Fujifilm updated their uber popular and hype X100 series of camera, now in its sixth generation marked as VI. The camera was released in May 2024, and is still on waitlist in many camera stores worldwide. I took a loaner from Fujifilm Singapore for a vacation to Tokyo recently, and share with you my thoughts on this small, pocketable camera. Is it worth the hype?

Review: Fujifilm X100 VI

The X100VI has a MSRP of USD 1,999.99 / SGD 2,499 (inclusive of GST). Last we checked, it was out of stock at B&H in the US, and all retail stores in Singapore.

The Fujifilm X100 VI: is this the most hyped camera?

The Fujifilm X100 series are excellent cameras. The first the series was released in 2011 as a 12.3 MP, APS-C sized CMOS sensor. The design is classical, and the camera looks like a traditional rangefinder camera, with vibes which seem to be from the original Leica M3. But it is not a range finder. It is equipped with a hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder. And a fixed 23mm (35mm full frame equivalent) fixed prime lens with a maximum wide open aperture of f/2. The camera is video capable, with 10-bit recording, 6.2K capture from a 1.23x (43mm equivalent) cropped region or ‘HQ’ 4K derived from this footage. There is also a sub-sampled 4K at up to 30p from the sensor’s full width or at up to 60p with a 1.14x crop. As usual, I did not use the camera for video, so other than this specification, will focus only on still photography.

The review sample is the latest iteration, now in sixth generation. And has been steadily perfected by Fujifilm over the same basic architecture blueprint. The sensor is now a 40.2 MP CMOS 5 HR sensor with X-Processor 5. The lens is still the fixed prime lens with a focal length of 23mm f/2, but Fujifilm tells me that the optical formula has undergone many revisions over the original. The X100 VI looks almost the same as the original X100, a common trait throughout the five other iterations. The nomenclature used by Fujifilm is somewhat bizarre. The original X100 was succeeded by the X100 S (S for second), then the X100 T (T for third), which was followed by the X100 F (yes, F for fourth), but then the naming convention changed to X 100 V (V for Roman Numeral five, though it is generally referred as “vee”). Before arriving at the current X100 VI, now known as “X100 six”. The V was made in Japan, while the VI is now made in China. Build quality remains excellent. The camera feels solid in the hand and all dials and switches have good tactile feel and feedback.

Fujifilm has made several important improvements for the VI over the V. This is not just a sensor size change up to 40 MP and the processor upgrade to 5, the V had an APS-C CMOS with 26.1 MP and the X-Processor 4. The VI sensor also now features an IBIS capable of 6 stops. Very impressive improvements the only physical change being 2mm deeper than the X100 V, and 43g heavier. In practice, neither of these changes are noticeable. Battery life is rated at about 330 shots on EVF mode. In practice, it performed very well during my week long trip in Japan, a single charge could have lasted me the entire trip. But due to FOMA, I topped up the battery in the evening at the hotel after two days of photography, even though it was only showing 2 bars down from max. So take this with a grain of salt. I am a medium and large format photographer. I prefer to work slowly, taking my time composing each shot. I am not the spray and pray shooter who may shoot upwards of 1000 frames a day while on vacation. I averaged probably 20 photographs a day in Tokyo, and shot exclusively on RAW.

What makes the X100 series so appealing is the analog styled controls on the top plate of the camera. Full control of aperture, shutter speed, ISO, exposure compensation is immediately available. This analog styled controls are retained on the X100 VI. The handy Exposure Compensation dial is on the right most of the top plate, with the shutter release next to it. The on/off switch is coaxially mounted to it. The shutter speed dial is placed nearer the center. This has an outer ring which lifts to allow adjustment of ISO. The lens carries a control ring to adjust aperture, which is easily to use via a tab. And a knurled ring for manual focus. Two versions of the camera exist, one in matte black too, and the other, which is our review sample has a silver top and lens. I prefer the retro look of the silver version.

My review sample, courtesy of Fujifilm Singapore comes with the optional TCL-X100II which when attached to the front of the lens converts the 23mmF2 lens to 50mm (35mm format equivalent).

I found the converter to be a bit bulky, and somewhat more difficult to balance as the forward weight of the lens tilts the balance of the camera. But image quality remains stellar.

