Fujifilm X100V Review

Fuji X100V Review

Perhaps the Best Looking Fujifilm X Series Camera

The Fujifilm X100V is perhaps the best-looking camera from Fujifilm but does it really matter or will aesthetics make a difference?

Does the Fujifilm X100V live up to the hype? The X100V has enjoyed praise and is popular amongst Fujifilm photographers but will it bother you having only one focal length with a fixed 23mm f/2 lens?

A man goes for a swim at English Bay beach in Vancouver on smokey day. Forest fires in Washington State and Oregon resulted in blanket of smoke covering Vancouver. Sample image from a Fujifilm X100V. Fuji X100V review. — English Bay, Vancouver, covered in smoke from forest fires. Fujifilm X100V @ f/11, 1/320s, ISO 320

Introduction

When I reviewed the Fujifilm X100F last year I recapped the history of the X100 series so I will not repeat it here. Throughout this review, I may refer to my X100F review which you can find here:

Fujifilm X100F Review

The Fujifilm X100V is the fifth generation in the X100 series and if Jonathan Ive was narrating the introduction he would say; “And it’s our best one yet”.

The new Fujifilm X100V features new striking design changes which make me think of Ive. Design is of course subjective but I happen to be in the camp that really digs the look of the Fujifilm X100V.

In my Fujifilm X100F review, I spent time comparing it to my Fujifilm X-Pro2 with an XF 23mm f/1.4 R lens.

I took a slightly different approach for this review and decided instead to bring the Fujifilm X100V everywhere I would go during the review period to see what I would come up with.

Thanks to Fujifilm Canada, I had the Fujifilm X100V for a couple of weeks.

Fujifilm X100V, black, aperture ring, shutter speed dial, and exposure compensation dial. Fuji X100V review — The top dial layout of the Fujifilm X100V with the shutter speed and exposure compensation dials. The Fujicrhome Sensia film was thrown in for aesthetics. The ISO dial stays in the up position when rotating the dial. It is a small but worthwhile change from the Fujifilm X100F.

X100V Handling, Specs, and Build Quality

The aesthetics of the Fujifilm X100V is a notch above most cameras out there. The aluminum body now has a more demanding presence with sharper edges and a new articulating LCD which is elegantly recessed into the body of the camera.

At first glance, you would not know it is an articulating screen. The curves around the EVF/OVF and the slightly forward-leaning design here are beautiful to my eye.

Add to this a new diopter, also seen on the Fujifilm X-Pro3, and you have a nicely put-together camera. In my opening paragraph I asked the question; “Does it really matter”? and to me, the answer is a resounding yes.

Food truck by English Bay Beach in Vancouver. Sample image from a Fujifilm X100V — English Bay Beach, Vancouver, Fujifilm X100V @ f/2, 1/1100s, ISO 160

If you like the design of a camera you are more likely to use it and although a camera is an inanimate object they end up being a companion, sometimes for big chunks of our lives. That was deep, I know. Hope I did not lose you.

The design of the Fujifilm X100V is very reminiscent of Leica cameras easily costing four to five times as much. Photographers are prepared to shell out big bucks for aesthetics and design as it adds to the overall experience of the camera.

The Fujifilm X100V does indeed feel more solid in the hand compared to the Fujifilm X100F. It is a more refined camera and it instills a higher level of confidence. We will get to the new Mark II version of the 23mm f/2 lens later but it is nice to know that Fujifilm has changed it.

A construction worker takes a call outside a Starbuck in the West End of Vancouver. Sample image from a Fujifilm X100V — Denman Street, Vancouver, Fujifilm X100V @ f/3.6, 1/250s, ISO 640

The exposure dial rotates nicely, with just the right amount of pressure needed to make changes. For a lack of a better word the aperture ring feels very deluxe, is well dampened, and yet has an affirming click sound when changing f-stops in 1/3 of a stop increments.

The implementation of the new articulating screen is well thought out and beautifully made. The metal bars supporting the LCD look fragile.

There is nothing indicating poor quality and the screen moves easily without creaks or any kind of wobble but I would be on guard and careful not to bump the camera when the screen is out.

Fresh Vegetables in the West End of Vancouver. Sample image from a Fujifilm X100V. Fuji X100V review. — West End, Vancouver. Fujifilm X100V @f/3.6, 1/250s, ISO 160

Fujifilm X100V In Action

As the trend is, I did not find a manual or charger in the box. An online manual should be easy to find but I didn’t really need one to set the Fujifilm X100V up to my liking. I also have an aftermarket battery charger that charges two batteries.

None of these snags are issues for me but important to know if this is your first Fujifilm camera. The Fujifilm X100V has a very deep feature set especially if you also consider the new improved video settings. I am primarily a stills shooter and will not get into video in this review.

