News/Views
Fujifilm's New Top End Medium Format
Today Fujifilm announced the GFX100 II, a revision of its original top end medium format camera. At US$7500, this reflects a significant (25%) discount from the suggested retail of the previous model, while adding/changing quite a bit. To wit:
- A faster 102mp sensor (2x the read-out speed)
- X-Processor 5 (from 4)
- Frame rates now 8 fps (from 5)
- 4K/60P (from 4K/30P) and 4:2:2 10-bit internal (from 4:2:0 10-bit)
- 8K video
- Subject tracking autofocus
- Improvement of sensor IS to 8 stops (from 5.5)
- EVF of 9.44m dots (from 5.76m), still detachable and tiltable, and now 60 fps with less lag
- A change of storage cards to CFexpress Type B + SD (UHS-II) from dual SD
- Ability to record stills and video to external SSD
- A move to an optional battery grip instead of built in
- Full size HDMI (no longer micro), supports 8K, 12-bit raw
- A change to the NP-W235 battery
- A new Reala ACE film simulation
All these seemingly smaller things seem to add up to a very large change overall. The new version, while not adding pixels, seems to gain at virtually every pain point of the previous model. Which is a good thing, as the original version (not 100s) did have a number of issues that irritated users, particularly given the price they paid for the camera.
I hesitate to write this, as some Fujifilm fans will get upset and send my missives targeting my In Box, but Fujifilm has had a pretty productive last 18 months; I'd say their cameras are no longer trying to catch up, but are now basically in the peloton again. Maybe even leading out the APS-C and MF pelotons. This should keep the other competitors on their toes, which is a good thing.
Along with the new camera, Fujifilm also introduced their first medium format tilt/shift lens. The 30mm f/5.6 tilt/shift lens is about a 24mm equivalent, while the 110mm f/5.6 tilt/shift macro is a bit over an 85mm equivalent. These two lenses look like excellent additions for the landscape (30mm) and product (110mm) photography community. Along with the two tilt/shift lenses, Fujifilm also announced the 55mm f/1.7 lens that was also on their previous Road Map. The new Road Map includes a powered wide-angle zoom and a 500mm lens.
Panasonic Introduces the G9 II
Generally the Japanese companies don't schedule releases on the same day as each other, much like blockbuster movies try to avoid bumping up against each other. However, besides getting the "big sensor" announcement from Fujifilm in the GFX100 II, we also get the "small sensor" announcement from Panasonic in the G9 II.
After almost six years since the original G9, the big news with the G9 II is that it features a 25mp image sensor (same as the GH6), but with phase detect autofocus. While the video specs look impressive on the G9 II, it's probably the still photography goods that get your attention first: 60 fps electronic shutter with focus, no black out up to 3 seconds, pre-release capture, and a very complete set of controls, including a well positioned thumb pad. On the video side we get 4K/60P 4:2:2 10-bit (120P 8-bit), V-Log, real-time LUT application, and more. All wrapped in a dustproof and splash proof body that is identical to the Panasonic S5 II. The Rear LCD gets an upgrade, but the EVF remains the same dot count. Alongside the image sensor, Panasonic is again using Leica's L2 image processing techniques, a partnership that started with the S5 II.
With the G9 II the OM-1 now has a fairly clear competitor at the top of the m4/3 choices.
