Medium Format Battle: Fujifilm GFX 50S vs 50R

So you've decided to jump into Fujifilm's digital medium format system, but you don't know which body to choose. Is it better to go with the more modular GFX 50S or the sleek rangefinder styling of the GFX 50R? It almost goes back 2 years ago when Fujifilm shooters had to choose between the classic X-Pro2 or the new slr styled X-T2. In this video I go over the differences between these two great cameras, and conclude with my choice of which is the overall better camera.
Thanks for watching and happy shooting
BHT
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*This video was recorded using:
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[@bigheadtaco]

Thanks for all your support. Just a reminder that I have affiliate links to B&H Video and Amazon. If you decide to buy anything on B&H and Amazon by using the below links, I will receive a small commission. It won't cost you any more to use these links, but it will help me to continue making content like this. Thanks again for your continued support Affiliate Link to B&H: bhpho.to/2vGUl6O Affiliate Link to Amazon.com: amzn.to/2erHF0d Affiliate Link to Amazon.ca: amzn.to/2wpvq8L

[@christosnitsos9957]

How probable is it to have affiliation to European Amazon stores in the future?

[@bigheadtaco]

@@christosnitsos9957 never looked into it. I will, thanks :-). If you click Amazon.com and then change country back to Europe, the affiliate code should still follow you back to your home country Amazon account though... either way, thanks for your support :-)

[@annjessup1670]

Thank you so much for the information packed comparison! This is exactly what I needed to see to make my decision!!

[@Bombatron]

Exceptional review - thorough, well paced, and well structured! Thank you!

[@BeyondAIMan]

Before I started watching I went to the frig and grabbed a beer because sometimes you ramble on in your videos but I always watch till the end. Thanks for the up 👌

[@tahoeturk]

A very real, very helpful review. I've been very interested in these and have seen many 'pixel-peeping' reviews that only tell me what I can read on line. Your review fully expressed the all-important way the camera feels in use. They're obviously great cameras as most are today. For me it comes down to what feels comfortable in a way that it doesn't interfere but instead flows intuitively with my work.The only way to have an even better understanding would be to have it in my hand. You're very clear and concise descriptions of working with the controls and with these was what I needed.

[@bigheadtaco]

Yes, many reviewers often only have the camera for a few days, so I understand they focus on IQ and the 'big picture' review. I'm privileged to have cameras for weeks or months at a time, so I can get into the smaller minute details that only an owner would know about. Thanks for watching!!

[@RickMentore]

Fantastic movie. Most information and the images at the end were simply brilliant!

[@bigheadtaco]

thanks for watching. Yes those were just a few pictures I took with both the 50S and 50R. The full resolution images look great. KZbin and 1080P doesn't do it justice. Even an 8K monitor won't do it justice.

[@thegreatvanziniphotos5976]

Man I better go buy my lotto tickets right now. Another great vid BHT!

[@bigheadtaco]

thanks!

[@slimnics]

Nice photos, love the layers in the one at the very end.

[@bigheadtaco]

Thanks for watching to the very end :-)

[@KoreyHart]

I think I would go for the gfx 50r because of the smaller body type, which is essential for a landscape photographer when hiking for miles at a time, not to mention it's a beautiful looking camera.

[@patryk2700]

I also like 50r's minimalist, slim-lined design.

[@Pentax67]

Huh smaller body size. That’s relative. It’s wider and bigger actually.

[@constantinslotty5309]

Excellent review. I especially liked the focus on handling which I think is one of the most important issues. Many photographers get hung up way too much on technical specs.

[@bsmukler]

Great video, as always! You have a knack of explaining camera features in a very user-oriented way, which is extremely helpful. I spent a fair amount of time looking (online) at the GFX 50S versus the GFX 50R after the latter was announced in October. I am an eyeglass wearer in my 60s and am concentrating these days on making sure I can easily work with the view through the finder on the various systems I use. I was very intrigued by the design of the GFX 50S viewfinder design. (See, in particular, Fuji's April 7, 2017, article on the concept and development of that finder.) It wasn't clear to me whether the finders were the same (apart from magnification) on the two bodies, other than the ability to remove the one on the S body, but I suspect they are NOT the same internally. I would like to try out the R one of these days, but I ended up going with the 50S, primarily for the above reasons. As you know, it is a great camera, and I am enjoying learning my way around it. One note: There is a self-timer light on the GFX 50S, at the lower end of the hand grip. Thanks for the wonderful overview and comparison!

