Fuji x100vi Review by Wedding Photographer Tobiah Tayo

The Fuji x100vi is the camera I never knew I wanted or needed. Yet, one afternoon I was sat browsing YouTube and I saw a plethora of videos about some new Fuji camera.

I thought to myself – “I definitely don’t need another camera”, as I considered selling a few of my older cameras that I hadn’t used since pre-covid times. “It looks like a toy” I thought. A very pretty toy, but a toy non the less. After about two hours down the rabbit hole of first impression videos and long term reviews from the much hyped predecessor – the X100v, I was sold!

There were so many people saying that the X100 was their favourite ever camera. Originally I dismissed it as marketing hype but I started to understand why professionals who could choose any camera, often enjoyed using this little retro looking “toy camera”. So I decided to preorder one, thinking I could have a play and always sell it if it wasn’t for me.

As a background, I started with Canon Digital Slr’s and switched to Sony during the A7iii days. I currently shoot with Sony a7Rv cameras, which are absolutely amazing tools. Compared to times past, it literally feels like cheating now that cameras are so good. I’m not sure most of the technical aspects of modern cameras can really improve that much anymore. They handle pretty much anything I can throw at them with ease. So why would you choose to buy what many would say is an inferior camera?

Well it all comes down to use case. My Sony is amazing, I can’t fault it, but for several reasons it often stays at home, with all it’s amazingly sharp lenses waiting for my next job. I hardly ever use it to take personal photos. When It does get taken out for the day, it often stays in the bag, and on the odd occasion I force myself to take some photographs, the raw files get put on a hard drive and often don’t even get imported to a Lightroom catalog.

I wanted that to change, especially since starting a family. It’s the little moments I wanted to document, not just the big holidays and important milestone days, where you feel obliged to take photos. And so I considered the main obstacles to me taking more personal photos and actually using them!

This leads me to the 3 main reasons I decided to buy a camera I didn’t know I needed – the Fuji X100vi.

• Size
• Film Simulations
• Fun Factor

Fuji x100vi headline specs

The Fujifilm X100vi is a lightweight “premium compact” camera with a retro or vintage styling that offers a tactile photographic experience.

• 40.2 Megapixels APS-C Sensor
• 23mm (35mm Full Frame Equivalent FOV), F2.0 Autofocus Fixed Lens
• Leaf Shutter – 1/4000 max ss
• Electronic Shutter – 1/180000 max ss
• Video – 6.2K30P, 4K60P, 10-bit 4:2:2 capture, and more are included
• IBIS – Up to 6 Stops
• Max 11FPS Continuous Shooting
• Built in Flash
• Continuous Focus with Eye Af, Animal & Subject Tracking
• Built in 4 Stop ND Filter
• Hybrid Viewfinder
• 14 Bit Raw / 10 Bit HEIF
• Weight – 521grams including battery
• Dimensions – 128mm (w) x 74.8mm (h) x 33.2mm (minimum d)

This won’t be a super technical review going over all the specs, there are far more capable reviewers than me, I just want to highlight why I’ve fallen for this little “toy” camera.

Fuji x100vi – size matters!

They say, the best camera is the one you have with you. Most people take far more photos with their phone, than any other camera, just because its in their pocket.

This is why I love the X100vi, it’s small enough to take it with you 90% of the time. It fits in my coat pocket, you can have it over your shoulder all day and not really feel it.

It’s true many mirrorless cameras are quite compact, and my Sony with the little 35mm f1.8 could hardly be considered big. But it’s big enough for me to take a little camera bag, and that usually leads to me taking the 55mm f1.8 just in case! On holiday, you go out for a meal, and I just end up leaving it in the room. I went to Tenerife for 2 weeks recently, and I don’t think I took one photograph with it… I didn’t want to have to carry it around. Maybe I’m just lazy, but I’m sure I’m not the only one.

I’ve heard people say they can buy a small lens for their camera and that would solve the size problem, but its still going to be big enough that you don’t put it in your pocket… For me size is the difference between having your camera 80-90% of the time and 20-30% of the time.

Another point to consider is how a “professional looking” camera makes you and other people feel… I’d not originally considered this but since owning the X100vi it really has become more apparent.

People generally respond differently when they see a professional looking camera. Maybe they go more formal, they take more notice or take it more seriously, maybe even decline a photo. Kids especially can get scared with a big camera in their face. It’s often different with a phone. The X100vi sits nicely in the middle. People feel much more relaxed, photos can feel more natural. It surprised me, but you will notice it.

