Fujifilm has announced that it is developing its first-ever filmmaking camera. The Fujifilm GFX Eterna is due for release in 2025 and will use a large format sensor.
Large format
The GFX Eterna will feature Fujifilm’s GFX 102-megapixel CMOS II HS large format sensor. It’s around 1.7 times larger than a full-frame sensor, measuring 43.8 mm by 32.9 mm. As a result, the sensor has a crop factor of around 0.79 compared to a full-frame camera. This means that a 50 mm lens on a full-frame camera would effectively become a 40 mm lens on the GFX Eterna.
X-Processor 5
The GFX Eterna will also be powered by Fujifilm’s X-Processor 5 high-speed image processing engine. This means that the new filmmaking camera will use the same sensor and processor as Fujifilm’s flagship GFX100 II still photography camera.
The company also says that the X-Processor 5 will deliver rich, true-to-life visuals and enhanced flexibility in post-production.
Video recording
Fujifilm didn’t reveal the video specifications of the GFX Eterna in its press release. However, the GFX100 II offers 4:2:2 10-bit internal recording in H264 or H265 formats. If you connect an external recorder, you can also record RAW video in either ProRes RAW or Blackmagic’s BRAW formats.
The GFX100 II can capture 4K video at up to 60 fps and in 8K at up to 30 fps. In addition to GFX large format video, the GFX100 II supports various cine recording formats, including Premista, 35 mm and anamorphic 35 mm.
F-Log 2
The GFX100 II was the first GFX System camera to offer F-Log2 so presumably this feature will be on the GFX Eterna. F-Log2 has a wider dynamic range of more than 14 stops for greater flexibility in post-production. Fujifilm also claimed that the sensor on the GFX100 II has an increased readout rate which suppresses rolling shutter artifacts for true-to-life results. In addition, the GFX100 II delivers improved subject-tracking autofocus and has up to eight stops of in-body image stabilization.
Power zoom lens
Alongside the GFX Eterna, Fujifilm is also developing a power zoom GF lens that is optimized for the new filmmaking camera. The lens is also quoted as having a focal length of 32-90 mm. This would equate to around 25 mm to 71 mm on a full-frame camera. In addition, Fujifilm is also working on a mount adapter from G to PL mount lenses. This means you would be able to use the wide range of professional PL mount lenses with the camera, though not using the full sensor area.
What we think
Fujifilm’s GFX Eterna will be an exciting new addition to the cinema camera world. Few details of the camera’s specifications have been released. However, it is reasonable to assume that the GFX Eterna will be largely based on the GFX100 II, reboxed into a cinema camera design. If so, the GFX Eterna would offer recording up to 8K with great autofocus and in-body image stabilization.
While Fujifilm hasn’t yet given any indication of pricing for the GFX Eterna, the GFX100 II sells for $7,499. If the GFX Eterna comes in at $10,000 or under, it could quickly become a top seller.
Pricing and availability
Fujifilm says it will showcase the GFX Eterna as a reference exhibit at the InterBEE 2024 in Japan from November 13th to 15th 2024. The company says it will conduct rigorous field tests before the camera is launched next year.
