Key Takeaways
- Priced at $1,599, the Fujifilm X100VI comes with up to date options, together with a brand new 40-megapixel sensor.
- The brand new digicam retains the design and tactile controls of the X100V, making it interesting to picture fans.
- Regardless of being priced excessive, X100VI could encourage a love for pictures as a result of its person expertise.
In 2018, I purchased the Fujifilm X-E3. I did not understand it on the time, however that digicam would change into a life-changing buy. I had owned different cameras earlier than, however none of them managed to encourage me in the best way the X-E3 had. Not solely did it produce lovely images, however all the things concerning the person expertise gelled with how I like to make use of know-how. Half a decade later, I am a greater photographer than I used to be in 2018, and I can safely say it is largely because of the X-E3.
After utilizing the X100VI for 2 weeks, I really feel equally impressed. At this level, Fujifilm’s newest digicam wants no introduction, however in case you are new to pictures, there are some things that make it noteworthy. Fujifilm has been producing the X100 sequence since 2010, and for many of its historical past, the road has had a small however passionate fan base. That’s till partway by means of the pandemic when the X100V, the X100VI’s instant predecessor, gained TikTok fame. Subsequently, the X100V turned almost inconceivable to purchase, and the worth of second-hand X100 fashions — and different Fujifilm cameras extra broadly — elevated considerably.
Considered in that context, the X100VI is as a lot an improve to the X100V as it’s a response to its runaway success. Sure, Fujifilm outfitted the digicam with some new options, together with in-body picture stabilization (IBIS) and its newest X-Trans sensor, however these tweaks are, for my part, secondary to the very fact the X100VI is now $200 costlier than its predecessor. $1,599 is lots to ask for a digicam that is restricted to a single lens.
So, I believe the query most individuals need answered is whether or not the Fujifilm X100VI is well worth the hype and worth.
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Fujifilm X100VI
If you slot in its goal market, the Fujifilm X100VI is an unimaginable digicam. The brand new mannequin retains the design and guide controls of the X100V whereas including a brand new, extra detailed sensor and 6 stops of in-body picture stabilization.
- Incredible ergonomics
- Unbelievable construct high quality
- Six stops of in-body picture stabilization
- Detailed 40-megapixel sensor
- Costly
- Dated lens
- Restricted to UHS-1 reminiscence playing cards
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Value, specs, and availability
The X100VI is that can be purchased from Adorama, B&H, and different on-line retailers for $1,599. Fujifilm gives the digicam in two colorways: silver and black. As with the X100V earlier than it, demand for the X100VI is excessive, so anticipate to attend some time earlier than you should purchase one.
What I preferred concerning the Fujifilm X100VI
Considerate ergonomics and a few nice options
I will get to the X100VI’s upgrades in a second, however to begin I need to discuss what it carries over from earlier X100 cameras. Most notably, the X100VI options basically the identical type issue because the X100 did again in 2010. Certain, Fujifilm has made ergonomic tweaks through the years, transferring the location of choose buttons and dials, however after a decade of refinement, the X100VI continues to be a compact digicam with a hard and fast lens and a hybrid viewfinder. And should you’re a photographer of a sure kind, that is what makes the X100VI so interesting.
One of many causes I like Fujifilm cameras a lot is that they typically characteristic devoted guide controls quite than the PSAM structure discovered on most trendy cameras.
I fall into that camp. One of many causes I like Fujifilm cameras a lot is that they typically characteristic devoted guide controls quite than the PSAM structure discovered on most trendy cameras. Considerably unintuitively, I discover all these dials make the act of pictures really feel extra instant; when you might have direct management over the publicity triangle, you are not combating the digicam to snap a photograph.
The X100VI is probably the most maximalist expression of that philosophy. Every button and dial feels delightfully tactile, the leaf shutter produces a delicate however satisfying click on if you snap a photograph, and the digicam has a hefty weight that’s reassuring. All of these mix to create a tool that feels unimaginable to make use of.
For the 2 weeks I had the X100VI, my girlfriend and I spent our evenings and weekends roaming Toronto’s east finish and taking turns taking photographs of all the things we noticed. On the finish of every day, we might lament the very fact I needed to ship the X100VI again to Fujifilm. That is how a lot enjoyable we had with the digicam.
It will be a mistake if I additionally did not point out the X100VI is, merely put, cool. I am unable to rely what number of instances a barista or somebody I met throughout my adventures with the X100VI requested concerning the digicam I used to be carrying round. Fujifilm understands the rule of cool like no different firm making cameras proper now.
Okay, however what about these upgrades I discussed earlier than? New to the X100VI is a extra detailed 40-megapixel sensor and Fujifilm’s newest X-Processor 5. Fujifilm has additionally outfitted the digicam with six stops of in-body picture stabilization (IBIS). Moreover, the brand new mannequin comes preloaded with 20 of the corporate’s movie simulations. There are different, smaller enhancements, however I will additionally observe right here the X100VI continues to be restricted to utilizing UHS-I reminiscence playing cards and Fujifilm’s older and smaller NP-W126S batteries.
