I'm only five years late, but here's my evaluation of the GFX 100S, a medium format camera that might well replace my Panasonic Lumix S5 as my main workhorse. In this article I will compare salient features. To begin:
MODEL DIMENSIONS (mm) MASS (g) SENSOR PIXELS Fujifilm GFX 100S 150 x 104 x 87 880 43.8 × 32.9 102 mp Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 133 x 97 x 82 715 36.0 x 24.0 24 mp
External Controls and Ergonomics
Apologies for the blurry phone photo but my cameras were otherwise occupied as models!
At first glance the ergonomics of the Fuji follows the standard set by DSLR and mirrorless cameras. I was comfortable holding and using the camera.
Noticeable on the top panel are major differences between these models. The Fuji has a top display where we can see the most pertinent shooting parameters. I see no reason to have this panel, unless using a 90 degree viewfinder. Otherwise my eyes are at the back of the camera; I will never see this display. YMMV.
The mode dial is on the left and there is a switch for video, rather than having this option as part of the dial. This makes good sense to me since video is not a mode of photography but a different activity. The dial locks unless you depress and pop up the central button. The Fuji has no drive mode dial but instead has a button to display these functions. Again, I like this decision. A simpler physical interface is preferable, so long as it can be customised.
Both cameras have front and rear control dials but they are more present and usable on the Lumix. I hope to get used to the positioning on the Fuji but they do not fall to hand in the same way. Similarly the three Lumix buttons for White Balance, ISO, and Exposure Compensation are easier to use than the corresponding custom buttons on the Fuji.
The videocentric nature of Panasonic is emphasised by the bright red record button. I won't miss it on the Fuji.
Both cameras have a diopter adjustment that covers the range my poor eyes require. On the Fuji this dial also locks: pull the wheel out a bit then it will turn.
The overall feeling of the cameras when gripped is quite similar. Fuji lenses are noticeably broader, their diameter necessary to cover the larger sensor. I love the aperture dial on the lens where it should be. This can also set to Automatic or Camera control, so it's the best of both worlds.
Looking at the rear panel the first difference is the LCD screen. The Lumix has a full swivel hinge, preferred by videographers. The Fuji only tilts. Apparently photographers prefer this for some reason... but it's simply more limited.
When it comes to buttons and dials the Lumix is more ergonomic. Though we don't necessarily need the extruded focus wand it is easy to find by touch. While both cameras have a joystick only the Lumix has the four-way rosette, which is very handy for quickly accessing multiple settings. But the most bizarre decision is to put the Quick Menu button way off to the right on an extruded bump. Fuji, why?
Menu System
But the physical controls tell only half the story. The menu system they access is equally important. I think only Blackmagic has a contemporary touchscreen-oriented access system. All other companies are still stuck in the 1990s. I've written a deep critique of the obtuse and limited customisation available on the S5. Most problems would be easily fixed with firmware changes but Panasonic never bothers. It's deeply frustrating.
Fuji allows customisation of the front panel button near the lens mount (which I don't use), both dials, the two unlabelled top buttons, +/- , AF ON, AEL, and the four swipe directions on the touchscreen. Additionally, the dials can be depressed in order to cycle through multiple functions. There are 62 total assignable parameters -- yikes! Unlike Panasonic, there are no arbitrary limits as to which dials can do what. I am still working on an optimal arrangement that suits both manual and automatic shooting.
Fuji gives us two menus that we can customise with favourite functions, so they are at hand, limiting menu diving. As mentioned the Q button accesses a Quick Menu. There is also My Menu, a custom page on the touchscreen menu. But while the physical controls and My Menu allow access to 62 functions, not all of these are available to the Quick Menu. For example, you cannot assign Image Stabilisation which was the first thing I wanted to access. That's because I need to turn this off when on a tripod.
So instead of putting a toggle for Image Stabilisation on the Q Menu, I will need to dedicate a physical button to this function. And then hope I don't accidentally hit it!
Custom Modes and Recipes
The Panasonic has three custom dial settings and that was enough for me. But one of the compelling features of Fujifilm is their film simulations so a common use is to assign different looks to the dial positions. I have long been in the habit of developing RAW files, but considering how large these are from this camera, I hope to experiment with recipes. Besides choosing the film simulation itself (there are no fewer than 13 base types) there are 15 or more other adjustments, from dynamic range to grain size. Once you have a recipe, you can assign this to one of the custom positions on the mode dial (C1 to C6) and then name these for convenience.
But here's the odd thing. There seems to be nowhere to see the names that you have assigned! When choosing a Custom setting you can see an icon to indicate the base simulation but that is all. You can only read the names in the menu if you choose to update the settings.
Furthermore, there is no way to select these presets from a menu. This is odd because other Fuji cameras (X line) allow you to pop into the Quick Menu and choose from a saved recipe, without changing the mode dial.
The mode dial is useful for configuring the camera for operations like tethered shooting, bracketing etc. But developing a JPG file is an entirely independent operation. These settings should be orthogonal and not mixed up.
Conclusion
Well, I've only had the camera for two days so these are my first impressions. I will update as needed. Use my photography topic page to peruse previous articles.
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