Fujifilm X-T50 and GFX100S II feature key improvements across the board, with two new lenses for the X Series and GFX range also coming.
Fujifilm South Africa has announced two new mirrorless cameras alongside a duo of lenses, which will be making their way to South Africa during June 2024. On the camera side, the midrange X-T50 joins the X Series line-up, with the GFX1000S II adding to the growing list of GFX large format cameras.
These are accompanied by two lenses: a new kit lens for the X Series called the Fujinon XF16-50mmF2.8-4.8 R LM WR, and the remarkable GF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR which adds considerable range to the GFX series.
Fujifilm X-T50
To call the X-T50 a midrange camera is an understatement since it is all but mid when it comes to performance and specifications. In fact, inside its small and lightweight body (approx. 438g) resides the same new sensor and processor as found on Fujifilm’s flagship X-T5 camera – the 40.2-megapixel X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor and X-Processor 5, respectively. It makes for a versatile camera that achieves high image quality, high performance and high mobility.
As a first for the X Series, the X-T50 now includes a Film Simulation dial incorporated on the top plate. This allows users to easily switch between 20 different Film Simulations, including Velvia, Classic Chrome and the new REALA ACE. Each has unique colour and tone properties, which changes the look and feel of the images to resemble the different types of vintage 35mm film.
The X-T50 sees improvements across the board, including an electronic shutter speed of 1/180000 sec., an AI-based subject detection autofocus and a digital teleconverter function which magnifies images by 1.4x and 2x. Also new to this range is the 5-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS) function of up to 7.0-stops, greatly enhancing the camera’s low-light capabilities.
Finally, as far as video capturing is concerned, the X-T50 manages to record 6.2K/30P, with Tracking AF function available for high-quality video recording.
The Fujifilm X-T50 will be available in South Africa in June and is expected to retail for R26 000.
Fujifilm GFX100S II
New to the GFX large format line-up, the Fujifilm GFX100S II comes as an update to 2019’s GFX100S. The GFX series’ sensor is approximately 1.7 times larger than a 35mm full-frame sensor, with the GFX100S II’s version being the newly developed GFX 102MP CMOS II high-speed sensor. In addition, the GFX100S II is also receiving the new X-Processor 5 processor, all housed in a compact body weighing only 883g, making it the lightest of the 102MP GFX models.
The GFX100S II offers not only rich tonal expression and three-dimensional rendering capabilities, made possible by the unique characteristics of the large format sensor, but it also features AI-based subject detection, greatly evolving the autofocus from its predecessor.
Thanks to improvements to the pixel structure on the sensor, the use of ISO80 as the normal sensitivity is now enabled, capturing images at greater dynamic range and lower noise than with the previous model.
The camera also sees an improved continuous shooting speed of up to 7.0 frames per second and enhancements to the in-body image stabilization function which now achieves a maximum of eight-stop five-axis performance – the best in its series. In terms of video performance, users can shoot vibrant and smooth 4K/30P videos, allowing for high-quality video production as well.
Finally, the GFX100S II comes equipped with the Pixel Shift Multi-Shot feature, which shifts the image sensor with high precision while capturing photos, allowing users to generate an image with approximately 400 million pixels.
The GFX100S II provides professional photographers as well as hobbyists who want to explore the world of large format photography with excellent image rendering capabilities and improved mobility. It will be coming to South Africa in June, with an expected retail price of R93 500.
Two new lenses for different line-ups
There are also two new lenses heading to local shores, one for users of the X Series range and one for the GFX system.
The Fujinon XF16-50mmF2.8-4.8 R LM WR is a standard zoom lens, with plans to introduce this as the new kit lens for the X-T50, X-T5 and X-S20. It is the lightest amongst its zoom lens peers, with a weight of approximately 240g in a weather resistant and low-temperature (-10°C) structure. The lens comes with half-macro close-up capabilities, and thanks to the inner focus method, the lens’s physical length stays the same at all zoom distances. This lens will be landing in South Africa during June, with an expected retail price of R13 000.
For the GFX system, the Fujinon GF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR is a super telephoto prime lens, capable of images up to 500mm (equivalent to 396mm in 35mm format), making it the longest in the lineup of GF lenses. This makes the lens highly appealing for wildlife and sport photographers wanting to make use of the GFX system’s enhanced resolution and dynamic range. When combined with the Fujinon Teleconverter GF1.4X TC WR it achieves a maximum focal length of a remarkable 700mm (equivalent to 554mm in 35mm format).
Despite being a super telephoto lens, the lens weighs approximately 1 375g, making it highly mobile for such a long reach. Set to make its appearance in June, the Fujinon GF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR comes at an expected R65 000.
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