Talking about photography right now might seem a bit divorced from reality, especially when one of our main recommendations has been to get out there and hunt for our next great shot. Yet we know this won't last forever, and we need to add new allies to take our photography to the next level. One of those allies is the Fujifilm X100V, a premium ultracompact that doesn't envy many mirrorless cameras at the same price, and that will likely push competitors to optimize specs in the future.
Recommending an ultracompact camera might seem anachronistic to many users. Smartphones have taken a huge slice of that market, applying the good enough strategy to meet demand, but there are far superior options out there that offer features unattainable in a conventional smartphone. We recently talked about the Sony RX100 VII, undoubtedly one of the best in the ultracompact format, but the competition isn't resting, which leads us directly to the Fujifilm X100V.
Fujifilm X100V: Fixed Lens, Huge Potential
Announced originally in early February, the Fujifilm X100V features an APS-C CMOS sensor with 26.1 effective megapixels, driven by the X-Processor Pro 4 image processor. Its ISO sensitivity ranges from 160 to 12,800, with a boost in both directions to 80-51,200, while shutter speed ranges from 1/4,000 to 30 seconds, or 1/32,000 with the electronic system. Its three-inch touchscreen is tiltable, with 1.62 million dots, and on the viewfinder front we find a hybrid setup based on an optical module with 95% coverage, and an OLED with 3.69 million dots and 100% coverage.
The autofocus system has a total of 425 points combining phase detection and contrast detection. Its coverage reaches almost the entire sensor surface, and it offers solid tracking response, including faces and eyes. Any necessary adjustments can be made with the screen or the joystick on the back, and the automatic system shows good accuracy, especially compared to the previous X100 series model.
That said, autofocus isn't the fastest in this format. Burst shooting with the mechanical shutter reaches 11 frames per second, with a buffer of 38 JPEG frames and 17 RAW (either lossless compressed or uncompressed). The electronic shutter enables several shortcuts. The fastest burst is 30 fps, but you'll have to accept a 1.25x crop and a smaller JPEG buffer (29 frames). To avoid that crop, you can drop to 20 fps, but despite those numbers, the Fujifilm X100V isn't designed for action.
The interface has seen several changes, starting with the removal of the four-way controller in favor of the touchscreen with swipe commands, weather sealing (provided you use a filter and the official AR-X100 ring), and the inclusion of a USB-C port. At first glance, the camera looks great, and it's likely that many will mistake it for a retro model, a recurring detail among Fujifilm cameras (which we appreciate a lot). The number of physical buttons is adequate (two of them are 'Fn' - one on top, the other on the front), and the camera allows a good level of customization. It's a proven and polished concept with a decade of work behind it, and it shows.
As with previous Fujifilm cameras, the X100V prioritizes other functions for its dedicated dials. One dial lets you adjust exposure compensation directly, while the other combines shutter speed and ISO (you have to pull the dial up). Other details can be found in the official manual, which already has a Spanish translation and doesn't exceed 350 pages. Fujifilm has always done a good job with documentation, and the X100V is no exception.
Looking closely at its video modes, the Fujifilm X100V is up to the task, offering 4K DCI at 24, 25, and 30 fps, 4Kp30, p25, and p24, and 1080p at 60, 100, and 120 frames per second (slow-mo modes) at 200 Mbps in all cases. Fujifilm decided to drop lower resolutions and focus solely on high resolution. The problem is that the camera lacks built-in stabilization, so a tripod or gimbal is almost mandatory. Autofocus also shows some sluggishness during video recording, and it would be logical to expect an optimization via firmware in the future.
Accessories for Fujifilm X100V
Beyond its virtues, the 1,500 euros price tag on the Fujifilm X100V is a bit hard to swallow these days. Some rivals are certainly more competitive, but Fujifilm always goes all-in on its formula (excellent image quality, solid build, and a more 'premium' profile), and so far it hasn't been wrong. At the same time, the cost of compatible accessories is very reasonable, allowing you to optimize the value even further.
Batteries and Power
With an average of 420 shots per full charge (350 with the electronic viewfinder), the X100V's battery isn't terrible, but it's not stellar either. So it's a good idea to add a backup module. Gloxy offers a compatible Fujifilm NP-W126 battery that delivers very similar performance to the original at a fraction of the cost. And for charging, nothing beats the Gloxy 2-in-1 charger for home and car. For less than 25 euros, you'll have power everywhere. The product code for the battery and charger set is 0712006549,VDTS-4604-CH-VDTS-4242.
Tripods and Supports
The lack of stabilization makes finding a tripod for Fujifilm X100V a priority, but there's no need to worry. Its ultracompact design and its 478 grams (with batteries) don't demand too much. That means you can pick a lightweight solution like the Manfrotto Pixi, one of my personal favorites, which supports a maximum load of one kilogram. If you prefer a bit of overkill, the Clampod Takeway T2 has everything you need and more. It easily supports the most demanding DSLRs, so there will be no issues connecting the X100V.
Bags and Cases
The weather sealing of the Fujifilm X100V is tied to the type of filter and mount you install, but with a good choice in storage and transport, you can avoid any major issues. The Delta 400a Fancier bag is an excellent starting point thanks to its comfortable messenger-style design, padded and customizable interior, and breathable fabric on the back. Its direct alternative is the Genesis Gear Orion bag, measuring 30 cm x 20 cm x 10 cm, with a padded and adjustable interior like the Delta, and dedicated space for tablets.
Memory Cards
The Fujifilm X100V wants a high-speed card, no doubt. The bitrate in its recording modes suggests as much. But even with just a few minutes of recording, space consumption will skyrocket. Solutions? Two, actually: the SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB with V30 certification, 170 MB/s read and 95 MB/s write, and the Transcend 300S 512GB, also V30, 95 MB/s read, and 45 MB/s write.
Cleaning and More Accessories
Finally, our section on miscellaneous accessories compatible with the Fujifilm X100V aims to ensure its long-term durability and improve stability during video recording. First, the Gloxy 6-in-1 cleaning kit brings all the essentials to keep dust (and germs) at bay. Second, the Gloxy Movie Maker stabilizer will help you get the best shots... for just 15 euros. You can even use it as a static support! The product code for these accessories is DI1587,GloxyMovieMaker.
So... let's wait. The Fujifilm X100V has just come out of the oven, and it's already shaping up to be one of the best ultracompacts of the year, but its price is the only thing that makes us pause. With a little patience (and we're going to need a lot in the coming months), the price should become more favorable. Good luck and stay home!
