Fujifilm X100V Review

The Fujifilm X100V is a premium fixed-lens camera with a large APS-C CMOS sensor and a specially designed Fujinon 23mm F/2 prime lens, equivalent to 35mm on a full-frame camera. This moderately compact camera is built around a state-of-the-art 4th Generation X-Trans CMOS sensor with 26 megapixels of resolution and 2.1 million Phase-Detection elements. Fujifilm X-Trans technology uses a unique arrangement of color-filters to avoid moire even in the absence of an anti-alias filter to maximize captured detail.

For the X100V, Fujifilm redesigned the 23mm F/2 prime lens to perfectly match the resolution provided by its 26 MP sensor. Inside the lens, a builtin leaf-shutter lets it sync with a flash at high-speed. Even more flexibility is provided by a built-in 4-stop ND filter An electronic-shutter allows ultra-short exposures down to 1/32000s. Using this electronic-shutter, the X100V can capture images with a 1.25X-crop at 30 FPS, while the mechanical shutter maintains a respectable 11 FPS.

An incredibly sophisticated Hybrid-Viewfinder provides both a modern digital camera and rangefinder experience by switching between EVF and OVF modes. This viewfinder offers plenty of overlay and Focus-Assist modes, including a Picture-In-Picture view that shows the EVF image within the OVF area. A builtin Eye-Start Sensor automatically enables the chosen viewfinder mode.

The design of the Fujifilm X100V follows analog rangefinders with direct dials to control exposure and an extremely sturdy rectangular metal construction. Automatic, semi-automatic and manual operations are all possible with this digital camera.

This digital camera review analyzes the Fujifilm X100V in terms of features, ergonomics, usability, image-quality and performance.

Fujifilm X100V Features

The Fujifilm X100V is an interesting and capable digital camera. With its full manual-controls, including bulb exposure, manual-focus and custom white-balance, the Fujifilm X100V lets photographers be highly creative except for one crucial limitation: a fixed 23mm prime lens. This means that every photo from this digital camera shows exactly the same perspective.

The 23mm focal-length is equivalent to a 35mm lens on a full-frame camera, which is most often described as a slightly-wide normal lens. For years, an equivalent was bundled with film SLRs. This focal-length provides a versatile field-of-view that lets photographers shoot in moderately tight spaces without the look of a truly wide-angle lens. While everyone is free to point the Fujifilm X100V at any subject, the perspective offered by its Fujinon lens is better suited for environmental portraits, social events, reportage and general snapshots. This forces the photographer to interact which can lead to better images by increasing awareness.

Beware that the 35mm-equivalent focal-length is certainly not ideal for wildlife, sports and architecture. Success of landscape photography is greatly dependent on location, more intimate vistas may work well but breathtaking ones absolutely require more effort to compensate for a fixed angle-of-view. Multiple images though can easily be stitched into a wide-angle panorama to increase the field-of-view. Actually, this camera can produce a low-resolution 180° panorama directly in-camera using its Motion Panorama mode.

There are plenty of features packed into the X100V, significantly more than on the X100T that precedes it. A built 4-stop ND filters allows photographers to capture scenes with a shallow depth-of-field even under bright light. An increased dynamic-range and extensive HDR capabilities make this camera superior for high-contrast scenes. The new automatic Focus-Stacking feature makes it possible to capture frames that can be blended together to increase depth-of-field.

Although not ideal for general action photography since the photographer must be rather close to his subjects when using the Fujifilm X100V, this camera is well-equipped to capture fleeting moments. With 11 FPS continuous shooting and both OVF and EVF modes that shows more than 100% coverage, plus an ultra-fast 425-Point Phase-Detect AF system, this fixed-lens camera improves chances of capturing a precise moment.

Ergonomics of the X100V give it a retro feel. The body of this digital camera is rather boxy with a slight bump on the front to serve as a grip but it provides almost no purchase. What adds security though is that the design of the X00V requires both hands to operate. An anachronistic shutter-release threaded for a mechanical remote cable is found flat on the top-plate. It is not the most comfortable yet is quite suitable.

