Fujifilm GFX 100RF Review

Medium format has long been the domain of studio pros, fashion shooters, and those with deep pockets—or massive camera bags. But Fujifilm’s latest creation, the GFX 100RF, throws out much of that legacy bulk without sacrificing what makes medium format special. Compact, stylish, and equipped with a 102MP sensor, it promises to deliver that legendary GFX image quality in a body not much bigger than an X-T5. The catch? It comes with a fixed 35mm F4 lens. That might sound limiting, but in practice, this setup could be the perfect creative companion—especially if you value simplicity and resolution over versatility.

So is this a niche indulgence, or has Fujifilm just made medium format genuinely accessible for the everyday photographer? We’ve spent time with it to find out.

Unboxing and First Impressions

Straight out of the box, the GFX 100RF feels surprisingly approachable for a camera with such serious credentials. Alongside the body, Fujifilm includes:

• 49mm protective filter
• Lens hood adapter and caps
• Shoulder strap

Lifting the camera for the first time, you might expect it to feel dense and intimidating. It doesn’t. At just 735g, it’s light for a medium format body and incredibly close in size to Fujifilm’s APS-C workhorse, the X-T5.

This is Fujifilm’s most compact GF camera to date. Despite housing a 102MP sensor, the GFX 100RF doesn’t look like a typical medium format system. It fits right into the modern mirrorless crowd with sharp edges, high-quality materials, and a minimalist layout.

• Compact dimensions: 90.4mm tall, 133.5mm wide
• Grip is usable, though could benefit from more depth

From first contact, it’s clear this camera breaks from medium format tradition. It’s not just smaller—it’s built for everyday use without the usual bulk.

Controls, Dials, and Usability

Fujifilm has always had a strong focus on tactile shooting experiences, and the GFX 100RF follows that tradition with a thoughtful control layout. The top plate features a combined shutter speed and ISO dial, complete with a locking mechanism that strikes a balance between security and usability.

• ISO dial unlocks with a lift-and-turn ring for quick changes
• Exposure compensation has its own dedicated dial
• Shutter release and power switch are conveniently placed up top

A standout addition is the aspect ratio dial located prominently on the top deck. It lets you quickly cycle through up to nine different aspect ratios, offering a preview overlay on the EVF and LCD. JPEG shooters will see these ratios baked in, while RAW users can revert back to full resolution in post.

On the rear, the control scheme is familiar to anyone who’s used Fujifilm’s X-series cameras:

• Focus mode selector
• AE/AF lock button
• Customisable command dial
• Q-menu access and drive mode buttons

However, the joystick is notably smaller than what’s found on the X-T5. While it still functions for navigating menus and selecting AF points, it lacks travel and can be easy to press accidentally. A traditional D-pad might have been a better fit here.

The front of the camera also gets attention, with a unique digital teleconverter dial that lets you simulate 45mm, 63mm or 80mm fields of view by cropping. There’s also a customisable control lever, which can respond to short or long pulls for extra flexibility.

Overall usability is strong. The camera is easy to operate one-handed, and most key settings are within reach. While the grip could be deeper, the streamlined button placement and intuitive dials make this one of the most user-friendly medium format systems Fujifilm has built.

The Fixed Lens: Strength or Limitation?

One of the most talked-about features of the GFX 100RF is its non-interchangeable lens—a 35mm f/4 (equivalent to 28mm in full-frame terms). For some, this decision feels restrictive. For others, it’s the reason the camera is so compact and approachable.

On paper, f/4 may seem conservative, especially for those chasing creamy bokeh. But in use, it performs better than expected.

• The lens comprises 10 elements in 8 groups
• Minimum focus distance is just 20cm
• Aperture ring allows smooth third-stop control with dual tab grips for easy rotation

Sharpness wide open is excellent, with only minor softness in extreme corners at f/4. By f/5.6, image quality tightens up even further, and it holds well through to f/11 before expected softness returns at f/16 and f/22. Vignetting seen in RAW is nicely corrected in JPEGs.

While subject isolation at f/4 isn’t dramatic, the medium format sensor helps blur backgrounds more than you’d expect. With close subjects, background separation is still impressive.

But the limitations are worth noting:

• You’re locked into a single focal length, with no ability to switch lenses
• f/4 is the maximum aperture—there’s no f/2 or f/1.4 flexibility here
• The digital teleconverter crops in for tighter framing, but doesn’t replace true optical reach

Still, what you gain in return is a lighter, more focused tool. There’s something liberating about picking up the GFX 100RF, knowing exactly how it will shoot and what field of view you’re working with.

