Since the Fujifilm X100V is difficult to find and sometimes outrageously expensive, something that I inadvertently had a hand in, people have been asking for recommendations on alternatives. Of course, the X100F or any of the older X100-series versions would be a top substitute, but even those are going for a lot of money, more than they should be for how old they are. The Fujifilm X-E4 with a Fujinon 27mm f/2.8 could be a very nice consolation prize, but due to parts shortages, those can be difficult to find, too, but thankfully there doesn’t seem to be much price gouging on it (knock on wood). The Fujifilm X70 would be a solid alternative, but they are pretty pricy, often going for the same or more than the original MSRP, despite being almost seven-years-old. If you are really set on owning a Fujifilm X100V (as a proud X100V owner I can understand why), if you just exercise some patience and constantly stay on the lookout, you are sure to find one for a reasonable price. If you are not patient, a used X100F isn’t too difficult to get, or even consider an X-E3, which can still be found brand-new if you look hard enough.
I’ve had a few people ask me for a recommendation on an X100V-like alternative for under $500, and one even asked for under $400. At first I scoffed at the idea. Even the original 12-year-old X100 currently goes for more than that, as well as every iteration of that camera since. Fujifilm doesn’t make entry-level cameras anymore, but even when they did, they were more than $500. Then I looked at my camera case, and I noticed two things: a Fujifilm X-M1 and a TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8. Hmmm. Maybe it’s possible after all.
Fujifilm introduced the X-M1—the third and last X-Trans I model—nine years ago. It’s an unusual camera, because it has an X-Trans I sensor but the X-Trans II processor, and in the same body as the Bayer-sensor X-A1. I think Fujifilm had some spare X-Trans I sensors sitting around after moving onto X-Trans II, and this camera was their way to unload them. There was never a predecessor, so when the X-M1 was discontinued so was the line. I paid $210 for mine two years ago. More commonly they’re found for around $250, and I’ve seen them for under $200 a couple times.
I think the X-E1 is a better body than the X-M1, and you can find those sometimes for $250 or less, but more often they’re $300-$350. If you see a good deal on one, I’d choose that over the X-M1. The X-A1 is basically the same thing as the X-M1, but with a Bayer sensor instead of X-Trans, and those are often a little cheaper. It’s definitely easier to find one under $250, and it’s not uncommon to see one under $200; however, between the X-A1 and X-M1, I’d choose the X-M1, but the difference isn’t huge. The X-A2 often is found for $250, and is another option. Occasionally you might find a good deal on an X-A3 or X-E2 (or X-E2s), so it’s worth looking just to see if you can get lucky, because that would be even better. If your budget is $500, you certainly have more options, but if the ceiling is only $400, you are much more limited, and the X-M1 is probably your best bet.
Of course, there’s still the lens. Sometimes you can buy the body bundled with a kit lens for nearly the same price as body-only (my X-M1 was bundled with 16-50mm zoom, for example), but the cheap kit zoom isn’t going to give you an X100-like experience. You’ll need a prime, but it has to be compact and cheap. The options are pretty limited, and are even more limited if you expect an autofocus option—the TTArtisans 27mm f/2.8 pancake-ish autofocus lens is the only one I can think of that is both cheap and small. If you don’t mind manual-focus-only, there are a few other lenses that could work, but I think this TTArtisan option is your best bet, and it’s only $160.
So, yeah, add $210 and $160 and you’re under $400. Will the X-M1 with the TTArtisan 27mm really give an X100-like experience? No, not at all. But, for under $400, it’s surely as close as you’ll get. If your budget is $500, spring for an X-E1 instead of the X-M1 and you’ll be a little closer, but still not there. The X-M1 is not as good as any in the X100-series models (or X-E-series or the X70), but that doesn’t mean that it’s not a decent camera capable of capturing good photos, because it is!
