The Fujifilm GFX100RF is my dream travel camera. I am so thoroughly impressed by it, even though I’ve only used it for a few days now. I don’t actually own it. I’m working on a Route 66 project, and a friend of mine (who has one) thought that my project would benefit from the camera, so he’s letting me borrow his for a time (thank you!!). I’ve said since the camera’s announcement that I really want to own one someday, but it’s also outside of my budget (especially since other cameras that I also want are also released, such as the X-E5, and I’ve diverted my savings towards that instead). I’m saving up for a GFX100RF of my own, and someday I’ll get there. In the meantime, I’m extraordinarily grateful for the opportunity to use one for the time being.
To be clear, this is not a review of the GFX100RF. Maybe someday I’ll write one, but this is definitely not it. This is simply my gushing over the initial use of the camera. It’s not my first time shooting a GFX. I own a GFX100S II and a couple of GF lenses. It takes beautiful pictures, but it is large and heavy. I dropped a lot of money on it just before the GFX100RF was announced, which was the most I’ve ever spent on photography gear. I use it sometimes, but I tend to gravitate more towards smaller and lighter cameras and lenses. My wife, Amanda, uses it every now and again, too, for portraits. It doesn’t collect dust, but I feel bad that I don’t pick it up more often, considering how expensive it was. Sometimes I think I should sell it, but I purchased it for a specific purpose (large panoramic prints) and I still intend to use it for that. For now, it stays.
The GFX100RF is essentially a medium-format Fujifilm X70, but with an EVF and two card slots. A number of people have claimed that the camera is basically an X100VI, but GFX; however, that’s not what it is, and I think it gave a lot of people false expectations. For example, if it’s supposed to be like an X100VI, why doesn’t it have IBIS? Or a larger maximum aperture? Those are probably the two largest points of contention. In my opinion, Fujifilm should consider making an actual X100VI-like GFX model, with a 45mm f/2.8 lens and IBIS; however, just like the X100-series is larger, heavier, and more expensive than the X70, people should have the expectation that this maybe-someday GFX camera will likewise be larger, heavier, and more expensive than the GFX100RF, because it will be. The GFX100RF is the smallest, lightest, and cheapest digital medium-format body-lens combo ever made, yet it feels exceptionally premium. It will be a true classic—I have no doubt that 20 years from now some people will still be using it.
Perhaps more important than the body are the photographs that it produces, which are just beautiful. I think this has more to do with the lens than anything else. In my opinion, GFX isn’t inherently better than the X-series for the majority of photos and photographers; 26mp is more than enough for most purposes, let alone 40mp, let alone 100mp. There’s not a major difference (only very small dissimilarities) in JPEG output from the 100mp GFX and the 40mp X-series, other than the resolution and high-ISO capabilities. You can easily achieve a medium-format-like shallow depth-of-field with the X-series using a large aperture lens, like the Fujinon 56mm f/1.2 (and shoot in the dark with it, too). So it really comes down to the lens, and the 35mm f/4 (28mm full-frame-equivalent) that is permanently attached to the camera is a really good one.
I’m not really sure how to end this, other than with the photographs that I captured on Route 66 earlier this week. It’s not the only camera that I used on the trip, or even the one that I used the most (surprising to me, the X-T5 was the one that I chose most often). But, when reviewing the photos, I was really impressed with the pictures. Plus, the camera was small and light enough to be ideal for travel. What’s not to love? Anyway, below are some of the pictures that I captured in northern Arizona with a Fujifilm GFX100RF this last Tuesday. I hope you enjoy!
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Fujifilm GFX100RF in black:
Amazon, B&H, Nuzira
Fujifilm GFX100RF in silver:
Amazon, B&H, Nuzira
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You nailed it. The whole “dream travel camera” idea really hits home—medium format files without the usual bulk is a big deal. 
I went through the exact dilemma: I just got back from Iceland, and back in November I traded in a GFX100RF that I’d bought in September (after trading up a bunch of gear) for a GFX100S II. I thought I needed the flexibility of interchangeable lenses—and it was great—but on the trip I kept reaching for my X-E5 more than the GFX with the 32–64 attached.
What really wore on me was the experience/controls: I don’t love the PASM dial, and I still find the way recipes work a little frustrating. So today I traded the GFX100S II and went back to the GFX100RF. I’ll probably miss swapping lenses sometimes, but I also know I’m more likely to actually carry and shoot the RF. I’ll likely keep the 32–64 and pick up a GFX 50R for the days I want that interchangeable-lens vibe.
