I recently got my hands on a Fujifilm X100VI after months of researching, learning about “recipes” which was an entirely new concept to me, seeing photos taken by it, and feeling completely inspired and blown away. But I only realized how crazy the demand was when I finally decided I would buy one and saw that it was nearly impossible. If you’re like me and you’re done waiting and are ready to buy, then you’ve already tried every possible camera vendor online, including Amazon, B&H, Adorama, etc trying to get your hands on an X100VI. And now you’re wondering if it’s even worth all the trouble.
The answer is yes. Let me explain why:
Great Photos Right Away
If you’re super busy with kids or work or both, then this camera might be perfect for you. As I mentioned above, Fujifilm cameras and specifically the X100 series are known for their recipes, which produce pictures that are “share ready” or ready to share, no editing required. They produce beautiful photos right out of the camera, so you don’t necessarily need to edit them at all. FUJI X EEEKLY is an amazing resource for stunning recipes. However, you can still shoot in Raw and edit them if you’d like to. So the flexibility is definitely there.
I LOVE taking pictures of my kids but I wanted beautiful pictures that weren’t taken on an iPhone. I also didn’t want to pay $300 for a professional shoot every month since it adds up. Being able to produce beautiful photos with no editing that I can just quickly upload to my phone and share on social media was such a selling point for me and still my favorite part of owning this camera.
Less Decision Paralysis
Another amazing feature of the X100VI (some might say it’s a flaw) is the fixed lens. If you’re not familiar with photography, cameras used for shooting usually have interchangeable lenses. With the X100 series, the lenses are fixed, meaning you can’t change the lenses out. This obviously has its downsides since the lens decides your aperature and focal length, but the main reason I love this feature is because I don’t need to decide which lens to bring. I just grab my camera and go. Whereas in the past with my Sony, I’d end up leaving it all behind because I wasn’t able to decide which lens to take or if I should take them all then I’d feel like it’s too much. Ahh.
This feature also shines for people who have ADHD and find it difficult to make decisions, remember things, and/or may get flustered with trying to pack and carry around a bunch of gear. (It’s me, I have ADHD).
It’s So Light and Portable
The camera is tiny, and light. This makes it the perfect grab-and-go camera! It fits in most jacket pockets, purses, small backpacks, and diaper bags! Again, this makes it super convenient and easy to take everywhere. Traveling but don’t want to take a bunch of gear with you? Taking the kids to the park and want to take some cute photos, without a bunch of heavy gear? This is where the x100vi shines.
Personally, I take it everywhere with me to take pictures of my kids. It’s made me love photography all over again. I can focus on capturing beautiful moments and not worry about anything else but that. So whether we’re going to the park, the mall, or just grocery shopping, I love that I’m able to capture a little bit of each day without needing to overthink everything.
It’s Gorgeous
Okay this one isn’t really a big deal, but seriously. The camera is beautiful!
The Cons
Of course it’s not perfect. Here are some of the cons:
- Overpriced
- Very niche
- Fixed lens
- Personally, I find the Fujifilm menu system confusing.
Unfortunately, Fujifilm has not been able to meet the demand of this camera so it’s been sold out since its launch date. So you won’t find this camera anywhere for less than $2,000, which is $400 more than the MSRP. Ouch. (Yes I paid that much, don’t remind me…) Amazon currently has it in stock for $2,479.. Oof.
The fixed lens can be seen as a flaw. I personally don’t mind it, but at times I do wish I had a telephoto lens.
The photos you’re most likely going to take are very niche and might not suit your style or taste. Some might say they’re “played out”.
Takeaways
Overall, I would definitely recommend this camera if you’re a busy mom or dad that wants to take beautiful pictures of your kids without worrying about needing to edit them or carry around tons of heavy gear with you. Also, if you’re someone who travels a lot and wants to take cool photos of all the places you’re going to share with friends! And of course, if you have ADHD and hate making decisions.
Alternatives
If you’re on a budget then this probably isn’t your best option. If you’re looking to get into photography, I also wouldn’t recommend this camera either. I would recommend something like a used Sony a6000 or a6100 with a pancake lens (if you want portability) to get started. You can also continue shooting on your phone and edit your photos in Lightroom to achieve the look that you enjoy, like I did in this post.
