Camera Review, Top 10 ReviewMorten ByskovAugust 08, 2024Fujifilm X100VI review, Fujifilm X100VI sample images, Fujifilm X100VI sample photos, Fujifilm X100VI hands-on review, Fuji X100VI review, Fuji X100VI sample images, Fujifilm X100VI image quality, Fujifilm X100VI Specs2 Comments

Fujifilm X100VI Review

Fujifilm X100VI silver - Review — The Fujifilm X100VI, Silver

Fujifilm X100VI - King of the Crop?

Due to the hype surrounding the X100VI, I have been slightly worried and contemplating how to approach this review, but I knew it was a camera that I didn’t want to miss. The X100VI has become extremely popular due to the social media attention the X100V suddenly enjoyed in the past few years.

Pre-orders of the X100VI exploded and were higher than anticipated when announced in February 2024. I pre-ordered the X100VI as I was planning to travel to Europe and thought this would be an excellent choice for this trip.

After a month of waiting for the X100VI, I canceled my pre-ordered as I found the hype was getting ridiculous and there was no way of knowing when cameras would become available.

All this, however, has very little or nothing to do with what kind of camera the X100IV is, and in the following, I will try my best to forget about the hype and use the camera the way I would, had I purchased it.

The Fujifilm X100VI - Silver, top plate — The Fujifilm X100VI, Silver

Thanks to Fujifilm Canada for providing the X100VI for a couple of weeks. I have not received any input, suggestions, or narrative from Fujifilm. The opinions in this review are mine, and mine only and I will be returning the X100VI when the review is done.

The Sixth Fujifilm X100

Who would have guessed that Fujifilm had a winner when they released the X100 thirteen years ago? 2013 was a time when most of us, including me, lugged around chunky DSLR cameras and a selection of lenses. The X100 was a breath of fresh air and relief from the usual camera scene.

I had an X100S for a while and I still look back at the photos and recall how effortless it was to use, and I captured moments I otherwise wouldn’t have. I even used it for wedding gigs along with my Canon DSLRs.

With the X100VI the spirit of an X100 camera hasn’t changed but it has evolved considerably with new tech.

When this review was posted the X100VI retailed for $1,599.00 and five and a half months after its announcement it was still not readily available.

Summer rain on giant leaves in Stanley Park, Vancouver — Stanley Park, Vancouver, Fujifilm X100VI @ f/2.8

Specs

Before we take a closer look at my experience let’s get the impressive specs out of the way first:

40.1-Megapixel X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor (same as X-H2 and X-T5)

X-Processor 5
Fujinon 23mm f/2 II lens, 35mm full-frame equivalent
ISO range: 125 to 12,800 (Extended: 64 to 51,200)
6-Stop In-Body Image Stabilization
425-Point Intelligent Hybrid AF System
Hybrid 0.66x OVF with 3.69m-Dot OLED EVF
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Connectivity
Single card slot, UHS-I
FPS: Electronic Shutter, up to 13 fps for up to 80 Frames (JPEG) / 38 Frames (Raw)
FPS: Mechanical Shutter, Up to 11 fps for up to 38 Frames (JPEG) / 33 Frames (Raw)
3.0" 1.62m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen
Video: Up to 6.2K at 30p in 10-bit color. 4K HQ mode which oversamples 6.2K footage for superior 4K output. Higher frame rate videos, at 4K 60p or FHD 240p
20 Film Simulation Modes including the new REALA ACE
Battery: NP-W126S Rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Approx. 310 Shots)
Filter Size: 49mm
Aperture range: f/2-16
Weight: 1.1 lb / 521 g (With Battery, Recording Media)
1.0 lb / 471 g (Body Only)
Size: 5 x 2.9 x 2.2" / 128 x 74.8 x 55.3 mm

The Fujinon 23mm f/2 Mark II lens on the Fujifilm X100VI. — The 23mm f/2 II lens on the Fujifilm X100VI

Build Quality, Design, and Handling

The X100VI looks almost identical to the X100V. The original X100 had rounded edges replaced by an edgy design with exquisite looks in the recent two models. It is a treat for the eye, and the X100VI feels good in the hand.

The rear LCD is elegantly designed and flush with the camera body. Other camera manufacturers could take clues here and you can barely tell that you can flip this screen.

One of the features attracting a huge fan base to the X100VI is its size and lightweight. Weighing 1.1 lb, 521 g, it is indeed a breeze to carry and I took it on a few bike rides during my test period and loved that I could barely feel the camera around my neck.

However, I wouldn’t mind if it was a smidgen larger like the X-Pro cameras, which I have gravitated toward over my years with Fujifilm.

The overall build quality is very good. Only the front and rear command dial feels a bit on the flimsy side but I am nitpicking here.

The Lions Gate Bridge, Stanley Park Seawall, and Burrard Inlet in Vancouver — Lions Gate Bridge, Vancouver, Fujifilm X100VI @ f/8

In Action

As much as I like to glance over the specs of a camera, at times I’d rather forget about the details and just use the camera. My goal is to quickly get the camera set up to my liking, find out which custom bottoms to configure to my favorite features, and then get on with it.

