Best Fujifilm GFX 50R Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals & Sales 2020:
The Fujifilm GFX 50R is Fujifilm’s “compact” medium format package. With this device, the Japanese manufacturer aims to bring this type of sensor out of the studios, thanks to reduced dimensions and a more affordable price.
Presentation
Rather than fighting on the full- frame camera market and facing tough competition directly, Fujifilm has chosen to position itself in the sector of hybrid cameras with medium-format sensors by launching a GFX 50S that looks like a SLR camera.
In the fall of 2018, Fujifilm introduced two new models . The GFX 100 , top of the range to come in 2019 and the Fujifilm GFX 50R with a more content technical sheet. The latter aims to develop the use of a medium format sensor on the go with reporting in line of sight, to cite just one example. Fujifilm continues to drive the point home with the GFX 50S and associates the new reference with a price of € 4,500, very competitive on this market.
To meet its ambitions, the case benefits from an “all weather” finish and a relatively compact size. The structure of the device was made of magnesium alloy to guarantee the best reliability and the whole weighs only 775 g, including battery. The Fujifilm GFX 50R builds part of its technical sheet from that of the GFX 50S released before it with the same 51.4 MP sensor. The electronic viewfinder is 3.7 Mpx at 0.77 magnification in 24×36 equivalent. The rear 2.36 MP touch screen can be rotated on an axis. Low-consumption Bluetooth is available for quick consultation of photographs on your smartphone.
Finally, Fujifilm does not forget to take care of the design of its case. As usual, the retro style is de rigueur and comes to sign the Japanese trademark. The device, due to its construction and the position of its viewfinder, refers to the old rangefinder models produced in the past by the company.
Best Fujifilm GFX 50R Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals & Sales 2020
1. Fujifilm GFX 50R 51.4MP Mirrorless Medium Format Camera (Body Only)
2. Fujifilm GFX 50R Medium Format Mirrorless Camera GF 32-64mm f/4 R LM WR Wide-Angle Zoom Lens
3. Fujifilm GFX 50R Medium Format Mirrorless Camera (Body Only) FUJINON GF 63mm F/2.8 R WR Lens
4. Fujifilm GFX 50R Medium Format Mirrorless Camera (Body Only) FUJINON GF 45mm F/2.8 R WR Lens
Ergonomics
One of the main arguments put forward by Fujifilm regarding the GFX 50R is its size. The device does indeed appear to take up little space… in comparison with medium format boxes usually reserved for sedentary use! But even if it is only 66.4 cm thick and it has reduced dimensions compared to the GFX 50S, we can not really speak of a compact device. Considering its dimensions and its general design, the case offers a slightly coarse rendering which is not to its advantage. On the other hand, a real feeling of solidity emerges from the device.
The case is rather angular, which can be annoying to the grip. It will take time to adjust to get used to this grip. In the same spirit as the “compactness” of the device, the weight is relatively contained (775 g). On the other hand, the front handle is underdeveloped and the thumb rest could have been larger. When using reportage or street photography, it is difficult to rely on these two elements to hold the camera with one hand while waiting to take your next image. The screen that can be oriented downwards or upwards is welcome and allows you to take pictures at ground level at arm’s length or at belly level. The eyecup of the electronic viewfinder is rigid which can annoy some people wearing glasses. The viewfinder is wide and pleasant to use. The colors are good and well contrasted, and the dynamics well managed.
Controls and parameters
Lots of control buttons are present, and quite a few can have their function changed just like the front and rear dial. The shortcuts, accessible by the Q key, are very practical and customizable. It is possible to configure the assembly according to your own needs. In addition, the speed or exposure adjustment knobs make everything very pleasant and versatile. However, some ergonomic imperfections spoil the picture. We can cite, for example, the two buttons on the thumb rest which allow access to adjustments easily and quickly, but which due to their position, are regularly involuntarily pressed. Because of the dimensions of the case, the use of certain commands will require a little gymnastics.
The software part is well supplied. Several creative modes are available with different filters or color rendering. The bracketing is obviously available, but also an interval timer or the double exposure directly integrated into the device. However, this last setting only generates JPEGs. For the very interesting small options, we can note, among other things, the possibility of specifying a minimum speed at the same time as activating the automatic range of ISO, which is very practical to avoid blurry photos, especially when there there is no stabilization.
More
However, there are still a few issues. Some menus lack clarity and systematically refer to the summary after a snapshot. It is really impractical when tests are made or during the configuration of the box. The display of real ISOs is not done dynamically, but only when the shutter release button is partially pressed when the device is programmed in auto ISO. Some oddities are also present. Not all shutter, autofocus, face detection, or exposure metering are compatible with each other.
