Note: The following is strictly based on my own experience and opinion. I am not associated with Fujifilm in any way and I bought the camera I am reviewing with my own money.
A desert island camera is the one you would pick to take with you if you were stuck (long-term) on a desert island. I have dozens of cameras so it’s a hard choice for me. But in this exercise I have to make a choice. You might be surprised by it. It’s the Fujifilm X100VI. I’ve owned every single version of this camera since it was announced in 2010.
I put in a pre-order with Roberts Camera as soon as I heard about this new version of the camera. In fact, I pre-ordered it before the official announcement. I figured it couldn’t hurt since all Fujifilm X100 cameras are hard to get. Worst case scenario, if I didn’t like it, I could resell it. But of course that won’t happen. I received the camera on Wednesday, 28 February and I admit I was excited.
My personal camera collection offers some context here. I’ve owned just about every serious camera in every format you can imagine and I recently started playing with street photography. This camera is a perfect match for that (and other things) so I am excited to see what I can do with it.
A quick background
I used to do a podcast with German street photographer, Marco Larousse. It was called “WE SHOOT FUJI.” We both loved the brand and the X100 lineup.
Back then, the early X100 cameras weren’t as refined as today’s version, but they were still easy to love (okay and hate a little, but mostly love.) Unfortunately, we just couldn’t get any support from Fujifilm and the show became too expensive to produce, given we had to buy every camera we tested. So I abandoned it and we went our separate ways. (Marco still does some great photography podcasts on the network we founded together called PPN (Photo Podcast Network).)
Then, I got the job as President of Skylum software. I was also named an Olympus Visionary (which meant a commitment to using Olympus cameras only). So I put my beloved X100 series cameras in the closet for a few years. But secretly, I did miss them.
When Olympus sold their camera devision to a holding company and the pandemic blew up my plans for just about anything and everything related to my professional photography career, I resigned from my position as an Olympus Visionary and started using other cameras again.
Those who regularly follow me know that during the early part of the pandemic, I photographed my guitar collection. It was mostly just because I needed to photograph SOMETHING and I would have gone crazy without being able to use a camera. I couldn’t travel so I needed something I could do in studio. My guitars fit the bill and I learned some product photography.
One of the first cameras I turned to when the pandemic hit was the Fujifilm X100V. I used it daily and it just worked. It worked well, felt right and felt great in my hand. It even LOOKED good (even though nobody but me was around to notice). Also, it produced some of the most delightful and beautiful digital files I have ever seen from a camera. The X100 series is so small and lightweight and easy to use that I made excuses to use it every chance I got.
I think I have tried just about every top-of-the-line camera in existence, from just about every brand (including Leica). Hands-down, if I could only have ONE camera and lens, this is the one camera I would choose. There are no perfect cameras and each camera/lens we use is a compromise. But rather than focus on what each camera cannot do, spend time focusing on what it CAN do. You will get much further down the road.
Fujifilm X100VI — Main features
In its latest iteration, the Fujifilm X100VI, almost everything that was wrong with any of the early versions were addressed. The new sensor is larger and faster. It inherits the 40MP sensor introduced with the Fujifilm X-H2 flagship interchangeable-lens camera. This is the highest resolution of any APS-C sensor you can buy. The new camera also receives the latest X Processor 5, which is twice as fast as the X Processor 4 found in the X100V. So EVERYTHING feels faster.
Despite the higher megapixel count, the 40MP sensor performs very well in terms of high ISO, with 6,400 ISO being actually useable. Dynamic range, startup time, and battery life are also slightly improved. There’s also a flip out LCD screen that tilts down an additional 15 degrees.
IBIS and autofocus system
The X100VI also has IBIS! Fujifilm claims that the X100VI IBIS system can compensate up to six stops when using the LCD or EVF, and 5.5 stops when using the optical viewfinder. In my initial tests, I would have to say that those figures are optimistic at best. The IBIS feels like it’s about a three-stop push. Maybe this is something that can be improved win firmware updates but even if not, some IBIS is better than no IBIS. It’s more important when shooting video on this camera which has also been significantly improved but which I won’t delve into here since I use this as a stills camera.
