X
CNET logo Why You Can Trust CNET

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement

Fujifilm's $4,500 GFX 50R hits a new low price for medium format

The company's eagerly awaited "affordable" version of its GFX 50S trims features you probably won't miss -- and a couple you might.

Lori Grunin Senior Editor / Advice
I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.
Expertise Photography, PCs and laptops, gaming and gaming accessories
See full bio
Lori Grunin
2 min read
fujifilm-gfx-50r-top

Fujifilm moved the dials to the right to make room for the built-in viewfinder and shaved down the grip, possibly too much.

 Fujifilm

Fujifilm stripped a little from its $5,900 GFX 50S to rejigger a $4,500 version in the GFX 50R, but it looks like there are a couple potential drawbacks. The design is completely different, more reminiscent of the X-Pro2, and friendlier for walkaround photography similar to the Hasselblad X1D. It's slated to ship in November.

While the price might seem high, it's the cheapest medium format to date. Next up is $5,500 for the Pentax 645Z DSLR. Until now its big brother was the least expensive mirrorless medium format.

Shop for Fujifilm GFX 50R (body only)

See all prices

The GFX 50R incorporates the same 51.4-megapixel 43.8x32.9 millimeter sensor and X-Processor Pro as the 50S, with all the still and video quality and capabilities that go with it, as well as a similarly sturdy dust- and weather-resistant magnesium alloy body.

fujifilm-gfx-50r-front

From the front it resembles the XPro2.

 Fujifilm

How is it different? Let me count the ways:

  • There's no status LCD on the top
  • It's got a built-in OLED viewfinder -- the 50S' slips into the hot shoe and supports an accessory to tilt it -- that's lower magnification (.77x vs. .85x)
  • The LCD only tilts in two directions instead of three
  • It switches to a USB-C connection
  • There's no headphone jack and the mic connection is now 2.5mm, not 3.5mm
  • It adds Bluetooth support for improved wireless capabilities as well as a new simultaneous delete for when you've got raw and JPEG files saving to separate cards
  • Physically, it's lighter, wider and taller, but not as deep
  • Fujifilm dropped the navigation buttons, relying instead on its Focus Lever for selecting AF points

All those sacrifices (though some are perks) won't impact most people's user experience. Unfortunately, it also has a much shallower grip and it looks like there's no option for a battery grip. The shallow grip may not be an issue if you stick with the short primes, but with some of the 2-pound lenses it can set you off balance. And without a battery grip, you also lose the ability to extend the battery life -- you're stuck with the meh-for-the-money 400-shot rating.

fujifilm-gfx-50r-back

No more navigation buttons and the LCD only tilts up and down, not out.

 Fujifilm

But those drawbacks might be worth the trade-off for the almost $1,500 you save.

The company also laid out its lens road map, though without time frames. The next lenses due out are a 100-300mm f5.6, a 50mm f3.5 which seems to target this particular camera, and a 45-100mm f4.