There are times when a smaller camera gives you access that you just wouldn’t get with a larger camera. I went to see a Champions League football game recently. The only reason they let me take the camera in, was because it had a fixed lens… My Sony with a tiny pancake lens, however close in size you might think it would be just would’t have been allowed. It’s the same many places you can visit.

It’s interesting that it even makes me feel more relaxed about taking photos. There are times, you don’t want to be the guy rocking up with a professional camera in hand to an everyday event. And so you don’t take it. Taking photos of your child at the park, or of your friend’s kids playing with your kids, sometimes I just feel too serious taking out a pro camera. With a phone, we often just take these photos, with a pro camera it becomes so much more formal.

I went to see my Grandmother in her care home with my daughter recently. I just know I wouldn’t have taken my “pro camera” but the few photos I took are so special, I will really treasure them forever. Size definitely matters…

Fuji x100vi Film Simulations – Real Time Inspiration

One of the main reasons I had slowly taken less and less personal photos was because I knew ultimately they’d end up in the graveyard of unedited images. Maybe my kids will edit these one day!? I edit enough photos for work, that I just don’t often feel very inspired to sit down and edit my files. Even with Ai Editing, I just don’t do it…

When I first heard about the film simulations I had imagined they were just similar to picture profiles in our non Fuji cameras and dismissed them. The more I saw however, I could see they could produce usable Jpeg files, straight from the camera. Files you are happy to print, share without worrying that they need editing. Some of the film simulations look so good, that I even want to create my own Lightroom preset to recreate the look on my raw photos.

As well as the inbuilt simulations there are an extensive range of “recipes” other Fuji users have shared emulating all kinds of film stocks and looks. You can add 7 custom simulations into the camera and there is a trick to backup the camera to the phone, so you can load more from your phone if you want to add many more.

I haven’t shot many film images (although I have recently started experimenting) so can’t compare how true to real film these looks are, but the photos look really great straight out of camera.

The tones in the colours are wonderful, the black and whites are rich. All of the photos you see here are straight out of camera. On the odd photo I added some contrast (which can easily be done on your photos app from your phone if you wanted to).

As well as having nice images straight out of camera, it’s so inspiring to see how your photos will actually look in real time as you are shooting. This is one of reasons mirrorless is so popular. When you see the end result you shoot differently. What you shoots changes. Things you may have overlooked look more interesting. This is even more true when you are also seeing beautiful tones in real time. It enhances your appreciation of light, leads me to be more playful and tunes my eye to be more mindful .It really adds to the motivation to pick this camera up and just take photos, which leads me to the fun factor.

Fuji x100vi – the fun factor

The x100vi is fun. It looks fun, it feels fun and it really makes me just want to pick it up and take photos. It’s been a long time since I’ve been inspired to just go shoot some photos for shooting sake. Not photos of family, not photos of a clients event, just shooting for the sake of it. The photos you see here, are a result of feeling that inspiration to just get up, go to Manchester and take some street photos. I’ve never shot street before! But I loved it. It felt great to just go and create and I really understand the claims other photographers have made about the X100 series being their favourite camera and rekindling their love of photography.

When you use a camera for your professional work, picking it up to take personal photos often just doesn’t feel like fun. Especially when the cameras are so capable as they are now. Over time the capability of most modern cameras has replaced the feel. It can often feel like a computer game taking photos.

Having a camera with limitations, can help you improve your photographic eye. You shoot with what you have and don’t rely on your camera/ lens as much to make nice photos. As a wedding photographer, you often fall back on shooting wide open at f1.2 for a lovely dreamy professional looking image. Part of the appeal of the X100vi was that it wasn’t a bokeh machine. Using this camera can really help you to focus on composition, and that’s something that will benefit any photographer.

The retro appeal of the the X100vi doesn’t just stop with the looks. The camera is designed to give a fun shooting experience. It has physical shutter, iso & aperture dials that give a very tactile experience if you would like it, or a more familiar experience lead by programmable buttons and dials if you prefer it. The choice is up to you – you can have the best of both worlds. A very capable camera with surprisingly good continuous autofocus tracking or strip the camera back to point and shoot levels of simplicity.

The x100vi also has a very cool optical viewfinder (no screens) that can also be used with an overlay in the bottom right hand corner showing you the actual exposure in “live view”, or your histogram/ critical focus. The optical viewfinder has focus point overlayed and also your framing, but allows you to see wider than your actual photo to anticipate items entering and leaving the frame. This is something that no other manufacturer I know offers, and it really is excellent.

