Fujirumors shared a couple of new Fujifilm X100VI rumors, and a lot of people have reached out to me asking for my reaction or commentary regarding them. I think it can be a lot of fun to speculate on what might be, but it’s important to remember that all will become clear in just a few weeks, when Fujifilm has their X Summit on the 19th/20th (date dependent on your time zone). I also want to give the disclaimer that I don’t have any inside information, and everything should be taken with a grain of salt, and not too seriously.
I made a couple of recent posts that discussed some of the X100VI rumors, including The Upcoming Fujifilm X100VI Raises Questions and Fujifilm X100VI Limited Edition Ideas. I’m not going to rehash what I already wrote, so be sure to read those articles if you haven’t already.
The first of the new rumors shared by Fujirumors is that the X100VI will have the new Reala Ace film simulation. Hallelujah! I thought that maybe it might, but it’s good to know that it will. Honestly, Fujifilm should have introduced Reala Ace on this camera, as it’ll have a much bigger marketing impact on X-series than GFX. Also, it’s important to remember that it won’t be 100% identical on X-Trans as it is on GFX, because the sensors are different… the most noticeable divergence will likely be shadow rendering. It will be pretty darn close, though, and I definitely look forward to trying it myself. Also, I’d be (pleasantly) surprised if Fujifilm gives Reala Ace to the X-T5 and X-H2. They should, but they probably won’t.
The second of the new rumors shared by Fujirumors is that the X100VI will only be 1mm thicker than the X100V. I don’t really know what this means, because (as far as I understand) the thickness is measured from the end of the lens to the back of the viewfinder cover. Within that space there is a lot of room for redesign. I highly doubt that Fujifilm did anything drastic (I’m pretty sure it will look nearly identical to the X100V), but the camera will have IBIS, which also likely means that it has the larger NP-W235 battery. Obviously all of that takes up space, and something’s got to give. Heat dispersion is an issue that must be dealt with. Will the new camera have a different rear screen (maybe similar to the X-T5)? If so, that might require slightly more space. It might be simply that the IBIS unit requires the sensor to be 1mm forward, so the lens needs to be moved 1mm outward to accommodate (this would be my bet). It could also be that the grip is a tad bigger; if it is, some will appreciate that and others might not. I don’t have a lot to say about this other than I’m sure the Fujifilm engineers pulled off a small miracle in the design, but also there is probably a bit more to the story than merely 1mm. There are still a lot of questions, but—like I said—all will be clear in just under three weeks when Fujifilm unveils it.
I’m really looking forward to the Fujifilm X100VI. I have an X100V that I’m not selling, but I’m very tempted by the successor, so I’ve only got a few weeks to figure out how to afford it, if I decide to preorder. The X100VI might just be the most ideal travel camera ever made… that is, of course, my opinion and mere speculation based on personal experience with the X100V and what the X100VI might be. Time will tell, though, and not too long from now, either.
I share your view that the lens probably shifted a fraction forward, because the sensor needed a little more space to accommodate the ibis.
However, you also seem to suggest a bigger grip might be the reason. There’s plenty of space for the grip to be improved (depending on if you find the Bauhaus aesthetics or functionality more important) within the confines of the current dimensions. So unless Fuji stuck a big grip on it (which I doubt) the grip could have been improved with a GRIII style swooping grip – even if less pronounced, or x70 style nub, to accommodate the 235 batteries without any impact on size.
I think the weight with and without batteries would be nice information to have!
I guess I wasn’t clear. I don’t think the grip would be so large that it accounts for a 1mm increase in size. Just that the grip could be significantly larger, and it wouldn’t necessarily make the camera technically “1mm thicker”—it would be thicker from a practical point of view while still falling within the technical measurement. And that’s what I meant by “I don’t really know what it means”…
I am wondering why there is emphasis on IBIS with a X100 camera as it has a leaf shutter in lens that solves a lot of shake issues? Perhaps IBIS could prove to be an advantage over a leaf shutter, but how much? And at what cost, monetarily and in physical modification of the camera. I personally don’t have the experience with a X100 camera, but I’ve also not experienced heavy losses due to shake perhaps because of old school handeling techniques. Thought of the day.
I don’t get it, either. It makes sense if the intention is for video use, but the overheating issue makes it less practical for that purpose. Otherwise, I think for most people, the practical purpose of IBIS is significantly overstated.
My guess is that the 40mp sensor is more sensitive to camera shake than older 16-to-26mp sensors. Smaller pixels mean smaller movements will show up.
I’ve heard that theory, but I turn IBIS off on my X-T5 somewhat regularly to conserve battery when doing travel photography, and I’ve never noticed any adverse affects or loss in sharpness.
