To understand the quality and versatility of the new Fujifilm X100VI, you must first put it in your pocket. Compact, light and yet solid thanks to the abundant use of aluminium, it fits comfortably inside that of a jacket, because it contains hardware worthy of a flagship in incredibly small spaces: the best of the most advanced Fujifilm technology, dressed in such simple and classic shapes that they recall the very idea of a camera.
Lost in the streets of any city, walking aimlessly in search of shots to compose, a few simple gestures are enough to set the shutter speed, ISO and aperture and soon a simplified shooting routine takes shape: identify the subject, reach out a hand in your pocket, remove the X100VI while rotating the power ring with your index finger, remove the lens cap with your left hand, frame, focus and shoot. Average duration of the operation: between 3 and 5 seconds. Basically like a smartphone, but with a top-of-the-range performance camera.
So far there is nothing new, especially for those who use the X100 in its previous versions. Which are many, judging by the sales numbers of this camera over the years and the many crowded online groups dedicated to it. But if the vocation for street photography remains unchanged, what changes with this Fujifilm X100VI – and quite a bit – are the technical characteristics, some of which are inherited from the flagship X-T5.
Performance and versatility
To renew its X100VI, which arrived 4 years after the debut of the mark V, Fujifilm changes the entire graphics pipeline: thus we find the X-Processor 5 image processor, both already seen on the X-T5 and X-H2 flagships. Designed to reduce noise despite the increased resolution, the new sensor increases the native ISO range from 160 to 125-12,800 (80-51,200 extended), and overall makes the camera even more versatile than before.
For example, because thanks to the higher resolution it allows images to be cropped in post-production with less loss of detail; or because it returns higher quality photos even when you choose to use the digital teleconverter (focal multiplier), the system that “imitates” 50mm and 70mm full frame focal lengths by cropping the sensor (to around 20 and 10 megapixels respectively) at the time of shot. Two more useful options compared to the standard one, which revolves around the now classic 23mm F2.0 fixed lens which, given the size of the APS-C sensor, is equivalent to a 35mm full frame focal length. Almost a dogma in the tradition of street photography
More “intelligent” autofocus and stabilization
Among the improvements due to the new image processor is the continuous shooting speed, which despite the higher resolution goes from 11 to 13 fps with electronic shutter (but which can become 20 fps with 1.29x crop) and lasts even longer long, because you also get to 80 JPEGs and 38 RAWs compressed with loss of information (or 17 photos with uncompressed raw +jpeg). More could be done, but in the X100VI the well below 300 when pushing performance to the max. And then there is the autofocus: the latter maintains 425 phase and contrast detection points, but thanks to the technology called deep learning AF now has advanced recognition, together with humans, of birds and insects, animals, motorbikes/ bicycles, cars, trains, airplanes and even drones.
Another great achievement of the X100VI is the introduction of 5-axis stabilization, which according to Fujifilm is capable of compensating up to 6 stops to avoid shaky shots even with very long shutter speeds. The writer does not have a particularly steady hand, yet he managed to obtain excellent results even by going below 1/30s; the improvement compared to the past is perhaps even more evident when recording videos: with the ), 5-axis stabilization seems to take on more meaning than with photos.
So same and so different
Half a kilo, or rather 521g (with battery and memory card): the , now positioned slightly further to the right to facilitate one-handed use. What has changed – for the better – is the world in which it is possible to program commands: with the X100VI practically every button and ring becomes programmable, allowing for an unprecedented level of customization. Of course, not all functions can be set on all buttons, but it remains a notable plus.
Advanced hybrid sight
The “advanced hybrid viewfinder” also deserves special mention, i.e. the system that allows you to freely switch from the exquisitely vintage experience of the optical viewfinder (OVF) to the excellent viewing quality of the electronic viewfinder (EVF), maintaining the rangefinder photographic style that has been a hallmark of the X100 Series. The EVF uses a high-resolution OLED panel with approximately 3.69 million dots, but you just need to operate the selector lever on the front of the camera to switch to OVF. Then there is the “Electronic Range Finder” (ERF) function, which combines the two worlds by allowing you to simultaneously display a small electronic viewfinder at the bottom right of the optical viewfinder, to better adjust the focus.
If you want, you can shoot using the 3-inch 1.62 million pixel rear touch LCD monitor that tilts up and down. Useful for shooting from awkward positions, it allows you to focus and shoot with a tap, as well as select four preset functions simply by swiping up, down, right and left. Finally, two “goodies”: the first is that the X100VI is equipped with a four-stop ND filter, very convenient in various shooting situations and always at hand. The second is that, in addition to the film simulation modes already present on the latest models, the compact Fujifilm includes a completely new one called REALA ACE, for faithful color reproduction and high contrast tones.
In conclusion
It doesn’t matter which camera you already own or which type of photography you prefer: the X100VI is a camera you quickly fall in love with, which you end up always carrying with you, ready for any eventuality; with which to photograph in every light situation on the streets, between buildings, among people, in search of ever new lines, faces and situations. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections combined with the excellent Fujifilm USB-C charging is convenient when traveling, but allows you to charge only one battery at a time when it would be better to always have at least two ready. Once you try it, it’s really hard to go back.
Fujifilm X100VI is on sale at the recommended price of 1849.99 euros, which becomes 2,249.99 euros for the Worldwide.