And this is where they need to pause and think about the consequences of going medium format. Anyone wanting to move up to a larger sensor system would probably look into the GFX 50R and compare it to other 50-60 MP full-frame options on the market. Still, the GFX 50R is all about value, and that’s where it surely delivers.

Similar to the GFX 50S, its video features are also very limited (only full HD). It does not balance well with some of the heavy GF lenses, and its overall ergonomics leave a lot to be desired (more on that below). On the flip side, the camera utilizes a rather slow 117-point contrast-detection autofocus, which makes it a challenging tool to use when photographing moving subjects. Similar to other high-end APC-S and medium format cameras, the GFX 50R also has a durable magnesium alloy shell and it is both dust and weather-sealed – quite impressive for a “budget” medium format camera. It sports dual SD memory card slots, which are both compatible with fast UHS-II memory cards. Despite its compact appearance, Fuji managed to cram a 3.69-million dot OLED EVF into the back of the camera, in addition to a large 3.2″ 2.36-million dot tilting touchscreen LCD. When coupled with prime lenses like the GF 50mm f/3.5 R LM WR, the camera is exceptionally sleek and compact, making it an ideal choice as a travel camera. To keep the body size small and lightweight, Fuji engineers went with rangefinder-style body design, with a limited number of buttons, a small grip, and a very small (for medium format) overall footprint.

While this sensor is quite dated and does not have any breatkthrough technology like on-sensor phase-detection and in-body image stabilization (which the high-end Fuji GFX 100 does), it is still an excellent and very capable sensor that can produce images with very high dynamic range and excellent high-ISO performance. The Fujifilm GFX 50R is the last medium format by Fuji to utilize the same 51 MP CMOS sensor that we have previously seen on a number of cameras, including the Fuji GFX 50S, Hasselblad X1D 50C / X1D II 50C and Pentax 645Z. From this standpoint, it is a very unique offering – one that is meant to appeal to full-frame shooters looking into getting into a medium format system. And now that it has been out for a while, the price has been reduced to $3,500 for body-only, and even lower if you bundle it with Fuji’s excellent GF lenses.

With its retail price of $4,500 at the time of the announcement, it was the cheapest medium format digital camera on the market. Fujifilm cut many corners on this camera, with the purpose of keeping it small, lightweight, and affordable. The Fuji GFX 50R is by no means a revolutionary camera, and it was never meant to be one. Better late than never, I guess! I hope that our readers will at least enjoy some of the images presented here. I had the opportunity to use the GFX 50R when it was released for a number of months while doing assignments in Uzbekistan in 2019, and although I really wanted to publish my review of this camera more than a year ago, I simply could not commit to it due to my busy schedule. The Fujifilm GFX 50R is the company’s attempt to lure APS-C and full-frame customers into the GF system by providing a lightweight, compact, and yet very inexpensive (for medium format) camera. Ever since Fujifilm entered the medium format market, it has been working steadily on developing the system by making highly-capable and compelling cameras at very appealing price points.

Fuji full frame