I’m really looking forward to the market launch of this camera so… X100f goes down in price and I will buy X100f again ahaha the best X100 especially its lens. People can have fun with the IBIS and the total weight of the new X100VI but it won’t shake my regret at selling the X100f.
The X100F is a great camera. I hope the used prices go down, they’ve been overinflated for a little while now.
A couple more film sims would be lovely. Reala Ace and Nostalgic Negative would suit me just nicely. I have the X100V and not sure I can really afford an upgrade, however if it introduces more film sims and IBIS then I’d be extremely tempted.
I just use the camera for documenting family life so I’m not bothered by overheating when recording long video clips but video is very important for me. I mainly just take short clips of my family on vacations and I love the look of video from the X100V, I just wish I could take out those micro jitters.
Another thing I’d love to see that no one talks about is more than 7 custom recipe slots. Why 7? A nice round 10 would be great to have.
The X100VI will have Eterna Bleach Bypass, Nostalgic Neg., and Reala Ace.
I’m not sure why the limitation is 7 (should be 10 or more), but you’ll be able to get a bonus eighth Recipe by programming one into the IQ menu, so that’s a plus.
Thanks for the input!
I’m still loving my X100T 🙂
Awesome!
I would never change x-t30 for this. T30 looks better and I feel it when I hold it. Also it fits in my jacket pocket with xf18-55. To change beautifull 1855 for fixed 23…no way. In reality I don’t need 40MP plus I am not sure about so many pixels on small sensor. Fixed 23 is very annoying…you don’t have a zoom (crop nah) and you don’t have wide enough…so lot of things are out. Sometimes even 18 isn’t wide enough. It happens that I must go to middle of street to get whole pic. I think 16 is a more descent wide
It really depends what your preferences and priorities are. I’d never swap any of my primes for the 18-55. Not just because of the IQ, but because this is the range where primes excel at unleashing creativity. Restriction is good.
23mm obviously isn’t a wide. It’s for environmental portraits, documentary, travel where your goal isn’t just replicating postcard images. I use my 23 less now that I have the 18. But I would want to be stuck with just an 18mm – that gets paired with the 33 or 56. 23 is ideal when that’s the only focal length you have on you.
I’d happily sell my 23 and pick up an x100vi… or given they price, maybe buy back a x100v at a lower price after I sold at the peak. And there’s a converter that gives you 18mm also with no tangible loss of IQ.
The x-t30 is indeed nice in the hand, but I’d be slapping a 16 2.8, 27 2.8 or 30 2.8 on that. And still wishing the 27 was a 23.
But I already have an x-t5, which is also quite compact and works well with the smaller and bigger lenses. The x-100v or predecessors and successors offers a completely different shooting experience and subjects react completely differently.
Primes are better…when you know what you will shoot. Two days ago i was walking 6h with t30 in hand, city, roads outside city, fields…for that 1855 is best (not always mostly i need more tele) because i dont want to carry extra weight. That stands for xt5 too, although i like it very much. I am lot “on the road”, doing everything except people, so 1855 cover it satisfactory.
Photos here, BW only, lot of stuff:
https://www.deviantart.com/stevanbg/gallery
The X100 series isn’t for everyone. While the X100V is my personal favorite camera of all time, I can certainly understand when someone prefers an interchangeable-lens model instead. It’s better to have what works best for you… different strokes for different folks, as the saying goes.
I dont have favorite camera. I liked every camera i had from Canonflex to X-t30. But fixed lens is so limiting, today more than ever you have solid and cheap lenses. In that case i would rather get Sony rx100, small as a pack of cigars, with fixed zoom 1.8-2.8. that 10 or more years old camera has better autofocus than fuji today, better in low light. i see they put 1 inch into phones, god knows what will be. I will stick to standard camera, like fuji dials, today i take 430 photos very fast and easy 🙂
I used to own a Sony RX100 II. Wasn’t for me, but I did try to like it—I had high hopes for it. I have hundreds and hundreds of RAW files from that camera still sitting undeveloped on a hard drive on an old laptop that’s been packed away for a number of years. And for certain it was not better in low light. ISO 1600 was the upper limit before noise was too much, and I typically go to ISO 6400 on my Fujifilms, sometimes higher. I don’t think the autofocus was better, either—I don’t have any issues with the AF on Fujifilm cameras.
I definitely prefer primes over zooms, but that’s just me. Each person has their preferences, and what works best for one might not for another. Different strokes for different folks. We have a good variety of primes and zooms to choose from, so each can use whatever it is that they like.