For travel, documentary work, or minimalist shooters, this fixed lens is a compelling trade-off. But for those who rely on zooms or specialty lenses, this camera may feel too constrained.

Sensor and Image Quality

At the heart of the GFX 100RF is a 102MP medium format sensor that delivers truly stunning results. The level of detail captured is extraordinary, whether you’re shooting landscapes, portraits, or street scenes. Even straight-out-of-camera JPEGs show impressive sharpness, but it’s in RAW files where this sensor really flexes its muscles.

• Image resolution: 11,648 × 8,736 pixels
• File size for 16-bit RAW: approx. 209MB per image
• Native ISO range: 80 to 12,800 (expandable beyond that)

At f/4, the lens and sensor combination is already producing highly detailed images, with only a hint of softness at the outer corners. By f/5.6, the entire frame sharpens up beautifully, and corner performance becomes impressively clean. Stopping down further introduces minor diffraction softness from f/16 to f/22, but nothing that detracts significantly from overall image fidelity.

Dynamic range is another standout. Fujifilm claims up to 14 stops—and real-world testing confirms it can recover deep shadows and blown highlights with minimal compromise.

• RAW files allow for heavy shadow lifting and highlight recovery
• JPEGs, while clean, don’t offer the same post-processing flexibility

High ISO performance is also better than expected for a sensor this large:

• ISO 2000 to 6400 remains clean and usable
• ISO 8000 and 10,000 introduce noise but retain detail
• ISO 12,800 (the native ceiling) is surprisingly workable in RAW, though JPEGs show some falloff

Overall, image quality from the GFX 100RF punches well above its weight. It combines the creamy depth and subtle tonal gradations of medium format with the precision and clarity of a modern sensor. Whether you’re pixel-peeping at 300% or printing massive gallery pieces, this camera delivers files with breathtaking depth and detail.

Cropping and Aspect Ratios

One of the more innovative features on the GFX 100RF is the dedicated aspect ratio dial—a first for Fujifilm. This allows you to quickly switch between up to nine different aspect ratios on the fly, with visual overlays to help frame your shot accurately in both the EVF and LCD.

• Aspect ratio options include 3:2, 4:3, 1:1, 5:4, 16:9, and more
• Preview styles: clean frame lines, grayed-out borders, or full black masks
• JPEGs are cropped in-camera; RAWs retain full sensor data

This feature is a huge win for anyone who prefers to compose with the final crop in mind. You can frame creatively and deliver straight-out-of-camera JPEGs with exactly the look you want. And if you shoot RAW, there’s no penalty—the full image remains intact and editable.

Even better, this ties in beautifully with the medium format’s flexibility in cropping. With 102MP to play with, you can crop heavily and still end up with a high-resolution image.

Here’s what that means in practice:

• A tight crop of a distant subject still results in a highly detailed image
• Portraits can be reframed after the fact without quality loss
• Images shot in a cinematic 65:24 or square 1:1 format retain professional-level sharpness

The takeaway? With this much resolution, cropping becomes a creative tool, not a compromise. And Fujifilm’s thoughtful implementation makes experimenting with framing easier and more intuitive than ever.

Video Capabilities

While the GFX 100RF is clearly geared toward still photography, it still holds its own in the video department—especially for a medium format body. You won’t find 8K or high-frame-rate slow motion here, but what it does offer is solid, dependable 4K video with a few pro-level tools baked in.

• Shoots 4K/30p 10-bit 4:2:2 internal video
• Supports both F-Log and F-Log2 profiles
• Up to 13 stops of dynamic range with F-Log2
• Uses a leaf shutter, allowing flash sync at up to 1/4000s

There’s no in-body image stabilization (IBIS) for stills, but Fujifilm includes a digital stabilization mode for video. Expectations for digital-only systems are typically low—but surprisingly, this one holds its own. Walking handheld footage is steadier than expected, making it usable for casual shooting or vlogging-style content.

You also get a solid lineup of professional monitoring tools:

• Built-in waveform display
• RGB parade and vectorscope
• Focus peaking and zebra warnings

However, the GFX 100RF does have limitations that creatives should be aware of:

• No 6.2K or 8K options like the GFX 100 II
• No 120fps slow motion
• Autofocus for video is decent, but not class-leading
• USB-C output allows for external SSD recording
• Can function as a UVC webcam for live streaming

In short, this isn’t a cinema workhorse or hybrid all-rounder. But it does deliver beautiful, rich footage with cinematic depth and impressive color science. For photographers who want to dabble in video without switching systems—or for those who love the Fujifilm look—it’s more than capable.

