GFX 50S IIvs Z5 IIvs A7S III
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.
Professional Video & Low-Light Filmmaking — A7S III (2020): If video is your primary discipline, the A7S III is the camera. 4K/120p at 10-bit in a weather-sealed body with a 9.44M dot EVF is an extraordinary package. The 12MP sensor isn't limiting for video — and it's usable at ISO 409,600 in a pinch.
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
A7S III (2020)
- Filmmakers and videographers who need 4K/120p at 10-bit
- Event videographers who shoot in dark venues regularly
- Documentary filmmakers who need reliable AF and weather sealing
- Hybrid shooters where video is primary and stills are secondary
Quick take: The gfx 50s ii has the highest resolution at 51mp; the z5 ii is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | GFX 50S II (2021) | Z5 II (2024) | A7S III (2020) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,999 | £1,299 | £2,999 |
| Sensor | 51.4MP Medium Format GFX 44×33mm BSI CMOS | 24.5MP Full-frame BSI CMOS | 12.1MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS (12-bit, back-illuminated) |
| Resolution | 51.4MP | 24.5MP | 12.1MP |
| Video | 4K/30p (cropped) | 4K/30p oversampled, 1080p/120p, N-Log | 4K/120p 10-bit, 4K/60p 10-bit S-Cinetone/S-Log3, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 425 points | Phase-detect, 273 points, subject detection (human/animal/vehicle) | Phase-detect, 759 points, real-time Eye AF (human & animal), subject recognition |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 6.5 stops | 5-axis IBIS, 5.0 stops | 5.5-stop IBIS |
| Burst Rate | 3fps | 14fps mechanical, 30fps electronic | 10fps mechanical |
| Battery Life | ~440 shots (CIPA) | ~470 shots (CIPA) | ~600 shots (CIPA) / ~70min continuous 4K recording |
| Weight | 900g body only | 700g body only | 699g (body, battery, card) |
| Dimensions | 150.0 × 104.2 × 87.2mm | 134.0 × 100.5 × 69.9mm | 128.9 × 96.9 × 80.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.77× magnification | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.80× magnification | OLED EVF, 9.44M dots, 0.90× magnification — best EVF Sony has made |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 1.44M dots |
| Mount | Fujifilm G-mount (medium format) | Nikon Z-mount (full-frame) | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II (both slots) |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C 3.2, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2), full-size HDMI, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth |
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