[@bigheadtaco]

Glad you're enjoying your 50S. As for self timer, yes I was referring to the 50R's AF light which doubles as a self-timer light. I know the 50S has the self timer light, but not an AF assist light. Thanks :-)

[@bsmukler]

Ah, that makes sense (about the light). By the way, do you notice much difference regarding looking through the viewfinders on the S and R?

[@timothylua5885]

thanks for this video, I have a question, With its raw file(RAF) , will I be able to post process in Lightroom 6 ? Or do I need to update my Lightroom?

[@ivash_photography]

Thanks man! Great explanation! And nice street ;)

[@black-and-light]

Amazing! Fantastic!

[@jeanlecuyer3026]

Hi Finally I bought the GFX 50S for the same reason as you. I use the 50s for the report I was not convinced that the GFX R was made for the report and the 50s for the stutio I am more comfortable working with the S, Many thanks for to video.

[@lusean193]

Like your style keep up the good work

[@Zakalwe-01]

Buy the S first, then the R as the back-up/carry-around. It’s a camera system after all...

[@kuanwang9107]

Very informative, thanks!

[@bigheadtaco]

Glad it was helpful!

[@colorsigma101]

Nice video BHT ! The ergonomics Pov. It helps a lot. Thank you. A 50mm F4 pancake will fit nicely with the 50R. Regarding image Quality; I'm impressed. The luminance roll off and the Colors amazed me and for the first time i was pleased with the rendering of a digital camera from a film point of view. Well there was also the Kodak based MF but anyway even In 14bits Fujifilm nailed something.

[@bigheadtaco]

Yes, this is a good direction for future medium format cameras. Hopefully Sony and other manufacturers can invest in newer sensor technology that won't break the bank.

[@nourelrefaiphotography]

I have to say you review cameras like no one else, this was very informative in terms of the ergonomics of each camera. Please ask Fuji to make a tilt shift lens for this incredible system, maybe they listen to people like you! For an Architectural photographer like me, using a tilt shift lens equiv. to 20mm on a medium format Fuji 100 mp would be a dream come true.

[@tahoeturk]

Yes! If I go with one of these I'll be getting an adaptor for my Canon shift lenses.

[@bigheadtaco]

Yes I've asked for shift as well as a leaf shutter lens. I hope they can design in the next 2 years. As for my reviews, I get to keep the cameras for weeks, months, and with the GFX 50S I had for a year. Most reviewers only have days with review cameras, so I have a bit of an advantage over them, although that means my review process is slower and can't review as many cameras as others...

[@RivkiLocker]

Thanks for a great video. You are so clear and thorough, I love all of your content! I purchased the 50r a couple of months ago but I’m feeling like the ergonomics are just not super comfortable for me. I very much prefer the xh1 over the xpro bodies so I’m thinking the 50s would be more comfortable for me. The one thing stopping me is the comments about not using it with a cross body strap. I do use the gfx for street photography and walk about shooting, and I like carrrying it cross body. A little worried about this....

[@bigheadtaco]

Rivki Locker the GFX 50S works best in hand, not cross body or even hanging in the front as it sticks out pretty far. I love shooting the GFX 50S on the street, but it’s in my hand. The grip is super comfy for all day shooting even though it’s big and heavy :-) I could never get use to the GFX 50R ergonomics

[@RivkiLocker]

@@bigheadtaco Thank you so much for the reply. That's great feedback. I spend hours out on the street and hiking, and it's hard to imagine carrying the camera at all times. I suppose I could rig up a setup with a Peak Design camera clip on my backpack but that may end up being unwieldy as well with the back piece jutting out so far. Food for thought. I would love to order it 'sight unseen' because it's tough for me to get to a photography store anytime soon, but I just may have to pay a visit to the city to see it in person. :) Thanks again for the great content and for your reply.

[@BenjaminKanarek]

I just got my GFX 50S and 6 lenses... 43, 63, 110, 120, 250 and 32-64 :-)

[@bigheadtaco]

Noice! Congrats!!

[@EricAdeleye]

How can I check out some of your work with the Fujifilm GFX50S?

[@MescalinPlayer]

Would still recommend the GFX 50R today? I have a Nikon Z7 that I’m not exactly thrilled with for manual lenses, so I’m considering replacing it with a 50R or 50S ii.