So if you are looking for a low-budget alternative to the Fujifilm X100V, X-E4, or X70, I suggest to you the X-M1 with the TTArtisan 27mm lens attached to it. The X-M1 is smaller than the X100V and X-E4, and just a little bigger than the X70. Obviously the TTArtisan lens, despite being pancake-ish, is bigger than the lens attached to the X100V and is especially larger than the one on the X70. It’s also a little bigger than the Fujinon 27mm lens (a popular companion to the X-E4). The Fujifilm X-M1 with the TTArtisan lens is small enough to be in the same compact category as those cameras, but is much, much cheaper. If you can spend more, there are better options; however, if you don’t have much to spend or are looking for an inexpensive first-camera, this is my recommendation for under $400.
It would be easy for me to suggest this to you, and not use it myself. That would not be very genuine of me, so I did use the Fujifilm X-M1 with the TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8. I also let me 13-year-old son, Jonathan, use it a little, too. This combo is very capable of producing lovely pictures straight-out-of-camera that have character and some analog-like qualities. It’s also easy to use for those who want good results without much fuss.
The 15 pictures below are all unedited (aside from some cropping and straightening), captured with the Fujifilm X-M1 and TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8.
Now, let me tell you about the Film Simulation Recipes, because otherwise I’ll get a whole bunch of inquiries—you all want to know, right?! The top picture (of the X-M1 by itself) was captured with a Fujifilm X-E4 and Fujinon 27mm using the Fujicolor Pro 400H recipe. The next four pictures (the X-M1 with other cameras) were captured with a Fujifilm X-T5 and Fujinon 90mm using an upcoming recipe that I’ll publish soon. The 15 pictures above were captured with a Fujifilm X-M1 and TTArtisan 27mm using an upcoming recipe that I’ll publish soon. So, for now, only the very top picture is a recipe that you can currently use—you’ll have to stay tuned for the others.
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TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8 Amazon
Bought the X-E1 2 weeks ago @ €210. I am experimenting now with it on its latest firmware and with the 27mm. I am not sure yet but it looks to me that auto-iso doesn’t work ok. If I work my exposure entirely manual then the pictures are just great and very similar to the quality of my X-E2.
That’s interesting. I’ve had two X-E1’s, and auto-ISO worked fine on them. I really don’t have any ideas for what would cause it to act strange.
It’s not auto-iso but any auto-exposure mode with the X-E1 and the 27mm in close focus in clear daylight. Owners of the 27mm version one know that this lens can start hunting easily. This happens with the close focusing on the X-E1 (also with macro ‘on’) and then the auto exposure fails. As I noted it is under these precise circumstances, it is not a big issue for me.
Oh, ok.
Nice write-up! Two things I’ll throw out there… you didn’t mention the articulating screen! The X-Es didn’t get one until the 4… the 100s until the V. This camera is most like the X70 then, although you’re right that there’s no tiny lens equivalent. Still, might be appealing to some who want that X-Trans I magic, especially the black and white, which can be gorgeous.
I will throw in a good word for the 16-50 kit lens… not small, but very light and I think vastly underrated! The 24mm equivalent is wonderful, a look I find more dynamic and interesting than 28mm equivalent. It has a short minimum focus distance and is very fast to focus. Set at f5.6 you’ve got from 24-75mm, with a very quick manual zoom…perfect for walking around in good light. I love to take mine on my my X-E3 when hiking with my three kids. I rarely see it get much love on any blogs but firmly believe it is the best value lens in the XC/XF ecosystem. I got mine for $100.
So, the X-M1 isn’t a pocket rocket, but it is very light and very capable, ideal for a slower, more deliberate photographic process, even in conjunction with a lightweight tripod.
Cheers!
With a pancake, the X-M1 is pocketable if the pocket is large enough (like a jacket pocket). Definitely small enough to make it a good option for travel.
The 16-50mm kit zoom is, in fact, a decent lens. It doesn’t help with being pocketable, but if that’s not a concern, it’s not a bad option whatsoever.
https://fujixweekly.com/2018/04/23/lens-review-fujinon-xc-16-50mm-f-3-5-5-6-ois-ii/
Thanks for the input!
Thanks for linking to your review of the 16-50! Shoulda known you’d been there done that haha. Keep up the brilliant work!