The top-plate is split into two levels. The lower, on the right side of the camera, has the shutter-release surrounded by a rotating power-switch. This switch is sufficiently stiff to avoid turning the camera on accidentally. A tiny button to the right of the shutter-release is an easily accessible function button that can be set to one of 57 functions! This is quite possibly the largest choice for a single button on any camera. Four other buttons can be customized, as the clickable action of the rear control-dial, described further below.

At the corner of the top-plate, the X100 has an Exposure-Compensation dial. This dial is marked ±3 in 1/3 EV steps with firm detents between positions. A special C position delegates EC to a control-dial which expands the range to ±5, always in 1/3-stops. The last dial on the top-plate is actually two dials nested to control both shutter-speed and sensitivity. The outer dial sets shutter-speed from 1/4000s to 1s in Full-Stops only. One can use a control-dial to shift ±2/3 EV or the special T position to set any shutter-speed from 1/32000s in Electronic-Shutter mode or 1/4000s in Mechanical-Shutter mode all the way until 15 minutes. The inner dial controls ISO. This one covers the entire Standard ISO sensitivity range in 1/3 stops. An extra C position allows a control-dial to select sensitivity from ISO 80 to 51200. An additional A position enables Auto ISO. The outer dial must be lifted to move the inner dial which shows its status in a small winder between A and B on the shutter-speed dial.

A dedicated aperture-ring around the lens barrel is visible from the top of the camera. This ring is narrow and really close to the body, so Fujifilm gave it tables to facilitate rotating it. Although the aperture-ring is marked in full-stops from F/2 to F/16, it has soft detents between every 1/3 steps. Ahead of the aperture-ring is a Control-Ring that rotates freely without hard stops or detents. It primarily serves to set the focus distance in MF and DMF modes but can also change White-Balance, Film-Simulation and Digital-Zoom. Unfortunately none of these extra options are well-suitable for a control without detents.

The Fujifilm X100V clearly has more direct controls than the vast majority of fixed-lens cameras. It is also highly modal, meaning that most dials have marked positions. This makes the camera-state readable by simply looking, even when it is off. With the new C position on both the EC and ISO dial, plus T on the Shutter-Speed dial, the X100V is remarkably efficient and notably improved from earlier generations.

Absent from the Fujifilm X100V is an exposure mode-dial. With this camera, like the analog ones that inspired it, a photographer does not announce in advance which exposure parameters can be set. Instead, parameters are simply set to the desired value. If a parameter should be automatically controlled, then it is simply set to the A position. With these dials, this gives access to all standard Exposure-Modes:

There is a tremendous amount of flexibility with this setup. Those who use Expanded ISO setting or find the nested ISO dial awkward, can simply assign the rear control-dial to ISO. This leaves the front control-dial mostly unused but could be set to EC to access the greater ±5 EV range than the EC dial offers.

Focus modes are set using a slider on the left side of the camera. It is small with very little movement, so it is possible to miss the middle setting and would be difficult to change while wearing gloves. The bottom position if AF-S, while the top is MF. The middle is for AF-C which is used for Face and Eye-Tracking features. One can click the rear control-dial to magnify the center of the frame to assist in focusing. The right side of the camera has a thin plastic door to cover a 2.5mm micro-jack, USB-C and Micro HDMI connectors.

The back of the Fujifilm X100V is more spacious than early models due to streamlined controls. The upper-left corner of this camera has the unique hybrid viewfinder. Being aligned on the edge of the camera makes looking into the viewfinder very comfortable, as you can bring your eye very close without pressing your nose against it. An Eye-Start Sensor to the right of the viewfinder automatically switches between the rear LCD and the last hybrid viewfinder mode.

