Fujifilm X100VI

Fujifilm X100VI Review: The Best Toy Camera of 2024

Fujifilm X100VI Review

Pros:

• Quiet focus motor
• Nice colors below ISO 800

Cons:

• Poor battery life
• Autofocus issues
• Limited weather resistance
• No UHS-II card slot
• No EVF/screen improvements

Key Points:

• Successor to X100V with 40MP sensor, same as XH2.
• Limited to single 23mm f2 lens; lens needed a revamp.
• Weak image stabilization.
• Disappointing battery life and autofocus.
• Ergonomically similar to X100V.
• Limited innovation; feels like a minor upgrade.
• High ISO performance falls apart; best to use ISO 400.
• Suitable for influencers, travel photographers (with filter attachment).

Verdict: A minor upgrade over X100V, lacking significant improvements; best considered a fashionable "toy camera" of 2024.

Returning to form – The Fujifilm X100VI review

Returning to form – The Fujifilm X100VI review

Key Features:

• Design: Minimal changes, similar to X100V, slightly thicker due to IBIS.
• Build Quality: Made in China, high-quality.
• Sensor: 40MP BSI X-Trans 5 HR, excellent color rendition, low base ISO 125.
• IBIS: 6 stops, great for low light and high-resolution shooting.
• Lens: Same as X100V, compatible with old accessories, needs adapter for weather resistance.
• Battery: NP-W126S, same as X100V, good performance.
• Autofocus: Improved speed and precision, AI features included.
• Film Simulations: New additions - Reala Ace, Nostalgic Neg., Eterna Bleach Bypass.
• Crop Modes: 35mm, 50mm, 70mm, enhanced versatility with conversion lenses.

Conclusion: The X100VI builds on the X100 series with incremental but impactful improvements, maintaining its status as a versatile, high-quality compact camera.

Fujifilm X100VI Review: Joy Masquerading as a Camera

Fujifilm X100VI Review Summary

• Pros: High-resolution 40MP sensor, IBIS, iconic design, durable build, excellent lens performance, film simulations, and hybrid viewfinder.
• Cons: Archaic menu system, limited battery life, outdated ports for video, fixed focal length.
• Build Quality: Compact but not pocketable, robust plastic and metal construction.
• User Experience: Joyful and fun to use, especially for street photography and long exposures.
• Video: Not ideal but surprisingly enjoyable, great for b-roll.
• Alternatives: Ricoh GR III, used X100V.
• Overall: Most fun camera in a decade, highly recommended despite flaws.

Peter Poete Photography

Summary of Review on the Fujifilm X100VI by Peter Poete Photography

Overview:

• Target Audience: Street and documentary photographers.
• Key Features:
  • 40 MP sensor
  • Image stabilization (IBIS)
  • Compact, lightweight design
  • Fujifilm’s 20 film simulations

Strengths:

• Design & Build:
  • Small and unobtrusive yet capable.
  • Similar design to the X100V with minimal changes, maintaining high aesthetic appeal.
• Performance:
  • High-quality images with a versatile 23mm lens.
  • Effective IBIS allowing handheld shots at slower shutter speeds.
  • Fast and powerful X-Processor 5.
• Special Features:
  • Silent leaf shutter and built-in 4-stop ND filter.
  • Full range of film simulations, including the new Reala Ace.

Critiques:

• Lens Mechanics:
  • Focusing is noisier and mechanically less refined than expected.
  • The lens performance is excellent but mechanically it feels outdated.
• User Interface:
  • Complex and outdated menu system.
  • Lack of touch functionality due to the complex menu structure.
• Video Capabilities:
  • Improved video specs, but not the primary focus for this camera.

Personal Opinion:

• Peter Poete expresses that the X100VI is the best in the X100 series and a significant update from previous models.
• He highlights the necessity of understanding the camera's limitations and suitability for specific types of photographers.
• Despite the high praise, Poete wishes for the X-Pro4 and acknowledges some mechanical shortcomings in the lens design.

Conclusion: The Fujifilm X100VI is a highly capable and versatile camera, particularly for street and documentary photography. It offers significant upgrades in terms of sensor and stabilization but retains some of the mechanical limitations of its predecessors.

Fujifilm X100VI review

Fujifilm X100VI Review Summary

Overview: The Fujifilm X100VI is a fixed-lens camera featuring a stabilized 40MP APS-C sensor and a 35mm equivalent F2 lens. Key features include in-body image stabilization (IBIS), a hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder, and machine-learning trained subject recognition autofocus (AF). It also offers advanced video capabilities and 14 film simulation modes.

Key Features:

• Sensor and Lens: 40MP BSI CMOS APS-C X-Trans sensor, 35mm equivalent F2 lens
• Image Stabilization: Up to 6EV correction with IBIS (5.5EV in optical viewfinder mode)
• Viewfinder: Hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder with a 3.69M dot OLED panel
• Autofocus: Machine-learning trained subject recognition, including human face and eye detection
• Video: 6.2K video capture, 10-bit recording, 4EV ND filter
• Screen: Tilt up/down rear touchscreen

What's New:

• Addition of in-body image stabilization.
• Upgraded to a 40MP sensor, as seen in the X-H2 and X-T5 models.
• New film simulations, including Reala ACE.
• Camera-to-cloud support via built-in Wi-Fi for direct upload to Adobe's Frame.io.

Body and Controls:

• Slightly larger and heavier than its predecessor, the X100V.
• Retains similar control layout with dedicated dials for key settings.
• Improved tilting touchscreen for better usability.

Image Quality:

• High detail capture from the 40MP sensor.
• Good lens performance, though slightly softer at corners and wide-open.
• Excellent JPEG quality with rich film simulation modes.

Autofocus:

• Improved subject recognition AF but limited by lens speed.
• Better for stationary subjects rather than fast-moving ones.

Video Capabilities:

• Comparable to the X-T5, with 6.2K and 4K recording options.
• AF tracking in video mode and built-in ND filter enhance usability.

Conclusion: The Fujifilm X100VI is an iterative update that enhances the beloved X100 series with a higher resolution sensor, in-body stabilization, and advanced AF capabilities. While not the most practical or flexible camera, it offers a unique and enjoyable shooting experience with excellent image quality. Ideal for enthusiasts who appreciate its distinctive design and features over a more versatile mirrorless system.

Pros:

• Excellent image quality and film simulations
• Engaging direct control dials
• Hybrid viewfinder
• Improved video capabilities
• Reliable camera-to-cloud functionality

Cons:

• Lens not fast enough for advanced AF capabilities
• Complex control settings
• Separate face/eye detection and subject recognition modes
• Less sharp lens performance at close distances and wide-open

Price:

• MSRP of $1599

The X100VI caters to photographers who value a focused, high-quality shooting experience with a classic aesthetic, despite some limitations compared to more flexible interchangeable-lens systems.