Camera Preview, Top 10 ReviewMorten ByskovFebruary 22, 2024Fujifilm X100VI hype, Fujifilm X100VI hyped, Should I buy a Fujifilm X100VI, Should you buy a Fujifilm X100VI, Fujifilm X100VI Preview, Fujifilm X100VI specs2 Comments

Fujifilm X100VI - Should You Give in to the Hype?

Is the new Fujifilm X100VI Hyped? Yes! Is it Worth Considering? Maybe!

I believe what we have seen over the last few years regarding the Fujifilm X100V’s popularity is unprecedented, at least for as long as I have followed the camera industry, particularly Fujifilm cameras.

The X100V became so popular that Fujifilm has had trouble meeting demand and as a result prices for used X100V cameras skyrocketed and for the longest time exceeded the price of a new camera by hundreds of dollars.

As I write this preview of the X100VI a couple of days after the announcement several reports of a high number of pre-orders are circling on Fujirumors and other sites. “The Phoblographer” had an article this morning mentioning that X100VI cameras are already offered on eBay for triple the price at $4,500.00. What gives?

Fujifillm X100VI, Silver, front view — The Fujifilm X100VI, Silver

Sony Rumors report that pre-orders of the X100IV are 50 times higher than the Sony A7cII/A7cr pre-orders combined. My contact at Camtec Photo in Montreal confirms a frenzy without giving specific numbers.

If you are eager to get your hands on the X100VI as soon as possible, it does appear demand is high right out of the gate, much like its predecessor, and placing your pre-order may be a good idea.

On the other hand, the pre-order frenzy information can be hard to decipher and it may also be a good idea to take a deep breath and double-check to see if this camera is for you.

Fujifilm has announced a production capacity of 15,000 units per month (double of they did in Japan) and manufacturing has been moved from Japan to China in an attempt to meet demand. Whether this will have a resounding effect remains to be seen.

While I find the X100VI interesting for reasons I will get into below the hype of it all initially negatively impacted my interest in the camera. The hype can easily cloud our judgment.

The Fujifilm X100VI, black, top view — Fujifilm X100VI, black, top view

Is the X100VI For You?

Just like the X100V, the X100VI is without a doubt a beautifully designed camera. I wrote at length about this in my X100V review and from the outside the X100VI does not look all that different. This design has appealed to many and if you are reading this, chances are that you are drawn in as well.

Suppose you like the tactile feeling of an aperture ring, the ability to adjust your exposure quickly by using the exposure compensation dial and having access to twenty film simulations at your fingertips. In that case, you will likely enjoy the X100VI.

It is however important to remember that this is not an interchangeable lens camera. You are somewhat limited by the single 35mm full-frame equivalent focal length. You can buy adapters that will give you options for 28mm and 50mm focal lengths but in my opinion, it somewhat ruins the aesthetics of the camera.

Other Fujifilm cameras will give you this same experience, albeit in a larger package, but will allow you to change lenses. Perhaps the X100VI will be your only camera so it is important to understand the limitations.

You may of course contemplate the X100VI as an addition to other Fujifilm X Series cameras you may have and if the 23mm focal length is missing in your setup, this may be one way to fill the gap.

Fujifilm promises increased autofocus speed with the new X-Processor 5 and if you are looking for more resolution, the 40.1 Megapixel sensor is a significant upgrade from the X100V and allows for more cropping and should handle landscape photography better.

As a first for the X100 series, the X100VI now has a 6-stop image stabilization. This along with a bump in the video specs makes it a viable option as a hybrid camera.

Let’s Take a Look at the Key Specs:

40.1-Megapixel X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor (same as X-H2 and X-T5)
X-Processor 5
Fujinon 23mm f/2 II lens, 35mm full-frame equivalent
ISO range: 125 to 12,800 (Extended: 64 to 51,200)
6-Stop In-Body Image Stabilization
425-Point Intelligent Hybrid AF System
Hybrid 0.66x OVF with 3.69m-Dot OLED EVF
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Connectivity
Singel card slot, UHS-I
FPS: Electronic Shutter, up to 13 fps for up to 80 Frames (JPEG) / 38 Frames (Raw)
FPS: Mechanical Shutter, Up to 11 fps for up to 38 Frames (JPEG) / 33 Frames (Raw)
3.0" 1.62m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen
Video: Up to 6.2K at 30p in 10-bit color. 4K HQ mode which oversamples 6.2K footage for superior 4K output. Higher frame rate videos, at 4K 60p or FHD 240p
20 Film Simulation Modes including the new REALA ACE
Battery: NP-W126S Rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Approx. 310 Shots)
Filter Size: 49mm
Aperture range: f/2-16
Weight: 1.1 lb / 521 g (With Battery, Recording Media)
1.0 lb / 471 g (Body Only)
Size: 5 x 2.9 x 2.2" / 128 x 74.8 x 55.3 mm
Price: $1,599.00

The spec sheet from the X100VI is indeed impressive and could translate to an all-in-one marvel of a camera. However, if you mainly do videography, you’d be better served by an X-H2S, X-H2, or X-T5.

If you are a pro-photographer and need a variety of lens choices to do your job the same three cameras as mentioned above should be considered first. This does not mean that an X100VI couldn’t serve as a wonderful addition to your kit.

The needs of photographers also vary tremendously and as a single camera setup, I could certainly see the X100VI do well for travel photography, street photography, or especially as an alternative to your mobile phone.

Tilting LCD of the Fujifilm X100VI — The Fujifilm X100VI, tilting LCD

Will I Get the X100VI?

Yes, I pre-ordered the X100VI. As much as I wanted to distance myself from the hype, I have given in to it. I find that hype often creates a false illusion of what a camera is and can do. I shall know soon enough and will report back.

This is not the full tale. The X100VI will be one of the most important camera releases of 2024 and I want to try it out and give it a thorough test so that I can review it here on my site.

Further to this I have a three-week trip to Europe coming up later this year and before departure, I want to test the X100VI to determine if it would be the right choice to bring along for this trip. My wife has already said: “I will take it while you lug around your heavy kit”. :)

Stay tuned for more X100VI information coming up.

Update: March 26, 2024

A little over a month has gone by since I placed my pre-order and even if may or may not get a copy of the X100VI next month I have decided to cancel my pre-order. Instead of just rewriting my ending paragraph I want to be fully transparent.

The hype of the X100VI has reached new heights with scalpers trying to pick up as many limited edition cameras as possible. I have already seen a few X100VI on my local “buy and sell” with a markup over the retail price. Instead of excitement, the whole thing has left me wondering if I want to take part. Funny how a month can change your perspective.

Instead of ordering the camera for myself, I have decided to wait for a review unit, which I hopefully will get from Fujifilm Canada before too long. I would love to give this camera credit where credit is due, and without taking the hype into account.

The other important part of the equation is the fact that I stumbled upon a Leica SL2-S right around the same time as I preordered the X100VI and quite simply, priority has been given to this transition.