Fujifilm X100VI Camera Review
[SECTION]INTRODUCTION[/SECTION]
Quick Verdict
With a few quirks in its design the charismatic Fujifilm X100VI offers outstanding performance in a package that will fit a large jacket pocket. The image quality is superb, as is the amazing hybrid viewfinder, which offers either EVF or an OVF option with extensive digital overlays. This could well become a highly sought after classic in years to come.
+ Pros
- Superb lens quality
- Amazing hybrid viewfinder
- 40.2MP sensor
- Low noise
- Useful digital teleconverter
- Quality manufacture
- Plenty of analogue style controls
– Cons
- Extra cost of full weather resistance
- Poor fit of lenscap
- Only one card slot
- Modest video capability
Fujifilm understand excellence, in both camera and lens manufacture, so version VI of their premium “compact” camera is going to create some excitement. With our minds attuned to high expectations, let’s see how the new camera handles and performs, and just how much quality we can extract from the already highly acclaimed 40.2MP X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor.
Fujifilm X100VI Features
Initial handling of the X100VI gives a highly favourable impression of a well made, high quality product. The finish is excellent, the engravings razor sharp and the feel solid and reassuring, weighing in at 521g with battery and card and measuring 128.0mm x 74.8mm x 55.3mm. This is not overly large or bulky, and just about compact enough to slip into a jacket pocket.
As we start our tour of the camera we do, however, find a small design fail with something as mundane as the lenscap. Filters and lens hoods cannot be directly fitted to the front of the lens and need an adapter ring AR-X 100. One consequence of this is that the metal lenscap fits rather awkwardly over the control ring of the lens, not seating positively but unevenly wobbling from side to side when fully in position. The idea of the control ring being the gripping point is also potentially inconvenient as removing the cap could result in accidentally changing whatever parameter the ring is set to, the default being the digital zoom. One solution is to turn the control ring off. It does seem a clumsy arrangement, which is a shame when everything else is so clearly well thought through.
The slim control ring on the lens is nicely machined. Tucked up against the camera body we have the aperture ring, as smooth and positive as Fujifilm aperture rings always are. Two small lugs on the ring facilitate gripping it easily, otherwise it would be very fiddly to operate. There is an A setting for the appropriate modes.
The front of the camera houses the front control ring, the built in flash and the control for the viewfinder. The viewfinder is a masterpiece, without doubt. It can be toggled between an EVF and an optical viewfinder with electronic overlay. The EVF is a 0.5” OLED with 3.69M dots, giving a 100% view at 0.66x magnification. Flick the switch and we have an optical viewfinder with an electronic bright frame and info overlay, giving a 95% view at 0.52x magnification. It is easy to see why many photographers prefer optical viewfinders, not only because of the crystal clear view but also the ability to see objects just outside the frame. On the other hand the EVF gives us the precise view that the lens sees. The choice is there, along with a digital rangefinder in the form of a small EVF image that appears in the bottom right of the OVF view if required. This shows a magnified area for manual focus, but it could be debateable whether this is really practical.
The top plate has the shutter speed dial, along with the A setting for Av mode. Shutter speeds from 1s – 1/4000s plus B and T can be set directly from the dial. The dial rim is lifted and turned to set the ISO value, along with A setting (auto) and C setting (controlled via the camera). This is all familiar to those who use Fujifilm cameras. The shutter release and on/off switch are combined, probably the most efficient way. There is also an exposure compensation dial, again a very efficient way to adjust the overall exposure of an image.
The back of the camera houses the 1.62M dot LCD tilting monitor, which is clear and crisp. The joystick control, menu, playback and drive buttons are some of the controls found here, along with the useful Q menu button. The Q button is separated from the rest and unlikely to be pressed accidentally. The rear control wheel is also located near the top of the camera back. The right side of the camera has an access door to the various connections, including HDMI and USB. Charging is possible via the USB socket. The battery and single card socket are found on the camera base.
Under the skin, the camera houses the excellent 40.2MP X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor and X Processor 5. Native ISO range is 125-12800, or 64-51,200 extended. 5 axis IBIS gives a 6 stop advantage. Deep learning AI enables subject recognition of animals, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, airplanes, trains, insects and drones.
Having a fixed lens, some attempts are made at increasing the versatility. The basic 23mm optic has a 35mm-equivalent field of view of 35mm, and two digital teleconverter modes are available to deliver 50mm-equivalent and 70mm-equivalent. This does result in a loss of resolution, but with a 40.2MP sensor there is some leeway and the 50mm setting is probably very acceptable on this basis.
