Fujifilm Updates AF Performance of GFX100, Launches New SDK

Fujifilm announced a batch of major updates for the GFX100 Medium Format camera that includes some significant performance improvements for autofocus. The company also launched an updated pixel shift combiner and a new digital camera control software development kit (SDK).

The new SDK will “allow developers to initiate the automatic transfer of images from a supported Fujifilm camera to a computer using a Windows or macOS operating system and, support remote access to the basic controls of any supported Fujifilm camera.”

Fujifilm is somewhat known for not launching any updates until it has a list of major enhancements, and the 4.0 launch appears to follow that pattern. The new firmware for the GFX100 will launch a year after the last major update and contains some significant improvements including updating of the autofocus (AF) system to bring the GFX100 to the same level of the GFX100S, as well as coordinated control of the in-body (IBIS) and optical image stabilization (OIS), new “nostalgic neg” film simulation, and much more.

The 4.0 firmware available this June will include a boosted AF speed, improved face/eye-detection performance, and enhanced AF tracking and accuracy for all modes including the capture of movement. The IBIS and OIS will now work together to enable the optimum correction based on the amount of camera shake and frequency of the gyro sensors. Below are additional updates and improvements:

• The level of “clarity” can be set in the range from -5 to +5.
• The “tone curve” can be adjusted in the increment of 0.5 stop for both highlights and shadows.
• The “focus limiter” function is added to specify any focusing range. Choose the default focusing distance or select it from the specified range.
• Pictures can be enlarged in the magnification of 1x, 2x, 4x or 8x in playback. There is also an option to select the magnification used in the previous playback (from center).
• Function button can be assigned to switch “shooting mode” between P, S, A and M modes.
• The front and rear command dials can be set to rotate in a reverse direction.
• The number of items in the Q menu can be selected from 4, 8, 12 or 16 for both stills and video. The items to display in the Q menu are customizable.
• The Q button can be assigned as a function button.
• The camera stays ON even when an SD card is removed.
• Electronic image stabilization is available while shooting video.
• It corrects camera shake that occurs when shooting video handheld. (1.1x crop when this mode is turned on)
• Live View can be enlarged even while shooting video.
• The Focus Check Lock can now also be set to ON/OFF to maintain focus check or not when starting to shoot video.
• Video recorded in the SD card can be backed up to the SD card in another card slot.
• The elapsed video recording time can be displayed on the LCD for checking.
• The AF area size can be changed while shooting video.
• Video files recorded with F-log can be played back in conversion equivalent to BT.709.
• Added White Balance / ISO metadata to RAW footage, output to Atomos Ninja V HDR Monitor Recorder via HDMI. The footage is recorded as Apple ProRes RAW files and White Balance / ISO can be adjusted in Final Cut Pro.

As an important note, Fujifilm states that since the menu structure and many core functions have been changed or renamed in this upcoming release, many of the settings you may have customized will likely revert back to a factory default setting.

Fujifilm has announced these changes but the updates will not be available to download and install until June.

However, the SDK and Pixel Shift Combiner are available to download now. The 1.2.0.2 Pixel Shift Combiner will now support the Pixel Shift Multi-Shot function and adds a new “accurate colors” option to produce 100MP images with no false colors. Additionally, the software will let you check the combined RAW file details before processing, and automatically detect any errors when the images cannot be correctly combined due to issues such as camera shake, effectively speeding up workflow.

You can download the Pixel Shift Combiner software here and those interested in the new Digital Cameara Software Development Kit can do so here.