I'm only five years late, but here's my evaluation of the GFX 100S, a medium format camera that might 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
Apologies for the blurry phone photo but my cameras were otherwise occupied as models!
External Controls and Ergonomics
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. While Fuji have previously released rangefinder style bodies in the GFX series, they have moved away from that more recently. So we get a viewfinder protrusion, a grip on the right-hand side, and the standard SLR-style form factor.
The GFX 100S has a top display where we can see the most pertinent shooting parameters. Personal take: Unless I am using a 90 degree viewfinder this is not so useful because my eyes are at the back of the camera. That said, I have set up this panel to always display the histogram, which at the very least is useful when on a tripod.
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 entirely. The dial locks unless you depress and pop up the central button, so there is no chance it will accidentally change. 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. This can be set to Automatic or Camera control, so it's the best of both worlds, really.
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. Worse yet, the viewfinder eye cup obscures the top part of the screen when it is folded for waist level shooting. Surely I should be able to frame a shot using the rear screen? This is simply bad design.
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 Fuji has made is to put the Quick Menu button way off to the right on an extruded bump. 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 Lumix S5. Most problems would be easily fixed with firmware changes but Panasonic never bothers. It's deeply frustrating.
Though I don't have formal training in the field, I have continuing interest in design, both 2D graphics and interface affordance. I once managed a small software development team and currently teach a university module on graphic design. So I have more than passing interest in the subject. Many times I am forced to wonder why bad decisions get made.
Today's digital cameras are complex beasts but the principles can nonetheless be followed. Keep related settings together in an obvious hierarchy, while firmly separate those that are orthogonal. Provide relevant feedback for users. Keep labels clear and provide a second level of instruction. Be consistent in vocabulary, typography, colour schemes, and other characteristics.
The Fuji menu follows a convention of having top-level groups in a vertical strip along the left side of the screen. These are indicated as follows: IQ, AF MF, a camera icon, a lightning bolt, a spanner, and MY. I am not sure why these mix icons and typography. That is odd. But it is very clear which category is active since a colour appears and the background changes.
IQ includes film simulation and similar options. As expected AF MF holds focus settings. The camera icon includes the self-timer, intervalometer, bracketing, and image stabilisation. Flash is self-explanatory. The spanner allows button customisation, power management, sound and screen settings, and so on.
Most of this makes sense with some minor exceptions and one strange decision. Towards the bottom of the IQ list you can save Custom Settings. But these store far more than the image quality options. The spanner is the logical place for this functionality.
This confusion between the film looks and custom settings will rear its head again.
Button Customisation
Fuji allows customisation of much of the control surface, including the front panel button near the lens mount (which I don't use), both dials, the two unlabelled top buttons, the +/- exposure button, AF ON, and AEL. We also have 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!
Though there's a profusion of possibilities, I understood the layout within quite a short period. Of course I have decades of experience with variosu devices. Testing with this camera with a new user might reveal shortcomings of which I am unaware.
Fuji provides two custom menus which I leverage to reduce menu diving. The Quick Menu is the most convenient, accessed with that misplaced Q button. My Menu is a custom page on the touchscreen menu. But for some reason the Quick Menu only permits access to a limited subset of the 62 functions available elsewhere. On day one I tried to assign Image Stabilisation to Q, only to find it missing.
Recommendations
Overall the experience here is nicer than the Lumix S5. But I have on major recommendation: Fuji, please allow us to assign all functions to the Q Menu.
I also have two suggestions that will need to wait for future camera bodies... or maybe already rectified?
- Reposition the front dial so it is higher on the body and angled slightly.
- Reposition the Q button and get rid of that annoying hump entirely.
Conclusion
These are my first impressions. I have edited this article after two days in order to spin off a topic to a separate article. Lens testing and other features are forthcoming. Call back each day for rmore!
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