The menu system and ease of use is familiar to me, having been immersed in the Fujifilm universe for several years, and my main camera being the GFX 50S II. Usage is intuitive and the menu is crisp and responsive to navigate. It is touch sensitive. The LCD is two way tilting and has 1.6 milion dots. The electronic viewfinder, which I use almost all the time, has a 3.69M dot OLED panel.

Sample images

Watches and macro use case

As I had the camera only for my vacation trip, I only managed to shoot one watch with the X100 VI. The Roger Dubuis.

But I managed to do some food photography. This bowl of overflowing uni was photographed at Sushi Kuni in the outer Tsukiji market with the teleconverter in place.

Architecture

The camera does not offer in-body perspective control, unlike the Leica Q3 which I tested last year. But there is sufficient pixel density and quality for this to be adjusted in post production via Photoshop. The image of a condominium in Balestier Singapore is taken with the X100 VI and the converging lines adjusted in Photoshop.

Taken at the Tokyo Tower, pointing straight up. The colours were rendered beautifully. Good saturation and the lens proved to be very sharp. No perspective control applied.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Theater in Ikebukuro. Perspective control adjusted in Photoshop.

Colours were rendered well, and the 23mm APS-C lens is very useful for interior shots. Like this photograph taken in Tsujihan Ark Hills branch, a viral restaurant featuring long queues. I took the photograph just before opening. There was a queue already formed outside, but the restaurant was still empty.

The camera handled contrasty light conditions well. I took this photograph at a pizza joint in Shimokitazawa.

Autofocus performance

Autofocus has improved over the earlier generations, but Fujifilm has always been behind the giants like Sony, Canon and Nikon when it comes to fast and accurate autofocus. Coming from medium format systems, I found the X100 VI autofocus to be adequate. My normal use case is to set it on single shot, face detect. And switch to other detection modes as needed.

Below is an image taken with the X100 VI which redeemed itself well with this pan shot of cyclists on their Saturday ride in Azadubai Hills.

As a travel camera

I found the X100 VI to be almost a perfect travel camera. The lens focal length is well chosen, and has a built in 4EV ND filter, which can come in handy, even for still photography, but essential in video to get the correct shutter angle without having to increase it to compensate for bright lighting. Here are some touristy shots of Tokyo.

The Tokyo Kabuki Theatre in Tsujiki. Taken across the road.

Wako Building in Ginza, flagship store of Seiko. I stood across the road at Nissan Crossing Building on the ground. Photographed with perspective control adjustment in post production.

Handling of high contrast scenes were good. Here is the famous Shibuya Crossing. The bus terminus in the foreground is in rather deep shadow and the crossing itself was brightly lit by the strong September summer sun. Yes it was hot in Tokyo in mid September, with temperatures soaring to 35C.

Another high contrast scene, of a vintage clothing store in Shimokitazawa.

Competitive landscape

The market for a fixed lens compact camera is now being contested by not only Fujifilm, but also by Leica with their Q3 (SGD 9.5k). And their recently announced Q3 43 (SGD 9.9k), which is the same Q3, but with a 43mm lens. Both are considerably larger, heavier and more expensive. But offer a full frame sensor.

There is also the Ricoh GR III (SGD 1.6k) and GR IIIx (SGD 1.6k) series. Both Ricohs are APS-C sensors, with the GR III equipped with a 18mm and the IIIx with a 26mm lens. To me, the Ricohs are the nearest competitors to the X100 VI, but I have no experience with either.

And at the ultra high end there is the Phase One XC series, now comprising of two cameras – the XC 23 and the recently released XC40. Both have Rodenstock lenses permanently attached to the body and retail circa SGD 22k. The XC 23 has the Rodenstock Digaron HR23 and the XC 40 has the Digaron HR40 lenses. To make a complete body ready to shoot, one will need the IQ4 150 back, which will set one back a further SGD 60k or so. This is mandatory to operate the built in X-Shutter. Yes, uber high end indeed.

Concluding thoughts

This is a magnificent travel camera. Small, compact, pocketable. Lightweight. And yields very good results. And superbly enjoyable to take on a trip, or for daily shooting duties.

So circling back to the question which opened this review – is the Fujifilm X100 VI worth the hype? In my view, after a week’s use…absolutely!