Fujifilm's putting the GFX100 II's massive sensor into its first cinema camera

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Image: Fujifilm

Fujifilm has announced that it's working on "its first-ever filmmaking camera" called the GFX Eterna, which will use the 44 x 33 mm medium-format sensor found in its GFX 100 II and 100S II cameras. The company says it's set to be released in 2025, when it'll likely compete with other large-format* cameras like Red's V-Raptor with a 41 x 21.6 mm sensor, and Arri's Alexa 65 with its 54 x 25.6 mm sensor.

The 102MP sensor will be paired with Fujifilm's X-Processor 5, also brought over from its more stills-focused cameras. That sensor is "approximately 1.7 times larger" than 35mm sensors, which themselves are considered relatively big for cinema cameras.

The GFX Eternal looks like a typical cinema camera

While there are plenty of details still missing – this is only a development announcement – the company's news post includes two renders of the GFX Eterna, which looks like a typical cinema camera: it's adorned with buttons and ports, including connectors for Genlock, USB-C, Ethernet, remotes, audio equipment and video output. Also included is a locking lens mount, which is vital when dealing with extremely heavy and costly cinema glass.

Alongside the camera, the company says it's working on a 32-90mm power zoom GF lens, which translates to roughly 25-71mm full frame equiv. The company is also working on an adapter that will let you put industry-standard PL-mount lenses onto the camera's G-mount. However, anyone using PL mount lenses with the camera will want to make sure they have a big enough image circle, as many cinema lenses are made for cameras with "Super35" sensors, which can be 25 x 13.9 or 25 x 18.7 mm. That makes them closer in size to APS-C sensors than the 36 x 24 mm full-frame sensors the GFX sensor was made to outclass.

While the GFX Eterna may be the company's first cinema camera, it's not necessarily a surprising move. The GFX 100 II has a ton of video features, including a series of video modes designed for the company's incredibly expensive Premista cinema lenses, which have a larger imaging circle than full-frame but smaller than the full GF mount. However, it is interesting that the company would choose to jump into the cinema market with this sensor, given its relatively poor rolling shutter performance. In its UHD and DCI 4K modes, it manages a 14-15ms readout rate via line-skipping, but at higher resolutions, it reaches upwards of 30ms, which could render even moderate speed pans as a wobbly mess.

*In video terms

Press Release:

Fujifilm Unveils the Development of its First Filmmaking Camera “FUJIFILM GFX ETERNA”

Achieving rich, true to life visuals with the large format sensor

Paving the way for a new era of film production and timeless masterpiece creation

TOKYO, November 12, 2024 – FUJIFILM Corporation announces that it is currently in the process of developing its first-ever filmmaking camera, the “FUJIFILM GFX ETERNA” (GFX ETERNA), with plans for a release in 2025. The “GFX ETERNA” will feature a large format sensor, “GFX 102MP CMOS II HS”, which is approximately 1.7 times larger than a 35mm sensor, and the high-speed image processing engine “X-Processor 5”, enabling filmmakers to capture rich, true to life visuals and have enhanced flexibility in post-production. Both the “GFX 102MP CMOS II HS” sensor and “X-Processor 5” are the latest technologies featured in the mirrorless digital camera “FUJIFILM GFX100 II”, which delivers extraordinarily high image quality with its 102 million pixels.

Fujifilm will showcase the “GFX ETERNA” as a reference exhibit at the comprehensive media event “InterBEE 2024”, which will be held from November 13th to 15th 2024.

After its founding in 1934, the Fujifilm Group has played an important role in Japan’s film industry by developing and introducing domestically-produced positive film for movies. Through continuous innovation, Fujifilm has expanded its product range to include the motion picture color negative film “ETERNA series” and the cinema zoom lenses “Premista series” and “ZK Cabrio series”. For over 90 years, Fujifilm has been providing reliable products for the film production industry and beyond. In addition to its success with photographic films, cameras and digital cameras, in 2017, Fujifilm introduced the groundbreaking mirrorless digital camera “GFX series”, featuring a large format sensor approximately 1.7 times larger than a 35mm sensor, delivering extraordinarily high image quality. Fujifilm has since made continuous improvement to the “GFX series”, including its video capabilities.

The “GFX ETERNA,” currently in development, is set to revolutionize film production. Leveraging Fujifilm’s expertise and experience in the field of filmmaking, the company will combine the exceptional capabilities of Fujinon lenses with the advanced technology of the “GFX series.” Aptly named “GFX ETERNA,” it aspires to become a driving force in shaping a new era of filmmaking and dedicate to contributing to the creation of timeless cinematic masterpieces.

In addition to the development of the “GFX ETERNA”, Fujifilm is also working on the development of a power zoom GF lens that is optimized for this G mount camera, planned to have actual focal length of 32-90mm, and a mount adapter from G to PL mount lenses, widely employed in film production.

As the demand for producing various types of videos such as feature films, short films, documentaries, and web content continues to grow, there is a growing need in the film production industry for high-quality videos that can be produced quickly and inexpensively. In preparation for the launch of the “GFX ETERNA”, Fujifilm will conduct rigorous field tests, while expanding its product lineup to enhance the “GFX system”. Through these efforts, Fujifilm is committed to contributing to the video production with high-quality and productivity across a wide range of fields.

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