I’ve even heard some like to use the camera like a digital film camera – switching off the screens altogether and using the brilliant (OVF) to enjoy that more authentic feel.

It’s features like this and a few more mentioned below that just make the camera seriously fun to use.

My favourite X100vi features as a wedding photographer

There are several unique features on the X100vi that are really well implemented.

The x100vi’s built in ND Filter

The X100vi has a built in 4 stop ND filter that enables you to reduce exposure at the flick of a button by 4 stops. This is a feature I never thought I needed, but wow is it great.

You can use an ND, If for example you are shooting on a really bright day, you can still shoot wide open and get the correct exposure without maxing out the shutter.

If you want to take a slow shutter photo, say a motion blur photo (as is currently trendy) generally you will have to stop down to do this using a narrower aperture, but with the ND you can keep the aperture wider and get this look.

If you want to take a slow shutter photo in day light, you can get exposures of a second or so without overexposing your image. Great for photos of moving water, moving crowds or anything you feel inspired to try. Sure – you could just carry an ND filter with you- but for quick photos like this, you are very unlikely to. It’s so convenient having this built in. You can even save it to a custom button or film custom setting in your camera.

I don’t take much video but this is also a great tool for video as it allows you to shoot wide open whilst still maintaining lower/smoother shutter speeds.

Six Stop IBIS – the main reason to upgrade from a previous x100

In body image stabilisation or IBIS is a welcome addition to the X100 line and perhaps the biggest reason to upgrade from the X100V. The X100vi has five-axis IBIS system providing up to 6.0 stops of benefit. This is really useful for taking slower shutter photos in low light and it’s amazing they squeezed this into such a small body.

x100vi’s Built in Flash – useful but a little limited

Very few pro cameras have built in flashes these days. For pro work you are very unlikely to use a built in flash, as recycle times are poor and its applications are limited. But for personal photos it can make such a difference.

Going for a meal with family? On a night out with friends, there’s no chance you want to take an external flash with your already too big for a pocket camera… The x100vi’s built in flash is great for nostalgic looking direct flash photos and its a really nice addition.

The built in flash can only work in single shot mode (not burst mode) and is quite slow to recycle but it’s a great addition. External flashes can be used in continuous or burst shooting mode.

Leaf Shutter on the x100vi – flash at any sync speed!

The X100vi has a unique leaf shutter, which is super quiet. In a normal use case you could say its silent. You will struggle to hear it even in a super quiet room. Another benefit of this shutter is that you can use flash at any sync speed. You are not limited to 1/200 or 1/250 as many cameras are. High speed sync is possible for cameras with lower sync speed but it eats power and affects recycle times etc. With the x100vi you can use any shutter speed which really opens up the creative possibilities. Using wider apertures with flash in daylight is easily achieved.

Autofocus – Impressive tracking AF on the x100vi

It really surprised me how good this little cameras autofocus is. Let’s be honest, it isn’t a sports camera, and the Fuji X100vi can’t compete with my Sony A7RV, but it is still excellent and offers great subject tracking features. With my Sony cameras, I tend to use them in tracking mode with the focus point centrally. I acquire the subject then recompose the shot as the camera keeps focus. You can definitely use the X100vi in the same way and it track supremely well.

I was impressed that just like the Sony is tracks people from behind too recognising that its someones head. This is a feature I’ve only seen in the Sony A7rV and newer.

One thing I would say is that although the camera is very sticky in tracking and good at recognising what it needs to focus on, the hit rate is lower than my Sony cameras. Maybe the lens can’t keep up always, I’m not sure. Either way the autofocus is VERY good, fully usable chasing around a toddler and only falls short of the best cameras out there.

x100vi custom buttons – usefull for recalling a film simulation recipe

Most cameras have custom buttons but with the X100vi I love that I can assign a button to recall the Custom setting C1 (I wish you could choose which it recalled, but currently it can only recall C1). I have this custom setting with a Black and white film simulation/ recipe, so when I press the button I instantly switch to black and white (with my current aperture/iso/shutter settings) and when I press the button again it returns to the colour version I was using before.

x100vi Video Functions

Now that the X100vi has IBIS you can really use it to capture usable handheld video footage. I am primarily a photographer so cannot give an in-depth review of vide features however I’ve been very impressed with the video so far. I love that you can apply your film simulations direct to the video files and so in line with this view, I am far far more likely to use the video than worry as is, than have the footage sit there waiting to be graded,

To switch to video there is no dedicated dial, you hit drive and move up the menu (as video is the last option, this is the most efficient way to switch into video mode). You can also programme a button to instantly start recording video however in this mode you cannot choose the focus point, which is a real shame in my opinion. Maybe this will be addressed in a firmware update.

