FUJIFILM GFX Medium Format Mirrorless Camera for Video – Everything You Wanted to Know

by Johnnie BehiriDecember 16^th, 2016

Up until recently, thinking about an affordable medium format mirrorless camera with video capabilities was only a dream. With the introduction of the  Hasselblad X1D  and the FUJIFILM GFX 50S, not only is this dream fast becoming a reality – it could also indicate the emergence of a pattern to the point of déjà-vu from the time when the Canon 5D Mark II was released and we started cinema5D.

FUJIFILM GFX 50S – Credit: FUJIFILM

During my recent trip to Japan, I had a chance to visit the FUJIFILM headquarters and talk to Takashi Ueno-san, a manager at FUJIFILM and a key member of the team behind the new GFX 50S. The main reason for this interview was to establish whether this new camera had a chance of becoming a valid working tool in the arsenal of aspiring filmmakers. In addition, I wanted to understand the technical challenges that manufacturers have to face when designing and manufacturing a camera with such a large sensor.

As you can see in the interview above, the new GFX 50S can only shoot video in full HD quality. However, what’s important to take from my chat with FUJIFILM is that this is only the beginning of a journey – one that will be very much dictated by the public response and acceptance of Medium Format for video work. 

Takashi Ueno-san – FUJIFILM corporation

Here is a rundown of the questions asked in this interview:

• 00:23 – What is the reason for FUJIFILM to introduce a medium format camera?
• 01:30 – Are video users considered target users?
• 02:56 – What is the unique advantage of the FUJIFILM GFX?
• 04:08 – How are the video functions positioned in terms of priority?
• 06:01 – What is the merit for shooting HD video?
• 07:21 – What’s the reason for not implementing 4K video?
• 08:03 – X-T2 and GFX – which is recommended for HD shooting
• 09:00 – What are your plans for expanding the lens line-up?
• 10:59 – Can medium format be a good solution for 8K?
• 12:21 – What is the vision for the video function of medium format in the future?
• 14:35 – What about pricing and availability?

Rest assured that we will test the new camera as soon as a final sample becomes available to us. In the meantime, I hope you guys will take a minute (or 15), to watch the interview and let us know in the comments section below if such a camera might be interesting for you.