Ever since Fujifilm announced the new GFX100RF, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about what it really means. Not just in terms of specs or performance—but what it says to photographers like me who see the world differently, who crave that perfect blend of form and function. If you’ve ever looked longingly at the Leica Q, you’ll understand why this new camera feels like more than just another release.
For years, I’ve wrestled with a question that quietly chips away at my confidence: Am I really a photographer if I don’t always have a camera with me? Indeed Thorsten Overgaard, a photographer I respect says Always Wear a Camera
Jay Maisel, one of my heroes, said it best:
“If I carry a camera then I never have to go out shooting… I am ALWAYS out shooting.”
It’s a way of life. As a photographer, I don’t just look at the world—I see it. I notice the way light catches a texture, the play between positive and negative space, or a fleeting moment that deserves to be captured. And sure, our smartphones do an amazing job when we need a quick snap for social media—but how often do you look back and think: “That moment deserved a better camera”? I know I do. Often.
The truth is, the best camera is the one you’ll actually carry. For a long time, I wanted that to be the Leica—elegant, compact, capable. But even though I love shooting with Leica (and I really do), the Q never quite became that always-with-me camera. It’s beautiful, but it hasn’t disappeared into my life the way I hoped it would.
Then comes the Fujifilm GFX100RF—and everything changes.
The GFX100RF Looks Like a Leica. But It Isn’t Playing.
One glance at the GFX100RF and it’s clear: Fujifilm is aiming squarely at Leica’s domain. Silver or black body? Check. Manual dials? Check. Clean top plate with a classic logo? Check. Even the accessories—the square lens hood, the rope strap, the metal body cap—all scream Leica. Specifically, the Leica Q and Leica M.
But this doesn’t feel like a coincidence. This feels intentional. Like Fujifilm is saying: We see what makes Leica great—and we’re ready to offer something different for the same kind of photographer.
And I’ll be honest… they’ve got my attention.
This video by Christian Kurz sums the debate up well for me.
Size, Feel, and the Everyday Carry Test
You don’t need a spreadsheet to know whether a camera will be part of your everyday life. You need to feel it in your hand. Slide it into your briefcase. Pull it out of your jacket pocket. The GFX100RF passes that test in a way the Leica Q3 just doesn’t. It’s not just that it fits better—the taller body actually feels better. My fingers grip it more naturally. It’s small enough to bring everywhere, but big enough to hold securely. That comfort matters more than any spec sheet ever will.
Does 102 Megapixels Matter? Yes, It Does.
Let’s not pretend it doesn’t. The Leica Q3 offers 60MP—which is incredible. But the Fujifilm GFX100RF gives you 102MP of medium format magic. You will see the difference. Detail, dynamic range, cropping flexibility—it all adds up. I love Leica’s image quality. I love the feel of shooting with it. But I’m not blind to what the extra resolution offers in the GFX100RF. It’s there. It’s real. It matters.
One Battery System. One UI. No Headaches.
One of my biggest frustrations with Leica has always been the battery situation. M batteries don’t work with Q models. Q2 batteries aren’t compatible with Q3. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve packed the wrong charger or battery. And good luck reading the tiny text on the side to double-check.
Fujifilm gets this right. The GFX100RF uses the same battery and charger as the rest of the 102MP GFX family. Even the X-series shares it. That kind of consistency makes my life easier. No guesswork. No mess-ups. Just grab and go.
The same applies to the user interface. If you shoot with a Fujifilm GFX100 II, you’ll feel instantly at home on the GFX100RF. Same joystick. Same dials. Same menu. It’s intuitive. It’s muscle memory. That matters more than people realize—especially when switching between bodies during a shoot or trip.
The Verdict? Fujifilm Just Made the Leica Q Look Over Its Shoulder.
This isn’t a takedown of Leica. I love my Leica M. I love what it represents. But the Fujifilm GFX100RF feels like it was designed for photographers who want image quality without compromise, who want a high-end camera they’ll actually carry, and who are tired of juggling incompatible parts across systems.
Fujifilm isn’t copying Leica—they’re challenging them. The GFX100RF isn’t a Leica Q killer. It’s an invitation to rethink what we expect from a compact, powerful everyday camera.
And for the first time in a long time, I feel like I might actually have the right camera with me, all the time.