[@Karthig1987]

Good video thanks

[@christosnitsos9957]

Great review and great cameras. If I could I would get the R and a 28mm equiv. prime and retire from the camera market for the next many years. But it is way out of my reach. I guess the Ricoh GRII will have to do.

[@edwassermann8368]

good one taco!

[@stiago00]

The GFX-50S was create more for studio work. and for outdoors and landscape and GFX-50R since weight is completely different between both

[@bigheadtaco]

I think ergonomics will dictate which camera someone will decide on. There's a 50g difference, which isn't huge. You'll notice a bigger difference when swapping lenses. For all day shooting in the hand the 50S feels nicer, but the 50R is better on a strap and across your body. Thanks for your comment :-)

[@stiago00]

bigheadtaco I ‘ve shoot with both and indeed ergonomics make the difference and of course trying different lenses depending what you are shooting too. When the GFX 50s was launch to the market really change or in other works opened to everybody enjoy again medium format with a price point that the competition didn’t expect it. But they realized that the camera was created more for studio work more than outdoors even tho you can works with it anywhere but creating an alternative solution where you can be adventurous and carry it everywhere without feeling the size and weight was a plus. In terms of choosing which camera you might need it depends exactly of what everybody like to shoot now in theses. Both cameras are amazing and no matter which one you like at the end of the day you would be satisfied with the system 😊🐶

[@tchin2020]

You have to really have the camera in your hand to make a decision, I went down to B&H and played with the 50R with the 110mm f/2, which is the package I would get, the 110mm is an amazing lens with amazing bokeh, but let me tell you, it’s heavy...I wanted to use it for street photography because of the sensor quality and medium format.. but it’s a very slow shutter camera because of the amount of information that is being recorded, and I mean very slow, like using a Leica medium format camera (?) slow shutter, portrait and landscape photography is right on, but action, like street photography, I would have to think reconsider... I currently shoot with a Nikon D850 and as we all know , a great all around camera, but I always wanted to venture into medium format and the 50R is the way to go...for now, but I will wait until next year to see if the prices drop. The 110mm f/2 is about half the price of the camera. I wish they sold it in a package deal..with the 50R... nice comparison... very informative as always...

[@bigheadtaco]

Yes you definitely pay a premium on size, weight as well as price for digital medium, as you did back in the film days. For most, medium is a novelty and not a necessity. Fujifilm has done much to drop the price of digital medium format, and as they sell more, the prices will continue to drop.

[@MrBazsi888]

how much is the weight without viewfinder for 50s?

[@ousi00]

If shooting down low I usually use my thumb to press the shutter :)

[@bigheadtaco]

a good alternative, but also slightly less stable :-)

[@TarrelScot]

Great detailed review of the ergonomics. Thank you! Interesting that, two years on, the 50R used prices are holding up better than the 50S (i.e. the new price difference has been eroded), certainly here in the UK, anyway. It seems to me that Fujifilm had the studio in mind when they designed the 50S, and the field in mind when they designed the 50R. I’m looking at a used 50 for landscape work. The tiltable viewfinder on the S looks attractive but I think the weight penalty of the adapter plus the generally heavier camera would be too much in the pack. I work mostly on a tripod so the imbalance of the R that you demonstrated wouldn’t bother me. The lack of tiltable LCD on the R in portrait mode does bother me though. Whichever I end up going for, I’m looking to pair it with a Canon 24mm TS-E and Techart adapter.

[@Huginn1000]

Strange logic. SLR style cameras are not Studio Designed Cameras 😂

[@bobbystefano]

Go with the 50s. 50r is really a waste of time. I have had both, the 50r is not made as well and really meant for a no frills way into med format.And the 50r feels terrible in your hands. Hoping to get the gfx100 and some point! Great video!

[@bigheadtaco]

thanks, yes I much prefer the 50S, although in my mind (and with my eyes) I was convinced I would prefer the 50R. Walking around all day with the 50S is a joy because of the grip and weight balance. There's something off with the left-side weight bias on the 50R.

[@_brayanenriquez]

If you have any equipment you’d want to donate to a broker college kid studying photography let me know 😅

[@robiulahmed]

I like the 50R, the size makes it much more portable.

[@bigheadtaco]

Yes I think the shape of the camera and how one shoots will dictate which camera people will choose.