The unique hybrid viewfinder is a technological marvel! It combines a modern 3.7 Megapixels 0.5" EVF having medium 0.66X magnification and 100% coverage with a Reverse Galilean Optical Viewfinder behind one lens. Just like an optical-tunnel, the OVF shows neither focus, nor exposure, nor framing accurately. . The view through the OVF shows considerably more than 100% while a frame within marks an area with 95% coverage but not the central portion due to the difference in alignment between the OVF and lens. Optical mode uses EVF components to show an amazing HUD unlike any OVF. It is even possible to overlay a portion of the EVF to show the focus-area near the lower-right corner.

Right below the hybrid viewfinder, a 3" Touchscreen LCD with 1.6 megapixels is mounted on a thin tilting hinge to frame at odd angles. This new display is extremely sharp but lacks an anti-reflective coating. It becomes difficult to see in bright light. The hybrid viewfinder is easier to see but part of the OVF view is clipped by the lens that can be seen in the lower-right corner. Only a small portion overlaps the 95% guide though. When no parameter is set to A, the preview is now Exposure-Priority when the Preview Exp In Manual Mode option is selected in the Setup menu. Otherwise, it still unfortunately shows the metered exposure, offset by EC, instead. Therefore, automatic and semi-automatic exposures are not always previewed correctly.

There are several button on the back of the X100V. The only unfortunately-placed one is the Delete/Drive button that is found near the viewfinder. It is impossible to reach without shifting the position of one hand. A combined AE-L/AF-L button further right is customizable. The thumb lands between AE-L/AF-L and the rear control-dial. All remaining buttons are to the right of the LCD and accessible with the thumb, although lower ones are a stretch. The new Q button is minuscule and difficult to activate without looking at the camera since it is completely flush with the surrounding surface.

An 8-way joystick serves to move the focus-point or focus-area and also doubles as directional controller to navigate menus, similarly to most recent Fujifilm digital cameras. It is very responsive and quite efficient. Below it are pretty standard Menu/OK, Play and Disp/Back buttons. The joystick is clickable to center the focus area or select menu items which can also be done using the Menu button. When a menu is open, the Disp button serves to return to the previous level, which is often possible by moving the joystick to the left.

The bottom of the X100V has a metal tripod mount which is neither inline with the lens nor the center of the camera. This is also where the combined battery and memory compartment is located. The battery is almost symmetric which lets it be inserted the wrong way.

Usability of the Fujifilm X100V is excellent and vastly improved compared to the original X100. Every generation brought improvements to correct inefficiencies and the X100V is finally one of the most usable fixed-lens digital camera on the market. All things considered, the position of the Delete button, flush Q button and fractional Shutter-Speed control are fairly minor issues. One still has to be careful with the preview is not always Exposure-Priority.

Fujifilm launched the 4th Generation X-Trans CMOS sensor inside the excellent X-T3 reviewed here
Fujifilm X-T3. This 26 megapixels APS-C imaging-sensor arrived with a minor increase in resolution but delivered a leap in read-out speed. Even 2½ years later, it remains one of the most well-rounded performers on the market. This sensor is used in 7 digital cameras, including the X100V.

Although the sensor remains the same, Fujifilm delivered several improved processors to extract higher image-quality. The X100V incorporates a quad-core X-Processor 4 with the newest Fujifilm image-processing. The result i s output is nearly identical to the highly-acclaimed flagship X-T4 review here
Fujifilm X-T4, only not quite as fast.

Image Noise & Details

This sensor captures an exceptional amount of detail with virtually no noise up to 800. Just like other cameras built around the same sensor, the X100V produces top-notch image-quality for an APS-C sensor. Prints come out perfectly sharp at 24" x 16" and even a little larger.

A unique X-Trans Pseudo-Random Color-Filter Array allows Fujifilm cameras to omit an Anti-Alias Filter for capturing the finest detail transmitted by a lens. However, some noise-reduction is always applied to smooth the output from this dense sensor. At its default level, Noise-Reduction causes minor softening of the smallest details but this can be dialed down. Best results are obtained with Noise-Reduction set to -2.

