Fuji X100VI - Things I Wish I Knew BEFORE Buying The Fujifilm X100VI

Summary

The Fuji x16 camera is praised for its impressive features that bridge the gap between high-end mirrorless cameras and smartphones, making it an ideal everyday carry. However, the video script offers several warnings for potential buyers. Notably, the camera requires additional assembly with no battery charger included, and the battery life is underwhelming. The fixed 23 mm F2 lens does not come with accessories like lens hoods or filters, which are sold separately. The camera's small size results in limited grip, and additional accessories are needed for better handling. Despite these drawbacks, the autofocus, subject detection, and tracking have seen significant improvements. The video capabilities, while marketed as advanced, suffer from issues like poor rolling shutter and inconvenient port placements. The script advises considering these factors before purchasing the Fuji x16.

Takeaways

• 📷 The Fuji x16 is a highly sought-after camera with a gap bridging capability between high-end mirrorless cameras and smartphones.
• 🔋 The x16 does not come with a battery charger, and the battery life is not exceptional, necessitating the purchase of spare batteries and a charger.
• 👀 Some assembly is required as additional accessories like lens hoods and filters are not included in the box and must be bought separately.
• 🤏 The camera's small size is both an advantage and a disadvantage, with limited grip available, suggesting the need for additional accessories like thumb grips or handles.
• 🔧 To use filters and achieve weather resistance, an adapter ring is required, which is not included and adds to the overall cost.
• 👁️ The autofocus on the x16 has seen significant improvements, with better subject detection and tracking, but it can still struggle with point focus in certain conditions.
• 🎨 Film emulations and custom film recipes are a great feature for stylizing images, but some popular recipes can slow down the camera significantly.
• 🖼️ HEIF format is now supported in addition to JPEG, offering reduced file size and larger color depth, but it is not widely supported for social media posting.
• 🎥 The x16's video capabilities have improved, with 4K 10-bit recording and internal ND and IBIS, but the rolling shutter effect can be problematic.
• 🔊 The camera uses a 2.5mm audio input, which is less common and requires an adapter for most microphones, and the placement of ports can be inconvenient for video monitoring.
• 👍 Despite the drawbacks, the reviewer genuinely likes the x16 and considers it an improvement over its predecessor, with many positive aspects to explore in future videos.

Q & A

What is the Fuji x16 camera and why is it popular?

The Fuji x16 is a highly anticipated camera that bridges the gap between a high-end mirrorless camera and a smartphone for everyday use. It is popular due to its capability as an everyday carry with a lot of exciting features that inspire users to take more photos.

Why might the Fuji x16 be backordered?

The Fuji x16 might be backordered due to high demand and possibly limited supply, as mentioned in the script, the camera is 'backordered into Oblivion'.

What are some of the initial impressions of the Fuji x16?

The initial impressions of the Fuji x16 are that it is a truly great camera with a lot of nice features. However, it does have some drawbacks such as the need for additional purchases and some issues with autofocus and video capabilities.

What is included in the box with the Fuji x16 camera?

The box includes the Fuji x16 camera body with a fixed 23 mm F2 lens and a lens cap. However, it does not come with a battery charger, and additional accessories like lens hoods are not included.

What are some of the issues with the Fuji x16's battery life and charging?

The Fuji x16 has the same battery as the X15, which doesn't come with a charger and isn't known for great battery life. The camera can be charged via USB-C, but for heavy use, additional spare batteries and a charger are recommended.

Why might the Fuji x16 require additional purchases after buying the camera?

The Fuji x16 requires additional purchases for items like a battery charger, spare batteries, lens adapter, lens hood, and possibly a thumb rest or grip for better handling. These are not included in the initial purchase and can add to the overall cost.

What are some of the improvements in the Fuji x16 compared to its predecessor?

The Fuji x16 has improved autofocus, subject detection, and tracking capabilities. It also has an upgraded processor and a higher megapixel count, along with enhancements in video recording capabilities.