Fujifilm has made the inspired choice to include a wide set of film simulation modes in its digital cameras, and it now runs to 20 options. The basic descriptions such as “Vivid” or “Soft” are self explanatory to all users, and those familiar with film characteristics will find some familiar names alongside these basic descriptions. For example, Vivid is the Velvia setting, which is highly appropriate.
Fujifilm X100VI Key Features
- 40.2MP X-Trans CMOS 5 HR APS-C sensor
- X Processor 5
- Digital 1.4x and 2x teleconverters
- Shutter speeds 30s – 1/4000s (mechanical leaf shutter)
- Shutter speeds 30s – 1/180,000s (electronic shutter)
- 5 axis IBIS 6 stops
- Subject detection: animals, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, airplanes, trains, insects and drones
- ISO range 125-12,800 (Native)
- ISO range 64-51,200 (Extended)
- SD Memory Cards: UHS-I, SD/SDHC/SDXC
- OLED EVF 3.69M dots, 100%, 0.66x
- OVF Digital bright line + info overlay, 95%, 0.52x
- Tilt 3” LCD Touch screen 1.62M dots
- WiFi
- Bluetooth
- 6.2K/30p 4:2:2 10-bit internal recording video
- Frame.io to Cloud natively
- 20 film simulation modes
- USB and HDMI Micro Connector (Type D)
- Li-ion battery NP-W126S
- E Mode 360 shots (EVF)/450 shots (OVF)
- Normal mode 310 shots (EVF)/450 shots (OVF)
- 6.2K/4K movies 45 minutes
- FHD movies 50 minutes
- 128.9mm x 74.8mm x 55.3mm
- 471g/521g with battery and card
- Supports Fujifilm X App
Fujifilm X100VI Handling
Whilst photography is ultimately all about the resulting images, there is still much satisfaction to be found in handling and using various cameras. Some much more than others. There is a lot to like about the X100VI design, especially in the way it handles so beautifully as a fairly pocketable notebook; an ideal companion for travel and street photography. Of course, for those who moved away from basically rangefinder designs to SLR cameras, going back to the X100VI reveals the same drawbacks as before, principally the viewfinder and parallax and the lack of really close focusing. The X100VI actually solves most of this now we have the LCD monitor and the EVF with its precise and very clear view. All the joys of rangefinder design with the snags removed, perhaps? Well, mostly, and ironically, one of the joys of this camera is that incredible hybrid viewfinder. The optical view is amazing and combined with AF and IBIS there is so much versatility built in. There are a couple of niggles such as the lenscap and the way the centre focus point is so easily nudged, but really these are minor things in what is essentially an excellent ergonomic design that works extremely well.
[SECTION]PERFORMANCE[/SECTION]
Fujifilm X100VI Performance
The performance section is where we look at the image quality performance of the camera. Additional sample photos and product shots are available in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings.
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Fujifilm X100VI Sample Photos
Lens Performance – The Fujinon Super EBC 23mm f/2 II fixed lens has a “35mm-equivalent” field of view similar to a 35mm lens on a full frame camera. This is the “wide standard” favoured by so many reportage/street photographers. The digital teleconverter can crop in to this image to give “35mm-equivalent” views of 50mm and 70mm, albeit with reduced pixel counts.
Optical construction is 8 elements in 6 groups, including 2 aspherical. The diaphragm comprises 9 blades. Closest focus is 10cm, or 3.9 inches, creditably close.
There is no filter thread, so an adapter ring AR-X 100 is needed to use 49mm filters. The lenshood is the LH-X100. There is also a wide conversion lens WCL-X100 II 0.8x, for an equivalent view of 28mm. The tele conversion lens TCL-X100 II gives 1.4x for an equivalent view of 50mm.
The lens was put through Imatest, and the results are nothing short of amazing. Centrally, this is one of the sharpest lenses ever tested. The centre is outstanding from f/2 right through to f/8, excellent at f/11 and still very good at f/16. The edges are very good at f/2, excellent from f/2.8 to f/5.6, very good at f/8, good at f/11 and fair at f/16. Well done, indeed.
CA is centrally well under control, and although there is a tinge of colour fringing at the edges wide open, by f/4 this has settled to half a pixel or less. CA is not an issue with most subjects, and there are always software solutions if deemed necessary.
Distortion is very low, measuring just -0.18% barrel. This is very close to rectilinear and it is highly unlikely that more correction would be sought.