The native sensitivity of this sensor is an unusual ISO 160 with ISO 80-100 available as Expanded Low ISO settings. These levels deliver extremely low image-noise with only a slight loss in dynamic-range. The most natural standard low sensitivity of ISO 200 produces noise-free images with expansive dynamic-range exceeding 13½ EVs. Fujifilm cameras have the unique property of widening dynamic-range at ISO 400 and 800 where 14 stops are possible with 200% or 400% Dynamic-Range selected, respectively.

ISO 1600 is surprisingly similar to 800 with almost the same amount of detail and a hint of luminance-noise starting. With NR dialed-down a little, this sensitivity keeps critical sharpness. Colors and dynamic-range are very well maintained at this sensitivity which is completely usable for large prints. ISO 3200 pulls image-quality down slightly with a minor increase in luminance-noise and softening of fine detail. There is still enough resolution at this ISO for moderately large 18" x 12" prints to come out very sharp.

There is a moderate increase in luminance-noise at ISO 6400 for which the X100V compensates with increased noise-reduction. Fine detail becomes visibly softer when seen at 100% while noise is very fine which allows for really good looking medium-size prints. Again, the camera keeps color and contrast impressively consistent with almost a stop of dynamic-range lost.

From ISO 12800 onward, each additional sensitivity stop gets noticeably more luminance-noise and destruction of fine details. Both ISO 12800 and 25600 remain remarkably sharp for an APS-C sensor. It is quite incredible that the first expanded ISO of 25600 stays so usable and can produce smooth mid-size prints.

The maximum ISO 51200 expanded sensitivity is visibly noisy but somewhat less than other cropped-sensor cameras. Most impressive is that noise is still limited to the luminance channel and both colors and contrast are really good for such a high ISO. There is obviously a substantial drop in dynamic-range but this sensitivity easily remains usable for small prints and online use.

Fujifilm redesigned the Fujinon 23mm F/2 lens on the X100V with great results. This lens is incredibly sharp and can record very fine details. Rendition of detail is controllable in 9 steps of Sharpness. The lowest setting produces very soft results while the maximum is slightly oversharpened. Both +2 and +3 levels are ultra-sharp and surprisingly do not show signs of oversharpening. On some straight edges, there is a tiny amount at +3 but for most subjects, the X100V delivers the crispest results at this level.

Color & White Balance

Fujifilm color rendition is well-regarded and the X100V certainly lives up to this expectation. Its color accuracy is excellent with realistic hues. Different Film Simulation modes mostly affecting saturation with the optional Chrome FX and Chrome Blue FX producing targeted exaggeration in color intensity for artistic effect. The standard Provia film exaggerates saturation which can be improved by setting Color to -1.

Auto White-Balance is generally quite good. In moderately low-light, every AWB mode starts leaving a yellow cast that is more pronounced in the presence artificial light sources. A Preset can approximately correct this situation, while WB Fine-Tuning along 2-axis in 19 steps makes it possible to neutralize most color-cast. Falling back to Custom White-Balance provides perfectly accurate colors in difficult situations.

Exposure & Dynamic-Range

The Multi-Segment metering system of the Fujifilm X100V is quite reliable and highly consistent. It slightly less conservative than previous models but definitely leans towards protecting highlights from blowing up. For scenes that fall within the wide dynamic-range of this mirrorless, the result are images that are darker than ideal. Under high-contrast scenes though, exposures are close to optimal. Small bright highlights get clipped in favor of shadow detail. The final exposure is rarely off by more than 2/3 EV which can be corrected using simple Exposure-Compensation.

Remember that in OVF mode, it is not possible to see exposure. The preview shown in the EVF is fairly but not always entirely accurate. Brighter subjects tend to be shown more accurately than low-light ones. Even with Exposure-Priority preview enabled, the X100V only applies it to Manual exposure, so metering issues are not always visible until an image is reviewed.

