Fujifilm Launches X100VI

2024.02.20

Almost four years to the day after the launch of the Fujifilm X100V, one of the most widely acclaimed fixed-lens digital cameras, the company is releasing the 6th-generation Fujifilm X100VI. This new model brings the most significant upgrades of the entire series to date.

Externally, this camera is virtually indistinguishable from its predecessor. It keeps the highly tactile interface that made the series so famous. The retro-style body encourages experimentation by allowing photographers to set all exposure parameters without entering the menu system. The unique Hybrid Viewfinder of the X-series is also here, unchanged, and contributes to its range-finder look.

The heart of the new Fujifilm X100V is a state-of-the-art 40 megapixels X-Trans BSI-CMOS 5 HR sensor with a 1.5X crop-factor. This sensor which made its debut in the X-H2 reviewed here is the highest resolution APS-C sensor of any brand to date. It brands outstanding exposure latitude with a base ISO 125 sensitivity and standard range up to 12800, expandable to ISO 64-51200. Using its hybrid shutter, this camera can capture exposures as fast as 1/180,000s, the faster of any camera, and as long as 15 minutes, plus Bulb exposures up to an hour long.

Even with its high resolution, this sensor is quick. Full-resolution images can be captured continuously at 13 FPS or 11 FPS using the mechanical shutter, while a 1.3X crop-mode supports 20 FPS bursts. Pre-buffering is also available to capture fleeting instants. In a first for the series, the sensor is mounted on a compact 5-axis image-stabilization which delivers 6-stops of efficiency. This, pared with the fixed 23mm F/2 lens of the X100VI makes it very well equipped to handle low-light photography.

The upgraded sensor allows for higher-resolution video, now up to 6240x3150 at 30 FPS. This is substantially more than Cinema 4K and 4K Ultra-HD which the camera can capture at 60 FPS. Additional Cinema HD and 1080p HD can be recorded at up to 240 FPS. It can save videos as MPEG-4 or Quicktime with a maximum bit-rate of 200 MB/s. The X100VI is packed with features, including an Interval Timer, Motion Panorama, Builtin HDR and plenty of bracketing models.

The Hybrid Viewfinder inherited from the X100V is worth explaining for those unfamiliar with the series. This is a single viewfinder window that can quickly switch between an EVF and a Reverse Galilean optical viewfinder. In optical mode, it shows 95% coverage at 0.52X magnification with some parallax. In electronic mode, it switches into a 3.6 Megapixels 0.5" OLED EVF that shows 100% coverage at 0.66X magnification. A builtin Eye-Start Sensor can toggle the EVF on and off to save power or switch with the large 3" LCD at the back. The rear LCD has 1.6 megapixels and is mounted on a two-way tilting mechanism.

Given it keeps the well-regarded rangefinder-style design while including proven technologies, this camera is certain to be highly saught-after. The Fujifilm X100VI is expected to ship at the end of March for $1600 USD or $2700 CAD. It is possible to pre-order ones already from Adorama or B&H Photo.

• Digital Camera