Fuji GFX 50Sii vs. Nikon Z8. I have both and use them in quite different ways.

Fuji gfx - beautiful camera
Hasselblad X2D - best images
sony a7cr ii - compact power

I have owned, far more cameras than is sensible (I am currently using 4 camera systems). I hated the Z6/Z7 when they were released and after 4 years of waiting, in September 2022, I jumped ship and bought a GFX100s. Now, I do love Nikon, particularly the ergonomics, and I think, I take better photos with the Nikon, mainly because my brain has been trained over 20+ years, to not have to think when setting up a photo, whereas, with the GFX I do have to think, and that slows me down.

Really, the GFX was my mid-life crisis camera. I would have loved to get the GFX50 II, because I don't need 102mp sensor, and the GFX 50mp sensor is great, but I really couldn't live with the frustration of using the 50 II contrast detect system. I know this because I recently bought a second hand Panasonic S1R mainly to use with Zeiss primes, but I also bought a 70-200mm f/4 and the contrast detect af (which is better than Fujifilms) is still frustrating, in certain conditions.

But what i love about the GFX system is the lenses. I own a silly amount of lenses, particularly portrait lenses, and the GF110mm f/2 is the best lens optically I have ever owned. It is just amazing, enough that I decided not to buy a Zeiss Otus 85mm because the GF110mm f/2 is just better. The GF80mm f/1.7 is also very good, maybe not the best GF lens, but still every good. I also own the 45mm f/3.5, and it is good, but I use it so rarely I could probably sell it and not notice the loss.

Image quality...Nikon z8 users will hate this ...GFX. for auto focus ...speed ...all that Nikon Z8. I had a Nikon D850 then went mirrorless. I hired a Z8 ...wasn't blown away with upgrade in image quality. Yet when I saw the images from fuji meduim format I was impressed

I've since upgraded to the Fuji GFX100s ii which is brilliant. Nikon z8 is brilliant don't get me wrong

I just love the files out of the GFX. You don't need express cards on a GFX because the speed...you dont need it.

The GFX colours 😍 omg are so good

NIKON ..NICE TOO .....I used the z8 for a weekend and a GFX 50s ii which I still own

And GFX files are so limitless what you can you do. I love 4/3 ratio...it's amazing. If you want a focusing fuju get the 100s ii which actually weighs less than the Z8. The files. Nikon Nice...Fuju jaw dropping!!

Could the "clinicalness" of the nikon maybe be fought with some characterful voigtlander lenses? Or would there be a noticeable quality difference vs fuji GF lenses

Nice comparison. I've come to the opposite conclusion though.I had the original Fuji 50S and loved it, upgraded to the 100S for the AF. Ended up loathing the shooting experience with the newer body. Ended up selling (but still have the lenses and adapters for some vintage MF glass, incase I want to get back into the system). For reference I loved the X-Pro line of cameras. Now shooting the Nikon Zf and Z8 and like the Z8 but love the Zf, especially with Voigtlander Z-glass.

Sounds like a Hasselblad X2D would be even more to your liking, although there's a not insignificant price jump!

It's more a discussion about 35mm vs. medium format. Medium format has always produced better pictures than 35mm, that is just how it is.

There is so much nuance to having this conversation without letting BRAND get in the way. I also shoot both Nikon Z (Z9 + ZF) and Fuji (100S). Below are my opinions after owning and using both and of course others might argue these points.

In terms of providing a RAW CANVAS to work on in post, the GFX wins hands down by virtue of dynamic range, details, etc. The zoom lenses are quite boring if you're using them for anything outside of landscape, but for landscape they excel. The primes are a totally different story as you said. However, as good as the image quality is out of GFX, I find the actual shooting experience quite miserable...Fuji tends to cheap out on materials on their cameras...mushy buttons, odd feeling control wheels, and the 100S in particular has one of the worst leatherettes I've ever touched. They fixed this on the 100Sii and 100 ii with the new texture, but alas.

Nikon on the other hand feels like it gets completely out of my way when I'm shooting...buttons where I need them, everything falling under my fingers in the right spots, intuitive menus, a more useful version of "my menu", excellent video capture abilities so I can toggle back and forth quickly in the field without fiddling.

The other bonus for Nikon for me is the white balance is just bang on 95% of the time where I'm always jacking with it on Fuji in post. Nikon gets me so much closer to my final edit right off the bat and that's valuable depending on what kind of shoot/post I'm looking at.

They each have their place in my world, but I'll let you in on a secret. The camera I'm always reaching for now is the ZF with a Voigtlander 35mm APO-L on it. Just pure IQ insanity. I have 50" prints from this combo that you'd think came from the GFX.

OM Systems OM-1 is the ideal companion to the Fuji GFX. 20MP, great AF and speed of operation. Huge lens lineup.

Great vido! a lot of useful information
I own a Z9 which is a beast.
I do plan on getting in to the GFX system, just wondering if I should get the 50 S II first , as "entry level" MF or go right to the 100S II.
I would prabably go for the 100 because it feels more future proof , but I haven't decided yet.
What might delay it , is if Nikon announce a Z9 II which is a first priority for me.

WHAW WHAW😭

Totally agree with you on the 110. My favorite portrait lens of all time. I like the 80 and the 55 but I love the 110.

I would hope they came out with a 50MP Fuji that has Not just CD AF. But then I fully agree it is an amazingly nice output. Also shot the Hasselblad X2D for a while and the built of that camera is excellent and the menu system as it should be. But I missed the joystick 😅 there will never be one camera - good to see your balanced review! Enjoy shooting

Nothing wrong with SD cards buddy

Well the Fuji isn’t great for Video and it isn’t blazing fast so no need for CF express

Sounds like you ought to ditch the Nikon and go all in on Fuji GFX.

The Nikon takes very good pictures in almost any situation.. however the Fuji takes brilliant photos.

How do you like the GFX 100S II for ULTIMATE quality photography ? a beast of a camera.

I've been shooting Nikon for 35+ years, including professionally, and I'm so tired of the sub 50MP resolution hybrid video-focused cameras instead of dedicated high 100MP+ resolution still photography focused cameras that I'm going to jump ship to the GFX 100s II this year. All Nikon has to do to keep people like me as customers is to release a 60MP-100MP still photography camera with minimal video capabilities because we don't want the video. That's not a lot to ask and they've just completely failed this market for far too long.

It is fun to see you taking photos with the camera in one hand and your dog on the other hand.., this reminds me on my two dogs, ... I'm working on that.

An interesting video, thanks! I also have a GFX camera and many Nikon cameras but if I must have the shot, I won’t grab my 100S. I also have an old compact X10 Fuji but really I’m just too used to handling and working with Nikon gear and Nef files. Zooming into a RAF file is super-impressive, but there an appreciable delay with some editing processes (and I have a new PC since buying the GFX).

Great video Al, I agree totally with you. I shoot with the 50sii ans aD850. I do find myself grabbing for the Fuji most times. The 50sii is just so comfortable in the hand. Super video, thanks.

The sad part is that the Fuji GFX 50Sii is now discontinued and there's no new replacement.

Have you tried the Z6III? I have the Z6III and I'm planning on pairing it up with a GFX100S.

Using that Fuji is like comparing a 1960s Sting Ray to a Tesla... one thst hasn't been torched!!