Review: Fujifilm GFX100RF Medium Format Compact Camera

What happens when you combine the image quality of medium format with the ease and portability of a walkaround point-and-shoot? You get the 2025 Fujifilm GFX100RF: the world’s first medium format compact camera with a fixed lens. It’s 102 megapixels of pure creative power tucked into a surprisingly discreet 735g shell. Whether you’re documenting street life in New York City or shooting portraits in your back garden, the GFX100RF lets you get close to your subject—physically and emotionally—without shouting about it. It’s the kind of camera that lets you disappear into the moment, not dominate it.

But what cost comes with a medium format camera squeezed into a body this compact? In our Fujifilm GFX100RF review, you’ll find MPB’s Amy Moore putting the camera through its paces in her video account, as well as our in-depth look at its specifications, capabilities, limitations and some of the stunning images Amy has shot with it.

Fujifilm GFX100RF Specs

Pros

• Stunning 102-megapixel medium format sensor

• Compact, discreet and thoughtfully designed

• Unique aspect ratio dial for in-camera composition

• High-quality electronic viewfinder and tactile controls

• Leaf shutter with full-speed flash sync

Cons

• No in-body or optical image stabilisation

• Fixed f/4 aperture lens

• Large file sizes demand serious data management

• No hybrid viewfinder like the X100 series

102-megapixel Sensor with f/4 Fixed Lens

Let’s start with what’s under the bonnet. The Fujifilm GFX100RF houses Fujifilm’s 102-megapixel X-Trans CMOS II sensor, paired with the X-Processor 5. That’s the same setup found in the Fujifilm GFX 100S II, a camera already known for its exceptional image quality. The key difference here is that this package is built around a fixed lens and a much smaller body, creating something genuinely new in the world of photography.

The lens has a 35mm focal length (28mm equivalent in full-frame) with a maximum aperture of f/4. While this might raise a few eyebrows initially at the relatively narrow maximum aperture, it’s a carefully considered choice. A faster lens, something like a f/1.7, would increase the size dramatically, defeating the purpose of creating something that could be classed as a compact travel camera. The lens itself is designed specifically for this sensor and features a leaf shutter, which further adds to the small form factor. This combination means flash sync at all shutter speeds, great for shooting paint splashes or balloons popping, while also suiting creative lighting setups outdoors or in lower-lit environments.

One drawback of the GFX100RF is that it lacks any stabilisation in the body and lens. This won’t matter much in bright conditions, but it does mean low light shooting is more challenging if you want to shoot with a slower shutter, to avoid pushing up your ISO—unless you’re using a tripod or have rock-steady hands. But, in our opinion, if you're buying this camera, you want to walk around with it, you want to be fluid with it, and you might not want to use a tripod. While the GFX100RF is still perfectly usable in low light, it’s not the best-in-class for those who mainly shoot in such conditions.

Design and Handling

The RF’s design and handling are where it really earns its stripes. It’s not just one of the smallest medium format cameras with a lens, it’s also beautifully put together. The design is similar to the X100 series of APS-C compact cameras in some ways, particularly the styling and control philosophy, but with a squarer silhouette that nods to the 4:3 format of the sensor and the other cameras in the GFX range. The GFX100RF sits very nicely in the hand, feeling robust and balanced.

While the GFX100RF doesn’t share the X100VI’s hybrid viewfinder, the GFX100RF’s electronic viewfinder is excellent. With a 5.76-million-dot resolution and 0.84x magnification, it’s big, bright and clear. There’s no delay or murkiness to worry about—it just works. There is a programmable toggle on the front of the body which closely resembles the look of the one on the X100 series. This switch can be customised with up to five different shortcuts. 

The level of manual control you have externally on the GFX100RF is fantastic. It's what we've come to expect from Fujifilm, but we have even more extras here. There’s a prominent tower of dials beneath the shutter button. On the top is your on/off switch. Below it, a beautifully machined knurled dial with excellent grip. And beneath that, a rocker switch which toggles the digital teleconverter. These are the kinds of controls that become second nature very quickly. Even with gloves on, the knurled metal finishes and generous spacing offer a great tactile experience.

