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Fujifilm traveled down under to debut its newest batch of photo gear at an X-Summit event hosted in Sydney. Fuji hosts these events on a regular basis, typically two to three times a year, and uses them as a launchpad for new photo gear. This time it’s paying equal attention to its APS-C X and medium format GFX camera systems, with one camera and lens coming for each.The new gear is aimed at photo enthusiasts and pros. For cameras, the X system gets the X-T50, a new model positioned in between the X-S20 and X-T5 in features and price, plus a mid-priced starter zoom, the XF 16-50mm F2.8-4.8 R LM WR.
Fujifilm X-T50 in Charcoal Gray (Credit: Fujifilm)
On the medium format front, the GFX100S II upgrades the features and processing power of the GFX100S and debuts at an aggressive $5,000 price, the lowest we’ve ever seen for a 100MP sensor camera. The GF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR makes an argument for using medium format cameras for sports, wildlife, and other traditional telephoto subjects.X-T50: A Downsized X-T5The X-T50 is a return to form for the X-T series, which started out as a less ruggedized, more portable version of the X-T line. In recent years, X-T cameras have slotted in as the de facto entry-level option for the system, and to be clear, Fuji isn’t abandoning that approach. The X-T50 is a new addition to the line rather than a replacement for an older camera, and Fuji tells us that the X-T30 II ($899.95, body only) will remain on sale for the foreseeable future to satisfy its entry-level customers.
Rear view of black edition of X-T50 (Credit: Fujifilm)
The X-T50 is a more technically advanced camera than the X-T30 II, a fact reflected in its $1,399.95 body-only price. To justify the price Fuji includes the upgraded image processor and 40MP X-Trans BSI CMOS sensor from the X-T5 in the new camera, plus it includes in-body image stabilization, all features missing from the 26MP X-T30 II.Because of this, the X-T50 is far more similar in specs to the X-T5 ($1,699.95). The two support most of the same photo and video features, including a wide selection of JPG Film Simulation profiles plus 10-bit 6.2K30 and 4K60 video recording. The X-T50 adds the Reala Ace film profile, missing from the X-T5 as well, and makes it easier to swap between different film looks via a physical dial, a first for a Fuji camera.
Fujifilm X-T50 in Charcoal Gray (Credit: Fujifilm)
It realizes its lower price by omitting weather sealing, leveraging Fuji’s basic NP-W126S battery pack for a 390-shot CIPA rating (versus 740 for the X-T5), and using just one UHS-II memory card slot, not two like the X-T5. Other features include 8fps continuous focus and drive with the mechanical shutter and 20fps with an electronic shutter, a 0.62x magnification viewfinder, a 1.84 million dot rear display that tilts vertically and horizontally, and discrete control dials to set shutter, ISO, and EV compensation. The body style is a bit more rounded versus the X-T30 II too. And in a nice touch, the X-T50 includes a convenient in-body flash, a feature that’s missing from the X-T5.
Silver X-T50 with XF 16-50mm lens (Credit: Fujifilm)
The X-T50 is coming to stores in June in three color variations: Black, Charcoal Silver, and Silver. As mentioned, the body-only price is $1,399.95, but you can also get it bundled with the XC 15-45mm zoom lens for $1,499.95 or with the new XF 16-50mm zoom for $1,799.95.XF 16-50mm: An Upgrade to One of Fuji’s Oldest LensesThe XF 16-50mm F2.8-4.8 R LM WR zoom lens is a new addition to X camera kits. It’s an upgrade to one of the system’s oldest lenses, the decade-old XF 18-55mm F2.8-4.0 R LM OIS. The 16-50mm has a wider starting point, adds weather protection, and promises better performance on 40MP sensor cameras, but drops optical stabilization and isn’t as bright when zoomed in.
