Fujifilm X100VI Review Hands On

The Fujifilm X100VI is the sixth iteration in the respected X100 series of compact cameras, this time featuring a 40.2MP APS-C format sensor and X-Processor 5. That’s the same combination as we’ve seen in the hugely popular Fujifilm X-T5 and Fujifilm X-H2. This means that the Fujifilm X100VI also has AI-based Subject Detection and focusing.

Like its predecessor, the Fujifilm X100V, the X100VI has a fixed 23mm f/2.0 lens that delivers an effective equivalent focal length of 35mm. That’s a focal length that is frequently favoured for street, documentary, travel and environmental portrait photography.

Fujifilm has given the X100Vi an almost identical control layout and build to the X100V, which means it has a collection of traditional dials dedicated to controlling exposure. There’s also a hybrid viewfinder that combines an optical and an electronic viewfinder, and a tiltable touchscreen.

Fujifilm’s X100 series of compact cameras stand out from the norm because of their APS-C format sensors and fast, high-quality fixed focal length lenses. The fact that the Fujifilm X100VI has the same 40.2MP X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor and X Processor 5 as the X-T5 and X-H2 adds to the new camera’s attraction, enabling larger image capture with greater detail levels than is possible with the previous model.

While the high-resolution sensor boosts image size, the X-Process 5 introduces improvements to X100VI’s autofocusing with better tracking and subject detection that can be set to detect aeroplanes, trains, cars, motorcycles animals and birds in addition to human face and eye detection.

There’s also a base ISO setting of ISO 125 and a 4-stop neutral density (ND) filter, both of which are useful when you want to use slow shutter speeds in daylight.

Although the X100VI isn’t designed as a sports camera, it can shoot at up to 11fps when the mechanical shutter is in use and 20fps with electronic shutter, which could be helpful for capturing the decisive moment in street or documentary photography. There’s also a top shutter speed of 1/180,000 sec.

In keeping with Fujifilm’s other recent cameras, the X100VI can be set to shoot Jpeg or 10-bit HEIF files in addition to raw files. The camera also gains the new Reala Ace Film Simulation mode, taking the Film Simulation count to 20.

The X100VI’s Fujinon 23mm f/2 lens is the same as the X100V’s, perfect for those who appreciate the classic 35mm equivalent focal length. That large aperture is also ideal in low light situations, allowing you to keep the ISO setting low while still using a fast shutter speed. On a heavily overcast rainy February day in London, for instance, shooting at f/2 and ISO 125, I was still able to use shutter speeds of 1/320 sec or faster.

It’s also notable that Fujifilm has given the X100VI in-body image stabilisation (IBIS). That’s a first for the X100 series and it enables up to 6EV of shutter speed compensation. Fujifilm hasn’t, however, given the camera its Pixel-Shift Multi-Shot technology for creating higher resolution images.

It’s nice to see Multiple Exposure amongst the drive mode settings on the X100VI. This can be used to combine up to 9 images in-camera with the blend mode set to Additive, Average, Lighten or Darken. The individual images are stored in the format that’s selected while the composited image is a Jpeg.

Like its predecessors, the X100VI has an electronic and an optical viewfinder, and it only takes a flick of a switch to swap between them. The electronic viewfinder has 3.69 million dots and an Electronic Range Finder (ERF) function enables a smaller electronic viewfinder display to overlay the optical viewfinder and magnify the point of focus.

When the optical viewfinder is selected, bright lines indicate the framing. When the 50mm or 70mm Digital Teleconverter is activated, these bright lines mark a smaller box in the frame and a greater proportion of the view is outside of the imaging area. That can be useful for street photography if you’re waiting for a subject to enter the frame.

I discovered a small glitch with the X100VI, when the digital level is set to 3D, it’s impossible to seelct the optical viewfinder using the switch on the front of the camera. I expect this will be ironed out with a firmware update.

There’s also a 3.0-inch 1,620,000-dot tilting touchscreen which can be used for composing and reviewing images.

While the X100VI is aimed at photographers, it’s also capable of capturing video. There’s a maximum resolution of 6.2K at 30p, which comes at the expense of a 1.23x crop. Alternatively, 4K video can be shot at up to 60p with no crop.

Both F-log and F-log2 are available for capturing extended dynamic range of up to 13+ EV. There’s a 2.5mm mic port and a 3.5mm headphone port for recording and monitoring audio with video.

According to Fujifilm, the X100VI is 20% more power efficient than the X100V, but some power is used by the new IBIS technology. This enables up to 450 images to be captured when the optical viewfinder is used to compose images. That’s 30 images up on the X100V.

Although not quite pocket-sized, the X100VI is relatively compact and the 23mm f/2 lens is very slim. It also has aluminium top and bottom plates, plus weather-sealing, which give it a high-quality feel as well as making it durable.

