Instead of going full frame, Fujifilm is pushing the boundaries of mirrorless with a new medium format camera, the GFX 50S. Having shot medium format film cameras in the past, I was looking forward to a pre-production model accompanying me home for the weekend.

Fujifilm surprised the camera world last year with the introduction of the GFX 50S , its first medium-format mirrorless. The shooter, which is now available for $6,500 body only, packs a large 51.4-megapixel CMOS sensor (43.8 x 32.9mm) in a DSLR-like frame that only weighs 1.6lbs (740g).

Over the past half decade, Fujifilm has proven it can produce retro-inspired interchangeable lens cameras with excellent ergonomics and outstanding image quality. But as the APS-C X-series has grown, so too has Fujifilm's desire to create a new system with a larger sensor.

The Fujifilm GFX 50S is a compact system camera with a 51.4 megapixel 43.8mm x 32.9mm medium-format CMOS sensor. The weatherproof GFX 50S features Raw images with 14-bit color depth and 14 stops of dynamic range, ISO range of 50-102400, 1080p video with a frame rate of 30fps, 3fps continuous...

With all this said, I come to my biggest issue: 1/125th flash sync. For anyone that isn't a strobist, this isn't an issue; though then I'd seriously question why you NEED medium format unless you're doing some next level landscape photography.

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,...

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

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

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

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