The X100 is arguably one of the most popular cameras right now with the X100V being sold out for months and second hand prices getting out of control. It’s also a rather polarising camera because for every person who thinks it has changed their life, there’s someone else who thinks it’s nothing more than social media hype. I’ve now been using the new X100VI almost every day for the last week and in this blog I will share my initial impressions.

Let’s first do some house keeping and I would like to say that this blog is in no way sponsored by Fujifilm and they have no idea I’m writing it. I paid full retail for the camera and all opinions are my own. Although I only used it for a week, I did own the X100V before and I’ve been using Fuji cameras for over 5 years. Finally this is a first impressions blog and not a long term detailed review, that will come later.

What I Like

Let’s first start with what I like about the camera and there is no getting around the fact that it’s a pretty camera especially in silver. I totally understand why some people buy these to match their outfit. Of course a pretty face has nothing to do with how it performs or the images it produces, but there is something nice about having a camera that’s aesthetically pleasing.

The build quality and finish is excellent. This feels like a premium product and feels nice in the hand. I’m not sure how easily the silver finish will scratch, but it seems to be fairly solid. All the dials have nice solid clicks to them and buttons feel good with no play.

The viewfinder is wonderful. Both the OVF and the EVF are clear and easy to use with my personal favourite being the OVF. The screen is bright, sharp, contrasty and smooth to use while the menus and general navigation is easy and very responsive.

Although there aren’t many buttons, I didn’t have an issue setting the X100 up exactly how I wanted. In its original form without any accessories, this is a tiny camera that can easily be pocketable if you have a coat or hoodie.

The image quality is outstanding and although I’ve used this sensor before, it’s the first time I’m using it with this 23mm lens. The photos are sharp, detailed and have wonderful contrast. The colour reproduction is great and out of focus elements especially at f2 are very pleasing.

The ND filter is so underrated and allows for wide open shooting even on the brightest of days. I found myself using it multiple times on a sunny day and it’s my favourite feature on the camera.

Another huge improvement is the video capability. Although many will scoff at this, the X100 is now a very capable video camera. The addition of IBIS means you can comfortably record handheld without shake. The addition of good codecs and options, means you get the same quality video as you would on an XT5. Finally the ND filter allows you to easily control exposure without needing external filters.

The last positive is the overall user experience. This is a fun camera to use and one that makes you want to pick it up and use it. I can totally see how so many people get hooked on shooting with this and for some it does spark that creativity that they might not have had before.

What I Don’t Like

As great as this camera is, there are many things that are disappointing especially on a high end premium product like this. Let’s start with the SD card slot and it’s still UHS1 meaning you have slow read and write speeds. This wasn’t an issue before but now when you have 40mp files and high end video, this is a huge bottle neck especially if you need to take a burst. For many people it wouldn’t be an issue, but considering the cost and specs, I feel this should have been an easy upgrade to UHS2.

The second issue is the supposed weather sealing. This camera is only fully weather sealed if you buy a lens filter that screws on the end of the lens and effectively seals it shut. Not only does this double the size of the lens but it costs extra. I’m sure there is an engineering compromise there but at the very least this filter should have been included and not sold for an extra $100 which just feels like a money grab on top of an already expensive camera. My issue isn’t the price but the fact that what was a small package is now noticeably bigger. The lens filter shown below is not made by Fujifilm, it’s from Amazon linked at end of article.

Moving on and for a camera that focuses on user experience, I find it bizarre that they decided to make the shutter actuation practically silent. Of course for some people who are into stalking, this might be a huge bonus but for me, I would have liked at least some mechanical and audible feedback that I’ve taken a photo. As it stands when you take a photo using the normal mechanical shutter, you don’t feel anything through the camera nor do you hear the mechanical shutter sound (unless you put it up to your ear). The only other time I feel this disconnected is when I use an iPhone.

The final annoyance is software related and it’s the lack of continuity between this and other Fuji cameras. This is more of a Fuji issue rather than an X100 issue but it has some things which don’t make sense. For example on other Fuji cameras when viewing your photos, you can press on the joystick to zoom in. On the X100, that brings up and menu and instead you need to zoom in using the rear dial. Is this a big issue? Of course not but it just seems silly especially for those already in the Fuji system.

Neutral

There are a few things which I neither like or dislike and each person will have their own unique experience. Battery life can vary depending on what you do. If you just take photos on a casual day out, you will easily get a full day out of one charge. However if you’re out actively shooting or even filming videos, the battery will drain very fast. Although you can bring a spare, I simply plugged my power bank in while having a coffee and it topped the camera up fairly well. Although I did wish for the bigger battery to be fitted, I also understand that it would result in a bigger camera therefore defeating the purpose of something this small.

Now let’s talk about the autofocus which if we’re honest isn’t the best or the most responsive. It’s still the same clunky, loud and slow system of past X100 cameras. You can feel through the camera as it’s hunting around for focus and at times it can be too slow to respond. With that said, I used the eye and subject tracking and overall had at least a 90% hit rate even with squirrels running round. I think that for the intended market and use case, this system is more than good enough which is why this isn’t a negative. However I wouldn’t rely on it in a high stakes environment where you need the best AF.

The last neutral point is that at least for me this camera isn’t the most comfortable in the hand due to not having anywhere to place your thumb without it always feeling like it will slip off. With the XT5, I can rest it in my hands and not have to always grip it while with the X100 I always feel like I need to maintain a tight grip. This is an easy issue to solve by adding a hot shoe mounted thumb grip but it’s yet more expense and bulk. Of course this won’t be an issue for many so I wouldn’t classify this as a negative as such.

Who Is It For / Is It Worth It

Let’s wrap up with if this camera is worth it and who is it even for. I would like to start by saying that this camera is perfect for 90% of people who want to document their life, travels, family and friends. It looks great, it’s fun to use and it produces beautiful images. This is also a fantastic camera for photographers who have bigger setups for their work and want something small and fun for travel, family and personal projects. With that said, this camera isn’t cheap and considering you can get an XT50 for less or an XT5 for around the same price, this is a hard sell for someone who isn’t in love with the focal length or the aesthetic of an X100. Of course those bodies would require lenses but in the case of the XT5, you’re getting a LOT more camera for your money. The best way to look at the X100VI is as a luxury item. If you’re buying a camera with the goal to shoot as much as possible and become a better photographer, I would not recommend the X100 and say get an XT5 instead. If however you have disposable income and just want a fun camera for taking photos of your weekends away while looking stylish, the X100VI is as good as it gets.

If you found this blog helpful and wish to learn more about photography & travel while having direct access to me, please consider joining my Patreon community.

If you’re considering purchasing this item and use the affiliate links below, it will not cost you any extra however I will get a small % kickback which helps keep this blog ad free for you to enjoy.

Purchase here: