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.

When announced in February 2024, the X100VI's pre-orders exploded and were higher than anticipated. I pre-ordered the X100VI because I was planning to travel to Europe and thought it would be an excellent choice for this trip.

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

However, all this has very little or nothing to do with what kind of camera the X100IV is. In the following, I will try my best to forget about the hype and use the camera the way I would if I had 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 return 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? In 2013, most of us, including me, lugged around chunky DSLR cameras and a selection of lenses. The X100 was 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.

The spirit of an X100 camera hasn’t changed with the X100VI, but it has evolved considerably with new technology.

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 you can flip this screen.

One feature that attracts 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. 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 dials feel 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 a camera's specs, at times, I’d rather forget about the details and just use the camera. My goal is to quickly set the camera 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 is that you have so many ways of customizing the X100IV to your style of photography or videography. Also, I believe the X100IV is the first Fujifilm camera that remembers the last item you changed in the main menus, which is wonderful.

The addition of the 6-stop IBIS, in-body image stabilization, is commendable and great for 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 its improvement in comparison to the X100V in terms of the overall operating speed of the camera, menu changes, flicking through images, and, most importantly, autofocus speed and improvement in eye and human-detectable 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 X100VI's portability, which is the single most important feature of this camera. It means that you will bring it along for just about anything that your life has in store for you, which 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 slightly off-putting happens when viewing X100VI files on a smaller screen. The large 40-megapixel files can appear a tad mushy, even on my 16” MacBook Pro.

This could result from compressing the high megapixel count to a small JPEG. However, you can zoom in on the files or view them on a larger monitor to see rich detail.

Internally, I debate whether I prefer the former 26-megapixel files or the new 40-megapixel files. The older 26-megapixel files may look more filmlike paired with Fujifilm’s excellent film simulations, but there is no denying that the new 40-megapixel 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 you are viewing them on your PC or laptop, or pinch-zoom if you are viewing them 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 maximum width of 2500 pixels. 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 and 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, 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. Remember that the X100VI is a single-focal-length camera; you cannot change lenses.

The full-frame equivalent focal length 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. However, it is 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 give you options for 28mm and 50mm focal lengths, but in my opinion, this 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 offers many alternatives to the X100VI in the ILC interchangeable lens camera category, and I encourage you to explore these options before making a decision.

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

The X100VI's appeal has made it very popular in 2024. It hits a sweet spot in the market, and 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 way, 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.

Is it 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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