Performance and Autofocus

For a medium format camera, the GFX 100RF is surprisingly nimble. It may not be built for high-speed action or sports photography, but it handles everyday shooting scenarios with ease—and even dabbles in fast-paced subjects better than expected.

Under the hood, it runs on Fujifilm’s latest X-Processor 5 and a modern X-Trans CMOS 5 sensor, bringing real speed and AI-powered improvements to autofocus and overall performance.

• Burst shooting: up to 6 fps (electronic shutter only)
• Fast startup and responsive menus
• Battery life: approx. 800 shots (NP-W235 battery)

Autofocus is where this camera makes a major leap compared to older GFX models. Tracking is quicker, subject detection is smarter, and in most cases, it locks on with confidence.

• Face and eye detection work reliably in good lighting
• Animal and object tracking benefit from AI-assisted processing
• Focus is noticeably better than the GFX 100S and GFX 50R

That said, it’s not flawless. The smaller joystick on the back makes manual AF point selection a little clumsy, and in very low light or against low-contrast subjects, the camera can occasionally hesitate.

Still, for a medium format system, this is the best autofocus Fujifilm has delivered so far. It’s fast enough for street, portrait, and lifestyle work—just don’t expect it to keep up with a sports-focused mirrorless like the X-H2S or Sony A9 III.

Media and connectivity highlights:

• Dual UHS-II SD card slots
• USB-C port supports charging, data transfer, and direct-to-SSD recording
• Full-size mic and headphone jacks
• Micro HDMI output

The takeaway? The GFX 100RF doesn’t feel slow or clunky. It’s surprisingly responsive, and the autofocus is finally good enough that you won’t have to baby it in most shooting scenarios.

Where It Fits In

The Fujifilm GFX 100RF carves out a very specific niche in the camera world. It’s not a do-it-all hybrid. It’s not aimed at professionals who need a full set of interchangeable lenses. And it’s certainly not trying to replace your high-speed mirrorless workhorse. Instead, it’s designed for a different kind of creative—one who values simplicity, portability, and image quality above all else.

This is a camera for:

• Street and travel photographers who want medium format without the bulk
• Portrait shooters who don’t need a range of focal lengths
• Artists and creators looking for high-resolution images with gorgeous dynamic range
• Film simulation fans who want the best of Fujifilm’s color science in a compact form

It’s not ideal for:

• Sports or wildlife shooters who rely on fast tracking and long lenses
• Videographers needing 6K+, 120p, or in-body stabilization
• Photographers who require lens flexibility or ultra-wide apertures

That said, the GFX 100RF is a bold move by Fujifilm—shrinking down the medium format experience and making it approachable in both size and price. At around $4,900 USD, it’s still a serious investment, but compared to traditional medium format setups, it’s a steal.

In a world where most gear is either hyper-specialised or trying to do too much, the GFX 100RF stays in its lane—and excels. If its strengths align with your style, this could be one of the most creatively liberating cameras you ever own.

Final Verdict

The Fujifilm GFX 100RF is a bold and refreshing take on what medium format can be. It strips away the intimidation factor and delivers stunning 102MP image quality in a body that’s as unintimidating as an X-series mirrorless. With its compact size, intuitive controls, and high-end sensor, it makes medium format genuinely accessible—without sacrificing the premium feel or visual punch that GFX users expect.

Yes, there are compromises. You’re locked into a fixed 35mm f/4 lens, and there’s no IBIS for stills. Video is capable but not groundbreaking, and the joystick could use a rethink. But the trade-off is a camera that’s incredibly easy to carry, inspiring to use, and delivers exceptional files straight out of the box.

Buy it if:

• You value simplicity and want medium format without the weight
• You love Fujifilm’s color science and film simulations
• You primarily shoot street, travel, editorial or environmental portraiture

Skip it if:

• You need interchangeable lenses or ultra-fast apertures
• You shoot sports, wildlife, or high-speed action
• You rely on IBIS or advanced video features

Fujifilm didn’t just shrink a medium format camera—they reimagined it. And while the GFX 100RF won’t be for everyone, for the right type of photographer, it might be the most fun and freeing medium format experience on the market.

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