Fujifilm GFX100S II Review

The Gap is Closing: Fujifilm’s GFX100S II Makes Medium Format Irresistible

When Fujifilm launched the original GFX100S, it felt like a paradigm shift. For the first time, 102 megapixels of medium format power were squeezed into a body that handled like a professional DSLR, at a price that, while high, was no longer astronomical. It was a statement. With the GFX100S II, Fujifilm isn’t making a new statement; it’s emphatically reinforcing the old one. This isn’t a revolutionary leap, but a potent, intelligent evolution that sands down the original’s rough edges, making the allure of medium format harder than ever to ignore.

At the heart of the GFX100S II is a new 102MP BSI CMOS II HS sensor paired with the company’s latest X-Processor 5. This is the same engine found in its more expensive sibling, the GFX100 II, and the performance gains are immediately apparent. The most significant upgrade is the autofocus. Leveraging AI-based subject detection for animals, birds, cars, and more, the camera’s ability to acquire and track subjects is a world away from the stately, deliberate pace of its predecessor. While it won’t be dethroning a Sony A1 or Nikon Z9 for tracking erratic action, it brings a level of confidence and speed that makes medium format viable for dynamic portraiture, events, and even some wildlife photography—scenarios that were previously frustrating. The burst rate has also been bumped to a respectable 7fps, further closing the usability gap with high-end full-frame systems.

Ergonomically, Fujifilm wisely stuck with a winning formula. The GFX100S II’s body is nearly identical to the original, which is to say it’s remarkably comfortable and well-balanced for the sensor it houses. The key physical change is a new BISHAMON-TEX textured finish, which provides a more secure and premium-feeling grip. The real quality-of-life upgrade, however, is the new 5.76M-dot electronic viewfinder. It’s a significant step up in resolution and clarity, making manual focusing and image review a much more pleasant experience. Combined with the robust, weather-sealed build, the GFX100S II remains a tool you can confidently take from the studio into the field.

Of course, the reason anyone considers a GFX camera is image quality, and here the GFX100S II is simply sublime. The sheer detail resolved by the 102MP sensor is staggering, providing immense flexibility for cropping and massive prints. But it’s more than just megapixels. The sensor’s larger-than-full-frame dimensions deliver an incredibly smooth tonal roll-off, vast dynamic range for pulling detail from shadows and highlights, and that distinct “medium format look” that is difficult to replicate. This is now bolstered by a best-in-class in-body image stabilization (IBIS) system, rated for up to 8 stops of compensation. This enhancement is transformative, making it genuinely practical to shoot handheld at lower shutter speeds and still achieve bitingly sharp results. Add in Fujifilm’s legendary color science, including the new and beautifully cinematic REALA ACE film simulation, and you have an image-making machine of the highest caliber.

The $4,999 price tag places the GFX100S II in a fascinating market position. For photographers currently invested in top-tier full-frame systems, it presents a compelling question: do you need more speed or more resolution? While it has become significantly faster, its primary value remains in its unparalleled image fidelity. For landscape, architectural, commercial, and fine art photographers, the answer is clear. The GFX100S II offers a level of quality that was, until recently, the exclusive domain of cameras costing two to three times as much. The investment doesn’t stop with the body, as the superb GF lenses carry their own premium, but the total package represents a democratizing force in the high-end digital imaging space.

Ultimately, the Fujifilm GFX100S II is a masterpiece of refinement. It takes a groundbreaking camera and makes it faster, smarter, and more versatile. It isn’t for everyone—the massive file sizes demand a robust workflow, and it’s still not a sports camera. But for the discerning photographer who has hit the image quality ceiling of full-frame and craves that next level of detail, depth, and color, the GFX100S II isn’t just a compelling option; it may very well be the most logical choice on the market today.

Where to Buy:

Check it out on Amazon