- Fujifilm’s first cinema camera packs a 44x33mm 102MP sensor
- It can record 8K video in a variety of formats, including anamorphic
- The PRO model costs $ 16,499 (UK and Australia Pricing TBC)
It has come for a long time, but Fujifilm has finally fully revealed its first cinema camera ever, GFX ETERNA 55, after its soft message last year.
As the name suggests, the expensive professional cinema camera uses the same ‘medium format’ sensor technology as Fujifilm’s flagship Stills-Oriented Camera, the five-star GFX100 II, but packs it in an advanced dedicated cine body.
We get the same second-gene 102MP 44x33mm sensor, which is much larger than full frame (Coloquially known as ‘Medium format’, but not real medium format as photographers at it), releasing a wide range of film formats and resolutions, including 8K anamorphic.
However, make no errors, this is no hybrid model like Fujifilm’s flagship or compact cinema camera like the recent Canon EOS C50, but a beastly (and expensive) pro model – for $ 16,499.95 that’s over twice as much as the price of GFX100 II (UK and Australia Pricing TBC).
Next to the camera, Fujifilm revealed new GF 32-90mm T3.5 PZ OIS WR lens ($ 5,999.95, UK and AU pricing TBC), a dedicated cine lens with 25-71 mm full frame equivalent focus length designed for pair with GFX Eterna 55.
With established players like Red, it is no easy task to break into the professional cinema camera area, but the GFX ETERNA 55 looks like it has the tools – and lenses – to do just that. Let’s run through the features of the highlight.
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A new player in Pro Cinema -camera area
Many of the GFX EVERA 55 Internals are the same as the GFX100 II-Inclusive the rival beating 102MP 44×33 sensor, video recording up to 8K and Fujifilm’s full range of film simulation color profiles.
Other similarities include the different video codeCS, with internal Apple Propres 422 HQ, Proxy and External 12-Bit Raw through HDMI with a double base ISO (800 & 3200) and dynamic range exceeding 14ev.
The cameras also use the same W235 battery and items on CFExpress Type B and SD cards. Pair GFX ETERNA 55 with an autofocus-equipped GF lens, and it also supports topic detection and tracking of autofocus.
We have already had a taste of the Eterna 55S video capacities through the GFX100 II. What is brand new, though, is the camera’s design, shooting experience and dedicated video features.
Weighing of 4.41 kg / 2 kg and measurement at 110.8 x 138.2 x 176.8 mm, GFX ETERNA 55 is not your handheld cinema camera, but one designed for a tripod or on a full scale rich or gimbal, especially when a voluminous cine lens, eye lock and accessories are attached (see above).
You get double screens; A built-in 3-inch 1.04 m dot and a removable 5-inch 6.22 m-dot type with 2,000 nit brightness (Hood supplied). There is also a built-in variable electronic ND filter with a 2-7EV interval that can be changed in half-stop steps, plus a selection of pro-grade connection gates.
Fujifilm enters a notorious hard market to break with GFX ETERNA 55. However, it has the specifications to impress. It certainly hopes that a short called Okay By director/author Andrew Kightlinger and Kinematographer Oren Soffer, showing the camera’s skills (coming soon) will help do just that.