In video mode, you can switch on “movie optimised control” which I have found most useful. This means that the camera ignores how your dials are set for photo mode and you can programme the custom modes (which are independent of the photo custom modes) to your liking INCLUDING focus mode, shutter speed, video bit rates / fps etc aperture, white balance ND filter on or off etc.

This is really useful as you can be set for 7 different scenarios which you can also name.

From my first impressions, focus in video mode is good with nice subject tracking although this isn’t an area I have tested extensively.

TCL-X100 II & WCL-X100 II conversion lenses for the Fuji x100vi

Whilst the X100vi is all about simplicity, I love that you can also add these 2 conversion lenses if you feel constrained by the 35mm view. These converter lenses are very well built and surprisingly light. They have a metal body and screw on to the front of the fixed lens to change the focal length.

The TCL lens converts the lens to 50mm (35mm Equivalent)  and the WCL converts the lens to 28mm (35mm Equivalent). I know you are probably thinking “I bet the quality is awful”, but its amazing how great they work. I haven’t been able to notice any degradation of the image using these converters.

The 28mm is the smaller of the converters and whilst they mean the camera is not really pocketable any more the camera remains well balanced and still feels very light with them on. You can also unscrew the lens and put them in your pocket as you move around if you so wish.

The Fuji Camera App!

I believe Fuji recently updated their camera app and it really shows. The camera connects really well to the app, allows you to download images straight to your phone and backup your settings too which is a very nice feature. Make sure you enable 5ghz connection in your cameras settings to speed up the transfers of images and movies.

Other great features

I won’t go into great details about the other features, but continuous shooting at 11fps is very welcomed as is the digital teleconverter. This is the ability to digitally zoom your photos from 35mm (ff equivalent) to 50mm and 70mm, however you will obviously lose quality as you zoom.

Negatives about the X100vi

So I’ve spoken about how great the camera is. What are the little frustrations I’ve had whilst using the camera? In no particular order –

x100vi Battery Life

The camera uses the little NP-W126S batteries. They don’t last very long at all compared to my Sony camera. I have bought quite a few as backup. I’d say it’s always going to be wise to have at least one backup battery. They probably last 50% of the time of my Sony batteries. This is understandable, its a small battery and helps keep the camera small and lightweight.

Tobiah’s tip: To increase battery life, make sure you switch IBIS to be only active when shooting and turn off PRE AF setting.

Menus

I’ve heard people complain about Sony menus but Fuji, in my opinion is definitely worse. They are extensive and items aren’t always where you’d expect them to be. There is a “My menu” area however you can’t add certain items you’d like to the My Menu. I am really not sure why you can’t add anything you want to the My Menu setting?

You will also notice as you flick through the menu, the camera switches something off and on inside (perhaps the EVF/OVF) – you get used to it but its super frustrating!

Flash implementation

I wish there were just a button to turn the flash off and on, or to engage a basic point and shoot flash mode. You can programme flash functions to the menu or custom buttons but it still could be much easier. When using an external flash, the camera automatically registers it and you don’t need to turn it on in the menu which is very useful)

That leads me to the general ease of use of the camera.

Fuji x100vi Ease of Use

This camera is a photographers camera. I think many new to photography would struggle if they were handed the camera. Despite its auto modes, it often surprises you as you learn how to operate it.

Many Fuji shooters may be used to this but the camera has no mode dials, it is not a PASM camera.

This is part of the appeal to many, however it is generally a slower shooting experience.

This is no doubt by design, but maybe they could have bridged the gap better.

With my Sony I love to be able to quickly switch multiple settings depending on a use case. Going from outside to inside, Using Flash without Auto Iso. A button for a quick “safe” shot at Auto iso f5.6 , 1/250 for example so no matter how my camera is set, I will get something. This is not that camera, I have to remind myself that is one of the reasons I am enjoying it. But it still frustrates a little.

I love the ability to turn off all the dials in video mode so that completely custom settings can be saved. I wish this was an option in Custom modes for Photo too.

For example : I’d love to have a Custom setting for flash, so when I switch to C5 -the camera changes to a pre set ISO/SS/Aperture, despite what my dials are on. (Video mode does this)

As it is, to change quickly to using flash could require you to switch the iso dial, change the shutter speed dial, change your aperture, then go into the menu, switch your flash on etc etc. It can be a 20 second process at best, whereas on my Sony, its a 2 second process of switching to a custom dial that’s programmed for my flash settings and switching the flash on. Even using the camera for personal work, unless you’ve anticipated when you might use flash – the moment has probably gone by then and takes away from the Point and shoot nature of the camera.

