If you're a fan of Fujifilm cameras or curious about the latest addition to the X100 lineup, here are my thoughts after using the camera for a week.
So, I recently had the opportunity to take the Fujifilm X100vi on a photo walk, and I wanted to share my first impressions of this beautifully crafted rangefinder-style camera. With a fixed 35mm equivalent lens, the X100vi is compact, stylish, and packed with features that make it a joy to use. Let’s dive into what stood out to me during my time with it.
The Walk and the Setup
To test the camera, I took it on a 4-mile circular walk starting in the quaint village of Angle. This route offered plenty of photographic opportunities, from charming harbors and beaches to the fascinating juxtaposition of old fortresses and modern industrial elements like the Valero oil refinery. It was the perfect setting to explore the X100vi’s capabilities, especially for my ongoing documentary-style photography project, Between the Hills.
One of the first things I noticed was how freeing it felt to work with a single focal length. With its fixed 35mm equivalent lens, the X100vi encourages you to embrace creative constraints and focus on composition—a challenge I thoroughly enjoyed.
Design and Handling of the fuji x100vi
Fujifilm has a reputation for creating cameras that look and feel amazing, and the X100VI is no exception. Its retro rangefinder aesthetic is as functional as it is beautiful. The build quality is solid, though I was surprised by its size and weight—it’s slightly larger and heavier than I anticipated. Despite this, it fit snugly in my jacket pocket, making it a great option for an everyday carry camera.
The standout feature for me was the optical viewfinder. It’s incredibly bright and provides a unique shooting experience, allowing you to see your scene as your eyes do while still benefiting from digital overlays like the histogram. It’s an absolute joy to use and adds a tactile, engaging element to photography.
Shooting Experience of the fujifilm x100vi
Using the X100VI felt like a throwback to the fundamentals of photography. The tactile controls, especially the ISO dial, are intuitive and satisfying to use. While the lens focusing mechanism is a bit noisier and slower than I expected, it didn’t detract too much from the overall experience.
The built-in ND filter is another standout feature. It’s incredibly handy for long exposures in bright conditions or when you want to shoot wide open in strong light. This small addition saves money and space by reducing the need for external ND filters—something I’d love to see implemented across more cameras.
fuji x100vi Image Quality
The X100VI shares the same 40MP sensor as the X-H2, so I had high expectations for image quality—and it delivered. The details were crisp, colors were vibrant, and dynamic range was excellent. The leaf shutter is nearly silent, which makes it perfect for unobtrusive street or documentary photography.
One minor issue I encountered was that the camera froze once during use, requiring a battery pull to reset it. While this was a bit reminiscent of earlier Fujifilm models like the X-T2, it’s worth noting that it happened only once during an extended session.
Embracing the Built-in IBIS: A Game-Changer for Photography and Video
One of the standout features I enjoyed while using the Fujifilm X100VI is the built-in In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS). As someone who often shoots handheld, IBIS proved to be an invaluable tool. This opened up creative possibilities, particularly for capturing scenes in low light or when trying to introduce a sense of motion into an image.
The IBIS also shone when it came to video. Whether I was panning across a landscape or recording a candid moment, the stabilization smoothed out the footage beautifully. The result was a professional feel without the need for additional gear like a gimbal. For a compact, everyday camera, having this level of stabilization makes it incredibly versatile and user-friendly.
Knowing I could rely on the X100vi’s IBIS to steady my shots and video gave me the confidence to push boundaries. It’s a feature that adds a lot of value, especially for those who enjoy documenting their adventures or experimenting with slower, more deliberate photography without the need for a tripod
Capturing Beautiful Video with Eterna Film Simulation and a Natural Focal Length
One of the joys of using the Fujifilm X100VI was how beautifully it handled video. The combination of the Eterna film simulation and the natural look of the 35mm equivalent focal length produced clips that felt authentic and cinematic. The Eterna simulation has a wonderful way of softening highlights and creating a subtle, muted color palette that’s perfect for storytelling or capturing the essence of a scene without feeling overprocessed.
The fixed 35mm lens played a key role as well. This focal length is incredibly versatile, providing a perspective that feels true to life. Whether I was capturing a sweeping view of the coast or a close-up of the textured rocks, the video footage had a natural, immersive quality that drew me in.
Together, the Eterna film simulation and the fixed lens made for video that was not only visually pleasing but also required minimal post-processing. I found myself using the footage straight out of the camera, which is a testament to how well Fuji has dialed in the camera's video capabilities. For anyone considering the X100vi as a hybrid camera for both stills and video, I can confidently say it excels in delivering professional-looking results with minimal effort.
The Drawbacks of the Fuji x100vi
While there’s a lot to love about the X100vi, it does have limitations. The fixed 35mm focal length might not suit everyone, and while Fuji offers digital zoom options for 50mm and 70mm equivalents, these are essentially crops and don’t replicate the optical quality of dedicated lenses.
Another minor gripe is the lens focus speed, which could feel sluggish in certain situations. And while the camera is portable, its size might make it less “pocketable” depending on your attire—though it’s a perfect fit for a jacket or cargo pants.
Final Thoughts on the x100vi
The Fujifilm X100VI is a camera that truly embodies the joy of photography. Its combination of beautiful design, stellar image quality, and innovative features like the optical viewfinder and built-in ND filter make it a compelling option for anyone looking for a compact, high-quality camera. It may not be perfect for everyone—particularly if you prefer interchangeable lenses—but if you’re drawn to the simplicity and challenge of a fixed focal length, it’s a standout choice.
Personally, I’ve loved every moment of shooting with it. While I’m still weighing whether it fits my specific needs for an everyday pocketable camera, I can see why the X100 series has such a devoted following. If you’re considering the X100vi, I’d encourage you to give it a try—you might just fall in love with it.
What are your thoughts on the X100vi? Let me know in the comments, and if you’re interested in how I edit my Fuji raw photos, please be sure to check out my online club “The photographers clubhouse” where you can download my raw photos and follow along with me as I share my process. Click the button below to learn more
If you would like to see my photo walk with the fuji x100vi then please feel free to check out my YouTube video below.
Happy shooting
Ian