GFX 50S IIvs X-S20vs Z30
Which should you buy?
Studio & Portrait Specialists — GFX 50S II (2021): Medium format quality at the most accessible price ever — 51MP detail and tonal richness no APS-C or full-frame body can replicate.
Hybrid Photo & Video — X-S20 (2023): Fujifilm's most accessible X-series body — 7-stop IBIS, 6K video, 20 film simulations, and a user-friendly layout.
Travel & Everyday Video — Z30 (2022): Nikon's lightest Z-mount body — no fuss, excellent subject tracking, and a flip screen for creators.
Who should buy what
GFX 50S II (2021)
- You want to experience medium format without a five-figure investment
- You shoot landscape, architecture, or portraits where resolution and tonal depth matter
- You're in the Fujifilm ecosystem and want to step up to a larger sensor
X-S20 (2023)
- You primarily create video content and want a capable but compact Fujifilm
- You're a vlogger, travel creator, or documentary shooter
- You want Fujifilm film simulations with strong, reliable video specs
Z30 (2022)
- You create video content and want reliable Nikon colour science in a compact body
- You don't need a viewfinder and prioritise the vari-angle flip screen
- You're starting out with interchangeable lenses for content creation on a budget
Quick take: The gfx 50s ii has the highest resolution at 51mp; the z30 is the most affordable; only the gfx 50s ii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | GFX 50S II (2021) | X-S20 (2023) | Z30 (2022) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,999 | £849 | £479 |
| Sensor | 51.4MP Medium Format GFX 44×33mm BSI CMOS | 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS 4 | 20.9MP APS-C CMOS |
| Resolution | 51.4MP | 26.1MP | 20.9MP |
| Video | 4K/30p (cropped) | 6.2K/30p, 4K/60p, F-Log2, 10-bit | 4K/30p, 4K/60p (with crop), 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 425 points | Phase-detect, 425 points, subject tracking | Phase-detect, 209 points, subject tracking (human/animal/vehicle) |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 6.5 stops | 5-axis IBIS, 7.0 stops | None (no IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | 3fps | 8fps mechanical, 20fps electronic | 11fps |
| Battery Life | ~440 shots (CIPA) | ~750 shots (CIPA) | ~300 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 900g body only | 491g body only | 405g body only |
| Dimensions | 150.0 × 104.2 × 87.2mm | 126.0 × 85.1 × 65.4mm | 127.5 × 73.5 × 59.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.77× magnification | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.62× magnification | None |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Fujifilm G-mount (medium format) | Fujifilm X-mount | Nikon Z-mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Single SD UHS-I slot | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C 3.2, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic input, micro HDMI |
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