LIMITED-EDITION X100VI IN APRIL Fujifilm is celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2024. As part of this, a limited-edition version of the X100VI will be made available. Just 1934 units will be produced worldwide, with each one featuring the original ‘Fuji’ logo on top-plate and lens cap. The individually numbered cameras will also come with soft shutter release, special strap, presentation box and history cards. The UK’s allocation will be sold exclusively through the Fujifilm House of Photography in Covent Garden, London for £1934. Sales will start when the store reopens in early April. Form an orderly queue!
Final word
Verdict Let’s not beat around the bush here – the X100VI is a wonderful camera. Admittedly, I was testing it in one of the world’s most photogenic locations, but it made me want to go out and take pictures – constantly rewarding me with high-quality results. During the trip, I took some images I’m very proud of, mainly because the camera put me in the mindset to indulge my creativity. That hasn’t happened for some time. It’s not the perfect camera, but many of the earlier X100s’ foibles have been overcome to make this a richly rewarding piece of kit. Safe to say, if someone gave me an X100VI and said it would be the only camera I could use for the rest of my days, I wouldn’t be disappointed. 24 /25 FEATURES
All the additions to the spec over the X100V are welcome, with the higher resolution and IBIS being standouts. Throughout testing, I never felt there was anything lacking and some features – like the internal ND filter – are hidden gems A visual feast, this is also a great camera to use. I do wish it was fully weather resistant, without additional accessories needed. The rear lever can result in the wrong menu or function being selected, but there’s little else to complain about Fantastic results from the 40.2-megapixel sensor, plus ISO performance is impressive for working in lower lighting conditions. The new Reala Ace is something special too, replacing Provia as my go-to Film Simulation mode Yes, there are cheaper interchangeable-lens cameras with APS-C sensors, but they won’t encourage and reward in the same way an X100VI does. Image making is fun every time you pick up this camera One of the best cameras I’ve used in a long time. Its detractors will likely cite the restriction of its fixed lens, but this is the X100VI’s trump card. It forces you to think about the images you take, rewarding with high-quality results you’ll want to print big. To me, that is priceless
22 /25 HANDLING
24 /25 PERFORMANCE
24 /25 VALUE FOR MONEY
94 /100 OVERALL
FORM MEETS FUNCTION Equipped with a sleek tilting LCD that seamlessly aligns with the camera body, the rear panel offers intuitive control placement for easy one-handed operation – albeit with a few touch sensitivity quirks
exposure by four stops. Paired with IBIS, this opens up creative options for handheld, giving you even more flexibility if you have a support handy. The ND filter also works on video, where it’s particularly useful to keep apertures wide in brighter conditions. I did detect a slight colour shift with the filter in use, but nothing that can’t be edited out afterwards.
an improved hold. The rear LCD is touchscreen, though I’ve never been able to get on with this functionality on any camera – save a double-tap to enlarge images. For this reason, I used the rear lever on the X100VI to change the majority of settings. It is sometimes possible to mis-press this control and go into the wrong menu; a minor gripe.
The camera is also not fully weather sealed unless you buy the optional AR-X100 adapter ring and PRF-49 protector filter. That said, I did use the camera without these accessories in light rain with no adverse effects – although that’s not suggesting you should do the same! A hidden gem on the camera is the built-in neutral density filter, cutting
PROS Photographer-focused design that is a joy to use, quality of results for both stills and video, in-body image stabilisation increases creative options, internal ND filter, Reala Ace Film Simulation, all-round low-light performance CONS Still not weather resistant without optional accessories, rear lever can be inaccurate for mode selection, would prefer longer battery life
Issue 114 | Photography News 43
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