Late last year when Fujifilm announced that it was putting the sensor found in its GFX 100 II into a cinema camera, I was not clear on the value proposition. While huge, the slow sensor didn’t feel suited to movie-making. After spending some time with the camera yesterday, however, I’m starting to see the vision.

I spent four hours hands-on with the Fujifilm GFX Eterna Cinema Camera during an exclusive, invite-only session at the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC). Until then, I had only seen the camera on display behind glass at NAB. While the hardware appears near final, the firmware is still in development, so full functionality wasn’t available. Still, there was plenty to take away from the experience.

Fujifilm showcased multiple GFX Eterna cinema cameras in action, mounted in various rigs with a wide range of lenses. This setup allowed me to evaluate the GFX Eterna’s performance with different focal lengths, including both spherical and anamorphic options. One standout was the Statera 75mm T2.2 1.5x anamorphic lens, which produced a stunning defocused background that visually wraps around subjects at close range. While this lens works on other cameras, the GFX Eterna’s large format sensor gives the 75mm a field of view closer to 59mm—unlocking new cinematic framing possibilities, especially with the expanded horizontal scope anamorphic glass provides.

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Fujifilm GFX Eterna Offers Industry-Leading Sensor Height and Unmatched Framing Flexibility

The Fujifilm GFX Eterna features the tallest digital sensor available for filmmaking—something the company sees as a major edge in creative flexibility. One key advantage is its customizable framing guides, announced yesterday, which allow users to save up to three user-defined aspect ratios. Filmmakers can frame for their target ratio while still viewing the full sensor area for potential reframing. The GFX Eterna makes it easy to mix spherical and anamorphic lenses and is built to integrate seamlessly with other cinema camera systems. While some may question why Super35 is included among the many recording options, the real value is in the camera’s broad versatility.

GFX Eterna: A Flexible Cinema Camera Designed for Industry Standards

Unlike most photographers, high-end cinematographers are typically brand agnostic. They often rent gear, using PL-mount lenses that easily switch between systems. Fujifilm’s GFX Eterna is built with this flexibility in mind, seamlessly integrating into professional cinema setups. It can crop down to Super35 for use alongside an ARRI Alexa 35, or scale up to match the full-frame Sony Venice—adapting frame size and aspect ratio as needed.

Fujifilm is also emphasizing the GFX Eterna’s standout strength: color accuracy and tonal precision. In a demo reel shown to ASC members and viewed by PetaPixel, footage of a dark-skinned model surrounded by earthy tones—greens, browns, and oranges—was used to highlight the camera’s true-to-life color rendering. The greens weren’t just captured—they were distinguished in a way that matched human visual perception. Combined with wide dynamic range, the GFX Eterna allows cinematographers to craft a look with extreme control. Skin tones remained natural, even in challenging lighting—a testament to Fujifilm’s color science.

Fujifilm Brings Film Simulations to Cinema with Customizable 3D LUTs

Fujifilm has introduced 3D LUTs based on its iconic film simulations to the GFX Eterna, offering a powerful tool for cinematographers and colorists. These LUTs can be applied directly to footage or downloaded, modified, and re-uploaded—allowing users to create fully customized digital film looks tailored to their projects.

In addition, the 3D LUTs are compatible with any camera shooting in F-Log2 or F-Log2c, Fujifilm’s standard and wide-gamut log profiles. That means the benefits of Fujifilm’s film simulation color science extend beyond the GFX Eterna, giving filmmakers across systems access to its signature tonal character.

Fujifilm Leverages Film Legacy for Digital Color Excellence

Fujifilm emphasizes that its deep roots in motion picture film are central to the development of the GFX Eterna. As the only company still producing both film stock and digital cameras, Fujifilm positions itself as uniquely qualified to translate decades of analog color science into the digital age. The company claims this heritage allows it to deliver unmatched color accuracy and tonal fidelity in its digital cinema tools. Whether these claims resonate with modern cinematographers remains to be seen, but Fujifilm clearly sees its film legacy as a key differentiator.

Fujifilm GFX Eterna Marks a Thoughtful Return to Cinema

My time with the Fujifilm GFX Eterna made it clear that the company is positioning this camera as a highly versatile tool—ideal for specific stylized shots or as a primary cinema camera that adapts seamlessly to a cinematographer’s creative vision.

Fujifilm’s slow and intentional rollout reflects its commitment to building a camera that truly meets the needs of filmmakers. More than a decade after discontinuing its Eterna film stock, Fujifilm is making a serious and carefully considered return to motion picture production.

Image credits: Fujifilm