Why the Fujifilm X100VI Is the Best Compact Camera for Street Shooting

Compact cameras have exploded in popularity, and finding the right one is harder than it sounds when you're comparing genuinely capable options across very different price points and form factors. The Fujifilm X100VI sits at the center of that conversation right now, and for good reason.

Coming to you from Evan Ranft, this candid video walks through why Ranft landed on the Fujifilm X100VI as his go-to everyday camera after testing the Ricoh GR IIIx, the Leica D-Lux 8, and at least one other compact before circling back. He used the X100 series before 2020, bought one on a whim at Best Buy, then gave it away in 2019. Getting back into it wasn't just about specs. He talks openly about nostalgia and the specific creative mindset this camera puts him in, something he couldn't replicate with the other options he tested. There's a recurring theme here: the best camera for everyday shooting isn't always the most capable one on paper.

One of the more interesting points Ranft raises is how his comfort level with professional gear in public has shifted over the last five years. Bringing out a Nikon Z8 for street photography puts him on edge, watching his surroundings instead of making pictures. The X100VI changes that. It looks less serious, and that alone unlocks a different kind of shooting for him, one where he's actually engaged with what's in front of him rather than managing anxiety about the gear. He also points to the built-in ND filter and built-in flash as features that quietly expand what's possible without adding anything to your bag.

The video specs on the X100VI deserve attention too. For a camera this small, it shoots high-resolution video, includes in-body image stabilization, and supports both F-Log and F-Log 2. Ranft is direct about the fact that he doesn't always need log footage, but the option matters when he wants something better than his phone but less cumbersome than his full-size kit. He's already seeing others use it as a secondary cinema camera, and he's curious what he can do with it in that context. The combination of video capability, compact size, and built-in accessories adds up to something none of the other cameras he tested could match on all fronts. The Ricoh GR IIIx is smaller. The Leica D-Lux 8 is more compact when the lens is retracted. But neither one gets close to the X100VI when you factor in everything together. Check out the video above for the full breakdown from Ranft.