Unless you make your living from photography (or have a very big pot of savings), then there's no doubt this is a frightening amount to spend on a camera. On the other hand, most of the GFX 50S' rivals cost twice the amount, and it might just be the camera that pushes medium format towards the mainstream. It's a camera for professionals, but that doesn't mean it isn't user-friendly. You don’t need to be a technical master to take killer shots with this camera; anyone with a grasp of the photography basics will be shooting like Ansel Adams or Rankin in no time. The GFX 50S is also smaller than full frame DSLRs from the likes of Nikon and Canon, but packs in a larger sensor, and is arguably easier to use. Fuji’s fantastic control layout is easy enough for newcomers to learn, and instantly recognisable for anyone stepping up from an X-series camera. The massive number of autofocus points is unheard of in a medium format camera too, and really opens up what’s possible - both inside and outside a studio setting. One thing's for sure - we don't want to give ours back.

Richly detailed shots; Weatherproof build; User-friendly; More compact than many MF cameras;

That price tag; Limited video options and no 4K; Not built for speed;

Well conceived and designed camera body especially for all the retro-grouches who learned to make pictures on film. Lenses are excellent quality especially the 120mm macro. The files that I have processed through Lighroom have been spectacular especially all my spring wildflower pics.

Phenomenally good resolution and dynamic range; Intuitive layout of buttons and controls; More compact than you’d assume from medium format; Removable viewfinder with optional tilt adapter;

Autofocus performance; Touchscreen could be implemented further; Out of its comfort zone when shooting action and sport;

Fujifilm seems to be on quite the mission lately, having refreshed the majority of its mirrorless camera range in the past 12 months. Now it's turning its attention towards an even bigger prize. The GFX 50S is Fuji's first medium-format release since 2008's GF670.

The Fujifilm GFX 50S is the best medium format camera you can buy in this price range, and earns our Editors' Choice. It doesn't do some things that high-end medium format cameras do-the Phase One XF 100MP is our favorite in the high-priced realm and offers a physically larger, 100MP image sensor,...

Medium format image sensor; 51MP resolution; Crisp, modular EVF; Tilting, touch LCD; Dust- and moisture-resistant design; Film Simulation modes; Dual UHS-II card slots; Wi-Fi; USB-tethered shooting

Quirky EV compensation control; Limited lens selection at launch; Modest 1/125-second flash sync

The Fujifilm GFX 50S ($6,499.95) isn't the first affordable medium format camera, but its mirrorless design means it's more compact than the Pentax 645Z, which has been on the market for a few years. It also feels more modern—its EVF is removable, and its tilting LCD is sensitive to touch. A 51MP image sensor delivers superb images, even in difficult light, though photographers that need high-speed flash sync will be turned off by a lack of native leaf-shutter lenses. Still, that's a weakness shared by the 645Z, our previous Editors' Choice. The GFX 50S is less expensive and a better camera, so it's our new top pick in the category. Design At 3.7 by 5.8 by 3.6 inches (HWD), the GFX 50S isn't that much larger than a typical full-frame SLR, but its image sensor is. In its body you'll find a 33-by-44mm chip, which is about 1.7 times the size of the 24-by-36mm sensor in Canon's take on the 50MP camera, the EOS 5DS R. An add-on vertical grip is available ($599.95) if you prefer a beefi...

The Fujifilm GFX 50S is an affordable medium format camera with superb image quality and a forward-thinking mirrorless design.

Medium format image sensor; 51MP resolution; Crisp, modular EVF; Tilting, touch LCD; Dust- and moisture-resistant design; Film Simulation modes; Dual UHS-II card slots; Wi-Fi; USB-tethered shooting

Quirky EV compensation control; Limited lens selection at launch; Modest 1/125-second flash sync

In the world of photography, what's generally understood is that the larger the film format is, the more detail your image has. This is one of the advantages of shooting in a medium or large format unlike when using 35mm which is common even in full-frame cameras today.

Light body; Side battery compartment; Easy to use ergonomics; AF-point selection joystick; Accurate focusing when scene is well-lit; Tilting touchscreen display; Amazing details; Minimal noise despite high ISO

A bit sluggish to autofocus; Focus is a hit and miss when scene is dimly-lit

As we've mentioned, the Fujifilm GFX 50S isn't a camera designed for speed junkies looking for out-and-out performance, so it's unreasonable to expect it to excel in those areas compared to its smaller-sensor rivals.

Breathtaking image quality; Ergonomic controls; Weather-sealed body; Very accurate AF

Only 1/125 sec flash sync, Awkward exposure comp; control, AF is slow

The wait for Fujifilm's eagerly anticipated medium-format mirrorless camera is over. This monster is aimed at professional and commercial shooters who insist on nothing but the finest image quality – and to that end it boasts a sensor 1.7x larger in area than a 35mm full-frame chip.

Phenomenally good resolution and dynamic range; Intuitive layout of buttons and controls; More compact than you'd assume from medium format; Removable viewfinder with optional tilt adapter

Autofocus performance; Touchscreen could be implemented further; Out of its comfort zone when shooting action and sport

Both Hasselblad and Fuji got quite a bit of buzz in 2016 when they introduced the first mirrorless medium format cameras. The Hasselblad X1D-50c stole the show with its beautiful design, compact build and leaf shutter lenses, whereas the GFX 50S got Fuji fans excited with its functional camera body,...