Right off the bat, I do miss the view mode button and you will have to dig into the menus or assign a custom Fn button to this feature if it is important to you.

A woman walks down the stairs at Vancouver House. Sample image from a Fujifilm X100V — Vancouver House, Fujifilm X100V @ f/4, 1/250s, ISO 800

The custom Fn buttons are limited without a D-Pad. I set mine up as follows: Front button - ND filter off/on, top panel - ISO, AEL AFL - face detect, rear command dial - film simulations.

I suspect I would make changes depending on what I plan to shoot. I use the touchscreen functionality very sparingly. I am a left-eye shooter, which results in my nose hitting the screen and making changes inadvertently. It is handy that you can turn the touchscreen ability off and on in the top right-hand corner of the LCD.

The leaf shutter is nearly silent. If you are used to a focal plane shutter you may miss the affirming sound. It is like a Tesla sneaking up on you. You know it is powerful but you barely hear it.

Fabrice Fanfani, soccer player, from Vernon, BC, Canada — High flash sync with the Fujifilm X100 series. Fujifilm X100S, @ f/4, 1/1000s, ISO 640

The leaf shutter is wonderful for when you want to be inconspicuous for genres such as street photography, weddings in a church, museums, concerts, theatres, or anywhere else where you want to go unnoticed.

The leaf shutter is also great for high-speed sync flash photography. I used it with a single strobe from a low angle for a soccer portrait I did with my Fujifilm X100S a few years ago (see photo above).

Autofocus speed is okay but not super fast and as I recall it, not much if any faster than the Fujifilm X100F. It never really felt like I missed shots because of it but do not expect the same responsive autofocus speed as seen in either the Fujifilm X-T4, Fujifilm X-T3, or Fujifilm X-Pro3.

A Fujifilm X100V camera, black version, showing the new articulation rear LCD. Fujifilm X100V review. — Fujifilm X100V and the articulating LCD

Fujifilm X100V For Sports

As I walked along English Bay, a beach volleyball game was in progress. Smoke hung in the air after the forest fires in Washington State, Oregon, and California and made for an eerie mood at the beach.

I flipped out the articulating screen, set my shutter speed to 1/2000s, turned the lens to the A setting, and used the exposure compensation to dial in my exposure. I set the AF mode to wide tracking and shot continuous autofocus at 8 frames per second. (the camera can actually shoot up to 11 fps.)

I put the camera low to the ground and fired away with a very high keeper rate and when I missed a shot it was not because of the camera. I was quite impressed.

Beach volleyball at English Bay Beach. Sample image from a Fujifilm X100V — English Bay Beach, Vancouver, Fujifilm X100V

Fujifilm X100V vs. X100F

The most striking difference between the Fujifilm X100F and Fujifilm X100V is the new design with the articulating screen, missing D-pad, and the new Mark II lens on the Fujifilm X100V. It makes it look, feel, and operate like a new breed of X100 for sure.

These changes are significant along with upgrades under the hood such as the 26.1-megapixel X-Trans IV BSI sensor vs. 24.3 on the Fujifilm X100F, faster X-processor 4, new film simulations, higher frame rate (11 fps. vs. 8 fps.), and the ability to shoot 4K video adds up to a worthwhile upgrade from the Fujifilm X100F.

Fujifilm X100V, rear LCD and button layout. Fuji X100V review. — Fujifilm X100V, rear LCD and button layout

Fujifilm X100V Image Quality

The Fujifilm X100V is the fifth camera I have tested with the X-Trans IV sensor. The others being Fujifilm X-T3, Fujifilm X-T4, Fujifilm X-T30, and Fujifilm X-Pro3. Admittedly I may have gone overboard using the new Classic Neg. film simulation. I find it very pleasing for a variety of topics.

Having tried the X-Trans IV sensor a number of times meant there were no real surprises and the image quality assessment of the Fujifilm X100V would come down to how the new 23mm f/2 Mark II lens would perform.

I will not be doing a side-by-side comparison but will try my best to compare it with the other 23mm options in the Fujifilm X Series, the XF 23mm f/2 R WR, XF 23mm f/1.4 R, and 23mm f/2 in the Fujifilm X100F. They are all great lenses and here is how I would rate them:

A car is park in Vancouver's West End. Sample image from a Fujifilm X100V — West End, Vancouver, Fujifilm X100V @ f/5, 110s, ISO 160

1. XF 23mm f/1.4 R - I still feel this is the best lens for sheer image quality but it is a much bulkier, heavier option, and is not weather-sealed.

For day-to-day photography, I would have no qualms about switching or trading this for an X100V. The lens alone weighs 10.6 oz / 300 g whereas the X100V weighs 16.8 oz / 478 g (camera and fixed lens). Link to my XF 23mm f/1.4 R review.

