102 Megapixel Mirrorless Camera to be Released Soon by Fujifilm

June 7, 2019/108 Comments/in Images, News, Rambles /by Matt Meisenheimer

Fujifilm has just announced maybe one of the most exciting and innovative cameras that we have seen in a while.

Do you like to print your images, and print your images big? Well, enter the Fuji GFCX100, 100 megapixels of mirrorless goodness. It is an extremely exciting release and will begin shipping on June 27, 2019, for $9,995 (did you think a medium format 102-megapixel mirrorless camera would be cheap?!).

“The GFX100 uses a large format CMOS sensor with over 100 million pixels which makes this the highest class resolution mirrorless digital camera ever produced. The GFX100 is the coming together of FUJIFILM’s unique blend of imaging and optical technologies and heralds the future of photography for the years to come.”

Product Highlights

102MP 43.8 x 32.9mm BSI CMOS Sensor
X-Processor 4 Image Processor
Removable 5.76m-Dot OLED EVF
3.2″ 2.36m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD
DCI 4K30 Video; F-Log Gamma & 10-Bit Out
5-Axis Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization
3.76m-Point Phase-Detection Autofocus
ISO 100-12800, Up to 5 fps Shooting
16-Bit Raw Output, Multi-Aspect Ratios
Built-In Battery Grip, 2 x SD Card Slots

This camera is impressive though.

It is the world’s first 102-megapixel mirrorless camera. It boasts in-body stabilization, phase detection AF (with 100% coverage of the frame), 4K video, serious weather sealing, and a great lens lineup. It might be $10,000, but it darn well justifies the price too for you photographers out there that print a lot. This is a monster of a camera. Fujifilm has been very successful with their crop sensor mirrorless line, the XT-2 and XT-3 are both fantastic cameras. I expect the GFXC100 to be just as successful at its respective sensor size.

The amazing thing about this camera is its size. This camera is the same size as flagship DSLRs from Canon and Nikon, however, remember this is a medium format sensor. Its sensor is 1.7 times the size of a 35mm full-frame sensor, its 55m diagonally. The GFX100 actually weighs less than the 1D X Mark II and the Nikon D5 as well. Yet, it is also about $5,000 more than those respective cameras.

Nonetheless, Fuji is calling this camera ‘“a game changer in digital camera technology and capability.”

The GFX100 is the first model in the GFX System that uses a phase detection AF algorithm (versus a contrast detection system). The system is adapted from the popular X series cameras, the XT-3 and XT-30. The AF systems of those two cameras have been praised by reviewers. The algorithm makes full use of 3.76 million phase detection pixels, which cover the entire sensor. Fuji says that with certain lenses, the improvement is 210% better than previous bodies.

In general, the higher the resolution of a sensor, the greater the chance of camera shake. To combat shake, Fuji has designed an IBIS system specifically for the new 102-megapixel sensor. The IBIS system allows up to 5.5 stops of image stabilization.

The GFX100 adapts the GFX 50S’s tiltable EVF system that can be adjusted to various angles to fit the specific shooting scenario. The LCD screen consists of a 5.76 million dot OEL panel, that will wow you, the new Nikon Z7 only has a 2.1 million dot panel.

The GFX100 can accommodate two NP-T125 batteries, extending the number of shots per charge to 800. The camera can also be charged via a USB-C connection.

Additional features of the GFX100 include dual SDXC card slots, a USB-C port, microphone, and headphone jacks, a 2.5mm remote release connector, 16 Film Simulation modes, Fujifilm’s X-Processor 4 engine, 16-bit RAW photos, and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth wireless connectivity.

Overall, this looks like a great camera, regardless of the price. It is the first mirrorless camera over 100 megapixels and its size alone is something to respect. This could be the norm for the medium to large format users out there. Now, you can greatly reduce the size and weight of your kit, while actually improving image quality.

Again, this camera will be available on June 27 of this year. If you pick one up, let us know your thoughts! This is a great release for the digital market, as it continues to push the envelope of technology and engineering. For us consumers, that means consistently better products from all manufacturers.

Matt Meisenheimer

Matt Meisenheimer is a photographer based in Wisconsin. His artistry revolves around finding unique compositions and exploring locations that few have seen. He strives to capture those brief moments of dramatic light and weather, which make our grand landscapes so special. Matt loves the process of photography – from planning trips and scouting locations, taking the shot in-field, to post-processing the final image. Matt is an active adventurer and wildlife enthusiast as well. He graduated with a degree in wildlife ecology and worked in Denali National Park and Mount Rainier National Park as a biologist. He also spent 6 months working in the deserts of Namibia before finding his path in photography. Matt’s passion for the wilderness has taken him to many beautiful places around the world. As a former university teaching assistant, Matt is passionate about instruction. It is his goal to give his students the technical and creative knowledge they need to achieve their own photographic vision. He truly enjoys working with photographers on a personal level and helping them reach their goals. You can see Matt’s work and portfolio on his webpage at www.meisphotography.com