Yeah, I don’t like PASM either, and that’s something I definitely don’t love about the GFX100S II. I would love to see a follow up to the GFX 50R, it’s long overdue.
It doesn’t surprise me at all, that you enjoy the GFX100RF.
I love it since I received it last April, presently it is my favourite camera.
As stated before, it has everything I love about my Mamiya 6 with the f4/50mm lens, only even smaller and lighter, and digital.
My Leica M10 hardly gets any use, and if I do not have to use a pocketable camera, i.e. the X100VI, I use my RF.
It’s so easy to love, once you shoot with it even a little. Thanks for the comment!
I enjoyed all of your Route 66 photos in this post. Very nice. I’ve always had a soft spot of that road trip. When I last travelled that road I had a Nikon F-301 loaded with Fuji slide film. (1992). As far as the GFX100RF is concerned it is out of my price range sadly at around $8998AU in Australia. As a pensioner now I have to watch every dollar. 🙂
I appreciate your kindness! It is definitely an expensive model.
The hephalump. How big do you print?
Base level and for specials?
Malcolm Hayward.
My plan is to print five feet wide by two feet tall. I hope/plan to make a series of these prints. Some might be hung in my house, some might be given as gifts, some might be sold (I haven’t decided on all that yet).
What can I say? The titile of your post says it all 😉
Indeed fir my RF, loved it.
And I had the change to share 2 group portraits with my RF and Kunio AO who owns one and Shin Udono, when both came to the Fujikina Brussels event jack in May 2025.
In fact since I customising all my Fujifilm cameras, Kunio went to me and asked: “What are you accessories you put on your RF?” Aka the smallRig handgrip, a bug soft button, X logo flash cap, Artisan&Artisan Japanese silk strap, etc all matching the black colour (I usually take silver bodies, on the RF well the silver version I found it les attractive + with large expensive body looking like a Leica on steroids, well better to be less visible in the streets).
Fujifilm Belgium management and staff + Belgium X-Ambassadors told me vividly during the event that I will not be able to talk them…
Well I end up discussing with Kunio & Shin over a coffee fir 30 minutes!
We talk about the community, the huge number of Fujifilm cameras & lenses I own, about you and the importance of SOOC photography and recipes, the need to make the BT Instax printers via firmware updates be usable directly on the X-T5 / X100VI and other same gen bodies, do more Kaizen updates, having back an X80 or the like, and of course the live of the brand…
It was a super great moment with them. There are both very friendly and kind people.
Quite refreshing vs standard high ranking management guys.
And Kunio really loved and cared about his GFX100RF. It is his personal travelling camera documenting his wereabouts of the different places he has to travel too out his Fujiflm duties.
Like Shin was doing by using his X-T5…
At the end we took pics of each other and in group.
Fantastic 🤩
I still hope my messages get through them and more so was transmitted to their staff, as both Kunio & Shin repeated several times that the were always looking to discuss with the Fujifilm commity and users and were very attentive and looking receiving feedback.
We shall see 🤞
Our group pics to my big surprise endup being published on their respective Facebook accounts where they called me “GFX100RF Dad” (I think remembering hearing Otōsan) 😁
I met them back the second day of the event and I was able to offer them both a Wide Instax print of our group photo, token of my gratitude to be able to meet and discuss with them + souvenir of the event (I know Japanese are very sensitive to such souvenir presents when they travel). They were both surprised and happy of the gesture coming from an European).
I do not know how or why (well yes I do), but during travelling every time I’m with either my X100VI or GFX100RF, both make people opening up to inquiry, discussion, etc.
I never experience such behaviour with any other cameras. Just pure magic.
They enable positive conversations.
So yeah dream travel camera and couple with an Instax printer… Just great for street and travel photography!
For a time we are not talking about sensor format, the pixels, imagine quality, etc, just the tool which enable connection and meeting people, discuss with them, exchange (give an Instax after taking a portrait), discovering…
PS: I like very much your analogy Ritchie to a X70 more than toward X100VI. Having for a time the X70, I tend to agree.
PS2: I just love the dedicated dials for the digital zoom and the aspect ratio on the RF, does make a huge user experience difference in travel photography vs other bodies 🤩 (to the exception of the X100 series/X70)
But I hate the guy who find great to swap place the Menu / Play / Back buttons ! Coming from a X Camera, I always end up to press by instinct the wrong one 🤬
Come on Fuji, please be consistant (I know the GFX line, blabla, but come on anyhow).
Ritchie, I am so impressed by the Route 66 pic’s. Fabulous. I can feel how comfortable you feel with the camera.