XF 16-50mm lens (Credit: Fujifilm)
The tradeoffs look sound, especially since many Fuji X cameras now include in-body stabilization, but nonetheless, the XF 16-50mm has big shoes to fill. The XF 18-55mm may be an older piece of kit, but it is still regarded as one of the best starter lenses you can get for any system. Even so, its not-as-wide starting angle is out of step with more recent industry trends; many APS-C starter zooms start around 16mm. The wider starting point is useful for group shots, landscapes, and making images in tighter interior spaces. The 16-50mm covers the same angles as a 24-75mm full-frame zoom, while the 18-55mm is more similar to a 28-80mm.The XF 16-50mm is priced at $699.95 on its own but is also coming to kits, where it will be sold at a discount. We mentioned the $1,799.95 price when bought with an X-T50, but you’ll also be able to get the lens with an X-S20 ($1,699.95) or X-T5 ($2,099.95) starting in June. Each of these kits costs $300 less versus buying the camera and lens separately.GFX100S II: Medium Format for the MassesFrom the outside, the GFX100S II is pretty much the same camera as the outgoing GFX100S. Fuji uses the same chassis, battery, viewfinder, and display for both. The upgrades are fully internal, and restricted to still imaging. For video, the GFX100S II keeps the same 10-bit 4K30 recording engine.So chances are you’re not going to look at the GFX100S II as an upgrade option, given the original is a top-rated medium format camera in a relatively compact, weather-sealed body, with integrated image stabilization for up to 8 stops of compensation, and a large (0.84x), Clear (5.76 million dots) electronic viewfinder.
Fujifilm GFX100S II without lens (Credit: Fujifilm)
The older GFX100S is a little dated in terms of imaging and autofocus; in those areas, it’s been eclipsed by the more recent GFX100 II. The GFX100S II rectifies this and puts the camera on equal footing with its big brother. It uses a 102MP CMOS II sensor with a Bayer color filter, supports 16-bit Raw capture, and up to 7fps photography with continuous focus. All current Film Simulations are supported for JPG and video too, including the Reala Ace look that debuted in the GFX100 II.So while the GFX100S II is likely not an upgraded candidate for photographers who already own the previous GFX100S, it makes a strong value argument for anyone who’s been considering making the jump from a full-frame camera. The GFX medium format sensor uses a surface area that’s about 1.7 times larger, has obvious resolution advantages to support huge prints, and provides 16-bit color fidelity, double what most full-frame cameras see with their 14-bit imaging engines. The camera is priced at $4,999.95 as a body only, a full $1,000 less than the GFX100S’s debut price, and the lowest cost we’ve seen yet for a 100MP sensor camera. It’s expected in stores next month.GF 500mm: The Longest Lens Yet for GFX CamerasThe GFX system is also getting a new lens, the GF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR. The prime lens is the longest telephoto yet for the system, with an angle of view that’s about a quarter of what the GF 250mm F4 R LM OIS WR sees. In full-frame terms, the GF 500mm is roughly the same as a 400mm telephoto, and when you consider the ample room a 100MP provides for cropping, it’ll satisfy the needs of photographers who want to use a GFX camera to snap photos of distant subjects. To support these types of scenes Fuji includes a linear focus motor and lightweight focusing elements in the design to keep up with moving subjects, and it puts both a focus limiter and preset focus mode on-barrel. Optical stabilization keeps the viewfinder steady for handheld photography and is good for up to 6 stops of compensation.
GF 500mm lens on GFX100 II body (Credit: Fujifilm)
It’s a lightweight lens too, just about 3 pounds, which is about the same weight as ultra-light telephotos for full-frame systems like the Sigma 500mm F5.6 DG DN Sports. And since the GF 500mm and compatible cameras are fully weather-sealed, they can be used together outdoors without worry. The lens works with the 1.4x rear teleconverter for the system, too, so you can transform it into a 700mm F8 to capture subjects even further away from the camera, though you’ll need to have plenty of light for that use case.The GF 500mm is priced at $3,499.95 and will also be in stores next month.For more on Fujifilm cameras, check out our list of the top-rated X series lenses, our overview of the company’s Film Simulation profiles, or our recent review of the X100VI compact.
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