Although we have not reviewed every fixed-lens digital camera yet, the Fujifilm X100V captures the widest dynamic-range of all those reviewed here. It maintains an impressive exposure-latitude throughout its entire ISO sensitivity range. A maximum 14 EV of dynamic-range is achieved at ISO 800 and almost that much at ISO 400 and 1600. Fujifilm offers modes to expand dynamic-range up to 400% with single-shot capture and supports HDR to exceed 800% more dynamic-range by Exposure-Fusion with 3 images taken 3 stops apart.

The Fujifilm X100V offers a Dynamic-Range Priority mode. This can be turned off or set to weak or strong levels. In this mode, Dynamic Range, Shadow Tone and Highlight Tone settings are locked out and the camera takes into account feedback from the sensor to optimize all those settings. Generally though, tuning Shadow Tone to -1 and leaving Highlight Tone to its default delivers optimal results..

Clarity control was added recently to Fujifilm image parameters. The control varies in 9-steps to adjust mid-tone contrast which provides the illusion of increased subject detail. Unfortunately, the processing required to change image clarity is very high which makes the camera unbearably slow at any Clarity setting other than the default of zero. Images look more crisp when Clarity is set to +2 or +3 but expect a delay after each shot and lower battery-life.

The new Fujinon 23mm F/2 lens surpasses the level of detail captured by the original even on a sensor of much higher resolution. The performance of this builtin lens is so impeccable that it captures perfect edge-to-edge sharpens from wide-open and until F/11, right before a hint of diffraction starts. It is not until F/16 that resolution is appreciatively lowered which is an incredible achievement.

Secondary optical issues are rare with this 23mm F/2 lens. There is no noticeable vignetting. A tiny level of pincushion distortion can be measured but is not visible in images. Chromatic aberrations are extremely well-controlled too. The lack of a lens hood makes the lens a little susceptible to flare when a bright light source appears within the frame. Such flare is well-managed and only appears as a bright spot rather than affecting images globally.

Auto Focus

The 4th-Generation X-Trans CMOS sensor inside the X100V has an ultra-fast readout speed and an incredible 2.1 million Phase-Detection elements! These elements are distributed over the entire sensor area and deliver phase information to power an ultra-fast Hybrid AF system. Phase and contrast data are combined to produce a virtual 425-Point or a 117-Area autofocus system, depending on how the many elements are grouped together.

Autofocus can be performed using the entire sensor area with face and eye tracking capabilities that are very effective at keep human faces in focus. One can also select 3 zone sizes that group multiple areas to restrict AF into a general rectangular area or 6 point sizes that can be position nearly anywhere in the frame. When enabled, Face and Eye-Detection are performed within the selected AF region. Full-Tracking AF occurs when the camera is to use the entire sensor area for autofocus and the Focus Drive is set to Continuous.

Autofocus performance from the Fujifilm X100V is fairly good, only a little more variable than expected. The camera can focus extremely quickly at wide apertures down to low-light. Although it should be calculating focus with the iris wide-open, this digital camera takes longer to focus when the aperture is closed-down by at least a few stops. The surprise is that we know this sensor can perform autofocus much quicker! So, it is probably the cost of a much more compact lens that cannot accommodate a fast AF motor.

The X100V is generally quite responsive. It responds instantly to any dial turn and button press. The Eye-Start Sensor is quite sensitive and switches instantly between the rear LCD and Hybrid-Viewfinder. There is a tiny delay when switching between EVF and OVF modes. Most camera functions happen very quickly, even more complex ones such as HDR and Bracketing. There is normal yet short delay while performing Exposure-Fusion in HDR mode. Certain heavier processing features, Clarity in particular though, cause short delay immediately after releasing the shutter.

