Fujifilm X100VI – A Hands-On Review
The Fujifilm X100 series has long held a special place in the hearts of street and travel photographers. With the release of the X100VI, Fujifilm has refined its winning formula, offering improved performance while preserving the timeless charm that made the series so popular.
This review looks at the camera’s design, performance, strengths, and limitations to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your photography style.
Design and Build Quality
The X100VI retains the retro-inspired look of its predecessors, with tactile dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation, and aperture. Its magnesium-alloy body feels solid yet remains compact enough to fit in a jacket pocket.
Notable Features:
- Fixed 23mm f/2 lens (equivalent to 35mm full-frame)
- Hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder
- Weather-resistant design when paired with an optional filter adapter
Image Quality
Fujifilm’s 40MP X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor produces sharp, detailed images with excellent colour reproduction. The camera’s Film Simulation Modes are one of its most distinctive features, allowing photographers to replicate the look of classic Fujifilm films such as Velvia, Acros, and Classic Chrome.
Low-light performance is strong, with minimal noise up to ISO 6400. The lens is sharp even wide open, delivering a pleasing balance of detail and character.
Performance
The X100VI features:
- Faster autofocus than the previous generation
- Improved face and eye detection
- 6-stop in-body image stabilisation (IBIS)
- 4K video recording at up to 60fps
While it isn’t a sports camera, it handles street scenes, portraits, and travel moments with precision and speed.
Strengths
- Exceptional image quality
- Iconic design with intuitive controls
- Compact and discreet — ideal for candid photography
- Superb film simulation profiles
- Reliable autofocus in most situations
Limitations
- Fixed focal length limits versatility (you’ll need to move physically for composition changes)
- Premium price compared to interchangeable-lens systems
- Not suited for heavy telephoto or fast-action work
Practical Assignment
Spend a day shooting exclusively with a fixed focal length (on any camera you own). This forces you to move, think, and compose differently, much like using the X100VI. You may be surprised at how it improves your creativity and composition skills.
Conclusion
The Fujifilm X100VI is not a camera for everyone — but for the right photographer, it is a creative tool that blends quality, portability, and inspiration. If you value a tactile shooting experience, love street or travel photography, and can work within a fixed focal length, this camera is worth serious consideration.
In the next article, we’ll explore the Exposure Triangle in depth and how mastering it can give you complete creative control over your images.
Buy the Fuji X100VI
Click to shop on Amazon (affiliate links help support the site)
Fujifilm X100VI – A Hands-On Review
The Fujifilm X100 series has long held a special place in the hearts of street and travel photographers. With the release of the X100VI, Fujifilm has refined its winning formula, offering improved performance while preserving the timeless charm that made the series so popular.
This review looks at the camera’s design, performance, strengths, and limitations to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your photography style.
Design and Build Quality
The X100VI retains the retro-inspired look of its predecessors, with tactile dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation, and aperture. Its magnesium-alloy body feels solid yet remains compact enough to fit in a jacket pocket.
Notable Features:
- Fixed 23mm f/2 lens (equivalent to 35mm full-frame)
- Hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder
- Weather-resistant design when paired with an optional filter adapter
Image Quality
Fujifilm’s 40MP X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor produces sharp, detailed images with excellent colour reproduction. The camera’s Film Simulation Modes are one of its most distinctive features, allowing photographers to replicate the look of classic Fujifilm films such as Velvia, Acros, and Classic Chrome.
Low-light performance is strong, with minimal noise up to ISO 6400. The lens is sharp even wide open, delivering a pleasing balance of detail and character.
Performance
The X100VI features:
- Faster autofocus than the previous generation
- Improved face and eye detection
- 6-stop in-body image stabilisation (IBIS)
- 4K video recording at up to 60fps
While it isn’t a sports camera, it handles street scenes, portraits, and travel moments with precision and speed.
Strengths
- Exceptional image quality
- Iconic design with intuitive controls
- Compact and discreet — ideal for candid photography
- Superb film simulation profiles
- Reliable autofocus in most situations
Limitations
- Fixed focal length limits versatility (you’ll need to move physically for composition changes)
- Premium price compared to interchangeable-lens systems
- Not suited for heavy telephoto or fast-action work
Practical Assignment
Spend a day shooting exclusively with a fixed focal length (on any camera you own). This forces you to move, think, and compose differently, much like using the X100VI. You may be surprised at how it improves your creativity and composition skills.
Conclusion
The Fujifilm X100VI is not a camera for everyone — but for the right photographer, it is a creative tool that blends quality, portability, and inspiration. If you value a tactile shooting experience, love street or travel photography, and can work within a fixed focal length, this camera is worth serious consideration.
In the next article, we’ll explore the Exposure Triangle in depth and how mastering it can give you complete creative control over your images.
Buy the Fuji X100VI
Click to shop on Amazon (affiliate links help support the site)
