Our friend Ken Tanaka got lucky and actually received his GFX 100RF—apparently there have been some shipment anomalies as a consequence of the trade chaos. Since so few people in America actually have one of thse yet, he thought we might like to see some snaps that show how close it comes to the APS-C X100 VI.
The back design is really very similar, the biggest visible differences being the RF's aspect-ratio dial and the location of the S-C-M switch.
Top plates are virtually the same, except for size.
He said he was surprised by how small and light the GFX 100RF is when he's actually holding it. If you don't know from personal experience, the X-100[x] is really very small; a little too small for some people, actually. The scale readout is a little soft—it's pounds, then ounces (1 lbs., 3.1 oz.).
Weight might be affected slightly by the attached strap.
For good measure, he threw in a weight measurement of his Leica Q3. He says they're nearly the same size, with the Fujifilm being a tad taller.
He hasn't used the new GFX 100RF much yet—he just got it—but he offered to write up his impressions of it once he uses it more, and I eagerly accepted. I'll be looking forward to hearing about it.
Thanks, Ken!
Mike
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Featured Comments from:
Shame it has no stabilization, unlike its smaller counterpart.
Posted by: Jeff | Friday, 30 May 2025 at 11:58 AM
I was lucky enough to get one of the first RFs that came into the US at the end of April. It's exactly what one would expect--a compact camera with outstanding image quality. Like the other compact cameras I've owned (Olympus XA, Fuji X100V), it has a lens one stop slower than its interchangeable equivalent, and no IBIS. This bothers a lot of people for some reason. I don't mind at all. As with the X100 series, the exposure triangle is on dedicated knobs, no PASM. This is a huge plus for me. Aside from a couple of X-Pan-ish pictures. I haven't used the crop previsualization stuff much. The built-in ND filter is handy.
The link below should show all the RF pictures I've uploaded to Flickr, for anyone who is curious. They can be downloaded at full size (102MP unless cropped). Unfortunately, the latest is from May 1, so only my first week with the camera. I'd be happy to provide more recent ones if there is interest.
https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=7933019%40N02&view_all=1&text=fujigfx100rf
Posted by: Tim Walters | Friday, 30 May 2025 at 04:56 PM
I look forward to more info from a photographer like Ken. Apparently he has both the GFX100RF and the X100VI. I have the X100VI and due to neurological and health issues I depend on IBIS. I hope he can push the envelope of real world usage comparing both of these cameras. I don't generally shoot my 100 at f2 so the f4 minimum aperture of the RF doesn't scare me. It's the ergonomics of steadily handholding that I'm interested in. I admit that I'm using the SmallRig grip to help me handhold the smallish X100.
The X100VI works for me now - but I do have some MP insecurity regarding the GFX sans IBIS vs the 100VI with IBIS. I do like the format dial of the RF - particularly the XPan versions. I do understand that the wide formats ding the RF's 100mp sensor to something around 50mp.
Anyway, does the lack of IBIS vs lower mp numbers with IBIS make a real difference for a physically challenged photographer?
The entire handhold-ability macho thing reminded me of this SNL bit ... https://www.tumblr.com/norewardisworththis/64845798933/snl-quien-es-mas-macho-sketch-from-21719
Folks with health issues get over this kind of posturing vs. reality eventually.
Posted by: Ed Kreminski | Friday, 30 May 2025 at 05:59 PM
Hi.
Nice. I saw one the other day in Map Camera. Turned away in horror when I saw the price.
Mind you, I haven’t really looked at camera gear for years, & it turns out anything new is horrifying. Luckily Map Camera is mostly used goods, so slightly less traumatising (Yodobashi Camera was a petrifying horror house…).
But, more importantly, please tell us about that strap…
Peace,
Dean
Posted by: Dean Johnston | Friday, 30 May 2025 at 06:10 PM
I'd love to hear Ken's comments on this camera, and why he'd go for a fixed-lens version rather than an ILC.
Posted by: John Camp | Friday, 30 May 2025 at 06:42 PM
"some shipment anomalies" is putting it mildly. I was lucky to get one two months after I preordered it with a small deposit.
My favorite camera ever was my Sony RX1, which I used for years, then unfortunately dropped and broke. The RF feels like a slightly bigger brother. I have locked out the extraneous features (digital zoom, film discolorations, preset crops, etc.), and it's now just a glorified point-n-shoot, with very, VERY good image quality.
I like it!
Posted by: Luke | Saturday, 31 May 2025 at 08:26 AM