Fujifilm (TYO: 4901) has officially pulled the curtain back on the GFX ETERNA 55, its first purpose-built cinema camera featuring a 102-megapixel large-format CMOS II HS sensor capable of capturing 8K Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI) video. The long-anticipated release, announced by B&H Photo Video in New York on September 10, 2025, marks a defining moment for the Japanese imaging giant as it expands its GFX platform from high-resolution still photography into full-scale cinematic production.
The camera is designed to serve both high-end filmmakers and commercial production houses, combining Fujifilm’s heritage in medium-format photography with modern demands for cinematic workflows, cloud integration, and ultra-high-resolution content. By unveiling not just the body but also the full list of recording formats, Film Simulation modes, and input-output options, Fujifilm is positioning the GFX ETERNA 55 as a direct competitor to established cinema brands like ARRI, RED, and Sony in the professional filmmaking market.
Why is the FUJIFILM GFX ETERNA 55 considered a landmark in the cinema camera industry?
At the heart of the FUJIFILM GFX ETERNA 55 lies a 43.8 x 32.9mm 102MP CMOS II HS sensor, derived from the company’s GFX100 II stills camera but re-engineered for motion capture. Large-format sensors have become increasingly important in the film industry, offering cinematographers the ability to achieve shallow depth of field, cinematic bokeh, and a more immersive image aesthetic. By adapting this sensor for moving images, Fujifilm is aligning itself with a trend pioneered by ARRI with its ALEXA LF and by RED with its Monstro sensor.
The GFX ETERNA 55 can capture in five primary formats—GF, Premista, 35mm, Anamorphic 35mm, and Super35mm—providing filmmakers with unmatched versatility on set. Resolutions extend up to full 8K in DCI (8192 x 4320), with frame rates of up to 48p in 4K Open Gate and 24p or 30p in 8K modes. When stepping down to DCI 4K, frame rates climb to 60p, and in Full HD the camera delivers up to 120p, enabling high-frame-rate recording for slow-motion cinematography.
Dynamic range is rated at 14.5 stops, a figure that places the GFX ETERNA 55 within professional cinema territory. Dual-native ISO ensures that cinematographers can shoot in a wide range of lighting environments with reduced noise, a critical feature as filmmakers balance HDR workflows and low-light performance.
Industry analysts note that the release is Fujifilm’s most direct move yet into the digital cinema camera segment. The company has long dominated the medium-format photography space with its GFX series, but the ETERNA 55 signals an attempt to capture market share from entrenched players by leveraging Fujifilm’s expertise in color science and optics.
How does the camera’s codec support and film simulation technology benefit professional filmmakers?
Beyond sensor size and resolution, codec flexibility is central to professional production workflows. The FUJIFILM GFX ETERNA 55 supports Apple ProRes 422 in HQ, standard, and LT formats, ensuring compatibility with industry-standard editing environments such as Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Adobe Premiere Pro. It also supports HEVC/H.265 in 4:2:2 10-bit, H.264 proxies for efficient offline editing, and 12-bit RAW output via HDMI when paired with external recorders. This breadth of formats ensures the camera fits seamlessly into diverse post-production pipelines, from independent films to Hollywood features.
Where Fujifilm sets itself apart is with its renowned Film Simulation modes. Twenty distinct simulations will be available at launch, including celebrated looks such as PROVIA, Velvia, ASTIA, Classic Chrome, REALA ACE, PRO Neg., Classic Neg., Nostalgic Neg., Sepia, and multiple ETERNA variations designed specifically for cinematic work. These modes emulate the company’s decades of film-stock expertise, providing cinematographers with a starting point that emulates the tonal characteristics of analog film. The camera also supports up to 16 custom 3D LUTs, and Fujifilm has confirmed development of new LUTs optimized for F-Log2 and F-Log2 C footage, further broadening creative control.
For directors and colorists, these tools significantly reduce the time between capture and delivery. Early commentary from cinematographers in industry forums suggests strong interest in how the GFX ETERNA 55 could streamline workflows for streaming productions and commercial advertising, where time-to-market is a growing priority.
How does hardware innovation such as variable nd filters and advanced input-output shape adoption of the camera?
The FUJIFILM GFX ETERNA 55 arrives equipped with a built-in variable neutral density (ND) filter ranging from ND0.6 to ND2.1. This feature has long been a staple in broadcast and high-end cinema cameras, as it allows for consistent aperture and shutter settings while adjusting exposure in different lighting conditions. In practice, this means a cinematographer can preserve depth of field and motion blur characteristics without needing to physically swap filters or alter the creative intent of a shot. Fujifilm’s decision to integrate this capability into its large-format cinema camera underscores its focus on professional usability.
