New kid in towns

Medium-format cameras are the megapixel kings, but they're big... well, they were until now. Is Fuji's scaled-down star the ideal tool for street photography?

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Don't let the name fool you: medium-format camera sensorsare huge. The 102MP unit found inside the GFX100RF is almost four times as big as the APS-C type found in the phenomenal X100VI fixed-lens compact. For Fujifilm to have squeezed one inside a rangefinder body that makes most of its rivals look positively portly is a quite massive achievement.

It's no coincidence that the smallest, lightest GFX model to date looks like an X100VI that's had a growth spurt. Only the taller body and missing optical viewfinder give the game away. The retro-inspired styling, precision-milled metal top plate and control layout mean Fuji fans will feel instantly at home. And at 735g including battery and memory card, it's impressively portable – at least if you leave off the bundled lens hood and weather-resistant adapter ring.

It's a fixed 35mm lens, but all those pixels meant Fuji was free to add in-camera cropping and digital magnification to give dedicated zoom lenses a run for their money. The firm has also debuted an aspect ratio dial, which lets you mimic the panoramic pics of long-retired film cameras.

All this is sure to catch the eye of street snappers who would otherwise gravitate towards the Leica Q3. But shrinking the dimensions has also meant a few cutbacks. So can this still claim to be the ultimate urban camera?

1 Take it easily

There's no X100-style hybrid optical viewfinder here, but the electronic one is sharp and bright, with a high refresh rate. Surround View, which layers semi-transparent lines to match your chosen aspect ratio or zoom, brings fuss-free framing.

2 Rake it to the limit

The rear touchscreen only tilts up and down. That's handy for low or high angles, but vloggers and selfie snappers will want to look elsewhere. Fuji's menu interface is equally suited to touch controls and the intuitive joystick at the side.

3 Leaf in the fast lane