[@wolfnitch]

unfortunately a rangefinder without OVF is pointless. It's not a rangefinder. It's a "SLR" with the viewfinder to the side... And sorry disagree on the battery position. The GFX is terrible with a bracket. You cannot access the battery, you have to unscrew the bracket. And unfortunately the GFX is the type of camera where you would want to have a bracket and a way to access the battery.

[@WhittyPics]

Looks like the 50S fits better in your hands but the 50R is easier to carry? I just got a Nikon D850. It is more camera than I really need.

[@bigheadtaco]

Basically, as well as fitting into a camera bag easier due to its blockish shape.

[@AlGreenLightThroughGlass]

Tiny - should appeal to pros - can fit all the old blad glass

[@devilalwayscry]

S is more make sense. R looks gigantic side by side to xpro. But the price.. R hands down

[@Introdigitalarts]

I am just confused between Gfx fuji 50r or nikon z7

[@Pentax67]

Huge difference. 1.7x times bigger sensor on GFX . f/1.4 lens on GFX is 1.0 equivalent on Z7. More quality

[@Biosynchro]

I wonder if the 645 team at Pentax is still kicking themselves for delivering the old 645D two years late. It could have made them tonnes of money and they might have released a mirrorless version by now. Leica's S3 is going to be amazingly good but also amazingly expensive - I wonder if they are kicking themselves for making the S series reflexes. They say that their customers prefer the optical finder, and even if it's true they are now stuck with it. I have suspected for a while that that the SL is going to be the 'mirrorless S'. Just wait - I think they're going to release a version with a bigger sensor. Why else would the lenses be so large?

[@jamesclimaco5219]

I have a dilemma... I have a Fuji TX-1 and I've been thinking of selling it to fund the 50R. I obviously want to have both but can only keep one.... What would you choose? I'm just afraid the TX-1 will break down on me and I'll be out of luck cause there's nobody around to service it.

[@bigheadtaco]

There are places that can repair your TX-1/X-Pan, but maybe not where you live. Repair masters in Hong Kong and Japan can work on various aspects of these cameras, with back up parts from dead bodies. However, if you're asking if you should move from film to digital, that's a big question that I can't really answer for you.

[@drunkbusdriver4182]

Yes, yes that will be an enormous kick back for you, is there no money to make with ads or something else? Remember the good old times when it was only about information.

[@bigheadtaco]

Sorry your comment is confusing.

[@drunkbusdriver4182]

@@bigheadtaco your (small) comission confuses me.........

[@bigheadtaco]

@@drunkbusdriver4182 well, I think you insinuate a multitude of points, but as for the commission part, let's just say that I'd be happy if I get $20 a month from my affiliate links. I know some KZbin accounts are designed where they only review items if they can get affiliate link commission. These accounts can make hundreds to thousands a month, but that's also at scale (meaning they have a million followers). For instance, from this one video, I assume maybe 5-10 people will use the link to buy something that they would have bought anyway, and I might make $2-3 dollars? And the video itself? So far I've made $19.36, for about 50 hours of work..... clearly I'm not doing this for the money.

[@JulienRoyal]

What is your camera strap ?

[@bigheadtaco]

Barton 1972 braided military strap in muddy green

[@Stefan1968ful]

There is no battle. These are the same fins cameras, just a different approach. I prefer the Fuji GFx50s because of the additional battery grip and als the viewfinder.

[@l.groeger1668]

There is a technical review , that looks like the R has a lower MTF 50 / sharpness value than the 50 S. Does that make sense to you? www.pdnonline.com/gear/cameras/medium-format/fujifilm-gfx-50r-camera-review-medium-format/

[@bigheadtaco]

No this does not make sense. Both are using the same designed sensor and processor. However, during manufacturing, there's always going to be minute differences in build quality for the sensor. In fact the fail rate for sensor construction is not uncommon, so slight differences between sensors is normal, although tolerance differences will be minuscule. This is probably what was being tested. I bet if the review took two of the same cameras you'll see slight differences in MTF scores.

[@pawelecphoto]

I just gave back the GFX50S loaner I had for a week this evening and after a week of testing it as part of my regular workflow (6 agency test shoots this week), I am convinced that I should make the jump. I used the 32-64mm f4 and 110mm f2, tethered into C1 v12 and it was flawless. I immediately fell in love with the 110mm f2 so that's on the list. I've only tried out the R and liked the feel of it, however it's not my thing as it's rangefinder style. It's better suited for street/journalism/landscape work in my opinion.

