GFX ETERNA 55 Development Stories #1 – Product Concept

11.09.2025
DS_OP01_00239

Fujifilm Launches “FUJIFILM GFX ETERNA 55” — Its First Dedicated Digital Filmmaking Camera

Fujifilm has announced the launch of its first filmmaking camera, GFX ETERNA 55. The name pays homage to ETERNA, the company’s final motion picture film stock. By naming this new camera after ETERNA, Fujifilm aims to carry forward its legacy and deep commitment to cinematic expression through film.

Founded in 1934 with the goal of producing domestically made motion picture film, Fujifilm began exporting its products in the 1960s, contributing significantly to the global film industry. The company released ETERNA 500 in 2004, followed by ETERNA 400 and ETERNA 250, 250D in 2005. These film stocks were widely used in various productions. However, with the rise of digital technology, Fujifilm discontinued its motion picture film production in 2013.

Despite the industry’s shift to digital, Fujifilm has long harbored the desire to once again energize the cinema world. While developing digital still cameras, the company steadily advanced its video recording technologies. In 2016, Fujifilm introduced 4K video recording to its X Series with FUJIFILM X-T2, and in 2017 released its first large format mirrorless digital camera, FUJIFILM GFX 50S. In 2018, FUJIFILM X-H1 became the first camera to feature te Film Simulation mode that replicated the color and tonal characteristics of ETERNA. These advancements in video recording technology, combined with Fujifilm’s extensive lens development expertise, laid the foundation for creating a dedicated cinema camera.

The result is GFX ETERNA 55 —a camera that proudly carries the ETERNA name and represents Fujifilm’s unique heritage as a film manufacturer. For over 90 years, Fujifilm has pursued excellence in color through its development of motion picture film. The company believes that color is one of the most powerful tools for creators to express their vision. With GFX ETERNA 55, Fujifilm seeks to empower filmmakers to produce visuals exactly as they intend, tailored for today’s digital era.

The camera’s most distinctive feature is its sensor size. Built upon the large-format sensor developed for the GFX system, GFX ETERNA 55 uses a 43.8×32.9mm sensor—approximately 1.7 times larger than the standard 35mm full-frame (24×36mm). This enables the camera to compress spatial depth into a cinematic 4:3 image, delivering a uniquely immersive visual experience. The large sensor also supports a wide range of formats, accommodating diverse production needs. From GF lenses to PL-mount compatibility, GFX ETERNA 55 supports full-frame, Super 35mm, anamorphic, and other lens types. Additionally, full-sensor open gate recording further enhances the camera’s creative flexibility.

Fujifilm also developed a new optical low-pass filter and ND filters optimized specifically for this sensor, delivering image quality finely tuned for video production. With the 102MP sensor, the camera produces visuals that feel like 4:3 still photographs come to life, enveloping the viewer in a sense of immersion.

GFX ETERNA 55 promises to open up a new world of visual storytelling for creators of all kinds.