Connectivity is another area where Fujifilm is making bold moves. The GFX ETERNA 55 supports Ethernet, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) via the TG-BT1 remote grip, and integration with ATOMOS AirGlu for wireless timecode synchronization. The camera also supports Adobe’s Frame.io Camera to Cloud platform, enabling instant upload of footage to editors and producers regardless of location. In an era where productions are increasingly global and remote collaboration is standard practice, these features directly address one of the industry’s most pressing needs: seamless, real-time workflows.
The hardware package is rounded out with dual card slots for CFexpress and SD media, as well as USB-C connectivity for fast data transfers. Two LCD displays—a 5-inch external monitor with 2000 nits of brightness and 6.22 million dots, and a 3-inch onboard display with 1.04 million dots—ensure flexible monitoring in diverse shooting environments. Fujifilm has also ensured compatibility with professional audio equipment, such as the Tascam XLR Microphone Adapter handle, underscoring its bid to be taken seriously in the cinema production world.
What makes the new GF 32-90mm T3.5 PZ OIS WR lens a critical complement to the GFX ETERNA 55?
Alongside the GFX ETERNA 55, Fujifilm also announced the launch of the GF 32-90mm T3.5 PZ OIS WR Lens, a large-format cinema lens designed specifically for the G-mount system. With a 35mm equivalent focal range of 25–71mm, this lens combines versatility with professional-grade optical performance. The T3.5 constant aperture ensures consistent exposure across the zoom range, while built-in optical image stabilization provides additional stability for handheld or on-the-move filming.
The lens incorporates internal focus, iris, and zoom motors, allowing for both manual and servo control. It also features 0.8 MOD gears for integration with professional follow-focus systems and cine rigs. A 13-blade iris ensures smooth bokeh rendering, while 25 elements arranged in 19 groups work to minimize chromatic aberration and distortion, a critical factor when shooting at ultra-high resolutions like 8K.
Industry experts have suggested that pairing the GF 32-90mm lens with the GFX ETERNA 55 will appeal strongly to single-operator filmmakers, documentary creators, and production teams working in dynamic environments. By offering cine-centric ergonomics and automation tools such as autofocus and auto iris, the lens represents Fujifilm’s attempt to simplify high-end filmmaking without compromising image quality.
How does the GFX ETERNA 55 strengthen Fujifilm’s long-term position in imaging and technology markets?
Fujifilm has built a strong reputation in both consumer and professional imaging markets, with the GFX medium-format camera line emerging as a key growth driver over the past five years. The GFX100 II, introduced in 2023, set new standards for high-resolution stills, targeting commercial photographers and studio professionals who required detail and color accuracy. By leveraging the same 102MP sensor technology in the GFX ETERNA 55, the company is signaling its intent to apply its expertise in large-format sensors to the cinema segment.
The global cinema camera market is undergoing a period of transformation as demand rises for higher resolution, HDR workflows, and hybrid production tools that can support both broadcast and streaming content. Competitors like Sony (TYO: 6758) with its Venice series, ARRI with the ALEXA 35 and LF, and RED Digital Cinema with its V-RAPTOR series dominate the premium end of the market. Fujifilm’s entry adds another heavyweight with a unique selling proposition: the combination of a massive sensor and proprietary Film Simulation color science that already enjoys a loyal following among still photographers.
From a business perspective, this launch could be a calculated move to diversify Fujifilm’s revenue streams. Historically, Fujifilm thrived as a film manufacturer but pivoted into digital imaging, healthcare, and advanced materials as film demand collapsed in the early 2000s. Today, imaging remains a core division, and pushing into the cinema market provides the company with access to a growing niche that feeds into the broader content creation economy. Analysts suggest that as streaming services continue to expand globally and the appetite for premium 8K content rises, cameras like the GFX ETERNA 55 could gain traction with production houses seeking alternatives to entrenched suppliers.
While Fujifilm (TYO: 4901) is not as reliant on camera hardware sales as it once was—given its diversification into pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and industrial materials—its imaging business remains strategically important for brand identity and high-margin revenue. On the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Fujifilm shares have trended steadily upward over the past year, buoyed by strong results from its healthcare segment and optimism around its imaging innovations. Investor sentiment appears cautiously positive, with some institutional investors noting that the cinema camera push could help reinforce Fujifilm’s technological leadership, even if near-term revenue contributions are modest compared to the company’s healthcare operations.
The simultaneous launch of the GFX ETERNA 55 and the GF 32-90mm T3.5 PZ OIS WR lens further illustrates how Fujifilm is building a cohesive ecosystem rather than a one-off product. By pairing bodies with purpose-built optics and ensuring compatibility with leading cinema accessories and cloud platforms, the company is creating a complete solution designed to attract professionals who want reliability and flexibility without piecing together disparate systems. In many ways, the GFX ETERNA 55 is not just about 8K resolution or sensor size—it is about Fujifilm carving a new space in the global cinema camera landscape while reinforcing its long-standing identity as a color science leader.
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