Fuji's GFX system gets massive firmware update and the GFX 100 now offers ProRes RAW video

Fujifilm has released new firmware updates for the Fuji GFX 100, GFX 50S and GFX 50R cameras offering better image quality, autofocus performance (including better face and eye detection), new film simulations, better bracketing and more. The GFX100 also gains the ability to shoot 12-Bit ProRes RAW video externally to the Atomos Ninja V.

The new firmware is significant, and Fuji says that this is the biggest firmware update they’ve released for the GFX system. From the looks of the list of changes, it certainly seems like it. For many, they may feel like entirely new cameras – especially when it comes to their autofocus capabilities.

FUJIFILM North America Corporation announced today the availability of its highly-anticipated firmware update for the GFX System. This firmware update provides significant additional capabilities to each GFX System digital camera for photography, as well as considerable new capabilities for video shooters, including 4K RAW video support for the FUJIFILM GFX100.

For Video: Firmware Update Supports GFX 100 4K 16:9 RAW video output via HDMI

This new firmware update will soon allow the FUJIFILM GFX100 to output 4K RAW video up to 29.97p via HDMI, which can then be recorded to an Atomos Ninja V 5” HDR monitor recorder and encoded into 12-bit Apple ProRes RAW for compatibility with a wide range of grading and editing software.

The successful collaboration between Fujifilm and Atomos will make the GFX100 and Ninja V combination to become one of the only Large Format camera systems of its kind to record 4K RAW footage. GFX100’s 100MP 4:3 ratio Large Format CMOS sensor is 44mm x 33mm in size (∅54.78mm) and can record 4K video at up to 29.97p in the following image resolutions:

UHD 4K 16:9 (43.6mm x 24.6mm, ∅ 50.06mm)

DCI 4K 17:9 (43.6mm x 23.1mm, ∅ 49.37mm)

Both resolutions will be able to be recorded at bit rates of 100Mbps, 200Mbps, or 400Mbps. Currently, only UHD 4K 16:9 output will support RAW output.

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Simultaneous recording of RAW via HDMI, while recording Film Simulation / F-Log / Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) internally to a memory card is also available as a result of this firmware update.

Fujifilm says that you will be able to record RAW via HDMI to the Atomos Ninja externally while still being able to record to an internal memory card simultaneously. Of course, you can’t do this just yet, as external ProRes RAW recording requires Atomos to release a firmware update for the Ninja V, which is expected to come at some point during July.

As for the rest of the changes, these are common to all cameras.

For Photo: GFX System Firmware expands the capabilities of in-camera image processing

The Film Simulation function, which offers diverse color and tonal reproductions similar to those found in traditional film, will be expanded by the new firmware update for all GFX System digital cameras – GFX 50S, GFX 50R, and GFX 100. The new firmware will add the “CLASSIC Neg” mode, simulating color negative film traditionally chosen for snapshots, to all three models. “ETERNA Bleach Bypass” mode, which simulates the film processing technique of the same name, will be added to the GFX100.The “ETERNA” mode, which replicates the colors and tonality of Fujifilm’s motion picture film, will be added to the GFX 50S and GFX 50R.

The “Smooth Skin Effect,”will now also be available on the GFX 50S and GFX 50R, smoothing the appearance of human skin; an ideal feature for portraiture.

The “Color Chrome Blue” feature, which adds depth to color and tonal reproduction in blue skies and other primarily blue subjects, will be added to the GFX 100.

GFX System Firmware enhances autofocus performance

The new firmware will allow the GFX 100 to deliver even faster, highly accurate phase detection autofocus (AF) in low-light conditions, down to -5EV. The firmware will also give the Low Light Priority AF-S mode to the GFX 50S and GFX 50R, to improve AF accuracy of those cameras in low light.

The firmware will improve Face / Eye AF performance for all three GFX System digital cameras.

In addition, the Auto mode will be added to focus bracketing across all three GFX System digital cameras. Users can specify the starting and ending points, and shooting interval, and the camera will automatically determine the number of frames and steps required.

Firmware broadens and expands upon various other functions – based on customer feedback!

In all three GFX System digital cameras, the firmware will allow users to adjust exposure settings (shutter speed, aperture value, ISO sensitivity, exposure compensation) for still images from a computer when using software that supports certain tether-shooting functions.

In all three GFX System digital cameras, the firmware revises the in-camera rating system to be readable by even more photo-editing applications.

For each of the GFX 50S and GFX 50R, with the firmware update, the maximum number of photos that can be saved in each folder on an SD card will increase from 999 to 9,999.

Firmware enables remote control functionality from gimbal / drone via USB communications

With this firmware update, combining the GFX 100 with a compatible gimbal / drone that supports remote control functionality will allow users to start / stop video recording, specify exposure settings for video (shutter speed, aperture value, ISO sensitivity and exposure compensation), and make manual focus adjustments.

The new firmware updates for the Fujifilm GFX 50S, GFX 50R and GFX 100 are available to download now. The update for the Atomos Ninja V to allow ProRes RAW recording from the GFX 100 is expected in July.