GFX 50S IIvs Ricoh GR IIIvs Sony FX30
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.
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.
Video Creators & Filmmakers — Sony FX30 (2022): The Cinema Line entry point — S-Cinetone colour science, 4K/120p, and XLR audio in a compact, affordable body that punches far above its price.
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
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
Sony FX30 (2022)
- You're a filmmaker or video producer who wants Sony cinema colour in a compact, affordable body
- You want 4K/120fps slow motion without the cost of an FX3 or FX6
- You shoot documentary, corporate video, or YouTube content at a professional standard
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, sony fx30 are weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | GFX 50S II (2021) | Ricoh GR III (2019) | Sony FX30 (2022) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,999 | £899 | £1,799 |
| Sensor | 51.4MP Medium Format GFX 44×33mm BSI CMOS | 24.2MP APS-C CMOS | 26.1MP APS-C BSI Exmor R CMOS |
| Resolution | 51.4MP | 24.2MP | 26.1MP |
| Video | 4K/30p (cropped) | 1080p/60p | 4K/120p, 4K/60p S-Log3, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 425 points | Hybrid contrast/phase-detect AF with subject detection | Real-time tracking AF, 759-point phase-detect |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 6.5 stops | 4-stop IBIS (Shake Reduction) | 5-axis Active IBIS |
| Burst Rate | 3fps | 4fps | 20fps electronic |
| Battery Life | ~440 shots (CIPA) | 200 shots (CIPA) | 740 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 900g body only | 257g | 579g body only |
| Dimensions | 150.0 × 104.2 × 87.2mm | 109.4 × 61.9 × 33.2mm | 129.7 × 77.8 × 84.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.77× magnification | None | None (EVF optional via XLR handle) |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" fixed touchscreen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Fujifilm G-mount (medium format) | Fixed 28mm-equiv f/2.8 lens | Sony FE (E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Single SD UHS-I | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C 3.2, HDMI A, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
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