Review: Fujifilm GFX 100 II Medium Format Mirrorless Camera

In the ever-evolving world of camera tech, Fujifilm continues to push boundaries and redefine what is possible. The medium format category has been rightly associated with big and chunky, mostly studio cameras. But Fujifilm has innovated.  The medium format Fujifilm GFX 100 II promises spectacular image quality due to the 102-megapixel sensor, an impressive 8 stops of in-body image stabilisation (IBIS) and impressive video features. 

Amy Moore's review—and video below—examines the GFX 100 II's key specs, image quality, IBIS, ISO, autofocus, handling, design and more. Further down in this article, you'll also find Justin Patricolo's in-depth video, which evaluates the GFX 100 II's video performance.  

Key Specs

Pros

• Extraordinary image quality and dynamic range

• Fast autofocus

• Incredibly clear and bright viewfinder

• Portable body for medium format

Cons

• Expensive

Sensor and Performance

The Fujifilm GFX 100 II boasts a remarkable 102-megapixel sensor. This is the engine capturing all that juicy detail. There is no denying the quality of images from this camera.

The GFX 100 II can achieve up to 8fps continuous shooting with its mechanical shutter. If you want blackout-free bursts, you’ll need to use the electronic shutter (5fps) or switch over to the camera’s full-frame mode (8fps). 

Although this camera isn’t designed for shooting action, it creates a lot of flexibility with a strong continuous frame rate for its sensor size. 

Did someone say 400-megapixel photos? 

Using the IBIS system, the GFX 100 II can create 400-megapixel photos, by taking four pictures in succession, moving the sensor by a pixel in length each time to get an astonishingly detailed image. 

You’ll want to keep the camera mounted and secure for best results using this feature. So it’s best for capturing non-moving subjects and detail-oriented work like macro photography, architecture and still life. 

How much dynamic range do you need? All of it.

The Fujifilm GFX 100 II has some of the best colour rendition and dynamic range we have ever tested. The RAW files retain a staggering amount of detail, allowing you to push the highlights and shadows in the edit. The sheer amount of detail is further helped by the lower base ISO 80. The low ISO helps to maintain highlight details in contrasty situations. You can then bring up the shadows up later, to get well-exposed final images. 

In-Body Image Stabilisation (IBIS)

Equipped with IBIS, offering up to 8 stops, the GFX 100 II ensures steady shots even in challenging conditions. This feature is invaluable for handheld shooting on such a large sensor, where traditionally, camera shake was prevalent. Photographers will be thrilled to get any help to keep things steady.

ISO Performance

The GFX 100 II has a base ISO sensitivity of 80, resulting in low noise and good dynamic range. At the opposite end, the ISO can be pushed to 12,800. We found that the images stay clean until around ISO 5000, and then you will start encountering noise.

Combined with the IBIS, users can confidently shoot handheld in dimly lit environments, expanding the camera's ability to shoot in various shooting conditions.

Video Performance

The video specs, often overshadowed by its stills prowess, are impressive. The GFX 100 II can shoot at up to 8K at 30fps, 4K up to 60fps and full HD at 120fps. The camera can capture 10-bit 4:2:2 internally (8-bit versus 10-bit explained) and uses the body's excellent autofocus tracking system. Simply touch the subject on the rear screen, and the GFX 100 II will track your chosen target. 

The 100 II is the first GFX-series camera to feature F-Log2, a step into the cinematic world. This offers the user 14 stops of dynamic range, which helps film in low light and provides excellent flexibility in post-production when grading your footage.

Rolling shutter

One thing to note in the video department is rolling shutter. It will be a problem shooting high-speed activities, due to the relatively slow read-out speed of the GFX 100 II. 

Autofocus

The GFX 100 II’s autofocus capability is impressive, with subject detection and tracking improvements. The autofocus works well in tracking human faces, eyes, and a wide range of subjects, including animals, birds, cars, bicycles, motorbikes, planes, and trains. 

On medium format cameras, autofocus is generally slower than on APS-C or full-frame cameras. While the GFX 100 II won’t match smaller-format cameras for autofocus speed, it’s still very good for a medium format camera.

Body and Handling

For its size, the GFX 100 II really doesn’t feel that big and bulky. The camera is well-designed with excellent ergonomics. 