What are some of the limitations of the Fuji x16's video features?

While the Fuji x16 has improved video specs, it has a significant rolling shutter effect, which can cause motion sickness when filming at 24 or 30 frames per second. Additionally, it has a 2.5 mm audio input instead of the more common 3.5 mm, requiring a dongle for most microphones.

How does the Fuji x16 handle film emulations and custom film recipes?

The Fuji x16 offers film emulations and custom film recipes that can stylize images with minimal effort. However, using these features can slow down the camera's speed, especially if the recipe adjusts the clarity setting, which is common in popular recipes.

What are some of the additional features and customization options for the Fuji x16?

The Fuji x16 allows users to import stock film emulations into Lightroom as profiles for RAW images. It also supports HEIF format in addition to JPEG, offering reduced file size and larger color depth. Users can also customize the camera with various accessories like lens adapters and thumb rests.

Outlines

00:00

📷 Fuji x16 Camera Overview and Initial Impressions

The script introduces the Fuji x16 camera as a highly sought-after device, noting the difficulty in obtaining one due to backorders. The speaker shares personal experience with the camera, emphasizing its appeal as a bridge between professional mirrorless cameras and smartphones for casual photography. While acknowledging the camera's capabilities and features that encourage more photography, the speaker also sets the stage for a balanced review by forewarning of potential issues discovered post-purchase. The paragraph also hints at the need for additional purchases such as a battery charger and spare batteries due to the x16's subpar battery life, and the lack of included accessories like lens hoods and filters.

05:03

🔍 Detailed Critique of Fuji x16 Features and Limitations

This paragraph delves into the specifics of the Fuji x16's features and shortcomings. It discusses the camera's improved autofocus and subject detection, while also pointing out issues with point focus in certain conditions. The paragraph addresses the film emulations and custom film recipes, noting the potential slowdown in camera performance when using popular custom settings. The speaker also explains the ability to import stock film emulations into Lightroom and the x16's new support for HEIF images, which offer benefits over JPEGs but may pose challenges in social media sharing. Additionally, the video capabilities are scrutinized, with criticism directed at the camera's rolling shutter effect, the choice of a 2.5mm audio input over the more common 3.5mm, and the inconvenient placement of ports, which may hinder the use of external microphones and monitors.

10:03

👍 Positive Outlook and Future Content Tease for the Fuji x16

Concluding the script, the speaker reiterates a fondness for the Fuji x16 despite its flaws, highlighting it as a significant improvement over its predecessor. They suggest that potential buyers who are not in urgent need of the latest autofocus features might find a good deal on the previous model, the X100 V. The paragraph ends with a promise of more upcoming videos that will explore the camera's positive aspects, encouraging viewers to subscribe for further insights.

Keywords

💡Fuji x16

The Fuji x16 is the central subject of the video, a camera that is described as being in high demand and currently backordered. It is positioned as a bridge between a high-end mirrorless camera and a smartphone for photography. The reviewer discusses the camera's features, advantages, and drawbacks, making it a key concept for understanding the video's theme of providing a balanced review.

💡Battery life

Battery life refers to how long the camera can operate on a single charge. In the context of the video, the Fuji x16's battery life is criticized for not being particularly great, with the reviewer mentioning that they were unable to complete a heavy day of shooting on just one battery. This is a significant aspect as it impacts the usability of the camera for extended periods.

💡Assembly

The term 'assembly' in the video refers to the fact that the Fuji x16 does not come with everything needed for immediate use, such as a battery charger. The reviewer points out that additional accessories like lens hoods and filters are also not included and must be purchased separately, which adds to the overall cost and initial setup of the camera.

💡Lens

The lens is a critical component of any camera, and the video discusses the Fuji x16's 23 mm F2 lens that comes with the camera. The reviewer mentions that while the lens is fixed and comes with a lens cap, additional accessories like filter attachments and weather sealing are not included and must be bought separately, affecting the camera's functionality and customization.