2. Fujifilm X100V, 23mm f/2 II - The new Mark II is certainly an improvement from the 23mm lens in the X100F. Especially problems with close-up photography have been corrected.

Overall it feels like a new life, color, and pop are introduced to your images with the Mark II lens combined with the new sensor. Add the Fujifilm LH-X100 lens hood and adapter ring and the Fujifilm X100V will be weather sealed.

Nilo Hair Salon in the West End of Vancouver. Sample image from a Fujifilm X100V — West End, Vancouver, Fujifilm X100V @ f/8, 1/100s, ISO 320

3. XF 23mm f/2 R WR - The compact weather-sealed solution for interchangeable lens Fujifilm X Series cameras. I have only tested this on the X-Trans III sensor but in reality, this lens and the X100V may be neck and neck. Weight 6.3 oz / 180 g. Link to my XF 23mm f/2 R WR review.

4. Fujifilm X100F 23mm f/2 - This lens is of an older design and dates back to the first X100 released in 2012. It was time for an update but search the internet and you will find thousands of perfectly acceptable images captured with previous X100 cameras and this lens. Link to my Fujifilm X100F Review.

Update, February 2022

Fujifilm has now released the new XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR and it is arguably the best 23mm option but also the heaviest, bulkiest, and most expensive. For more check my review here:

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR

Fujifilm X100V, Black — Fujifilm X100V grip and 23mm f/2 II lens

Conclusion

I had a short stint with the Fujifilm X100S in 2013 but traded it for the XF 23mm f/1.4 R which I could use with my Fujifilm X-Pro1. The better image quality of the XF lens was worth it to me and the Fujifilm X-Pro1 was my favorite at the time.

The Fujifilm X100V with a new and improved 23mm Mark II lens, however, is providing a strong contender and should be attractive to anyone who favors a compact setup where you can shoot in a more inconspicuous fashion at the 35mm full-frame equivalent focal length.

If you already own an interchangeable lens Fujifilm camera the choices always get more complicated but depending on your lineup of lenses the Fujifilm X100V could work as a wonderful addition to your kit.

For anyone looking for a do-it-all travel camera, I think the Fujifilm X100V would deliver as long as you are not prone to FOMO. You do, however, have to ask yourself if you can live with a fixed focal length camera.

Fujifilm has done many things right with the Fujifilm X100V and in wrapping up this review I would just mention a couple of personal wishes. The camera is still on the small end of what I feel comfortable with for having a solid grip on things.

Adding a grip to the camera could alleviate the problem but I think It somewhat would ruin the aesthetics and counter the whole reason for getting a smaller camera in the first place. Adding the Fujifilm LH-X100 lens hood and adapter ring would also help in getting a more solid grip on the lens.

I know the issue of a full-frame sensor has been beaten to death but I cannot help but think that a slightly larger X100 body with a full-frame sensor would be highly desirable as a splendid competitor to the Leica Q line of cameras.

I know Fujifilm states the full-frame market is saturated and if you want a bigger sensor, take a look at the GFX Series. I still find the price and size gap to GFX hard to swallow and believe there is room for Fujifilm in the full-frame market.

Do not let the last couple of paragraphs shy you away from taking a serious look at the Fujifilm X100V. It is a lovely camera as is.

Update: August 2023

For months and months, it has been impossible to source a Fujifilm X100V. And there is no explanation from Fujifilm other than the fact that demand for the X100V has been through the roof.

The camera has become so popular that used prices now exceed the prices of a new X100V by several hundred dollars. This is indeed a rare situation and only this one time have I seen this with happen any Fujifilm X Series or GFX camera.

There are no solid rumors indicating a new version of the X100 coming up in the near future which begs the question. Will the X100V continue to be a cult camera or will Fujifilm surprise us with an improved successor?

Pros

Sleek design with top-notch aesthetics
Leaf shutter, quiet operation
Updated 23mm f/2 Mark II lens
Film simulations
Ergonomics
High resale value (at the time this article was last edited it was above retail price)

Cons

Not an interchangeable lens camera. You only have one focal length

Please see more sample images below.

Price / Availability

Thank you for reading my review. If you are planning a purchase and would like to support us, you can do so, at no additional cost, by using the affiliate link below. A small commission goes to us and helps us keep the wheels turning at 5050 Travelog.

Check the current price at B&H Photo

Fujifilm X100VI - B&H Photo

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Fujifilm X100V - Sample Images

Below are sample images from Vancouver. Images are processed in Capture One Express. Some images may be slightly cropped and I used Fujifilm film simulations, such as Classic Neg.

Please click to view larger images.