I was planning on buying this system upon release, but due to the global pandemic, I couldn’t justify such a purchase at the time. Even now I’m still waiting to get back to some kind of financial normality before updating my X100T.
I brought my X100t in 2015 to accompany me when I shot the series Mochimono. I was shooting film at the time and wanted a small point and shoot to document my time and also act as some sort of digital light meter/polaroid. I didn’t use it as much as I thought at the time, I was too content with shooting on my iPhone, which I now regret.
At the time I didn’t really like the camera too much, I think this was more down to the field of view, 35mm. I never shoot 35mm, always 6x7/6x6 film, so the format was something I grew to dislike the more I shot larger formats.
It wasn’t until I started spending a lot of time in Japan that I forced myself to love this camera, maybe 2 years after it’s purchase. I remember taking pictures at night with flash, nothing more than a bit of fun with the external flash, and I loved it. The quality I got from it and the engaging conversation about photography and, well how it all worked.
Since then I’ve weened myself away from shooting on my iPhone, and it’s the best decision I made. I would love shooting on my phone, only to get the images on a larger screen to see they aren’t worth using. Now I rarely take a picture on my phone, unless it’s junk stuff for Instagram stories, something that has zero worth.
So it’s come time to upgrade my X100T, I skipped on the F as I didn’t feel there was a massive difference for me to part with another £1000, especially as I got to a point where my T would basically be flung around with little care, now having been repaired twice… I think. Once Fujifilm announced the X100V, I knew, ok this is the upgrade I’ve been looking for.
This isn’t so much of a review, as this is a much loved system that continues to gain users and praise alike.
I just want to present my own thoughts on this camera, comparing to the T [and F respectively as I have less handling time].
Design & Handling
I’ve always enjoyed the Black finish on all Fujifilm cameras, but the updated more Leica M style of this camera looks incredible, especially in silver. I hired silver purely on the fact that it looks so beautiful. Will I be purchasing the camera in Silver? Doubtful, I don’t want to be seen with this camera, I want to take pictures without people realising, though I don’t think the style of camera/silver finish stands out too much.
A slightly bigger grip is welcome for my massive hands. Though I do feel I wish it had more grip, but that was ultimately ruin the design, so I can live without.
Changes to the body, as with recent Fuji cameras the D-Pad appears to be removed XPro 3, GFX 50R, GFX 100 to some criticism, yet it would reappear on the XT4, yet removed on the X100V. Huh?
At first I felt like this wasn’t the best move, due to basically removing 4 customisation buttons, something that Fujifilm was famous for. When setting up the camera for the weekend, I set up what I thought the most used features were on my T were,
Flash
Film Simulation
Shutter Type
That’s it… With the addition of the wonderfully intuitive ISO dial, which is a 1 to1 replica of a traditional film camera, I found that the FN button I had assigned [on my T] for quick ISO changing is no longer needed.
With the lack of of a D-Pad, you lose 4 buttons instantly, but there’s still 10 customisable buttons, if you need anymore than that, well I think something’s wrong. As I mentioned before, the lack of D-Pad was a concern, but having used the camera for the weekend, the thumb-stick is much more intuitive than a D-Pad.
Touch screen would go onto replace the 4 missing function buttons, but as with the XT3 & GFX 50R, I would turn them off. Other than for playback of images, and selecting a focus point, I see very little use for the touch screen.
The X100V has a fold out waist level screen that is flush to the body, a first I believe in any camera. It’s so streamline you wouldn’t know it was even a function. Clearly it’s been designed for those who want to shoot from the hip and still wish to view that they’re shooting.
Specs & Image Quality
In terms of summing up the cameras specs, It’s like a slightly less feature packed XT3/XPro3, which are very capable cameras.
It shares the same sensor, screen and EVF as the XT3, which is a camera I still use today and recently shot a portrait on it and was blown away by the quality for the size of the camera/sensor. Best way I can describe the quality is that it’s similar to a Canon 5DMKIV, which is still the industry standard for photography at the time of writing this.
As I mentioned before, when shooting on an iPhone, the quality would be rubbish [compared to a traditional camera] when blown up on a screen. As you can see the quality between the X100V & MKIV is marginal despite the smaller APSC sensor, with the Fujifilm GFX 100 destroying everything.
Full specs can be found on the Fujifilm Page or DP Review.
Video & Vloging
The video in this camera is very capable, 10 Bit 4k at 29.97p 4.2.2 200MPS [externally], which is pretty standard on all professional cameras at the moment. So coming from the T with its woeful video functions to be able to shoot high quality 4K video in what is my everyday camera, well it’s very welcome.
I’ve always wanted to have a better camera to shoot a bit of small video, without bring along my XT3, so for things like holidays, this should be ideal.
As every reviewer/consumer seems to be obsessed with being able to record ones self, I thought that I would discuss this.
This isn’t a Vloging camera, due to the 35mm lens, which isn’t he widest, & lack of stabilisation. This camera has no reason to have IBIS, it’s not a video camera, and would just incur a larger form factor and price. For reviewers to even try and start a conversation about this is beyond me, it’s a point and shoot, everyday street camera.
But can you film yourself on it? Well I did without too much trouble, other than being shaky, then again if you were adamant on it, get a gimbal. I thought the Autofocus & face tracking was pretty good, I did a small test & face tracking didn’t lose me, even in a badly lit room. And no I won’t be posting that video.
The video very features are good, a nice to have, but I wouldn’t use it as my main camera for video.
Conclusion
When I brought the GFX50R I felt that I would take it everywhere with me, but I don’t, it’s just too big and I don’t need that quality, even though I thought I’d somehow need it. The X100 series, especially the V, hits the sweet spot for me in terms of quality & portability.
I would say that that T, and subsequently the V, is my favourite camera to use, the dials, the size and discreetness of it. If you’re looking for a camera that is stylish, portable and produces high quality images, the 100V will not disappoint.
Things I like/Pros
Same sensor as Flagship X series Cameras
4K Video
New Lens [finally]
11 FPS is ridiculous!
Retro ISO Dial
Waist level folding screen
Leaf shutter & high sync
Gorgeous design
USB C charging
wether sealed*
4 stop ND built in
Things I don’t like/Cons
My hands are massive so this camera can feel a bit awkward to hold sometimes.
OVF - It’s a nice to have but rarely use, removing it and the hidden EVF would reduce costs in an ever dying camera market.
Buying a £100 [ish] filter to make the camera weather sealed.
Not being able to us the built in ND filter when shooting video.
It’s very hard to find much, if anything wrong with this camera. I was trying hard to find something that I dislike about this camera, and even my cons are splitting hairs at most.
If you have an T or F i’d recommend the upgrade. I’d say this is easily the most enjoyable fixed lens compact camera out there.
Thanks again to Fujifilm & Hire A Camera for the loan of the camera.