Fujifilm X100VI Review One Year Later: Hype vs. Reality

The Fujifilm X100VI is still one of the most talked-about compact cameras, a year after release. You see it everywhere, and the question lingers: is it actually worth the hype and the price in 2026?

Coming to you from Rick Bebbington, this reflective video looks at the Fujifilm X100VI after roughly 9,000 images and a full year of use. Bebbington doesn’t treat it like a spec sheet exercise. He focuses on what it’s like to live with. The X100VI is his everyday camera, the one that goes in the bag without debate. It turns on quickly, gets to work fast, and doesn’t pull him into menus or distractions. That speed matters when you want to stay in a creative rhythm instead of fiddling with settings.

He also points to the addition of in-body image stabilization as a meaningful upgrade over the previous model. Video is steadier. Handheld shots feel more usable. But he doesn’t pretend it’s perfect. The autofocus, tied to the same 23mm f/2 lens design carried over from earlier versions, feels dated in certain situations. In low light, snow, fog, or rain, it can hunt. Tracking isn’t its strength. For fast action or critical work, this would not be the first choice.

Then there are the JPEG “recipes.” You can program film simulations with specific settings and get polished JPEGs straight out of the camera. Fujifilm still leads here. If quick turnaround matters or editing feels like a chore, this feature is appealing. Family trips, daily life, casual shooting—JPEGs can be ready to share without touching raw files. That simplicity is a big part of the draw.

But more choice can slow you down. Bebbington found himself hesitating, unsure which recipe to use in changing light. That small decision added friction at the wrong moment. Instead of losing time in the field, he shifted back to shooting raw, applying presets later, and making small tweaks. A few minutes per image. Batch edits when scenes are similar. The decision-making moves to the desk, not the scene.

One hidden surprise changed how he sees the camera. The dynamic range setting, often pushed to 400% in popular recipes, can help recover highlights in overexposed images. After accidentally blowing out shots, he found he could pull back detail in ways he didn’t expect. It works with raw files too. Turn it on and you gain flexibility, though at the cost of slower write speeds. With certain settings enabled, the camera doesn’t feel as quick as its price suggests.

Ergonomics are another compromise. It is not pocketable despite what some claim. The grip is minimal. A thumb rest from SmallRig improves handling, especially on longer walks. Button placement can frustrate, particularly if you rely on back-button focus. Battery life remains average at best. Take at least three batteries for a full day.

So who is this camera actually for? It is not ideal as a primary workhorse. The fixed 23mm lens, equivalent to 35mm on full frame, limits flexibility. If you need long reach, fast tracking, or multiple focal lengths, look elsewhere. As a second camera, though, it makes strong sense. It sits between a phone and a professional interchangeable-lens body. More intentional than a phone. Less complex than a full kit.

You also need to consider connection. Some cameras check technical boxes. Others make you want to go outside. The X100VI leans hard into the second category. It is fun. It encourages deliberate shooting. It strips away choice in focal length, which can sharpen how you see.

Alternatives exist, such as the Ricoh GR series or Leica Q line, but each shifts the balance of cost, sensor size, or features in different ways. None replicate the exact mix of size, hybrid viewfinder, and fixed-lens simplicity found here. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Bebbington.