💡Autofocus

Autofocus is the camera's ability to automatically focus on a subject. The video highlights that the Fuji x16 has improved autofocus capabilities compared to its predecessor, with better subject detection and tracking. However, the reviewer also points out issues with point focus, especially in challenging lighting conditions, indicating that while improved, the autofocus is not without its flaws.

💡Film emulations

Film emulations are digital features that mimic the look of traditional film photography. The video mentions that the Fuji x16 offers popular custom film recipes that can stylize images with little effort. However, the reviewer warns that many of these can slow down the camera significantly, especially those that adjust the clarity setting, which affects the camera's performance.

💡HEIF

HEIF, or High-Efficiency Image Format, is a file format supported by the Fuji x16 that offers benefits such as reduced file size and larger color depth compared to JPEG. The video explains that while HEIF is supported by software like Lightroom and Apple, it is not widely supported, which can limit the ability to share images directly on social media.

💡Video features

The video features of the Fuji x16 are a significant topic in the script, with the camera offering 4K 10-bit video recording and other advanced capabilities. The reviewer, however, tempers expectations by pointing out issues such as rolling shutter, the use of a 2.5 mm audio input instead of the more common 3.5 mm, and the placement of ports, which can be inconvenient for video recording setups.

💡Rolling shutter

Rolling shutter is an effect that can occur in video recording where the image appears to distort or 'jello' due to the way the camera sensor scans the scene. The video script criticizes the Fuji x16's rolling shutter effect, particularly at frame rates other than 60 frames per second, which can lead to a nauseating effect in the footage.

💡Accessories

Accessories in the context of the video refer to additional items that can enhance the functionality or usability of the Fuji x16, such as spare batteries, chargers, lens adapters, lens hoods, thumb grips, and ARCA Swiss plates. The reviewer discusses the cost and necessity of these accessories, emphasizing that they are not included with the camera and must be purchased separately.

💡Lightroom

Lightroom is a photo editing software mentioned in the video for its ability to import the Fuji x16's stock film emulations as profiles for post-processing of RAW images. This feature allows photographers to apply the camera's film emulations to their RAW files after shooting, providing more flexibility in editing compared to JPEGs.

Highlights

The Fuji x16 is a highly sought-after camera with pre-orders backordered significantly.

The camera bridges the gap between high-end mirrorless cameras and smartphones for everyday use.

It offers a lot of features that can inspire users to take more photos.

The x16 does not come with a battery charger, and the battery life is not great.

The camera can be charged via USB-C, but additional batteries and a charger are recommended.

The x16 requires additional assembly, such as lens hoods and filters, which are sold separately.

The camera's small size is both an advantage and a disadvantage due to the lack of grip.

Accessories like thumb grips or aftermarket handles can be added for better handling.

The x16 cannot have an ARCA Swiss plate attached without blocking the battery door.

The autofocus has been significantly improved in the x16 with new subject detection and tracking.

Point focus can be slow, especially in low light or when changing distances rapidly.

Custom film recipes can slow down the camera, with a delay of 2 to 4 seconds between shots.

Film emulations can be imported into Lightroom as profiles for RAW images.

The x16 supports HEIF format in addition to JPEG, offering reduced file size and larger color depth.

HEIF format is not widely supported, making it difficult to post directly to social media.

The x16's video features include 4K 10-bit recording and internal ND and IBIS.

The rolling shutter effect can be severe, especially at lower frame rates.

The camera uses a 2.5mm audio input, which is not standard and requires an adapter.

The placement of the audio and HDMI ports on the side can be inconvenient for video recording.

