Fujifilm announces their first large format cinema camera – the GFX Eterna 55

Fujifilm Australia has announced its entry into the large format cinema camera market with the launch of the Fujifilm GFX Eterna 55. This marks the company's first digital cinema camera built around its large format GFX sensor platform.

The GFX ETERNA 55 features a $102$-megapixel CMOS II HS sensor measuring $43.8\times 32.9$ mm, with a diagonal length of approximately $55$ mm, making it about $1.7$ times larger than a standard $35$ mm full-frame sensor. Paired with the company's X-Processor 5 engine, the camera is designed for professional video production workflows.

Shooting video on a larger sensor offers a range of compelling advantages that contribute to a more cinematic and high-quality image. These benefits primarily revolve around light-gathering ability, depth of field, and overall image rendering.

Key imaging specifications include dual native ISOs of $800$ and $3200$, a claimed $14+$ stops of dynamic range, and support for the F-Log2 C colour gamut for flexibility in post-production. The camera incorporates an electronically variable neutral density (ND) filter, adjustable from ND$0.6$ to ND$2.1$.

The camera supports a range of recording formats, including DCI $8$K, and can record in various Apple ProRes codecs internally to its dual CFExpress Type B and SD card slots. It also offers RAW video output up to $8$K/$30$P via HDMI and integrates with the Frame.io Camera to Cloud service for streamlined remote workflows.

The GFX ETERNA 55 body weighs approximately $2.0$ kg. It natively uses the Fujifilm G mount but includes a PL mount adapter, enabling support for a wide variety of cinema lenses, including Premista, $35$ mm, and Anamorphic formats. The camera features a hot-swappable battery system and dual $3$-inch side monitors for settings adjustments.

Concurrent with the camera's launch, Fujifilm has also introduced its first motorised power zoom for the system, the Fujinon GF 32-90mm T3.5 PZ OIS WR lens. This lens maintains a constant T3.5 aperture throughout its zoom range and includes optical image stabilisation (OIS). The lens reportedly has extremely low aberration, delivering high resolution equivalent to a prime lens despite being a zoom lens.

Inheriting the operability and design of the cinema camera zoom lens Premista Series, which is highly acclaimed in many video production settings, the lens structure and DC motor optimised for power zoom achieve a lightweight body of approximately 2.1kg.

The Fujifilm GFX Eterna 55 and the Fujinon GF 32-90mm T3.5 lens are scheduled to be available in October 2025 and at time of writing, no price has been revealed.

You can find out more on the Fujifilm Australia website.

So what are the benefits of shooting video on larger sensors?

• Shallower Depth of Field: This is often the most sought-after characteristic. A larger sensor makes it easier to achieve a shallow depth of field, which is the pleasing effect where the subject is in sharp focus while the background is smoothly blurred bokeh. This helps to isolate the subject, direct the viewer's attention, and create a more three-dimensional, cinematic look that is difficult to replicate with smaller sensors.

• Improved Low-Light Performance: A larger sensor has a greater surface area, which means its individual pixels (photosites) can be larger. Bigger pixels are more efficient at gathering light, resulting in a cleaner image with less digital noise, especially when filming in dimly lit environments. This translates to better image quality at higher ISO settings.

• Wider Field of View: A larger sensor captures a wider field of view from any given lens compared to a smaller sensor. For example, a 50mm lens on a large format sensor will provide a wider perspective than the same 50mm lens on a Super 35 or full-frame sensor. This allows cinematographers to use longer focal length lenses—which often have more pleasing compression characteristics—while still capturing a wide shot.

• Higher Dynamic Range: Larger sensors, with their superior light-gathering capabilities, can often capture a greater range of tones from the deepest shadows to the brightest highlights without losing detail. This increased dynamic range provides more flexibility in post-production for colour grading and exposure adjustments.

• Enhanced Detail and Resolution: While resolution is not solely dependent on sensor size, a larger sensor provides more physical space to accommodate a higher number of pixels without making them excessively small. This can lead to incredibly detailed and rich images, especially when shooting in high resolutions like 6K or 8K. The result is often described as a more immersive and 'lifelike' image.

Examples of Other Medium and Large Format Digital Cinema Cameras

The terms 'medium format' and 'large format' in digital cinema often refer to sensors that are physically larger than the standard Super 35 and 35mm full-frame formats. Here are some notable cameras in this category:

• ARRI ALEXA 65: Often considered the pinnacle of large-format digital cinematography, the ALEXA 65 features a massive 65mm sensor that delivers stunning image quality and has been used on major motion pictures like "The Revenant" and "Dune."

• ARRI ALEXA LF and Mini LF: These cameras use a sensor that is slightly larger than traditional full-frame, providing the "large format look" in a more conventional package. They have become industry workhorses for high-end productions.

• RED MONSTRO 8K VV and V-RAPTOR 8K VV: RED's "Vista Vision" (VV) sensors are also in the large format class, being similar in size to a full-frame 35mm still camera sensor. They are known for their high-resolution capabilities and flexible RAW workflow.

• Fujifilm GFX Series (e.g., GFX100 II): While primarily designed as high-resolution stills cameras, recent Fujifilm GFX models have gained significant video capabilities, including robust internal recording options. Their sensors are larger than full-frame, placing them firmly in the digital medium format category and making them a popular choice for productions seeking exceptional image fidelity.

• Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K LF: This camera from Blackmagic Design features a large format sensor with an incredibly high 12K resolution, offering filmmakers immense detail and flexibility for reframing and visual effects work.