Fujifilm releases X100 VI camera

The new Fujifilm X100 VI camera has a similar body and lens to its predecessor but introduces a higher-resolution sensor and the latest X Processor 5 for precision and speed. (Source: Fujifilm.)

The new X100VI is the sixth-generation model in Fujifilm’s X100 Series and retains a similar body structure plus the Fujinon XF 23mm f/2 R WR lens that was introduced in the previous model. However, it gains the 40.2-megapixel BSI XTRANS CMOS 5 HR sensor and X-Processor 5 image processing engine that first appeared in the Fujifilm X-T5 interchangeable-lens camera, which we reviewed in December 2022. It also gains a new In-Body Image Stabilisation (IBIS) function that supports up to six stops of shake correction, the first time this technology has been used in an X100 Series camera. This addition marginally increases the camera’s size and weight but will be welcomed by photographers and videographers who shoot in dim lighting.

Front, top and back views of the X100 VI camera. (Source: Fujifilm.)

Like the previous model, the X100 VI’s upper and lower body plates are machined from single pieces of aluminium, after which the surfaces are finely blasted to ensure a smooth texture before being anodised. As before, the new camera will be offered in the regular silver and black colours. No significant changes have been made to the controls layout and the two-way tilting LCD monitor, which sits flush with the back of the camera, retains the high touch-response performance and intuitive operability of the X100V. The 3,690,000-dot OLED EVF ‘Advanced Hybrid Viewfinder’ is also unchanged and users can switch between it and a 0.52x magnification optical viewfinder (OVF), which has 95% frame coverage and parallax-correcting frame lines. An Electronic Rangefinder (ERF) function can also be selected to display a small EVF at the bottom right corner of the OVF, where the view can be magnified for checking focus.

The 3-inch tilting LCD touch-screen is unchanged from the X100V. (Source: Fujifilm.)

For the first time in the X100 Series, the X100VI is capable of 6.2K/30p movie recording, along with 4K/60p and 4:2:2 10-bit internal movie recording. The new camera retains the Hybrid PDAF focusing system with face detection but benefits from an improved autofocus prediction algorithm that ensures reliable focusing even when recording continuously moving subjects. It is also equipped with a tracking AF function during movie recording. In addition, the X-Processor 5’s AI-based subject detection AF can accurately detect and track animals, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, airplanes, trains, insects and drones, the latter using the ‘Bird’ and ‘Aircraft’ detection settings, respectively.

The X100VI comes with 20 built-in Film Simulation modes, which include the new REALA ACE mode, which offers ‘true-to-life colour reproduction and high-contrast tonality’, making it suitable for many situations. Thanks to built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and a new Frame.io Camera to Cloud interface and Fujifilm X App, the new camera can also be connected wirelessly to an active internet connection, enabling users to automatically upload photos and videos moments after their creation. This feature can dramatically speed up the workflow process from shooting to final editing.

Angled view of the new Fujifilm X100 VI camera, silver version, with the optional LH-X100 lens hood and AR-X100 adaptor ring attached. (Source: Fujifilm.)

Fujifilm also makes a range of useful accessories available for the new camera. Like its predecessor, it only becomes fully weather-resistant when the optional AR-X100 adapter ring and the PRF-49 protection filter are used in conjunction with the X100VI’s lens. It is also compatible with the optional LH-X100 lens hood, which is made from machined metal and designed with a slit that prevents the field of view from being obstructed when the viewfinder is in use. Other optional accessories include the WCL-X100 II dedicated wide conversion lens, which has a multiplier of approximately 0.8x and converts the existing lens to a 35mm equivalent focal length of 28mm. The optional TCL-X100 II tele-conversion lens has a multiplier effect of approximately 1.4x to replicate the field of view of a 50mm lens. Also available is the optional LC-X100V genuine leather case, which has an access slot that enables the memory card and/or battery to be replaced without having to remove the camera.

To celebrate Fujifilm’s 90th anniversary year in 2024, a Limited Edition X100VI will be released in a limited number of 1,934 units worldwide. Each Limited Edition unit will be numbered and packaged in a special box that includes a special strap, soft release button and history cards. The camera body is engraved with the corporate brand logo from Fujifilm’s founding in 1934, along with a unique serial number. Visit https://fujifilm-houseofphotography.com.au/pages/promotions/fujifilm-x100vi-limited-edition and follow the prompts to the registration page to register interest in the Limited Edition X100VI.