Transcripts

the Fuji x16 is the hottest new camera

out there I myself was lucky enough to

have my pre-order early enough so I've

got mine right here but they're still

backordered into Oblivion so depending

on when you're watching this you're

either second guessing whether you want

to keep waiting for your order or you're

considering adding it to your cart well

before you make either decision I've got

a few warnings from things that I've

experienced since I got mine that I

think you should be aware of let's get

into it

so I'm going to try to keep this video

as short as possible in an effort to do

so I don't want to go into an endless

diet tribe about why the x16 is so great

but I do worry that the rest of this

video is going to come off particularly

harsh so in an attempt to ward off all

the Fuji bro hordes that I know are

going to come at me in the comments let

me just quickly say that this is a truly

great camera it Bridges the Gap nicely

between a high-end mirrorless camera

that I use for work and the iPhone that

I use for texting and taking pictures of

my dog it is an extremely capable camera

as an everyday carry and it has a ton of

nice little features that will get you

excited to take photos it's not going to

magically make you a better photographer

like some people on the internet are

trying to convince you but it will

definitely inspire you to take more

photos which should start to sharpen

your eye quite a bit if you want a more

in-depth positive review let me know in

the comments and we'll make it happen

Okay so let's start going through some

of the things I wish I knew before

before buying this camera in truth I did

know about many of them because I was an

owner of the

X15 but I bet many of you did not the

first is that some assembly is required

with this camera not everything you're

going to want is included when you open

your shiny new box perhaps the most

egregious is that there's no battery

charger included with the x16 which is

an issue because the battery life isn't

particularly great it has the same

battery as the X15 which also didn't

come with a charger now while the X100

6's new processor is allegedly more

efficient and the battery is supposed to

be rated for 450 shots compared to 420

of its predecessor I still haven't been

able to go for a heavy day of shooting

on just one battery the other morning I

was walking around for a little over an

hour and I only took 92 photos and I was

already in the red you are able to

charge via USBC however which is great

but you're probably going to want to add

at least one or two spare batteries at

which point you want to pick up a

charger rather than having to charge it

within the camera every time the x16

also requires further assembly with

respect to the lens out of the box you

get this cute little fixed 23 mm F2 lens

and the lens cap but I bet when you're

watching all these cool videos online

about the camera you're seeing people

with all these cool lens hoods and such

well just a heads up that none of those

are actually included with the camera on

the one hand I think it's cool because

you can kind of customize it to your own

liking but it's another small cost

that's going to add to your total two

additional issues with the lens out of

the box is that you can't attach filters

and it isn't weather sealed in order to

do so you guessed it more attachments

sold separately you first need to get

this adapter ring which allows you to

attach the filter which then provides

the weather resistance rather than a UV

filter I've opted for the polar Pro

short stash everyday filter which

combines both a circular polar ER and

about an eighth of mist diffusion it's

an epic combo that pretty much has never

left the camera but once you have that

adapter ring attached now the stock lens

cap doesn't stay on one great thing

about the X100 series is it's small size

but it's also one of the downsides

namely that there just isn't much grip

to hold on to again there's accessories

for that as well whether it's a thumb

grip or one of the aftermarket handles

personally I actually kind of like that

they've kept the small frame so then you

can decide how to fit it to your own

hand and needs afterwards all in all if

you want to get the lens adapter the

lens Hood one spare battery a charger

and like a thumb rest I think you're

looking at around $200 in add-ons on the

topic of like grips and base plates you

can't really put an ARCA Swiss plate on

the x16 because it'll block the battery

door if you're opting to skip the

battery charger and and just charge

internally you might be thinking well

fine no problem but the true issue is

the SD card which is in the same

compartment as the battery so you can't

remove it with a tripod plate attached

the best remedy I've seen is something

like the small rig L bracket which

includes a grip and the Arca swis plate

on the bottom but it has holes for the

battery door all right so let's move on

to the things that are supposed to be

improved with the x16 one of the biggest

changes is the autofocus upgrades in

general the autofocus is much improved

the new subject detection is great the

tracking is improved and all around it's

just much snappier I actually found that

it performed best using that subject

detection type features but when you're