[@bigheadtaco]

Awesome you had a chance to shoot with it. Aren't the files insane? I actually prefer the GF 120mm, but the GF 110mm, when focused properly also looks amazing!

[@pawelecphoto]

@@bigheadtaco ya the files are insane and beautiful colours SOOC. The 110mm was my go-to for most of the week (esp as I was stuck in studio). The 120 is nice, but I find it slow for my workflow, although the macro makes it ideal of beauty work.

[@koryeasterday5164]

My story is almost the same :)

[@jorgemoro5476]

Love my 50r...

[@nastynate838]

anything new in the works , Taco???

[@bigheadtaco]

Always, but backed up with content. It's difficult being a one person brand :-)

[@Warioda]

Meanwhile, I'm shopping for a Fuji 6x9 camera. Another bad boy but waaaaay cheaper. #GFXr

[@bigheadtaco]

Yes, I tell most who are serious about medium format, it's currently cheaper to buy a used film camera and learn to develop and print or scan yourself. One day digital medium format will come down in price (as did regular digital SLR technology) but currently film medium format is the best bang for buck!

[@06wv]

That is what I did. The fuji gw690iii. I will probably get a gfx one day. But when they are quote a bit cheaper used

[@boerenkool]

and beautiful boots - what are they ?

[@bigheadtaco]

John Fluevogs :-)

[@Photo-ms1mo]

Image Quality is unfortunately not the same, especially DR & Hi ISO ;-)

[@roxikoko3744]

Never delete in camera

[@rotojo2]

Why?

[@roxikoko3744]

@@rotojo2 it can corrupt card.

[@rotojo2]

@@roxikoko3744 Thank you!

[@chiefdispatcher]

Сколько платят за рекламу Fujifilm?

[@calvinchann1996]

Why chose?

[@bigheadtaco]

Ha ha, so true!!

[@petrdejmek8991]

What are those?!

[@Sketchmee5]

This video is for Leica User.

[@kathodosdotcom]

i bought both, makes the choice easy :P

[@bigheadtaco]

Ha ha, you crazy. But deserted island scenario, which one would you take?

[@iamaloungechair]

14:17 "shoot, shoot, shoot. play. swipe, swipe, swipe. then, delete, delete."

[@bigheadtaco]

...and repeat!

[@joyx81]

FF+

[@robert7622]

They are both awkward sizes...

[@MotoRich900]

I would personally go for the Pentax 645z, built like a TANK, uses the same 51.4 mp Sony sensor and less expensive for a better camera, so why would anyone buy a Fuji with a 5 year old sensor? Do a drop test with the Fuji GFX vs the Pentax 645z, then do a dust and water test against the two LOL sorry Fuji

[@cii1072]

They are both overpriced.

[@jorgemoro5476]

Compared to what?! MF Fuji is a third the price of other MF systems out there! Heck my film Mamiya 645AFD with a digit back was double the price of my new 50r and 32-64 lens!

[@Dan-jg7zl]

You know nothing dude. It's very well priced for MF.

[@scotthullinger9955]

I for one make it a point to NEVER support a KZbinr who begs for affiliate link contributions. Very suspect, to say the least.

[@lillamy2896]

The cameras is useless without a tripod. (No stabilisation)

[@bigheadtaco]

As you saw in my outro and throughout the video, all images hand held. Also remember that two lenses in the series includes OIS. I've shot as low as 1/30th sec no problem hand held.

[@lillamy2896]

@@bigheadtaco The thing is that some companies dont accept unsharp photos

[@Azety93]

very hard to watch. a lot useless informations

[@chloescanlon1107]

Miserable bastard.

[@GKhanKutar]

50R looks cheap. Even X-pro2 has much better built quality than 50R.

[@bigheadtaco]

the build quality on the 50S is definitely better than the 50R, but all the moving parts, dials, shutter button, doors, etc. are as good as any other X series camera 👍🏼

[@GKhanKutar]

@@bigheadtaco thank you for the information Taco! I am waiting for GFX100 !!! I can buy R style GFX as a second body in the future if Fuji come up with the new 50 megapixel BSI sensor

[@RileyNotRyan]

I own both the Xpro2 & GFX50R and they feel of the same build quality that any higher end Fujifilm camera has.

[@GKhanKutar]

Riley JB Once you have GFX50s , you can realize GFX50R is not high end camera.