The performance of the Fujifilm X100V is characterized by the following numbers:

• Power On: 1s. Average.
• Power On to First-Shot: 1½s. Good.
• Autofocus: ¼s to ¾s. Highly variable, from very fast to average, at narrow apertures.
• Shutter-Lag: Instant with extremely short blackout. Excellent.
• Shot-to-shot: Just under 1s. Average.
• Playback: Just over 1s to enter or exit. Average.
• Power-Off: 1¼s. Average.

With its new sensor and processor, the Fujifilm X100V improves performance almost across the board. Most operations are reasonably quick with faster startup speed and superior shutter-response with virtually no blackout. Autofocus is fast too, just not entirely consistent.

Continuous drive is where the X100V shows the most significant leap with twice the speed of its predecessor using the mechanical-shutter and an even faster drive with the electronic one. At full-resolution, it can capture images at 20 FPS. Its buffer is on the shallow side which limits bursts to 1.5s of JPEGs or less than one second of RAW files. The duration can be stretched out but this camera cannot capture more than 18 RAW files per burst. In JPEG mode, 38 images can be recorded at maximum speed, 76 at 8 FPS and an unlimited number of 4 FPS.

It is nearly impossible to reach the quoted 350 shots-per-charge battery-life as the new 26 MP X-Trans CMOS 4 in the X100V consumes a lot of power. One most minimize using the display, turn on aggressive power-savings and disable Bluetooth to reach half the official number. Multiple spare batteries are required for a full day of shooting. Since the camera can charge via USB-C, a charger is not supplied with it and therefore must be purchased separately to take advantage of extra batteries. Otherwise, the camera must be tied up and powered down while charging which makes managing multiple batteries tedious.

The Fujifilm X-series of Fixed-Lens Digital Cameras has been highly-acclaimed since it launched and the X100V continues the trend of launching better camera with each new model. This time, it really seems that the Fujifilm X100V is on the edge of perfection for modern technology. It remains a specialty camera with a fixed 23mm F/2 lens that is certainly limiting, yet it excels within that boundary.

Image quality from the Fujifilm X100V is unsurprisingly top-notch. Its 26 megapixels X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor is already known for its combination of excellent image-quality and performance. The unique X-Trans Color-Filter-Array makes it possible to capture extremely fine detail without exhibiting moire artifacts. Image noise is really low until ISO 1600 where it very gradually starts appearing. The rest of the Standard sensitivity range, ISO 3200-12800, remains very usable, while Expanded ISO still work for small prints.

Dynamic-Range of this sensor is incredibly wide and expandable 800% per frame. Higher contrast-scenes can be captured using HDR that Fujifilm renders very smoothly. Exposure is quite conservative with relatively little over-exposure, although a tendency to capture dark images of low-contrast scenes. EC can correct for exposure issues but it is important to know that the preview is not always completely accurate. Image processing is very good and flexible. Natural colors are easily possible, although the AWB system leaves a yellow cast in low-light.

Fujifilm used their optics expertise to produce a highly tuned lens that delivers critical sharpness through the frame even wide open. This lens has great contrast, no vignetting and barely any distortion. Flaring is possible yet well-managed. The one thing to fault with the lens - and the only concern for the camera - is that it has a slow focus motor. This prevents it from focusing as quickly as X-series mirrorless cameras with fast glass. Autofocus is reliable and sensitive in low-light. The camera itself is quite responsive and blackout is barely noticeable now.

Ergonomically, the X-series evolved around the rangefinder concept into an efficient digital camera. With a dedicated aperture-ring and dual control-dials, the X100V rarely slows down the photographer. The awkward top-dial that combines Shutter-Speed and ISO, part of its retro look, can be almost entirely bypassed by customizing the camera for a streamlined experience. Besides this, the Drive/Delete button is poorly positioned, while the Q button is smaller than it should be. The Hybrid Viewfinder is a technological marvel that combines a nice EVF with the most sophisticated OVF on the market.

The point of the Fujifilm X100V is to extract the maximum performance from a fixed 35mm-equivalent lens with a bright aperture. Those ready to work with a fixed 46° field-of-view have no better choice than the X100V.