fujifilm GFX 100 II.
Buy the Fujifilm GFX 100 II:
Sensor
 |
As its name suggests, the GFX 100 II is another camera based around a 102-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor. This big, 44mm x 33mm sensor has an assist from upgraded circuitry and a new X Processor 5, and Fujifilm says it should read out slightly faster than previous cameras. This time around, the more powerful internals also unlock video recording, both internal and external, up to 8K with a substantial crop.
The sensor rests on a 5-axis stabilizer, giving it 8EV of protection against shakes. Since not all of the GFX lenses have optical stabilization, this lets photographers shoot handheld without much worry – not that a sensor this big has many problems gobbling up photons in low light.
The new processor makes the GFX 100 II the first in the series to offer the subject detection AF modes first introduced on the Fujifilm X-H2S.
Removable viewfinder
 |
The GFX 100 II uses the same electronic viewfinder socket as other cameras in the series, like the GFX 50S and GFX 100. If you’re already in the system this means you’ll be able to use accessories like the EVF-TL1 to change the angle of the viewfinder or leave it off altogether when relying on the rear LCD.
Inside the included EVF module you get a detailed 9.44M dot panel, with 60Hz refresh rates in the full view mode. If you want double the responsiveness, there’s always the option to crop down to a smaller 0.77x view in 120Hz mode.
Displays
 |
Having a 3-way tilt screen is fantastic, especially considering the new focus on video that Fujifilm is promoting with the GFX 100 II. You can tilt the LCD vertically up and down for high or low angle shooting, or unhook the screen to let it tilt sideways for portraits.
On the top of the camera is a big 2.09-inch display that shows the camera’s settings at a glance. It’s a high-contrast screen that’s highly visible in daylight customizable and that displays your settings even if the camera’s been switched off, so you can pick up where you left off between shooting sessions.
Battery
 |
Fujifilm’s stuck with its NP-W235 battery here, as seen in other cameras like the X-T5, X-H2 and other small-bodied GFX cameras. At 16Wh, it’s rated for 530 shots. This is the most obvious step down from the GFX 100, which had room for two 14Wh batteries, giving it a rating of 800 shots per charge.
Optional grip
 |
If the GFX 100 II’s single battery isn’t enough, or if you shoot a lot in portrait orientation, there’s a port on the bottom of the camera that will let you add a battery grip. The grip, called VG-GFX 100 II, is $499, and of course, functions as a vertical grip with duplicate controls for that orientation.
Notably, even if you opt to add the battery grip (whose vertical hand-hold is a much nicer shape than the vertical grip on the original GFX 100), you’ll still have paid $2000 less than buying the original GFX 100’s list price.
Card slots
 |
Under the camera’s grip are the camera’s two memory card slots. The GFX 100 II can hold one UHS-II SD card, as well as a CFexpress Type B slot. Unfortunately, although you have that high-speed CFexpress slot, there are some things that can only be recorded externally. With its USB-C port, it’s simple to add an external SSD for the camera’s USB 3.2 Gen2x1 interface for speeds up to 10Gbps. This can be used for capturing stills or video.
Ports/video
 |
The GFX 100 II comes equipped with a useful variety of ports, including a LAN port for tethering (or connecting to a network for using Fujiflm’s camera-to-cloud system), a 3.5mm microphone jack, a full-size HDMI for use with external monitors or recorders, and a USB-C PD capable port for all your charging and external SSD needs. What’s not here is the headphone port, which is on the right side at the top of the camera’s grip.
In terms of video, Fujifilm has come up with a series of video modes that try to make the most of the image circle of three different lens formats: native GFX lenses, adapted lenses designed for 135/full-frame cameras, and its own Premista series of cine/broadcast zooms.
Summary
 |
It’s clear that by skipping full-frame and going straight to medium format, Fujifilm has built out a unique mirrorless niche. With its handling and performance improvements, the GFX 100 II shows that Fujifilm isn’t sitting still, and makes a bigger sensor more accessible to more kinds of photographers than ever.
Buy the Fujifilm GFX 100 II:
Author:
This article comes from DP Review and can be read on the original site.
