At the Broadcast India Show 2025, FUJIFILM India unveiled its groundbreaking GFX ETERNA 55, the world’s first large-format digital cinema camera equipped with the tallest sensor in its class and the industry’s first built-in electronic variable ND filter. In an exclusive conversation, Mr. Arun Babu, Associate Director & Business Head – Electronic Imaging & Optical Devices Division, FUJIFILM India, shared the strategic thinking behind choosing this premier platform for the camera’s Indian debut, the growing importance of India in FUJIFILM’s global optical imaging roadmap, and what truly sets the GFX ETERNA 55 apart in the professional filmmaking space.
Blending nine decades of FUJIFILM’s legendary colour science with cutting-edge large-format technology, the GFX ETERNA 55 promises filmmakers unprecedented tonal depth, creative control in-camera, and seamless workflow flexibility. Below are the key insights from the launch discussion that highlight why this camera will redefine cinematic storytelling in India and beyond.
ex: What was the thought process behind choosing Broadcast India Show for the first unveil of the GFX ETERNA 55?
Mr. Arun Babu: The Broadcast India Show has always been more than a mere exhibition. It is the epicenter of India’s broadcast, production, and content creation landscape. For us it was the most natural stage to debut a product like the GFX ETERNA 55, which is designed specifically for filmmakers, cinematographers, and professionals shaping the future of visual storytelling.
The event brings together the country’s most creative and technically advanced minds, making it the perfect platform to unveil the camera alongside engaging directly with the community that will define its success. Introducing the GFX ETERNA 55 here allowed us to demonstrate its large-format capabilities and have meaningful conversations with the professionals who continuously push the boundaries of visual innovation.
ex: How does FUJIFILM see India’s role in the global expansion of its optical imaging business?
Mr. Arun Babu: India is a dynamic market for imaging and visual technology. With the rapid growth of OTT platforms, independent cinema, and regional storytelling, the country today represents both scale and sophistication in content creation. This makes the country a key strategic hub from a demand standpoint as well as a creative testing ground for innovation.
The passion and agility of Indian filmmakers, clubbed with a thriving digital production ecosystem, make it an ideal environment to introduce advanced optical imaging solutions. We see India playing a major role in the global expansion of our optical imaging business by bridging craftsmanship with next-generation creativity. Our focus is on empowering professionals with tools that deliver cinematic quality, reliability, and flexibility, all at once.
ex: What were FUJIFILM’s expectations from its presence at this year’s Broadcast India Show?
Mr. Arun Babu: Our presence this year was about more than just showcasing technology by fostering dialogue with India’s creative community. Without a doubt, the event brings together the best of the best who are masters in visual storytelling. It certainly provided an invaluable opportunity to engage directly with professionals, understand their evolving production challenges, and demonstrate how solutions like the GFX ETERNA 55 can empower their craft.
We also view the platform as a space to celebrate collaboration between technology and artistry, between global innovation and local creativity. Our expectation was to build stronger industry partnerships, inspire new possibilities in cinematic storytelling, and we’re glad we were able to do so.
ex: What makes the GFX ETERNA 55 stand out from other large-format cameras in its category?
Mr. Arun Babu: What differentiates the GFX ETERNA 55 is the way it bridges cinematic artistry with advanced imaging science. It features the world’s tallest large-format sensor, approximately 1.7 times larger than a full-frame sensor which allows filmmakers to achieve an extraordinary level of tonal depth, field separation, and dynamic range. The result is an image that feels more immersive and true-to-life, even in complex lighting conditions.
But beyond the hardware, it is the integration of FUJIFILM’s colour science that distinguishes the GFX ETERNA 55. With our signature Film Simulation modes, Dual Base ISO, and the world’s first electronic variable ND filter for large-format cameras, creators can shape their visual narrative right from capture. It is designed to deliver stunning visuals and give filmmakers complete creative control.
ex: What role does FUJIFILM’s colour science play in the creative flexibility of this camera?
Mr. Arun Babu: Colour has always been FUJIFILM’s most powerful storytelling language, and that legacy is embedded in the GFX ETERNA 55. The camera draws from more than nine decades of the brand’s expertise in colour reproduction, from iconic film stocks to modern digital imaging, allowing creators to translate emotion through tone and texture besides resolution. As mentioned earlier, our Film Simulation modes are designed to emulate the cinematic look that has defined generations of visual storytelling, giving filmmakers the ability to shape mood, atmosphere, and character directly in-camera.
At the same time, we understand that every production has its own workflow. With the GFX ETERNA 55, filmmakers can load up to 16 custom 3D LUTs and seamlessly transition from shooting to post-production without losing tonal integrity. This fusion of heritage colour science and digital flexibility empowers creators to move fluidly between artistic expression and technical precision, ensuring every frame looks intentional, and not incidental.