Fujifilm GFX 50R vs Sony a9 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Fujifilm · Mirrorless · 51 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Fujifilm GFX 50R
76
SCORE
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 24.2 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Sony a9
80
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Fujifilm GFX 50R and the Sony a9 are both mirrorless cameras, released a year apart. The larger GFX 50R arrived in 2018, measuring 161 x 97 x 66 mm and weighing 775 g, while the more compact a9 arrived in 2017 at 127 x 96 x 63 mm and 673 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2018 | 2017 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
September 22, 2018 | April 19, 2017 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 161 x 97 x 66 mm | 127 x 96 x 63 mm |
| Camera weight | 775 g | 673 g |
| Optics | 72/100 | 81/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe GFX 50R is the stronger choice for landscape, studio and portrait work where you want generous cropping room and large prints. It offers 51 MP against 24.2 MP for the a9, which means many more pixels available when you reframe a distant subject later. The a9 is the better tool for action photography. It shoots at up to 20 fps against the GFX 50R's 3 fps, and its 693 autofocus points outnumber 425. It reaches a 1/8000 second shutter against 1/4000, and adds in-body stabilisation, which the GFX 50R lacks, for steadier handheld frames. Both use CMOS sensors with a native range starting at 100 ISO, and both offer electronic viewfinders with dot counts a few thousand apart. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
51 MP050 | 24.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
8256 x 6192 | 6000 x 4000 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
44 x 33 | 23.8 x 35.6 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
3 fps045 | 20 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Fujifilm G | Sony FE |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
X-Processor Pro | Bionz X |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 |  3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
128003003280000 | 512003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
5030200 | 5030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
1024003003280000 | 2048003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
36044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
4250300 | 6930300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
No |  Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 369000009900000 | 368640009900000 |
| Video | 57/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe a9 is the clear pick if you record video alongside stills, because it supports 4K capture while the GFX 50R tops out at Full HD. Both cameras share a 30 fps maximum video frame rate, so the a9's advantage is resolution rather than slow-motion speed. The GFX 50R offers a built-in timelapse function, letting you create interval sequences without an external intervalometer. The a9 does not, so time-lapse shooters will need that workflow handled another way. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD |  4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 3840 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 30 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | No |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4, MOV | XAVC S, AVCHD Ver. 2.0, MP4 |
| Features | 87/100 | 83/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe GFX 50R gives you a more detailed screen for checking focus and reviewing images. Its 3.2-inch TFT LCD offers 2,360,000 dots, against the a9's 3-inch LCD with 1,440,000 dots. Both offer touch screens that tilt, live view, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and weather sealing, and both support external flash units. Neither includes GPS, so neither body tags your files with location data on its own. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3.2" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
23600001150001500000 | 14400001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Storage & battery | 71/100 | 65/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe a9 carries the longer battery rating, 650 shots per charge under its test conditions against 400 for the GFX 50R, which favours it on long shooting days. The GFX 50R supports USB charging, though, so you can top it up from a power bank while the a9 cannot. Storage is a similarity between the two. Both cameras offer dual memory card slots and accept SD, SDHC and SDXC cards with UHS-II compatibility, so fast cards work in either body. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | NP-T125 | NP-FZ100 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
400 shots1505000 | 650 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | No |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the GFX 50R when resolution matters more than speed, such as landscape scenes you crop deeply or studio portraits for large prints, where 51 MP files give you latitude. Its more detailed rear screen and USB charging add everyday convenience.
Choose the a9 for sports, wildlife and events where 20 fps bursts, 693 autofocus points and in-body stabilisation help you track and hold moving subjects. Its 4K video and higher battery rating also suit a mixed stills-and-video day. Lens system should guide the final call, since Fujifilm G and Sony FE are separate native mounts.