FUJIFILM GFX100 II Fast Enough for Sport?

The GFX series by Fujifilm produces beautiful film-like images thanks to its massive medium format sensors and colour science. Now Fujifilm has announced the GFX100 II – a new flagship model that delivers the highest burst-shooting, AF and video performance in the history of GFX Series. But is it fast enough for sport or wildlife? I would love nothing better than shooting action with a medium-format image sensor which is about 1.7 times larger than a 35mm full-frame sensor. The issue for a camera like this is readout speed and autofocus tracking.

Australian retailers are taking pre-orders now for A$12,499.00.

This is what Fujifilm says, “The GFX100 II features the newly-developed 102MP high-speed image sensor “GFX 102MP CMOS II HS” and the high-speed image processing engine “X-Processor 5” to deliver up to double the signal readout speed compared to the current model.

“It is the first GFX Series mirrorless digital camera that features the AI-based subject-detection AF, developed with Deep Learning technology, as well as the latest predictive AF algorithm.

“The burst mode performance has also been enhanced from the current model to 8.0 frames per second and the stabilization performance has been improved to eight-stop five-axis to broaden the scope of genres for the GFX Series from fashion, commercial and landscape categories to sports and news photography, where high-speed performance is essential.”

8-frames-per-second is pretty slick for a medium format camera but for sport pros burst rate is everything. When you compare the GFX100 II’s 8-fps to Canon’s R3 24MP full frame 30-fps, it’s no contest. Even when both are dialed back when it comes to using mechanical shutter, the difference is significant. The R3 drops to 12-fps while the GFX100 II slows to just 4-fps. When it comes to mirrorless sport action, the R3 is the king, but if resolution is more important to you .. then the GFX100 II might just be fast enough to take to the big game. The video below shows a sports shooter using the GFX100 II.

GFX100 II STILLS FEATURES

• The GFX100 II is equipped with the newly-developed 102MP image sensor “GFX 102MP CMOS II HS,” which boasts up to double the signal readout speed compared to the current model to enable continuous shooting of up to 8.0 frames per second. Users can enjoy burst shooting at very quick intervals completely stress-free thanks also to reinforced buffer memory. In the field of sports photography, previously difficult with past GFX Series models, the GFX100 II seizes decisive photo moments while preserving the high definition and high image quality synonymous to the large format sensor.

• The use of an improved algorithm has evolved the Face / Eye AF and introduced the AI-based subject-detection AF, developed with deep-learning technology to detect animals, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, airplanes, trains, insects and drones. A targeted subject is automatically tracked while kept in focus so that users can focus on shutter opportunities and framing. The evolved predictive AF algorithm provides added ease to users in sports photography, for example, which requires advanced tracking capability to track a subject that moves quickly within the frame.

• The camera is equipped with a high-magnification and high-definition 9.44-million-dot EVF with 1.0x magnification. It suppresses parallax and distortion which typically occurs when an eye position becomes displaced while using the viewfinder, thereby providing stellar visibility. The EVF boasts smooth refresh frame rate of approx. 120fps to accurately identify a subject’s fast movements.
• 7 Use the “Bird” setting to detect insects and the “Airplane” setting to detect drones.
• Improvement to the pixel structure has boosted the new sensor’s saturated electrons, thereby enabling the use of ISO80 as a non-extended sensitivity. When the sensor sensitivity is set at ISO80, the camera can capture images at greater dynamic range and lower noise than with the previous model.
• The new sensor’s micro lenses are improved to increase light use efficiency at the sensor’s edges, thus improving image quality and AF accuracy at the edges over the previous model.
• The GFX100 II comes with a new Film Simulation mode called “REALA ACE,” which offers faithful color reproduction and high-contrast tonality. Users can use from 20 Film Simulation modes to give images a diverse range of distinctive tones, as if they are choosing a suitable photo film.
• The camera features the Pixel Shift Multi-Shot function, which enables 4x resolution and faithful color reproduction. The function controls the In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS) mechanism at the advanced level to shift the image sensor by 0.5 pixel at a time and shoot 16 RAW images in a quick succession. The dedicated software “Pixel Shift Combiner” is then used to combine the 16 RAW files to generate a 400MP image. This is a perfect choice for commercial photography or digital archiving of cultural assets.
• 8 When recording at 16-bit RAW

GFX100 II VIDEO

• This is the first GFX Series model capable of recording 8K/30P video. It can also record 4K/60 4:2:2 10-bit video internally, demonstrating significant improvement in video performance thanks to the use of the new sensor.
• Users can film a moving subject naturally due to the increased sensor readout speed and suppression of the rolling shutter effect. The non-extended ISO100 is also available in the video mode to deliver even higher image quality in video footage.