The X100VI uses Fujifilm’s latest autofocus system. This system incorporates machine-learning subject detection. While I can’t see selecting this camera a bird photography tool (given the fixed focal length lens at 35mm EFL) it does have bird detection AF!
35mm ELF lens
Speaking of that 35mm ELF lens, I see that as a feature not a bug. 35mm is a familiar focal length to the photographers who learned to make pictures with the cameras I grew up with. It’s a lens that offers a true-to-life perspective which closely matches what we see with our eyes. It’s not exaggerated, distorted, etc. You can also do a digital crop thanks to the extra resolution on this new version and get a very useable EFL of 50mm and even 70mm.
Note: You can also purchase screw-on teleconverters that give you a wider angle of view at 28mm (EFL) or a longer angle of view at 50mm (EFL). I have tested these on previous versions of the X100 and they work great. For now, I just prefer not to carry the extra weight.
Film simulation modes, shutter performance
There are three new film simulation modes in the X100VI. Fuji does a better job than any other company of producing useable film simulations that allow you to create high-quality jpegs which don’t need any editing.
If catching action is your deal, the VI model offers the Pre-shot mode, which allows users to save frames before the shutter button is fully pressed (electronic shutter mode only). When switched to the electronic shutter, the X100VI can reach an impressive 1/180,000s! The previous model topped out at 1/32,000s. If you have a Frame.io account you can now use a robust camera to cloud system. You can also now use HEIFs.
All the improvements from the X100V to the X100VI are packed in at only $200 more. Given this value proposition the camera is a no-brainer.
Fujifilm X100VI — In the field
But enough about specs — let’s talk about the experience of using the camera.
Every time I touch this camera I am reminded of its elegant design. It’s well-made with top quality materials and finishes. It reminds me of older cameras that I trained on and it gives me a general feeling of happiness.
But moreover, it reminds me that when I use a camera I want to use it with high purpose. I want to use it to share my personal point of view and the stories I see in front of me. This is the kind of camera that helps me work more deliberately and as I said, with high purpose.
I also LOVE the analog controls. Being an old man who’s been seriously involved with and in love with photography for 50 years, I prefer the use of dials for ISO, exposure compensation, shutter speed and aperture. These controls provide a purely tactile experience and contribute considerably to making the photography process an immersive and enjoyable experience for people like me.
The history of photography is an analog history, and the Fuji X100VI shows respect for that history with these tactile controls. While it has what some would call “old-fashioned controls,” there’s nothing old-fashioned about the camera’s ability to create a great image. It is heavily customizable without being overwhelming. When it comes to image quality, it really is special. It gets better and if you want to make publication-worthy JPEGs straight out of camera, you can. As I mentioned before, Fuji’s incredible film simulations will help you do just that. I tend to like Astia, Provia and Acros but am enjoying the new Reala Ace.
Fujifilm X100VI — Final thoughts
Moving forward, everything I CAN shoot on the Fujifilm X100VI WILL BE shot on the X100VI. I am really looking forward to using this camera as an everyday carry camera (EDC). There’s something about it that resonates with me and I think it makes me more creative. It does have some limitations since it has a fixed focal length lens with an approximate field of view of 35mm on a full-frame camera. But I find that limitations spur creativity. When the camera is this lovely, those limitations become strengths. Also, an EFL 35mm lens is a great focal length for a lot of situations. Now that I have retired from my professional bird photography career, I don’t need to worry about really long lenses (What a relief).
The Fujifilm X100VI MAKES me want to do more photography. That is the highest praise I can give any camera. So expect to see lots of images from it and hear how much fun I am having.
There’s nothing like a camera that you really, truly love to help advance your vision.
P.S. If you are interested in learning more about the X100VI, I have created a separate website called x100viguide.com that I invite you to investigate. It is free of charge and is an ongoing enterprise that will fill out with tips, tricks, film simulations, etc. as time goes by.