Both editions of the Fujifilm X100VI are scheduled to go on sale on 28 February, 2024. The standard edition has an RRP of AU$2899, while the Limited Edition is priced at AU$3499. Click here for more information.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Image sensor: 23.5 x 15.6  mm X-Trans CMOS 5 sensor with 40.2 megapixels effective, primary colour filter
Image processor:  X-Processor 5
Lens: 23mm f/2.0-f/16 integrated lens (35mm equivalent focal length in 35mm format)
Image formats: Stills: JPEG (DCF Ver. 2.0, Exif Ver. 2.32), HEIF (4:2:2 10-BIT)  RAF.RAW (14-bit); Movies: HEVC/H.265 and MP4 (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC) with Long GOP compression
Audio: Linear PCM and AAC
Image Sizes: Stills – L: 7728 x 5152, 7728 x 4344,  5152 x 5152; M: 5472 x 3648, 5472 x 3080, 3648 x 3648; S: 3888 x 2592, 3888 x 2184, 2592 x 2592; Panorama 9600 x 2160, 9600 x 1440, 6400 x 2160, 6400 x 1440; Movies: 6.2K (6240×3150) at 29.97p/ 25p/ 24p/ 23.98p, DCI 4K (4096×2160) and 4K (3840×2160) at 59.94p/ 50p/ 29.97p/ 25p/ 24p/ 23.98p, Full HD (2048×1080 and 1920×1080) at 59.94p/ 50p/ 29.97p/ 25p/24p/ 23.98p plus high-speed recording at 240p/200p/120p/100p
Aspect ratios: 4:3, 3:2, 16:9, 1:1, 65:24. 5:4. 7:6
Image Stabilisation: Image sensor shift mechanism with 5-axis compensation, up to 6 stops of shake compensation; Digital IS and IS Mode Boost in movie mode only
Shutter (speed range): Focal plane shutter (Mechanical 30-1/4000 seconds; Electronic: 30 to 1/180,000 second); up to 15 minute exposures in S and M modes; Bulb up to 60 minutes with mechanical shutter
Exposure Compensation: +/-5EV in 1/3EV steps (+/-2EV for movies)
Exposure bracketing:  2, 3, 5, 7 or 9 frames in 1/3EV steps up to +/-3EV
Other bracketing options: Film Simulation, Dynamic Range, ISO, WB, focus, multiple exposures (max. 9 frames with additive, average, bright  or dark compositing
Self-timer: Stills:2 or 10 seconds delay; movies: 3, 5 or 10 seconds delay
Interval recording: Yes, for time-lapse
Focus system: Intelligent Hybrid AF (TTL contrast AF  [-4.0EV]/ TTL phase detection AF [-7.0EV])
AF  selection: single point (13×9 / 25×17 frame size), Zone (3×3, 5×5, 7×7 from 117 areas), Wide/Tracking AF, Subject detection (Face/Eye/ Animal/Bird/Automobile/Motorcycle & Bike/Airplane/Train)
Focus modes: AFS (Single) / AFC (Continuous) / MF
Exposure metering: TTL 256-zone multi-pattern sensing system with Multi, Centre-weighted, Average and Spot metering patterns
Shooting modes: Program AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual Exposure
HDR modes: Auto, 200%, 400%, 800%, 800%+
Film Simulation modes: PROVIA/Standard, Velvia/Vivid, ASTIA/Soft, Classic Chrome, REALA ACE, PRO Neg.Hi, PRO Neg.Std, Classic Neg., Nostalgic Neg., ETERNA Cinema, ETERNA BLEACH BYPASS, ACROS, ACROS + Ye Filter, ACROS + R Filter, ACROS + G Filter, Black & White, Black & White + Ye Filter, Black & White + R Filter, Black & White + G Filter, Sepia
Filter modes: Toy camera, Miniature, Pop color, High-key, Low-key, Dynamic tone, Soft focus, Partial colour (Red / Orange / Yellow / Green / Blue / Purple)
In-camera processing: Digital tele-converter – 1.4x and 2.0x; Pixel Shift Multi Shot; Grain Effect, Colour Chrome Effect, Colour Chrome Blue, Smooth Skin Effect
Colour space options: sRGB and Adobe RGB
ISO range: Auto ISO 125 to 12800 (1/3EV steps) plus extensions to ISO 64, ISO 80, ISO 100, ISO 25600, ISO 51200
White balance: AWB, AWBc, AWBw, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, Flash, White Set (x 4), Colour temperature setting (x 4)
Flash: Hot shoe (dedicated TTL flash compatible)
Flash modes: TTL lock, commander settings, flash function settings via external flash
Flash exposure adjustment: +/-  EV in 1/3EV steps
Sequence shooting: Max. 20 frames/sec. with electronic shutter and 1.29x crop; up to 11 fps with mechanical shutter (full frame)
Buffer capacity: Max. 117 Large/Fine JPEGs, 52 compressed RAW files, 35 lossless compressed RAW, 17 uncompressed RAW
Pre-shot mode:  Max. 20 frames at 20 fps with 1.29x crop during half-press, 140 frames after full-press; 13 uncropped frames at 13 fps  during half-press, 70 frames after full-press
Storage Media: Single slot for SD, SDHC, SDXC cards (UHS-I / UHS-II UHS Speed Class 3 & V90 standards compatible)
Viewfinder: 0.5 inch OLED colour EVF with approx. 3.69 million dots, approx. 100% FOV coverage, 24 mm eyepoint, -5 to +3 dpt adjustment, 0.80x magnification, built-in eye sensor
LCD monitor: 3.0-inch Tilt-type (3 direction) touch screen colour LCD with 1.84 million dots, 3:2 aspect ratio
Interface terminals: USB Type-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2×1), HDMI Micro connector (Type D), 3.5mm microphone port, 2.5mm remote control connector
Wi-Fi function: Built-in Wi-Fi (IEEE802.11a/b/g/n/ac (standard wireless protocol); Bluetooth v4.2 (Bluetooth Low Energy)
Power supply: NP-W126S rechargeable Li-ion battery; CIPA rated for approx.360 frames/charge with EVF, 450 frames with OVF,  45-50 minutes of 6.2K video
Dimensions (wxhxd): Approx.128.0 x 74.8 x 55.3 mm (excluding protrusions)
Weight: Approx.521 grams with battery and card