• The GFX100 II supports three Apple ProRes codecs, i.e. Apple ProRes 422 HQ, Apple ProRes 422 and Apple ProRes 422 LT. When shooting in Apple ProRes, the camera can use proxy video recording such as Apple ProRes 422 Proxy, which reduces video editing workload to streamline the overall workflow from filming to postproduction.
• The camera features Video Format modes, enabling video recording in multiple formats including Premista, 35mm, and anamorphic (35mm) with the mount adapter.
• The tracking AF function for video recording has been added. Users can touch the screen to specify a subject to be tracked while filming in the AF-C + Wide / Tracking AF mode. This allows the camera to track the right subject in situations where multiple subjects are in the frame.

• This is the first GFX Series camera that features F-Log2 with dynamic range expanded up to 14+ stops. This enhancement enables video recording with enriched tonality, thereby broadening post-production potential significantly.
• The GFX100 II can output up to 8K/30P 12-bit video in RAW data via HDMI. The camera can record video in the Apple ProRes RAW format when used with the NINJA V+ monitor by ATOMOS, and in the Blackmagic RAW format when used with the “Video Assist 12G” monitor by Blackmagic Design.
• The camera supports timecode synch with ATOMOS AirGlu™ BT. This enables seamless timecode synching with multiple cameras, meeting demand from various video production sites.

OTHER FEATURES

• The camera body is equipped with an Ethernet port as well as HDMI Type A and USB-C terminals to broaden connectivity with external devices significantly for diverse peripheral combinations.
• An external SSD can be connected via USB-C to record stills and video data directly in the external SDD in any mode or format including 4K/60P and 8K/30P.
• The camera supports the cloud service “Frame.io Camera to Cloud” so that Apple ProRes Proxy files and a variety of other video files can be uploaded directly to Frame.io, thus dramatically streamlining the workflow from shooting to editing.
• The camera is equipped with dual card slots supporting CFExpress™ Type B and SD cards. The use of a CFExpress™ Type B card with a fast write speed brings out the full video performance of the GFX100 II.
• IPTC meta data can be added to images as they are shot. The meta data can be checked and edited in the digital camera app “FUJIFILM XApp.”
• Some of the modes may not be supported depending on the type of SSD. Check Fujifilm’s website for a list of supported SSDs.
• Check Fujifilm’s website for a list of supported cards. CFexpress is a trademark or registered trademark of the CompactFlash Association.
• IPTC meta data refers to meta data contained in digital images compliant with the standards set by the IPTC (International Press Telecommunications Council).
• The GFX100 II has a new IBIS mechanism. It uses image information to detect camera shake for enhanced stabilization accuracy to achieve up to eight-stop five-axis stabilization performance, the best among Fujifilm cameras. Users can shoot hand-held with ease even in low light situations such as night landscape.
• The camera body has been designed with multiple improvements over previous models in pursuit for practicality. The new BISHAMON-TEX™ texture is used to maximize the camera’s grip when hand-held in various angles. The top panel is slightly slanted toward a user so that camera settings can be checked with minimal eye movement. The sub-LCD monitor at the top is larger than previous models with updated GUI design for enhanced visibility.
• The operability of various buttons has been improved, and three Fn buttons with advanced operability have been added to the top of the grip so that users can adapt to change of shooting conditions smoothly.
• 15 BISHAMON-TEX is a trademark or registered trademark of FUJIFILM Corporation.
• Vertical battery grip “VG-GFX100 II” (designed for the GFX100 II). This battery grip is dust- and weather-resistant and capable of operating at temperatures as low as -10℃. It can hold two of the large capacity battery “NP-W235.”
• Buttons are placed at accessible places for shooting as easily and comfortably as when the camera is held horizontally.
• A cooling fan that assists video filming for extended duration or under high-temperature environment
• It can be attached to the rear side of the camera body and receive power completely cable-free to extend the duration of continuous video filming at high temperatures without concerns of heat-related malfunction.
• By mounting this accessory between the camera body and EVF unit, the mounting angle of the EVF can be changed to angles from 0°∼90° when shooting horizontally and from -45°∼+45° when shooting vertically. Doing so will allow users to shoot from various angles while using the viewfinder, greatly increasing freedom of camera positions and the range of expressions.