While the X100VI’s grip is very shallow, and I would prefer to carry it on a strap for security, I had no problem carrying it in my hand without a strap for an hour or so in the rain. The grip is just pronounced enough to stop it slipping from your fingers and the textured surface gives decent purchase.

There’s a traditional approach to exposure control with dial to adjust shutter speed, ISO and exposure compensation

Control layout

The Fujifilm X100VI retains the manual exposure controls seen on its predecessors. Consequently, the top-plate has a shutter speed dial with an integrated ISO dial, plus exposure compensation dial.

The ISO setting is adjusted by lifting the shutter speed dial and then rotating to set the desired ISO value

Aperture is adjusted using the ring on the lens. As well as dedicated values running from f/2 to f/16 in 1/3EV steps, this ring has an ‘A’ for automatic setting. Two tabs on opposite sides of the ring make it easy to adjust and it didn’t take me long to reach for them instinctively when changing the setting.

The aperture setting is control by a ring on the lens that can be set to A for Auto

When the shutter speed dial and aperture ring are set to ‘A’, the camera takes charge of exposure. Selecting an aperture value using the lens ring while leaving the shutter speed dial at ‘A’, means the camera is in aperture priority mode. Conversely, setting the aperture ring to ‘A’ and selecting a specific shutter speed using the dial means the camera is in shutter priority mode. Setting specific values on both controls puts the camera in manual exposure mode.

A mini joystick on the back of the camera instead of a navigation pad means there’s a good amount of room for your thumb on the rear of the camera. The joystick is also responsive and makes a quick way of adjusting the AF point or making menu selections.

The AF point can be moved quickly using this small joystick on the back of the camera

Pressing the button marked ‘Q’ near the top rear right corner of the camera accesses the Quick Menu, which can be navigated by touch or using a combination of the joystick and the dials.. The Q button proved to be sufficiently out of the way to not be pressed accidentally but easy to find when you need it quickly.

The Q button accesses the Quick Menu

The tilting touchscreen is slim and fits neatly to the camera body, maintaining the sleek profile while making low or high-level shooting easy. This came into its own when I was shooting on a rainy day in London ahead of the X100VI’s announcement. Was able to shoot from ground-level without having to kneel or lie on the wet ground to see my composition.

The Fujifilm X100VI’s screen can be tilted up or down for easier viewing from below or above head-height

The hybrid viewfinder offers a good blend traditional and modern shooting experiences, but I prefer to stick with the electronic viewfinder because the images I capture are what I see in the finder.

I’ve been shooting with the Fujifilm X100VI in London and Tokyo ahead of its announcement and its proved itself a very capable camera. Its sensor and processor deliver great image quality, with the lens ensuring sharp, detailed images. This is backed by an excellent AI-informed white balance system and Fujifilm’s renowned colour science.

The Face/Eye Detection system works extremely well and is very useful for street and documentary photography, especially when shooting at maximum aperture to minimise depth of field. I find the system spots faces and eyes very quickly when they enter the frame. That said, I sometimes found it helpful to set the AF point to my target area when waiting for someone to walk into the frame. When they appear in the viewfinder, the detection system latches onto them quickly and follows them around the frame.

The metering system is also very competent and isn’t put off by a bright area of sky for example, especially when the subject of Face/Eye Detection system is in use. Paired with the right choice of Film Simulation Mode, this means that Jpeg images usually look good straight from the camera. So far, I haven’t been able to look at the raw files as the software isn’t available yet. I’ll update this Fujifilm X100VI review when I have been able to examine the raw files.

As you’d expect with the 40MP X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor, the Jpeg images from the Fujifilm X100VI have a fabulous level of detail at the lower ISO settings. The camera manages to hold on to most of the detail throughout its standard ISO range (ISO 125-12,800).

Naturally, noise becomes apparent or the impact of its removal in Jpeg images at normal screen-viewing sizes at around ISO 6400, but the results are still perfectly usable. Images shot at ISO 12,800 are also very respectable, but the finer details maybe lost from some areas.

As I mentioned earlier, the large aperture of the X100VI means that you don’t need to push they ISO up very high too often.

Fujifilm’s Film Simulation Modes are widely held to produce the best in-camera colour and the X100VI does nothing to shake that opinion. The Reala Ace Film Simulation mode is a nice addition that produces natural hues with boosted contrast. I particularly like the results it produced on a rainy, overcast and therefore low-contrast day.

The Fujifilm X100VI takes the X100 series to a new height with a high-resolution sensor and improved focusing system that are a bonus for street, documentary and travel photography. The tilting touchscreen is also very useful, boosting creative opportunities, however, I’d love to have seen a three-way mechanism that enables it to be angled for use in portrait orientation.

Although the fixed lens and premium price point may limit its appeal of the X100VI to a specific audience, it’s a compelling choice for those seeking a high-quality compact camera with full manual control and a wide range of settings. The Fujifilm X00VI has plenty of automated options if you want them, but it’s a creative tool and far more than a point and shoot camera.