Having owned or tried almost all Fujifilm cameras the X100VI was easy to set up. I set the front function fn button to face-detect AF, the top fn button to Auto ISO selector, AEL/AFL to view mode selector, and the back control dial to Film Simulations. I prefer to have the touchscreen turned off. Other functions can be found in the Q menu.

The great news here is the fact that you have so many ways of customizing the X100IV to your style of photography/videography. Also, I believe the X100IV is the first Fujifilm camera that remembers the last item you were changing in the main menus which is wonderful.

The addition of the 6-stop IBIS, in body image stabilization, is commendable and great to have in a high-megapixel camera. It is also crucial for low-light photography or video.

Front view of the Fujifilm X100VI, Silver. — Fujifilm X100VI

You feel the new X-Processor 5 and the improvement in comparison to the X100V when it comes to the overall operating speed of the camera when it comes to menu changes, flicking through images but most importantly for autofocus speed and improvement when it comes to eye and human detect autofocus.

I mainly used the eye-detect detect AF in continuous mode for the pride parade here in Vancouver and the X100VI efficiently found and tracked the participants.

I have to come back to the portability of the X100VI which is the single most important feature of this camera in my opinion as it means that you will bring it along for just about anything that your life has in store for you. This is something I cannot say about my current cameras.

Fujifilm X100VI, side view, flip screen, AF selector. — The AF-selector switch and flip screen on the Fujifilm X100VI

Image Quality

Something perhaps slightly off-putting happens when you view X100VI files on a smaller screen. I find that the large 40-megapixel files can appear a tad mushy almost, even on my 16” MacBook Pro.

This could be the result of the high megapixel count being squished down to a small JPEG. However, zoom in on the files or view them on a larger monitor and you will see rich detail.

Internally I debate whether I prefer the former 26 megapixel files or the new 40 megapixel files. The older 26 MP files may look more filmlike paired with Fujifilm’s excellent film simulations but there is no denying that the new 40 MP sensor delivers excellent results with vibrant colors and plenty of detail allowing for extensive cropping.

The sample images in this review can be viewed up to 2500 pixels wide depending on your monitor size. Please click to view larger photos if viewed on your PC or laptop, or pinch-zoom if you are viewing on your phone.

Please see the two images below. The top image is the original and the second image is an approximate 50% crop. Both are resized to a max 2500 pixels wide. I find the 50% crop quite usable.

Burrard Inlet and North Vancouver — Orignal File

A cargo ship on Burrard Inlet, North Vancouver — A 50% crop of the image seen above

Conclusion

Cast aside the hype and my personal choices the X100VI still has the spirit of the original X100 and is a camera that begs to be picked up be used as an alternative to heavier and larger mirrorless setups or as a step up from the camera in your mobile phone.

With a new processor, new sensor, IBIS, faster autofocus, and improved video specs it is indeed a very powerful camera with a small form factor and I am sure this is where the appeal is for many photographers.

This doesn’t mean it is for everyone. Keep in mind the X100VI is a single-focal-length camera and you cannot change lenses.

The full-frame equivalent focal of 35mm provided by the Fujinon 23mm f/2 II is certainly a good option and with the high megapixel count you can crop to a certain extent mimicking a telephoto lens. It is, however, not the same as having a dedicated lens at a longer focal length.

Berries a the Comox Street Market in Vancouver — Comox Street, Vancouver, Fujifilm X100VI @ f/5

You can buy adapters that will give you options for 28mm and 50mm focal lengths but in my opinion, it feels a bit like an afterthought. I say this without having tried the adapters so please take this comment with a grain of salt.

Fujifilm has lots of alternatives to the X100VI in the ILC, interchangeable lens camera, category and I would encourage you to explore these options before jumping in.

The X-E4 is close in size. The X-Pro cameras offer the same viewfinder option with a choice of OVF and EVF. If you are a pro photographer, the X-H2, X-H2S, or X-T5 deserves a look. The new X-T50 looks promising also.

The X100VI has an appeal that has made it very popular in 2024. It hits a sweet spot in the market and the demand is very high. This popularity could have detrimental effects on Fujifilm until they meet demand but I kind of doubt it will.

Top view of the Fujifilm X100VI with shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation dial, and on/off switch — Top view of the Fujifilm X100VI with the shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation dials, and on/off switch

Does the X100VI deserve the hype? I don’t think so. No camera does and every camera is flawed in some ways and the X100VI is no exception.

Surely it is a good camera and with its portability and excellent image quality it should make many photographers happy. It would indeed have made for a great companion for my trip to Europe as a travel camera.

It is the king of the crop? (pun intended), in 2024 - probably, but don’t forget about the ILC cameras which can do as well or even better in some cases depending on your photography goals.

Update: October 2024

I have now posted a sample image comparison between the Fujifilm X100VI and Leica Q. You can find that post here:

Fujifilm X100VI vs. Leica Q3

Please see more sample images below.

Pros

Compact and striking design
Film simulations
Feature-rich
Image quality
IBIS, in body image stabilization

Cons

Perhaps hyped to be more than what it is

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 links 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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