Fuji X100VI – Oh Boy, I Have Been Waiting This
As you might know I am a big fan of Fuji Cameras. I have an XH1 and an XT5 with a large inventory of glass. I also own and positively love the X100V camera. I did an article on the X100V last August Fujifilm X100V One Of My Go To Cameras. I also did an article on the X100V when it came out, Fujifilm X100V And Why I Like It. Why am I telling you all this? Because today, Fuli has announced the all NEW Fujifilm X100VI.
No one expected the X100V to be as popular as it has been. You can’t even get the camera because it is always on back order and used models are selling above the list price of a new model. Yes, the X100V is a hit. The new X100VI is going to be even a bigger hit.
Fuji has made the decision to move the manufacturing of the X100VI out of Japan and to China. This is most likely been done to meet the high anticipated demand.
Fuji has hit on all the things that needed to be addressed to make the new X100VI a major hit. The two major changes that made be place my order already are a 40.2 megapixel sensor and In Body Image Stabilization (IBIS) with 6 stops. These two features are huge.
I have owned every X100 camera except the F which was the fourth version, and the X100 has become near and dear to my heart and picture taking pleasure.
The camera is small. Light-weight and has a fantastic lens that is super sharp. It sports a rangefinder type of viewfinder that switches over to an electronic viewfinder with the flick of a lever. It encompasses the best of both worlds.
It also features a large selection of Fuji Film simulations. The quality of these film simulations are just gorgeous. I find myself shooting on RAW and Fine JPEG all the time so I can take advantage of these film simulations.
This is also why I believe so many photographers have come to lover this camera. I Have a small Domke camera bag and this camera, spare batteries and a small Godox Lux Senior Retro flash are in the bag. It hangs on the back of my office chair and I can grab it on my way out the door at a moments notice.
I must admit I find myself shooting a lot more with the iPhone 15 Pro Max camera a lot these days and it’s a great camera that I always have with me. But, if I know I am going someplace where I want to take pictures such as a night out, a walk, a short afternoon trip I grab the bag and shoot with the X100 camera. There is still nothing like looking through a viewfinder and especially one as nice as the X100 camera and taking pictures.
Now with the addition of a larger file size and IBIS, I will be grabbing this bag a lot more often.
Let’s Look At Some Of The Details.
- The X100VI has a 40.2 megapixel back-illuminated X-Trans CMOS 5 HR Sensor
- Native ISO of 125
- Fixed 23mm f2.0 lens
- Image size 7728 x 5152 Pixels
- ISO 125 – 12,800
- Shutter range 15 mins. To 1/4000th (mechanical)
- Shutter range 15 mins. To 1/180,000th (electronic)
- 256 zone with multi, spot, average and center weighted (my favorite)Frame rate 11 fps (mechanical) 20 fp
- 4 stop internal ND filter
- Image Stabilization up to 6 stops
- frame.io Image to cloud
- 20 Fujifilm film simulation modes (worth the price of admission)
- New REALA ACE film simulation – faithful color and high contrast
- 1.4X and 2X digital Tele-converter
- Super fast AF with subject detection modes
- TTL Contrast / TTL Phase Detection
- 5 stop plus or minus exposure compensation
- 3 inch tilting rear LCD screen 1.62 million dots
- Electronic viewfinder hi-res 3.69 million dots
- 6.2K (3:2) / 29.97p at 200 mps
- Storage SD, SDHC, or SDXC
- Bluetooth, WI-FI. USB-C. HDMI type D. 2.5 mm Microphone/shutter release as well as hit shoe
- 18.3 Ounces (521g)
Enough Specs – My Opinion
Sight unseen I am ordering this camera. I’ll trade my X100V in and it has high value due to its demand. With the NEW IBIS and a larger sensor this camera will allow me to do photos that I had issues with before.
They haven’t changed the lens which already super sharp and much on the outside of the camera body. It’s a bit thicker but very small, to accommodate the IBIS. The dials and knobs makes you feel like you are shooting with a film camera.
I love the rear screen and it tilts which allows me to do some very fast street photography and general quick shoots from the hip shots.
On my present X100V I use the Peak Design lug and strap system. I have a neck strap and a wrist strap. This camera is small enough that I can put it in the pocket of a jacket or just use the wrist strap and have a fast up to the eye system.
A feature I have always loved is the Electronic View Finder (EVF) which allows the use of the optical viewfinder and a small EVF at the same time. The EVF allows for critical focus, at the same time you are using the OVF. It’s really very cool and great for doing street photography.
Now with the 40.2 MP sensor you can use the built in Tele-converter and still have a good amount of pixels to work with. I am anxious to test this.
The back of the camera is designed so just about anything you need to do you can accomplish with your right hand. Fuji took the muti-button control pad off the camera with the X100V and simplified the controls for speed and efficiency. Many of us using the earlier cameras were always turning things on and off with old control panel when gripping the camera.
There is a filter ring and filter available to add weather resistance. I’ll report on that further once I get my camera. There is a very good lens hood available that I use on my X100V. That will be a $139.90 cost but worth it.
There are tele and wide-angle lens also available. These screw onto the existing lens. There is also a leather case made especially for this camera. Frankly, none of this interest me, but it’s good to know they are there if you need them.
Pricing and Availability
The X100VI should be available from dealers in March at a suggest retail price of $1599.95 USD and $2159,99 CAD. I have already placed my order and when I have it in my hands I’ll give it a thorough testing as I did with the X100V.
Available to Order At:
More information can be found on the Fujifilm Website for the X100VI.
Here is the Fuji promo video if you are interested.
One Last Thing
Fujifilm is also announcing a Limited Edition X100VI camera. To celebrate Fujifilm’s 90th anniversary year in 2024, a special Limited Edition of 1,934 X100VI cameras will be made available by Fujifilm, worldwide. The Limited Edition camera body is engraved with the corporate brand logo from Fujifilm’s founding in 1934, and each unit bears a unique serial number. These numbered X100VI units are packaged in a special, soft-release box that includes a special strap and Fujifilm history cards. The Limited Edition X100VI units will be available in extremely limited quantities and vary depending geographical location. Please contact your local Fujifilm sales and marketing company to explore the opportunity to purchase the item in your area.
Stay Tuned
I hope to have my production unit in the next week or so. I’ll do a more comprehensive review of the X100VI once I have the camera. I can already tell you based on owning all the X100 cameras I have that I will enjoy this new one. The larger megapixel sensor and In Body Image Stabilization already make it a winner.
Kevin Raber
February 2024
Kevin Raber
Indianapolis, IN
Photography is my passion and has been for 50 plus years. My career in photography has allowed me to travel the world, meet some of the most interesting people on the planet and see things I could never have dreamed of. My goal is to share the passion of picture taking through photographs and teaching with as many people as I can, hoping it brings them as much joy and happiness as it has me. I do this through photoPXL.com, this site, as well as Rockhopper Workshops, and other projects, as well as teaching as Artist In Residence at the Indianapolis Art Center.
