GFX 50S IIvs Nikon Z8vs Ricoh GR 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.
Sports, Wildlife & Hybrid Professionals — Nikon Z8 (2023): Z9 performance in a compact body — 45MP, 8K/60p RAW, and 20fps burst without the bulk or price of the flagship.
Street Photography & Urban Reportage — Ricoh GR III (2019): The purest street photography compact — APS-C sensor, 28mm perspective, IBIS, and cult-favourite JPEG rendering in a shirt pocket.
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
Nikon Z8 (2023)
- You need Z9-level performance in a more travel-friendly and portable body
- You shoot wildlife, weddings, or sport and need exceptional resolution with speed
- You want the best Nikon mirrorless body available without carrying the full Z9
Ricoh GR III (2019)
- You shoot street, travel, or documentary and want APS-C quality in a coat or shirt pocket
- You want a camera you'll genuinely always carry without thinking about it
- You appreciate sharp, characterful images from a fixed 28mm equivalent focal length
Quick take: The gfx 50s ii has the highest resolution at 51mp; the ricoh gr iii is the most affordable; only the gfx 50s ii, nikon z8 are weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | GFX 50S II (2021) | Nikon Z8 (2023) | Ricoh GR III (2019) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,999 | £3,999 | £899 |
| Sensor | 51.4MP Medium Format GFX 44×33mm BSI CMOS | 45.7MP full-frame BSI stacked CMOS | 24.2MP APS-C CMOS |
| Resolution | 51.4MP | 45.7MP | 24.2MP |
| Video | 4K/30p (cropped) | 8K/60p RAW, 4K/120p, ProRes RAW | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 425 points | Subject detection AF, 493-point phase-detect | Hybrid contrast/phase-detect AF with subject detection |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 6.5 stops | 6-stop IBIS | 4-stop IBIS (Shake Reduction) |
| Burst Rate | 3fps | 20fps RAW / 120fps JPEG | 4fps |
| Battery Life | ~440 shots (CIPA) | 330 shots (CIPA) | 200 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 900g body only | 910g body only | 257g |
| Dimensions | 150.0 × 104.2 × 87.2mm | 144.0 × 118.5 × 83.0mm | 109.4 × 61.9 × 33.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.77× magnification | 0.5" Quad-VGA OLED EVF, 3.69M dots, 120fps | None |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" fixed touchscreen |
| Mount | Fujifilm G-mount (medium format) | Nikon Z-mount | Fixed 28mm-equiv f/2.8 lens |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Dual CFexpress Type B / XQD | Single SD UHS-I |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C 3.2, HDMI full-size, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
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