Aspect Ratio Dial

The aspect ratio dial is a new standout feature. The GFX100RF has an actual, physical dial for switching between aspect ratios—something rarely seen on modern digital cameras. You get nine options: 4:3, 3:2, 16:9, 65:24, 17:6, 3:4, 1:1, 7:6 and 5:4. So, whether you prefer cinematic 65:24 landscapes or a square 1:1 frame for portraits, this dial gives you instant access without diving into a menu.

And it’s more than a gimmick. Let’s say you come across a scene and you think, “I see beauty here, I see a shot here," but you can't quite pick it out. Being able to just scroll your thumb through this dial gives you such compositional flexibility, as you can physically see how you might crop your shot. 

Furthermore, the aspect ratio dial is perfect for those who are shooting with intention and already know the ratio they need for their images. For instance, if you’re shooting for a book and planning to fill a certain number of pages with three X-Pan style images per page, you can set the dial to 65:24 to help you compose those shots.

The clever bit is that all of these crops are non-destructive. The GFX100RF saves the full RAW file, so if you want to revert to the original sensor dimensions of your image in post, you can. It makes experimenting with framing styles much less risky, and I think it’s a beautiful compositional tool. 

Crop Modes Function

Just below the shutter button is the rocker switch controlling the GFX100RF’s digital teleconverter. This feature crops into the 102-megapixel sensor to simulate different focal lengths, giving you three options:

Again, these are non-destructive crops. When you import the RAW files into Lightroom or Capture One, the full sensor data is still there. You can use the 'as shot' settings or recompose entirely. It’s brilliant for on-the-fly reframing and adds to the GFX100RF’s overall flexibility.

Shooting Performance

Overall, I found the shooting experience to be absolutely stunning. The GFX100RF is quite simply a beautiful camera to shoot with. The 5.76 million dot viewfinder is sharp and clear in the field. But while the multiangle screen can be pulled out, from up or down, I wish it had a portrait way of pulling out, so that you can shoot from the hip in portrait.

Autofocus

Autofocus on the GFX100RF is fast, accurate and—crucially—quiet. Subject recognition is available and works well, including face and eye detection. Was it as good as some other cameras that are full-frame, like the Canon EOS R5 Mark II or the Fujifilm X-T5? No, probably not. But that’s hardly surprising given the larger sensor size and resolution. For most practical purposes, it’s absolutely fine.

In use, the autofocus held up well in varied conditions. There were one or two minor misses, but nothing problematic. It locks on quickly and confidently, even when the light starts to drop.

If you’re coming from a professional sports or wildlife setup, you’ll notice the difference. But this camera isn’t aimed at that market. For documentary, travel, portrait or street photography, it’s perfectly capable.

ISO and Low Light Performance

I noticed some limitations—but also some redeeming qualities—when evaluating the GFX100RF's ISO and low light performance. With no form of stabilisation and a maximum aperture of f/4, it isn’t ideally suited to handheld night photography. However, that doesn’t mean it can’t be done.

The GFX100RF’s ISO performance is surprisingly good. At 1600 and 3200, files are still clean and usable. By ISO 5000 and beyond, you do start to see grain, but it’s the kind of grain that Fujifilm shooters often appreciate—textured, natural, and not overly digital-looking. If it bothers you, a light pass of noise reduction in post will sort it.

Although you don’t have in-body image stabilisation (IBIS), it is possible to shoot hand-held between 1/15 and 1/30 and still get sharp results. If you want to shoot with even slower exposures, then you might need to get out your tripod.