The leap to a 40-megapixel sensor is not as dramatic of an improve as you would possibly suppose. Photographs do look sharper than these produced by my X-E3’s 24.3-megapixel X-Trans III sensor, however I additionally wasn’t blown away by the quantity of element I noticed once I went pixel-peeping in Adobe Lightroom. That should not come as a shock. Like its predecessors, the X100VI encompasses a 23mm pancake lens with an f/2 aperture. It is a prime that prioritizes portability over picture high quality. When you’re contemplating the X100VI because the proprietor of an earlier mannequin within the sequence or an older Fujifilm digicam, the X100VI is not an incredible showcase of what the newest X-Trans sensor can do.
Fujifilm understands the rule of cool like no different firm making cameras proper now.
The X100VI additionally is not an incredible showcase of what Fujifilm’s X-Processor 5 can do. The corporate claims the chip makes the X100VI nearly twice as quick because the X100V, however so far as autofocus velocity is anxious, the newer mannequin is proscribed by a gradual, outdated lens. The processor does lengthen the X100VI’s video seize capabilities — permitting it, for example, to seize 10-bit, 6.2K footage at a 1.23x crop — however between its type issue and that ageing lens I discussed, there are cameras in Fujifilm’s lineup which might be much better fitted to video manufacturing.
Extra impactful is the addition of IBIS. Together with a built-in ND filter (a characteristic carried over from the X100V), the X100VI feels prefer it’s as much as the duty of capturing nearly something. Trying by means of all of the photographs I shot, there is not one which’s out of focus or delicate. Throughout the confines of its 23mm lens, the one restrict I felt was associated to my very own lack of creativity.
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What I did not like concerning the Fujifilm X100VI
Characteristic creep
Exterior of the constraints of its type issue, there’s not a lot the X100VI does poorly, and a lot of the issues I disliked about it are points that plague almost each digicam in 2024.
To begin, the X100VI retains the menu structure discovered on previous Fujifilm X-series cameras, however there are actually extra menu gadgets than ever. Coming from the X-E3, every part of the menu has no less than one extra web page of latest settings to browse and tweak. It may be lots to navigate, notably since most of the settings do not include any type of clarification detailing what they do. I ended up watching a 45-minute video somebody on YouTube made to help different overwhelmed X100V and X100VI customers, and I am glad I did as a result of I really feel I might have in any other case spent a lot of the restricted time I had with the X100VI tweaking its settings quite than going out and taking pictures.
After all, it is doable to disregard a lot of X100VI’s extra area of interest choices, however their inclusion feels at odds with the digicam’s authentic design. One other drawback with the menus is that Fujifilm does not make use of a constant font, each by way of typeface and dimension. The interface is not probably the most irritating I’ve used on a contemporary digicam, but it surely does encumber the X100VI; to get probably the most you’ll be able to out of this digicam, you’ll completely must familiarize your self with its settings. So, calling it a easy ‘point-and-shoot’ is not fairly proper.
Extra annoying than the menu system have been the problems I had with Fujifilm’s companion cell app. It doesn’t matter what I attempted, I could not get the software program to acknowledge the X100VI, which meant I could not switch photographs instantly from the digicam to my iPhone 12 to make the most of automated geotagging and the addition of HEIF help.
After all, it is doable to disregard a lot of X100VI’s extra area of interest choices, however their inclusion feels at odds with the digicam’s authentic design.
When you’re a longtime Fujifilm shooter, my expertise will not come as information to you; the corporate’s companion app has been a constant supply of person frustration. A buddy of mine who obtained to evaluate the X100VI early mentioned they by no means managed to get the digicam to hook up with their iPhone by means of the Fujifilm app, both. For what it is price, the corporate did attempt to assist me troubleshoot the issue, however by the point I heard again, I needed to return my evaluate unit.
Must you purchase the Fujifilm X100VI?
When you’re studying this evaluate, likelihood is you have already got an opinion of the X100VI and know if it might match into your pictures model. I need to admit, whilst somebody who nearly completely shoots with the XF 23mm F2, a major lens that options the identical focal size because the X100VI’s built-in lens, I sometimes discovered the digicam limiting. There have been moments I wanted I might swap to an extended lens to get a distinct perspective on a topic.
The X100VI is not for everybody. I do know that. Fujifilm is aware of that. You already know that.
Nonetheless, outdoors these cases, the X100VI was a pleasure to make use of, and it rejuvenated my love of pictures. Finally, I believe that is a very powerful a part of any digicam; all of the options and specs on the earth do not matter in case your digicam does not encourage you to choose it up. On the similar time, I perceive a $1,599 digicam, notably one with some limitations, is not a straightforward promote. And you already know what, that is okay.
The X100VI is not for everybody. I do know that. Fujifilm is aware of that. You already know that. However if you need a photography-first digicam that you may carry round with you daily, I can safely say the X100VI is without doubt one of the finest you should purchase proper now, and it would even encourage you to take your craft to the subsequent stage.
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Fujifilm X100VI
