Today is a sad day. As I write this article after three weeks spent with the Fuji X100V it is also the day the courier service sent by Fuji is coming to collect this camera I’ve grown very fond of.
So, is the Fujifilm X100V worth it and should I buy one?
Let’s rewind a little first.
In the past decade I have had the opportunity to see / test all previous iterations. From the first time I held a first generation Fujifilm X100 I knew I’d most likely one day want to purchase one.
If anything, before I even tried it, the looks got me. I have an appreciation for beautiful design.
This was I think back in 2011 or 2012, ten years ago and I still don’t own an X100. So what happened?
Well many other brands offer attractive options too, it’s a competitive industry.
During that time I’ve also had the opportunity to become an official Olympus ambassador which I was for a few years and therefore was given access to all their latest micro four thirds cameras and micro four thirds lenses too, I still own a Pen-F, well… my wife does now.
Then in 2015 I bought a Sony A7RII since I needed another kind of beast for some client jobs. It cost me a bomb so I decided to stick with it for a while.
In recent years I have decided to make a conscious effort to buy fewer cameras and make mine last more, I get my hands on many cameras for reviews anyway so that satisfies my old gear obsession.
I still shoot with my Sony A7RII daily and it looks brand new, I know how to take care of my digital camera: I use a dedicated camera bag, I clean it regularly, I never casually throw it on the sofa… you know… they’re not cheap.
After all why would I replace it? If it still works fine and was so highly commended can it really not be so good today?
Of course it is! At 42.4mp and given its high specs there is no need to replace it until it dies.
BUT.
I have to say it is not the most fun “everyday” camera. It is highly efficient and delivers what my clients want but it’s not really fun.
Of course capturing handheld macro photography is fun, shooting in low light is fun, street photography with a manual lens on the A7RII yes, but not the camera itself I’m afraid and that’s not exclusive to Sony. I find many cameras uninspiring. But hey that’s probably just me so don’t let my opinion detract you from making your own.
So anyway… Enter the Fujifilm X100V.
Please note I am in no way comparing the performance of the Sony and Fuji, they are worlds apart and things I can do with the A7RII (which costs twice more) cannot in any way be achieved with the Fuji. They are completely different cameras.
Sure the Sony is going to produce far superior images. But what’s the point if it doesn’t inspire me to go out and shoot?
This review is focused on something too many camera manufacturers omit or simply don’t get and that is: EVERYDAY FUN as a way to maintain your creative flow.
Well the good news is that the X100V is a perfect everyday camera. The camera you grab on the go, without further consideration as opposed to interchangeable lens cameras seemingly never having the right lens on as I try head somewhere.
Strangely, I have missed owning a camera with a fixed lens, with no ability to zoom other than using my feet to step forward. One I can put in my pocket aside from my phone of course!
Using the Fuji X100V daily has been like writing a daily diary entry.
I go out for a walk every day, normally I wouldn’t always take my Sony mirrorless camera. Here I want to, this camera screams “Take me out you won’t regret it, you won’t even feel me around your neck, I won’t get in the way of a good photo… I promise”.
And so I did.
The Fuji X100V is like fresh inspiration.
In the past three weeks I’ve found a renewed love for photography. When I say photography, I mean for the fun of it and for no particular purpose other than that. I feel as I did the first year I discovered photography. A very different feeling, I want to shoot everything, in every possible way.
I enjoy exploring the film simulations, even if not all are to my personal taste. In fact they are really just preset filters under the disguise of old film simulation, I think that way it appeals more to purists.
I have to say I’m quite impressed with the Fuji X100V camera menu. It’s very thorough and in-depth without ever really being too frustrating. Just the right amount of frustrating but that’s just my fault for resisting change, a bit like driving a car I’m not used to.
As I mentioned earlier, one of the main reasons for anyone to love this camera is definitely its stunning design and looks.
Photographers are split when it comes to this touchy subject, many would say “Who cares about looks?” while others like me will be under its charm, the same charm that seems to motivate me to go out and shoot.
I could go through the technical specs but Google can do that for you, I find that a little boring these days. The more time I waste taking apart all the technical bits, the less I shoot.
Instead, I prefer to share my honest feelings of enjoyment with you all, show you real images I shot with it during lockdown, none of which having had any editing to them aside from minor brightness/contrast adjustments.
That way you can see what’s possible to get out of this camera in a short amount of time.
Now be kind! I only had it 3 weeks and couldn’t shoot my usual London street photography due to lockdown restrictions.
So instead you’ll get snow, flowers and tractors from beautiful Dorset, how’s that for a change?
What you’ll see from the selection of images I included is that it is a very versatile little thing. It will shoot great landscapes, portraits, street photography, nature…
So should I buy an X100V? My heart 100% says “Go for it man! £1299… You only live once, who cares about the rent right?”
My head however says I probably will but not immediately.
For now I think I got used to the idea of being frugal and not buying a camera until mine dies… so even though I may not wait that long, I’ll sleep on this one for a bit more.
I’ll leave you with a few more X100V sample shots:
The courier has still not arrived, perhaps I’ll hide and pretend not to be home?
Until next time,