This isn’t really the camera for low light work, and it’s not trying to be. Yes, there are luxury cameras out there like the Leica Q3, which has a 28mm-equivalent f/1.7 lens and IBIS too (you can read more about it in our Leica Q3 review). In low light, would we rather be using a Q3? Probably. But would we be taking a Q3 with us on our travels? That depends on where we are going and why. The GFX100RF is undoubtedly more portable and less conspicuous, thanks to its size and retro design—and lack of red dot! But the Leica Q3 is going to offer more flexibility where low light shooting or stabilisation is required. So when it comes to which camera is better for travelling with, it really depends on what your needs are, and how deep your pockets go.

Image Quality

Whatever the limitations of the GFX100RF’s low light performance may be, this is more than made up for with its image quality. The GFX100RF produces images that are, in a word, gorgeous. The level of detail is staggering. Textures pop, tonal transitions are smooth, and colour rendition is rich without being overcooked.

Film simulations are a particular joy. Classic Chrome, Pro Neg, Acros—they all look fantastic straight out of camera. For anyone who enjoys shooting JPEGs or working quickly, the in-camera rendering is more than good enough. And of course, if you shoot RAW and JPEG simultaneously, you’ve still got endless room to grade and tweak to your taste.

The GFX100RF’s sensor isn’t just about resolution—it’s about dynamic range too. Shadow recovery is strong, highlights roll off beautifully, and you can get away with underexposing slightly to protect bright areas, knowing you can lift the shadows later.

In terms of depth of field, having a medium format sensor with f/4 at 35mm means that it’s harder to create that obvious separation within an image. If that's something you're after, you might prefer a GFX 100S II—with interchangeable lenses—in order to pick what you need in the right environments.

GFX100RF Sample Images

Video Capabilities

Video isn’t the GFX100RF’s headline act, but it’s there—and it’s rather good. The image quality translates well into motion, with crisp detail and lovely colour straight out of camera. It’s not aimed at filmmakers, but for occasional clips or behind-the-scenes footage, it’s more than capable.

It’s also a solid option for journalists or documentary photographers who want the flexibility to shoot high-quality video without carrying a separate system. That said, there are better tools if video is your main focus. This camera’s strength lies firmly in stills.

Verdict: Is the GFX100RF worth it?

So, who is the GFX100RF for? It’s not for everyone. If you shoot sports or fast-paced events, there are better options (see our review on the best cameras for sports photography). But if you value portability, image quality and compositional freedom—and you're the sort of photographer who shoots with purpose—then the GFX100RF could be exactly what you’ve been looking for.

It’s perfect for street, documentary and travel photography. It’s discreet enough not to draw attention, yet powerful enough to deliver prints the size of billboards. It doesn’t just make you a better photographer—it encourages you to think like one.

The only caveat is the data it produces. RAW files are huge. Even with dual SD card slots, you’ll need fast SD cards, plenty of storage and a computer that can handle high-resolution editing. This camera will push your workflow, no doubt about it. But the rewards are immense.

And there’s something else. When you pick up the GFX100RF and start shooting, it just feels right. It doesn’t get in your way. It brings you closer to your subject, physically and emotionally. And in the end, isn’t that what good photography is all about?

Alternatives to the GFX100RF

• Leica Q3 – Full-frame, 28mm f/1.7 lens, and in-body stabilisation. Fantastic in low light and beautifully made, but more expensive and arguably more conspicuous.

• Fujifilm X100VI – APS-C, hybrid viewfinder, 35mm equivalent lens. More affordable and highly portable. Lacks medium format sensor, but brilliant in its own right. Find out more in our Fujifilm X100VI review.

• Fujifilm GFX100S II – Same sensor and processor, with IBIS and interchangeable lenses. Heavier, but more flexible for different shooting styles.

• Hasselblad X2D 100c – Another medium format compact with incredible image quality. More of a luxury item, and with a slower shooting experience. Check out our Hasselblad X2D 100C review.

So which camera should you buy? Ultimately, you need to understand what you want to shoot and how you want to shoot it, and then make the decision on the camera. Because all of that will lead you to one of these models. Purely looking at these models and trying to decide without thinking about those things first, that makes it a really hard decision.

Read more camera gear guides on the MPB content hub.