I understand it’s not that camera, but it could be easily implemented with a few software changes I am sure.

x100vi Feel – can be fiddly to use

Whilst the camera does offer a unique showing experience, it is extremely fiddly to use. I am sure my muscle memory will improve in this regard. The silent shutter is lovely, but you do sometimes find yourself unsure whether you actually took a photo! You can switch on a shutter sound for this if you prefer though.

x100vi Sharpness – not for pixel peepers!

This camera isn’t a camera for pixel peepers – there are other tools for perfect sharpness and the highest quality image.

There is much discussion about the sharpness of the X100vi. Can the X100vi lens used on the X100v also resolve the higher megapixel sensor? I haven’t done in depth comparisons but I have seen comparisons online and I don’t think when looking at RAW files in Lightroom you see the jump in detail that reflects the jump in megapixels.

I didn’t buy this camera for out and out sharpness however I did expect more from the RAW files when I imported them into Lightroom. The files are perfectly usable and I’d be happy to print them however compared to my previous Sony A7R3 or even lower megapixel cameras like the A7iii / A9 files I often edit the files don’t look as sharp.

I have spoken to others about this and some have said its the way Lightroom works with Fuji Files. Someone mentioned it was a De-Bayering issue. Others have suggested using Capture One, but I am not going to do that.

The Jpegs look much sharper as is expected but I thought it worth mentioning although its 40mp on the spec sheet don’t expect a massive jump in sharpness. Whether that is the lens, the APS-C sensor or Lightroom I am unsure.

It is quite unfair that I have become very accustomed to the Sony A7r iii, A7r iv and now A7r V detail with GM lenses and so perhaps my expectations are a little high.

x100vi Bokeh – remember it’s APS-C

It’s a small point, but if you love Bokeh, you aren’t going to get loads out of this camera. You can get it, but to give an idea shooting at 23mm f2.0 on an APS-C camera is similar to shooting at 35mm f3.0 I believe, so you have to be close to get bokeh.  The TCL will give you more bokeh due to shooting at 50mm if you really crave extra bokeh.

Would I use the x100vi professionally as a wedding photographer?

I’ve spoken a lot about why I absolutely love this camera for taking personal photos and documenting life, but would I use it professionally and specifically at weddings?

Absolutely! But definitely not as my only camera.

I currently shoot with 2 Sony A7rV bodies, usually with a 35mm / 50mm prime with other options in the bag including 85mm, 24mm, and Wide, standard and tele zooms.

I love that this camera is lightweight enough to carry as third body. People relax and enjoy having their photo taken with it, that can only be a benefit on a wedding day.

I can also leave it setup for certain kind of shots. If I want to take the currently trendy direct flash shots, I can use this camera for just that. I even have the little EF-X20 flash if I want to shoot continuous mode with flash.

I can even try things like have the shutter set to 1/100 for some motion blur with the ND filter and f2.0 and just use for the photos like that.

I can use it on packed dance floors with direct flash for the point and shoot vibe.

I wanted to add a looser element to some of my wedding photos, a more snapshot feel to capture the feeling of the day. Photographs that mix into and compliment the gallery for those candid moments throughout the day. I plan to use the X100vi for those moments. Maybe even with the 28mm WCL to have a baby Leica Q3 with me.

Would I recommend the X100vi?

I would wholeheartedly recommend the new Fuji X100vi to wedding photographers as an extra dimension to your camera bag on top of your workhorses. It’s early days, and I might lapse back into not documenting my life, but for now – I’ve not enjoyed a camera this much ever- it really has been love at first sight.

There are so many non-quantifiable points the spec sheets and reviews don’t tell you that can make the X100vi so fun to use. That make you want to just pick up this little “toy” and take photos.

I’m sure there are many people out there, perfectly happy using their larger cameras to document life, and maybe getting slightly sharper photos.

But this was the camera I needed, the camera I should have been looking for. The camera to help me to enjoy photography all over again.

In just a short time since this camera was released, I already have treasured photos, some of my all time favourites. Memories I just wouldn’t have ever captured had I not followed the hype – for me that’s a win.

Its very easy to see why this camera has gathered so much hype and in my opinion it really delivers. It’s NOT the very best camera, but it just may be the best camera for you.

Find Tobiah Tayo’s wedding photography at https://www.tobiahtayo.com