An Xm1 was my first Fuji, a very capable camera. My current favourite is the Xe3. I need the viewfinder.
The lack of viewfinder is a bummer, and that’s why I like the X-E series better. But, for the price, it’s still a decent little camera. Thanks for the input!
This is a good option. Time ago I was thinking if a Canon Eos M, the first generation, with a 22mm f2 lens could be a good Fujifilm X100 equivalent, after watching photos on Flickr (there are no places to rent cameras where I live) I concluded that the experience is differently enough to not be comparable. These combination instead have the buttons, menu and color science of Fujifilm, as your photos show : ). The only thing I would personally add maybe it would be one of those simple optical viewfinders. Thank you for the idea, Ritchie.
I think a viewfinder would improve the experience. If one could find a good deal on an X-E1 instead, that would be better, but if you’re on a tight budget, this is still a pretty decent option.
Two weeks ago I got a used x-a7 with xc15-45 for 500$. I am happy with it. Nice little and capable camera.
That sounds like a great bargain!
Do you think fuji will release new generation of x100 next year? If yes at what time of year?
I have zero inside information. I can only speculate. Historically, the X100 series is either released in September or (more commonly) January/February. It’s not going to be this Jan/Feb, so I’d look at September or (more likely) Jan/Feb 2024. With that said, the X100V is currently extremely popular, and Fujifilm cannot keep up with demands due to parts shortage and tooling for X-Trans V, so they might be working hard to bring the next version to the market ASAP.
The xc35mm f2 can be found used for about $120-$150. It’s unrivaled at that price. It’s light but not a pancake. These days most Fuji bodies are inflated.
The XC 35mm f/2 is optically identical to the XF 35mm f/2, which is an excellent lens. The XC is obviously more affordable, but lacks the aperture ring and weather-sealing. It is indeed a smaller lens, but I didn’t include it because, while it is small, it’s still a little bigger than TTArtisan, which I already felt was borderline too big for this purpose. However, if you aren’t trying to get as close as possible to an X100/X70/XE-with-pancake experience while on a tight budget, but are on a tight budget nonetheless, the XC 35mm f/2 is a great option—optically unrivaled at that price (as you so well put it). Thanks for the comment!
Just the kind of article I was looking for. We are thinking of going on holidays to a city where there are lots of museums and pickpockets.
I won’t take my DLSR.
This could fit the bill.
I think you meant to write “successor” rather than “predecessor”.
Yeah, as many times as I proofread, I somehow missed that. Thank you!
I have seen the XM1 as low as $100, although it was 2 years ago that I last considered one. I used to have an XA1 which is similar. Certainly one that we should have included in our list at https://www.uscenes.com/fujifilm-x100v-alternatives/ – instead we mentioned the more obvious but expensive X Pro 3 and XE4. The XM1 is a goos alternative though, I think the flip screen is ideal and more sturdy than the slim one on the X100V.
I think if your budget is really small, the X-M1, X-A1, or even X-E1 are going to be the top choices, but if you can afford it (and find it), the X-E4 with the 27mm pancake is a solid alternative… my most-used camera and lens of 2022.
Hi! I’ve loved this article! Upon further research I found that the XA3 has the old bayer sensor, compared to the other E/M/100 bodies. Would you still recommend the XA3 if it has the different sensor? Would it still give the same affect as the x100v? Thank you 🙂
Well, none of these cameras will be the “same” as an X100V. There are some very significant differences. But if your budget is small, these will get you as close as you can. I hope that makes sense.
Between the X-M1 and X-A3, it’s a pretty close call, but I would be tempted to go with the X-A3; however, between the X-M1 or X-A3 and X-E1 or X-E2, I’d go with the X-E camera.
I wrote about these cameras recently in a FXW Zine:
https://fujixweekly.com/2023/08/01/creative-collective-052-fxw-zine-issue-21-august-2023/
My solution was x-a5 with ttartisan AF 27mm. It is 24 mpix and works like a charm.
Awesome! The X-A5 is definitely decent enough. Thanks for sharing!