Fujifilm GFX 50S vs Sony a500

This is a full comparison between the cameras Fujifilm GFX 50S and Sony a500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Fujifilm GFX 50S is manufacturered by Fujifilm but Sony a500 is from Sony. Both Fujifilm and Sony are well known brands though.

Fujifilm GFX 50S were released 2016 and Sony a500 was released 2009. That is a 7 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Fujifilm GFX 50S 2016
Sony a500 2009

Type of camera

Fujifilm GFX 50S is a Mirrorless camera while Sony a500 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Fujifilm GFX 50S has a "Fujifilm Medium Format"-sensor while Sony a500 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Fujifilm GFX 50S 39.5 mm
Fujifilm Medium Format sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 0.79
Sony a500 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:

Resolution

Fujifilm GFX 50S has a 51 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a500 has 12 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Fujifilm GFX 50S 51 MP
51121152 pixels
8256 x 6192
Sony a500 12 MP
12166656 pixels
4272 x 2848

Fujifilm GFX 50S has a 320 % larger resolution than Sony a500. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Fujifilm GFX 50S has a larger ISO-range than Sony a500. Fujifilm GFX 50S has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Sony a500 has 200 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Fujifilm GFX 50S 100-12800
Sony a500 200-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Fujifilm GFX 50S
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a500

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Fujifilm GFX 50S can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds and Sony a500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Fujifilm GFX 50S 3
Sony a500 5

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Fujifilm GFX 50S. Unfortunately Sony a500 does not support recording movies and movie clips.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Fujifilm GFX 50S weighs 920 gr (equal to 2.03 lb) which is 46% heavier than Sony a500 and its 630 gr (or 1.39 lb).

Camera Weight
Fujifilm GFX 50S 920 gr
2.03 lb
Sony a500 630 gr
1.39 lb

Fujifilm GFX 50S vs Sony a500 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Fujifilm GFX 50S and Sony a500, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Fujifilm GFX 50S
Sony a500
Name Fujifilm GFX 50S Sony a500
Manufacturer Fujifilm Sony
Release Date and Price
Fujifilm GFX 50S
Sony a500
Release Year 2016 2009
Release Date 2016-09-19 2009-08-27
MSRP 6499 USD 549 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Fujifilm GFX 50S
Sony a500
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Fujifilm GFX 50S
Sony a500
Sensor Size Medium Format (approx 44 x 33 mm) APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 8256 x 6192 pixels 4272 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels 51 MP 12 MP
Image Processor X Processor Pro Bionz
Image
Fujifilm GFX 50S
Sony a500
ISO Range 100 - 12800 200 - 12800
White Balance Presets 7 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW + TIFF RAW
Optics & Focus
Fujifilm GFX 50S
Sony a500
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 425 9
Lens Mount Fujifilm G

See Compatible Lenses
Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier Medium Format
0.79x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 19 mm
50 mm becomes 40 mm
100 mm becomes 79 mm
200 mm becomes 158 mm
APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Fujifilm GFX 50S
Sony a500
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3,2” 3”
Screen dots 2360000 230000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT-LCD N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.67× (0.85× 35mm equiv.) 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 3690000 N/A
Photography features
Fujifilm GFX 50S
Sony a500
Frames per second 3 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 360 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Fujifilm GFX 50S
Sony a500
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
H.264
N/A
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Fujifilm GFX 50S
Sony a500
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Fujifilm GFX 50S
Sony a500
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n)
No
Remote Control Yes (via cable or smartphone) Yes (Wired or wirelss (Optional))
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Fujifilm GFX 50S
Sony a500
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-T125 lithium-ion battery & charger
Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 400 shots 520 shots
Width 148 mm 137 mm
Height 94 mm 104 mm
Depth 91 mm 84 mm
Weight 920 gram 630 gram