Street photography royalty is back.

Welcome the Fujifilm X100V, the latest iteration of the X100 series launched in 2011. 5 rebirths later the X100V is here to charm everyone with its photographic capabilities and straight-up Retro Leica looks.

A beautiful camera, the X100V is simply speaking the X-Pro 3 in a smaller, far more compact body. Take a look at the basic specs below and you will realize that this small, funky looking camera is actually a beast.

The Fujifilm X100V Specs

26MP X-Trans sensor

Redesigned lens (but still a 23mm F2 pancake)

Built-in 4-stop ND filter, compatible with X100F lens converters

Tilting 1.6M-dot touchscreen LCD panel (Super Sleek)

2.5mm mic port, headphones through USB-C with a special adapter

Weather-sealed, when filter adapter and filter are used

Single SD card slot

Updated 3.69M-dot OLED EVF, redesigned OVF optics

Up to 4K/30p with Eterna film sim and F-Log internal capture (8-bit only)

CIPA rated to 350 shots using the EVF, 420 using the OVF

You are getting the latest 26MP X-Trans processor and sensor, excellent Autofocus and excellent video features. The upgraded Lens provides distinctly sharper images at close range. The ergonomics have been tweaked to provide much better control when shooting at odd angles.

The Fujifilm X100V-Processor & Sensor

The X100V inherits the X-Trans processor and sensor previously used in the X-T3 and the X-Pro3. This simply makes it the most powerful X100 avatar yet. You get a 26MP BSI CMOS sensor, lower native ISO of 160. The maximum ISO remains at 12800.

This allows you to have a fast burst rate of up to 20fps with the electronic shutter at full sensor width. With a 1.25x crop, the burst speed increases to 30fps. This should be sufficient for even the most aggressive street photographers. The buffer at maximum setting tops out at 38 jpegs or at 17 raw files.

The Fujifilm X100V-AutoFocus and ISO Performance

Thanks to the new sensor, the X100V now has a new on-sensor phase-detection AF system. This ups the AF points from 325 on the X100F to 425 AF points on the X100V. Again thanks to the sensor, the tracking AF is quick and responsive. Face and eye detection works well.

The X-Trans sensor and the X-Processor 4 should boost the camera’s high ISO performance and image quality. Fujifilm states that the X100V will be able to focus right down to -5EV just like the X-Pro3 and since the innards are pretty much the same, I guess it’s possible.

The X100V also inherits the hybrid viewfinder found on the X-Pro3. This lets you toggle between the OVF and the EVF.

On the X100V the EVF now has 3.69 million dots resolution and a magnification of 0.52x.

The Fujifilm X100V Video Performance

The X100V has considerable video prowess, thanks to its powerful sensor and processor combo. You have the ability to record at 4K/30p internal at up to 200 Mbps. You can also record in 8-bit F-log should you want to grade footage in post. Video supports continuous AF with face detect and for the benefit of the manual focusers there is focus peaking.

There is a 2.5mm jack and a USB-C port to use a 3.5mm adaptor as well. The touchscreen allows for Fujifilm’s Movie Silent Control Option. This moves exposure settings to the screen, so you can keep your physical dials set as you prefer for stills shooting, with completely separate settings and controls for movies that can be then controlled silently.

One very important point for those considering the X100V for video work is the complete lack of any form of stabilization. The fixed lens has no IS, neither does the body. Unless you use a tripod, the footage will be very shaky. A gimbal is highly recommended.

The Fujifilm X100V New Lens

The X100V has a completely redesigned 23mm F2 lens which retains the originals focal length. This drastically improves sharpness when using wide aperture close-ups. Corner performance also shows improvement over the X100F. The autofocus motor, however, seems to be inherited from the X100F. There is a built-in ND filter to help shoot under bright lights when using a wider aperture.

The Fujifilm X100V Body & Handling

The X100V has the same AF joystick as was seen on the previous X100F. This allowed the X100F users to use the D-Pad as a set of customizable buttons for various functions. The X100V forgoes the D-Pad in favor of the touchscreen. This takes over the role of bringing up film simulations and white balance, etc. via a series of swipes. This does work well and is very similar to customization on modern cell phones and is quite easy to use.

Thanks to the now gone D-Pad the back of the X100V is clean and uncluttered. The screen sits flush with the back. The X100V is now claimed to be weather sealed. This is however not exactly true as the front of the lens needs to be sealed using a filter attached to an optional filter ring adaptor. Despite this weather sealing of any sort is a welcome addition to the X100V. This is a small enough device to be carried around in a jacket pocket and will be exposed to the elements in some way or the other.

The X100V uses a single SD card slot. The battery is the NP-W126S and is CIPA rated for 350 shots using the EVF and 420 shots with the OVF.

The Fujifilm X100V Price

The Fujifilm X100V will be available in two versions, with the Silver model available from 27 February and the Black version hitting shelves from 12 March.

Both will cost $1399 / £1299 / AU$2,349

Conclusion

The Fujifilm X100V is a fairly small camera, with a fixed lens and has a street photographer’s weapon of choice vibe. That may make it sound like an easy-going and fairly competent piece of kit. Well, the easy-going part is true, however, the performance part is far more than just competent. Thanks to the X-Trans sensor and the X-Processor 4, the X100V is an extremely powerful camera. The image quality is excellent, the Video performance (with a tripod) is top-notch, the AF system is superb, and the high ISO performance is good. It’s just an excellent, almost pro-level compact that delivers excellent images and looks great doing it. The Fujifilm X100V is a Sexy Beast.