Certain parameters deactivate others, which leads to restricted use of the functions depending on the case. Similarly, the function which leaves the choice between the display on the screen or on the electronic viewfinder cannot be unlocked to consult the quick settings menu, it is inconvenient. It would have been preferable to be able to activate it like the key which allows you to read the pictures on the memory card.
Reactivity
For measurements, the case of Fujifilm GFX 50R was equipped with the Fujinon GF 63 mm f / 2.8 R WR equivalent to 50 mm in 24×36. The startup slightly exceeds the second and the autofocus is quite fast. The autofocus with contrast detection has 425 areas for focusing. Even if it is not the fastest, the device performs relatively well overall. However, the search for the point is regularly caught and pumping effects appear, especially when the shooting conditions are complicated. The problematic aspect comes from the continuous autofocus (AF-C) which turns out to be quite anecdotal. It takes a long time to focus, and motion tracking does not allow you to take sharp photographs effectively.
The promises for the burst are kept and the 3 fps are well achieved. If it is possible to maintain this rate in JPEG, the buffer and the X-Processor Pro processor show their limits in JPEG + RAW. The raw files of 51.4 Mpx weigh more than 120 Mo and the JPEG 30 Mo. Under these conditions, approximately seven views can be chained with a significant time of writing on the memory card to the key.
Electronic noise management
The image quality is exceptional from 50 to 800 ISO and the details perfectly transmitted. From ISO 1600, a slight loss of sharpness can be observed. You should avoid reaching this value if you want to keep the best sensor capabilities. The important step is between 3,200 and 6,400 ISO. If the destination of the images is not the most demanding, ISO 12 800 remains a possible value. Image quality deteriorates sharply at ISO 25,600.
However, the overall rendering of the image remains good. The 51.4 megapixel sensor will help you present a suitable shot despite a flutter that begins to develop. As is often the case, the two extreme values are to be avoided, too much confusion and loss of detail.
Latitude of exposure
To verify the scope of the work from an “artistic” point of view, we photographed our test scene over a range of +/– 10 EV and corrected the raw files with our editing software to obtain a similar exposure.
The information that can be recovered with an overexposure of the image is rather limited. It is difficult to find values above 1.3 EV. The limit is at most 1.6 EV. It is rather frustrating for a medium format sensor. It is easier to recover the image in shadows than in burned areas. The Fujifilm GFX 50R ‘s sensor is no exception to the rule and data can be retrieved easily down to -3 EV, or even -4 EV at the cost of a little noise. It is possible to regain information between -5 and -6 EV, but noise and loss of quality will be significant.
It should also be noted that the image produced by the sensor tends to be subject to moire on the finest details. We can notice it on the test patterns of our laboratory, but also on certain textures like that of the book of our test scene.
Video
The video mode of the Fujifilm GFX 50R is rather limited. The recording is done in FullHD (1,920 x 1,080 px) in 29.97 p, 25 p, 24 p or 23.98 p. The stream is recorded in AVC / H.264 with a bit rate of 36 Mb / s.
The image quality is generally good. However, 4K or Ultra HD is not available. As in the photo part, an unsubtle and unsightly moiré appears in the finest elements of the target. The rolling shutter is present during the lateral movements of the camera. Finally, the autofocus is very slow and struggles to focus. The search for the point is risky and sometimes ineffective. Face detection also lacks efficiency. Once again, the back and forth effects of the autofocus are manifested.
STRONG POINTS
- Excellent image quality.
- Many customizable parameters.
- Compactness for a medium format.
- All weather finish.
- Creative options available.
- Good sensitivity management.
- Electronic shutter.
- Orientable and touch screen LCD.
- 2 UHS-II compatible SD slots.
- Full connectivity.
WEAK POINTS
- Reduced exposure attitude for highlights.
- Case design lacking in finesse.
- Images subject to moiré.
- USB-C socket under the housing.
- Limited video mode.
- Continuous autofocus which lacks efficiency.
- Anecdotal subject tracking.
CONCLUSION
The Fujifilm GFX 50R ‘s mission is to get the medium format sensor out of the studios while democratizing it thanks to an attractive price and reduced dimensions. It is a successful bet if we compare it to devices of the same segment. The case is very efficient and customizable, but some ergonomic inconsistencies in its design or in the parameters slightly tarnish the table. The problem is mainly the continuous autofocus, subject tracking or video mode too limited. However, the overall quality of the image is exceptional and teeming with detail. The exploitation of such a sensor and its depth of field is a real pleasure.
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