GFX 50S IIvs Z5 IIvs Ricoh GR IIIx
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.
Full-Frame Value — Z5 II (2024): The most accessible full-frame mirrorless — dual card slots, weather sealing, and Nikon colour at a sensible price.
Street Portraits & Reportage — Ricoh GR IIIx (2021): APS-C in a shirt pocket with a 40mm perspective — the GR IIIx is the ideal street portrait compact for photographers who want a slightly tighter frame.
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
Z5 II (2024)
- You want full-frame image quality at the lowest possible entry price
- You shoot stills primarily — portrait, landscape, or travel
- You're upgrading from a DSLR and want a familiar but thoroughly modern Nikon experience
Ricoh GR IIIx (2021)
- You want the GR experience with a slightly tighter, more versatile field of view
- You shoot portraits, food, or street scenes where 40mm suits better than 28mm wide
- You want a premium compact that fits in a shirt pocket with better tonal rendering than a phone
Quick take: The gfx 50s ii has the highest resolution at 51mp; the ricoh gr iiix is the most affordable; only the gfx 50s ii, z5 ii are weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | GFX 50S II (2021) | Z5 II (2024) | Ricoh GR IIIx (2021) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,999 | £1,299 | £999 |
| Sensor | 51.4MP Medium Format GFX 44×33mm BSI CMOS | 24.5MP Full-frame BSI CMOS | 24.2MP APS-C CMOS |
| Resolution | 51.4MP | 24.5MP | 24.2MP |
| Video | 4K/30p (cropped) | 4K/30p oversampled, 1080p/120p, N-Log | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 425 points | Phase-detect, 273 points, subject detection (human/animal/vehicle) | Hybrid contrast/phase-detect AF with subject detection |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 6.5 stops | 5-axis IBIS, 5.0 stops | 4-stop IBIS (Shake Reduction) |
| Burst Rate | 3fps | 14fps mechanical, 30fps electronic | 4fps |
| Battery Life | ~440 shots (CIPA) | ~470 shots (CIPA) | 200 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 900g body only | 700g body only | 262g |
| Dimensions | 150.0 × 104.2 × 87.2mm | 134.0 × 100.5 × 69.9mm | 111.2 × 61.4 × 33.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.77× magnification | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.80× magnification | None |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" fixed touchscreen |
| Mount | Fujifilm G-mount (medium format) | Nikon Z-mount (full-frame) | Fixed 40mm-equiv f/2.8 lens |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Single SD UHS-I |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C 3.2, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
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