Review: Fujifilm X100VI Camera

Fujifilm’s new X100VI might be the most anticipated new camera … ever. An optimist might say that's because it makes great images, is reasonably priced, and is probably best at photographing people, which is what most non-pros do with cameras. A pessimist would argue that there are plenty of cameras capable of all that and that the X100VI's popularity has to do with it going viral on TikTok.

Whichever you want to believe, The X100VI is here and … it's already back-ordered everywhere, lending some credence to the TikTok argument.

The good news is that, should you ever manage to get one, there's a new 40 megapixel sensor, which, combined with better autofocus and improved in-body image stabilization (IBIS), really does add up to a better camera.

Strong Foundations

Fujifilm's X100 series of cameras has remained true to its design since the original X100 launched in 2010. Fujifilm has tweaked the body a little here and there, but the X100VI (Fujifilm calls it the X100 6) is so similar to the X100V that you'd be hard-pressed to tell them apart.

If you pull out a scale you'd notice that the new X100VI is 1.5 ounces (43 grams) heavier. It's also technically 2 mm thicker. Neither is enough to notice. For all intents and purposes, the outside of the X100VI is the same as the X100V. The dials are in the same place, with a dedicated shutter speed dial, a pull-up ISO dial, a dedicated exposure compensation dial, and an aperture ring on the same 23-mm lens.

What's new in the X100VI is the 40-megapixel sensor (up from 24), which is the same 40-MP sensor in last year's X-T5 (9/10, WIRED Recommends). This is Fujifilm's highest-resolution APS-C processor on the market and the first that, in my experience, is every bit as good as a full-frame sensor. It's sharp but doesn't have the higher noise issues that sometimes come with more megapixels on a small sensor.

As I said in the X-T5 review, the real power here is the new X-Processor, which decodes the sensor data. There are a few things here to like that weren't as conspicuous in the X-T5. The first is reduced power consumption. The battery remains unchanged from the previous model, but Fujifilm is claiming 450 images per battery, up from 420. That might not sound huge, but remember that the sensor size nearly doubled, and frankly, any gain here is a big win.

That said, in practice I got nowhere near that number of shots. The problem lies in Fujifilm's wonderful film simulations, which I use extensively. These “recipes” let you simulate the look of old film stock. (I'm partial to the Tri-X recipe here.) Rendering these JPEGs in camera takes some overhead, which decreases battery life. From my testing, the major culprit appears to be the clarity setting, but whatever the case, if you plan to use these—and you should!—expect less battery life.

Battery life aside, the other thing I love about the pairing of the X-Trans 5 sensor and X-Processor is the colors. There's a really wonderful tonality with great color contrast. Golden-hour light, especially, renders so well in these images.

Probably the most common complaint about the X100V is the autofocus, which, let's be frank, isn't good. I have some good news and some bad. First off, autofocus is much better. It's faster and more precise. I found this to be most true when using the new tracking and object-recognition modes. I was especially impressed with the eye- and face-recognition modes, both of which were great at keeping even fast-moving children sharp in the frame.

Suffice it to say the autofocus improvements are welcome. They might not be up to pro-level, flagship mirrorless camera standards, but that's not what the X100VI is, nor is that the target audience. The autofocus here is perfect for an everyday camera.

What's not so great is how crazy loud this thing is when trying to focus. I did not shoot much video, but what I did shoot definitely had some lens focusing noise in it. That's a shame considering the video improvements. The X100VI can now shoot 6.2K 30p video, which is a big step up from the 4K 30p max of the X100V. The 4K option also gets a bump up to 60p. That makes this camera more than capable; the catch is that loud focusing noise. I'd say the X100VI is fine for short clips and casual video.

I mentioned that the lens is the same as on the previous model. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the new sensor did not reveal any shortcomings in the older lens. I honestly expected the X100VI images to be a little soft due to the lens, but that has not been my experience in testing.

The big downside to the lens remains: no weather sealing. If you want a weather-sealed camera you'll need to spring for Fujifilm's AR-X100 ($50) and pick up some kind of 49-mm filter. Is it too much to ask for weather sealing at this price? Leica's Q3 has it, though Ricoh's GRIII does not, so maybe it is too much at this price.

The other big, new feature in the X100VI is the main selling point for me: 6-stops of in-body image stabilization. As someone who shoots almost entirely in available light and likes to shoot in low light, the IBIS is a game changer. Thanks to the IBIS, the X100VI is capable of shots that are not possible from previous models. In some ways, you could almost say IBIS in a camera this small is overkill. But then I was able to get tack-sharp images from the X100VI while hand-holding for up to 1 second, which is something I don't recall being able to do with any other camera I've used.

Two other small additions worth mentioning are support for the HEIF image file format and slightly lower base ISO of 125 (down from 160).

The rest of what makes the X100VI great is unchanged from previous versions. The X100 series has always been very versatile, thanks to features like the close focusing lens, optical or digital viewfinder (unchanged from the X100V), and various film emulations (20 in all for X100VI), to say nothing of the underappreciated features like the built-in 4-stop neutral-density filter and the leaf-shutter that synchronizes with the flash up to 1/4,000.

The X100VI is a worthy successor to the X100V. It continues the X100 series tradition as a good all-around camera that fits nicely between your high-end smartphone and high-end mirrorless camera. The main challenge for those interested is going to be finding one. They're sold out everywhere and are selling for well over $2,500 on eBay. Your best bet is probably to place your order now and sit tight for a while.