The GFX 100 II’s redesigned body improves the portability, grip handle and usability. The slightly tilted top plate enhances visibility, and customisable buttons offer user-friendly controls. The three-way tilting LCD screen and high-resolution viewfinder provide an enjoyable shooting experience.

Viewfinder

We found the GFX 100 II’s electronic viewfinder to be a joy to use. The viewfinder’s resolution is high, and produces a very bright and detailed picture, allowing for accurate review of the shot before and after. It also boasts the all-important 1x magnification and 100% sensor coverage. When you look at the viewfinder, it feels like you’re watching a cinema screen.

The viewfinder is also detachable, as Fujifilm makes a tilt adapter—the Fujifilm EVF-TL1—if you prefer to ‘shoot from the hip’, or just want more viewing angles.

Ports

Regarding ports, the GFX 100 II covers almost any need. The camera includes a gigabit ethernet port for tethered shooting, a full-sized HDMI port, USB-C, 3.5mm mic input, a headphone socket and flash sync terminal. Along with of course, support for SD cards and CFexpress Type B.

Video

In this hands-on test, MPB's Justin Patricolo put the GFX 100 II through its paces while shooting a music video for pop artist LEXXE—and came away genuinely impressed. The medium-format sensor, coupled with internal ProRes recording and 4K/60p capabilities, made it ideal for capturing the visual aesthetic of the project.

Justin and his crew shot everything from shoulder-mounted scenes to handheld close-ups and overhead boom shots. The five-axis IBIS was strong enough that, in some cases, it bordered on too smooth. Autofocus was another strength, tracking subjects’ eyes accurately, even during dynamic movement, reducing the need for focus-pulling during handheld operation.

From low-light interior shots to a rain-drenched performance sequence and a stylised, hazy lighting setup, the GFX 100 II delivered consistent, cinematic footage. Even when stripped down and mounted to a boom arm for overhead shots, the camera remained lightweight enough to handle with confidence—something that would be more difficult with a larger cinema body. The RAW footage responded well to colour grading, even with basic LUTs applied. The final look was crisp, smooth and cinematic.

How the Fujifilm GFX 100 II Compares

When it comes to resolution and image quality, the GFX 100 II goes head-to-head with the Fujifilm GFX 100S and Hasselblad X2D 100c medium format mirrorless cameras. 

For most static subjects, the Fujifilm GFX 100S already provides exceptional medium format image quality at a lower cost than the GFX 100 II. The true upgrades come for niche uses. The 100 II enables faster burst shooting, vastly improved video capabilities and enhanced focus tracking. But for high-resolution stills, the GFX 100S remains very capable at a more affordable price point. If you need the bleeding edge in speed, video or pixel count, then go for the GFX 100 II. Read our full ​​Fujifilm GFX 100S review.

Compared to the Hasselblad X2D 100C, the GFX 100 II is more affordable. The Fujifilm GFX lenses are also more affordable than Hasselblad lenses.  However, the Hasselblad does offer a slimmer body, a more intuitive button layout and a shooting experience better suited to ‘slow photography’. Image quality is comparable across the GFX 100 II and X2D 100C, but the X2D uniquely offers 1TB of internal storage—so you never have to worry about SD cards again. Read our full Hasselblad X2D 100C review.

Verdict

The Fujifilm GFX 100 II marks yet another improvement for medium format mirrorless cameras, delivering truly spectacular 102-megapixel image quality in a more portable and usable body than ever before. 

Landscape photographers in particular will revel in the level of detail, dynamic range and immense 400-megapixel Pixel Shift potential. 

The versatility on offer means the GFX 100 II can excel at portraits, product photography and macro work—and even potentially categories traditionally outside of the realm of medium format, like video.

When you build your first medium format setup, your creative requirements should determine whether you choose the 100 II, other Fujifilm GFX-series cameras or their Hasselblad equivalents. If you’re happy to compromise on speed and video, get an earlier iteration—and save some money for your lenses. But if you absolutely need the latest and greatest features, and you have the budget, then the GFX 100 II is an outstanding option.

Looking for more content about medium format cameras? Read our Phase One P45 Plus review, our Hasselblad X1D II review, our Fujifilm GFX 50S review or more camera gear guides on the MPB content hub.