It is possible to generate some flare in the most demanding lighting, but this is not a huge issue and does not seem to affect contrast. Fujifilm’s EBC coatings are highly effective, even without a lenshood.
Bokeh is very smooth and pleasant.
(Below you’ll find images demonstrating the aperture range of the lens alongside CA and MTF charts.)
Fujifilm X100VI Lens test images
Vignetting is also very modest, -0.8 stops wide open and then a consistent -0.6 stops over the entire aperture range.
In summary, an excellent lens with outstanding central sharpness.
Fujifilm X100VI ISO test images
ISO Performance – Images are totally clean up to and including ISO 400. At this point, there is the slightest whisper of noise and this holds good up to ISO 3200. Up to this point any ISO could quite happily be used with confidence. ISO 6400 sees a sudden dip in quality and noise creeps in, becoming even more evident at ISO 12,800. ISO 25,600 is almost overwhelmed by noise and ISO 51,200 is awash with it. These last two high values have little viability for normal use, but could perhaps be used for special effects and in emergencies where some image is better than no image.
Fujifilm X100VI White-balance test images
White Balance – Most of the usual white balance presets are present. The choice is Auto White Priority, Auto, Auto Ambience Priority, 3 custom settings, Colour Temperature, Daylight, Shade, 3 Fluorescent settings, Incandescent and Underwater. All of these are fine, but we still have missing a Cloudy setting, the equivalent of the 81A filter that would probably go very well with the colour slide film simulations.
Fujifilm X100VI Digital filters
Digital Filters – The 20 film simulations offer a wide selection of options that can be taken simply as their descriptions or can relate to the films that they mimic. The beauty of this is, of course, that we have 20 different types of film available at the flick of a switch and we don’t have to change the film to move from one type to another.
Video – The video capability is fairly basic, but the out-of-the-box settings do actually provide a smooth movie experience for the more casual movie maker.
Options are:
- 6.2K/30p 4:2:2 10-bit internal recording
- 4K/60p
- High Speed 1080/240p
Recording time available from one battery charge is also quite short, at 45 minutes for 6.2K/4K and 50 minutes for FHD.
[SECTION]VERDICT[/SECTION]
Value For Money
The [AMUK]Fujifilm X100VI|Fujifilm+X100VI[/AMUK] is priced at £1599.00
Other rangefinder type designs might include:
- [AMUK]Leica M11|Leica +lens[/AMUK], £7800
- [AMUK]Leica M11-P|Leica +lens[/AMUK], £8000
- [AMUK]Leica Q3|Leica +lens[/AMUK], £5300
Alternatively, accepting a more conventional DSLR style mirrorless camera, the Fujifilm X-T5 with the XF 16-80mm lens is just £1849. This still offers the 40.2MP sensor and more versatility at the cost of more bulk.
It depends on what we pitch it against, but the quality is there, and compared to, say, the Leica Q3, the price looks very keen.
Fujifilm X100VI Verdict
Premium compact cameras are few and far between, and this one certainly nails the quality. The lens and hybrid viewfinder stand out as major advantages. Some issues are not so impressive, for example the poor fit of a clearly well engineered lenscap and the need to purchase the adapter ring to ensure full weather sealing. That the lens needs extras to fit the lenshood or a filter is surprising. It is fortunate that the lens is very resistant to flare, even without a hood. The video capability is also very basic and selecting the feature requires delving into the drive menu, so the camera is clearly not majoring on this.
However, the camera delivers the goods and images are simply excellent. All of this in a package that is, just, pocketable is an attractive proposition and despite its occasional foibles it can be Highly Recommended, especially for photographers who enjoy the rangefinder design of camera.
Fujifilm X100VI Pros
- Superb lens quality
- Amazing hybrid viewfinder
- 40.2MP sensor
- Low noise
- Useful digital teleconverter
- Quality manufacture
- Plenty of analogue style controls
Fujifilm X100VI Cons
- Extra cost of full weather resistance
- Poor fit of lenscap
- Only one card slot
- Modest video capability
[REVIEW_FOOTER]R_features=4.5|R_handling=4|R_performance=5|R_value=4|R_overall=4.5|A_level=4.5|A_text=Highly Recommended – Outstanding quality compact camera with a character of its own|E_id=8016[/REVIEW_FOOTER]
View the Fujifilm X100VI specs in the equipment database.
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Source: Photography News
Fujifilm X100VI Camera Review
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