trying to use just a simple Point focus

it does do a lot of hunting especially

when you're focusing on something in the

shadows or something or you're going

from somewhere far away to focusing on

something up close with any of the

autofocus modes wow this lens is still

allow like listen to

this to me nothing outside of a kit lens

should sound like this especially when

it's touting all its video specs but

we'll get to that in a second another

thing I know a lot of people have their

panties in a bunch about about the x16

is the film emulations and the custom

film recipes now these are an awesome

way to stylize your images and get a

great look without much effort but I do

have a few warnings for you first many

of the popular custom film recipes slow

down the speed of the camera immensely

like you've got to wait like 2 to 4

seconds between each photo this is

typically caused by a film recipe that

makes adjustments to the clarity setting

which honestly most of the popular ones

do I was hoping that this would be

improved with the new processor but no

it is super easy however to avoid using

that Clarity setting but if you do run

into those issues once you have yours

and you don't know what's going on now

you know and for those who are new to

the Fuji system you can't add these

recipes into settings in Lightroom it'll

just be baked into the jpeg obviously

it's part of the appeal that you don't

need to edit your images with these

recipes but just know that raws will

import as a normal raw two other fun

facts to know about this however first

you can actually import the stock film

emulations into Lightroom for your raw

images as a Lightroom profile if you

just go to the profile browser and then

select camera match

you can now select from all of the film

emulations that are baked into the

camera and make any additional edits

regardless of which profile you actually

shot on when you were taking the photo

second the x16 now supports Heath in

addition to jpeg which has the added

benefit of reduced file size and a

larger color depth compared to jpeg

images shot in Heath with a custom film

recipe will still have that recipe baked

in but if you did want to make some

minor tweaks and changes in post you now

have a little bit more latitude compared

to a JPEG but there is a downside Heath

isn't particularly well supported like

anywhere so while it's supported by

Lightroom and apple good luck trying to

post it straight to social media all

right next up I want to talk about video

because aside from the autofocus and the

increased megapixel count this is one

area where it's made probably the

biggest jump from the X100 V on the

surface the specs seem great it records

4K 10 bit video or 4K up to 60 frames

per second it's got an internal ND and

Ibis something that like even the

highest Cinema cameras don't have both

of much of the marketing and many of the

videos on the internet hype up the video

features quite a bit they even sell it

with a video monitor kit but let's pump

the brakes first things first the

rolling shutter is downright Dreadful

like imagine you stuck the camera inside

of a Jell-O mold that's kind of the

feeling that you get it does get a bit

better when you're at 60 frames per

second both in the normal and HQ modes

but anything in 24 or 30 frames per

second is likely to make you seasick we

also need to talk about the ports Fuji

opted for a micro HDMI port which

honestly makes sense I get that an ultra

portable camera is going to go with a

micro HDMI as well what I can't get over

however is that they've opted for a 2.5

mm audio input yes 2.5 not the 3.5 that

comes on like every microphone that you

could could possibly want to plug into

this thing audio is half the battle when

it comes to video but apparently Fuji

just wants us to carry around a little

dongle adapter to connect our microphone

or self forare from the lens autofocus

Noise by using the in camera microphone

but that's not the worst part both the

audio and the HDMI port are placed on

the right side of the camera where your

hand is supposed to go so let's say you

wanted to get some higher quality audio

or have a video monitor where the heck

are you actually supposed to hold the

camera look I get it if you want to take

a couple quick clips with this thing you

can but a lot of people are trying to

make this into something that it's not

it has some cool video specs don't get

me wrong but don't go by this expecting

to go and actually operate it like a

proper video camera now I've spent a

good chunk of time dunking on this

camera but I want to reiterate that I

actually really do like it a lot is it

perfect no is it an improvement upon its

predecessor absolutely if you haven't

bought one yet or you're still waiting

for your delivery date I think you'll be

happy with it as long as you're aware of

some of the drawbacks that I've covered

here or Heck if you don't need that

improved autofocus I'm willing to bet

you can find somebody who's looking to

offload their used X100 V for a pretty

compelling price I promise I have a few

more videos about the X100 6 in the

works that aren't so negative because

there really are a lot of things to like

so if you want to see those be sure to

subscribe and I'll see you in the next

one peace