Big test
SPECS
PERFORMANCE: ISO The native ISO range of the GFX100S is 100 to 12,800 – that’s very respectable. Plus, it’s expandable to ISO 50 and ISO 102,400 in JPEG and Raw. These test shots were taken using a GFX100S and 32-64mm f/4 lens, attached to a Leofoto LS-324C tripod and LH-40 ball head. It was late twilight and the base ISO 100 exposure was 20sec at f/10. The self-timer took exposures with in-camera noise reduction set to zero. The Raws were processed in Photoshop v22.3 with default noise reduction.
› Prices £5499 body only, GF80mm f/1.7 R WR £2099, optional Metal Hand Grip MHG-GFX S £135 › In the box GFX100S body, NP-W235, adapter AC-5V, plug adapter, USB cable, strap, body cap, hotshoe cover, cable protector › Sensor 102-megapixel Bayer CMOS, X-Processor 4, 14-bit/16-bit capture › Sensor format 43.8x32.9mm, 11,648x8736 pixels › Lensmount Fujifilm G › ISO range Stills: 100-12,800, expandable to ISO 50, 25,600, 51,200 or 102,400. Expanded range only available with mechanical shutter and electronic front shutter › Shutter range Mechanical shutter: 60mins-1/4000sec. Electronic shutter: 60mins to 1/16,000sec. Mechanical shutter flash sync: 1/125sec › Drivemodes Mechanical shutter continuous high 5fps, electronic shutter continuous high 2.9fps, 14-bit Raws only. Multiple exposures (max nine frames), Pixel Shift Multi-Shot (16 frames), AE, Film Simulation, dynamic range, ISO, white-balance and focus bracketing › Exposure system PASM. 256 zone with multi, spot, average and centre-weighted measurement › Exposure compensation 5EV in 0.3EV steps › Monitor 3.2in tilt touch LCD, 2.36m dot. Shooting touch modes: AF, focus area, off, double tap, touch function, EVF touchscreen area setting. In playback: swipe, pinch-in/out, double tap, drag › SubMonitor 1.8in monochrome LCD › Viewfinder 0.5in OLED 3.69m dot › Focusing system Intelligent hybrid AF (TTL contrast AF/TTL phase detection AF) › Focus points 117 zones in 13x9 grid, 425 zones in 25x17 grid, zone AF (3x3, 5x5, 7x7), wide/tracking AF, single point, face detect › Image stabilisation Five-axis image sensor shift mechanism, 6EV benefit with a range of lenses. Digital image stabilisation and IS mode boost – movie shooting only › Video 4K (16:9) 3840x2160 29.97p/25p/24p/23.98p. Bit rate: 100/200/400Mbps 4K DCI (17:10) 4096x2160 29.97p/25p/24p/23.98p. Bit rate: 100/200/400Mbps. Full HD, 2048x1080 (17:9) and 1920x1080 (16:9) available › Movie formats MOV, MP4 › Connectivity Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB Type-C 3.2, HDMI Type D, 2.5mm remote release, two 3.5mm mini jacks for microphone and headphone, flash PC socket › Dust andwater resistance Yes, operating at -10°C › Other key features 19 Film Simulation modes, dynamic range, grain setting, colour chrome, mono colour, clarity setting › Battery NP-W235, 460-frame capacity › Storagemedia 2x SD slots › Dimensions (wxhxd) 150x104.2x87.2mm › Weight Body 900g, with battery and card Contact fujifilm.eu/uk
Performance at the camera’s higher ISO capability is very impressive. Viewing these shots on a screen at 200%, there’s barely any graining, even in the shadows of the ISO 1600 shot. The detail is lovely and crisp. By ISO 3200, some noise creeps in, but it’s still discreet, having little impact on detail. In fact, noticeable quality defects don’t appear until ISO 5000. Taking the GFX100S on a low-light shoot, requiring high ISO and fast shutter speeds, I think you would be very satisfied with the camera’s output.
100
800
1600
3200
6400
12,800
25,600
51,200
102,400
IMAGES The GFX100S delivers an impressive digital noise performance. Picture quality is extremely good, even venturing higher into the ISO range. If you’re shooting handheld in very low light, the clarity and colour fidelity of the results when you set ISO to 3200 or higher are fantastic
compensation button is on the small side. However, with different ways to engage compensation – such as the rear command dial or function button four at the front of the camera – that’s not a deal breaker. Function buttons two and three sit next to the large sub monitor inherited from the GFX100. Reaching button three, located furthest from the shutter button, requires a slight grip change, but button two remains in reach with the camera up to the eye. That renders both very usable. On the body’s left side, you find the exposure mode dial, drive button and stills/movie switch. The mode dial is lockable or quickly adjusted, while the drive menu includes high-speed burst mode, bracketing (ISO, film simulation, white-balance, exposure, focus and dynamic range), multiple exposure and Pixel Shift Multi-Shot mode. Ideally, the exposure and focus bracketing
settings would be accessed through this menu, but only the main menu or a dedicated function button control these. A slider next to the mode dial toggles between stills and movie shooting. This makes mode switching efficient and reduces the hassle of going into the menus to alter In terms of resolution and touch functionality, the 3.2in, 2.36m dot touchscreen monitor is similar to other GFX system models. It can be pulled out and titled to suit low- or waist-level shooting, or angled down for overhead. There’s also an extra dimension, angling appropriately for upright, overhead or low-level shooting, depending on how you hold the camera. In that sense, it rates highly for versatility, although there’s no sideways tilt, or over-the- top option for vloggers. settings, when transitioning between shooting methods.
IMAGE Typically, Fujifilm offers plenty of options for reconfiguring the functionality of each button. However, exposure compensation is on the small side, proving difficult to use with gloves on. The AF-ON button could also be bigger and more obvious
Issue 87 | Photography News 27
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