Latest news with #X100VI
Engadget
a day ago
- Engadget
Fujifilm GFX100RF review: A powerful and fun camera that's far from perfect
After watching its fixed-lens X100 VI camera do stratospheric sales numbers, Fujifilm decided to build a bigger and badder version that could go up against Leica's full-frame Q3. The result is the $4,899 GFX100RF, the first-ever 100-megapixel medium format compact camera. The GFX100RF has some novel features, like a crop dial that lets you choose aspect ratios ranging from vertical 3:4 to a panoramic 65:24. It can digitally zoom via a dedicated toggle and offers all the social media-friendly benefits of the X100 VI, including film simulations. You can even shoot medium-format 4K video. However, the GFX100RF has some flaws. Where Leica's Q3 has a fast 28mm f/1.7 lens and optical stabilization, Fujifilm's 35mm lens (28mm equivalent) here is limited to f4 and lacks any shake reduction, hurting the camera in low light. I've used the camera for nearly two weeks now and enjoyed it, but given the high price and quirks, it's definitely not for everyone. The GFX100RF is the world's first 100MP medium format compact camera. It offers incredible image quality and flexibility but isn't great in low light, and the high price makes it a niche product. $4,899 at B&H Photo Video Though it's Fujifilm's smallest medium-format camera, the GFX100RF is still a hefty unit at 735 grams. That's more than many full-frame mirrorless cameras and around the same weight as the Q3. The control layout is similar to the X100 VI with control dials on the front and back, along with exposure compensation, shutter speed and ISO controls on top. What's new is the aspect ratio dial that offers modes for 4:3, 3:2, 16:9, 17:6, 3:4, 1:1, 7:6, 5:4 and 65:24 (the latter pays tribute to Fujifilm's TX-1 panoramic camera). The GFX100RF also has a toggle up front to select 28mm, 35mm, 50mm and 63mm (full-frame equivalent) zoom levels. Those gradually lose resolution due to cropping, from 100MP at 28mm down to 20MP at 63mm. Bokeh is also reduced as the sensor size shrinks. The rear 2.1-million-dot, 3.15-inch display only tilts up and down, but that's fine for the camera's primary street photo role. Though sharp and detailed, the 5.76-million-dot electronic viewfinder unfortunately lacks the X100 VI's signature hybrid display that lets you switch between optical and electronic views. However, it does offer three modes to support the aspect ratio dial and make composition easier. One only shows the selected crop, another shows the full scene with a box around the crop and the third displays everything outside the crop at 50 percent opacity. Fujifilm's GFX100RF includes an innovative aspect ratio dial at back (Steve Dent for Engadget) Battery life on the GFX100RF is outstanding with up to 820 shots on a charge or about 100 minutes of 4K 30 fps video shooting. For me, that amounted to nearly two days of use, which is better than nearly every other (non-DSLR) camera I've tested. The camera also includes dual UHS-II memory card slots plus mic, headphone, microHDMI and USB-C ports. The latter allows not only data transfers and charging, but also SSD video recording. The GFX100RF is essentially a GFX100S II squeezed into a compact body, so performance is similar with up to 6 fps burst shooting speeds. However, each RAW file is up to 150MB in size and JPEGs are 70MB, so even at those slower speeds, you can fill your memory cards very quickly. That said, this camera definitely isn't designed for sports or wildlife, so I didn't use burst shooting often. The autofocus is reliable when shooting single photos, but it's a little laggy for bursts. Using the face and eye detect AI modes helps nail eye focus reliably, but it's not as fast as Sony and Canon's systems. It also supports animal, bird and vehicle tracking, which helped me capture sharp photos of ducks floating on the Seine river in Paris. The GFX100RF has both mechanical and silent electronic shutter modes. Rolling shutter skew is a big issue with this sensor in silent mode with fast moving subjects, though. Luckily, the mechanical shutter eliminates that and is nearly inaudible. The built-in ND filter can reduce light up to four stops, letting you shoot on sunny days while retaining some bokeh. However, the main problem is when there's not enough light. The minimum f4 aperture is simply inadequate and the lack of stabilization exacerbates the issue as you risk blurry photos at slow shutter speeds. In dim light you may need to pack a tripod, which isn't ideal for a compact camera. The aspect ratio and zoom options on the GFX100RF are handy and fun. Some curmudgeons may prefer to shoot full sensor 100MP photos and then just crop later in post production. But the GFX100RF lets you have your cake and eat it, too. You can apply all the crops, zooms and film simulations you want and save them as JPEGs for easy sharing. Then, if you need to go back and change something, you also have the full 100MP RAW image as a backup (though obviously, shooting both will fill your memory card more quickly). Shot at 4:3 aspect ratio, ISO 1600, 1/200th, f/10 As with the GFX100S II, the GFX100RF is a top performer when it comes to detail and sharpness. Colors are pleasing and RAW files retain high amounts of dynamic range, allowing for easy adjustment in Lightroom. And of course, Fujifilm's film simulations give you colorful, nostalgic options — like Reala Ace or the dramatic black and white look of Acros — straight out of the camera. The GFX100RF also delivers beautiful bokeh, with the f4 aperture equivalent to around f3 for a full-frame camera in terms of depth of field (but not light gathering). Like other GFX models, the large sensor produces more dramatic images than full frame for portraits, landscapes or street shots. Like I mentioned, things fall apart when the light dims, though. With no option below f4 and no stabilization, I relied on high ISOs to boost exposure. The GFX100RF isn't bad in this area, with controllable noise up to about ISO 8000, but that's not high enough considering the other factors. For these reasons, the GFX100RF is less versatile than it could be. The GFX100RF can handle 4K and widescreen DCI 4K at up to 30 fps with fairly high bit rates, as long as you have a fast UHS-II SD card. It can even shoot ProRes with at much higher data speeds, but for those, you'll need to record directly to an SSD via the USB Type-C port. Autofocus for video is decent but not incredibly fast, so ideally your subjects don't move too much. The AI-powered face and eye detection helps nail focus when filming people, but again, can fail if subjects dart around. Video has a dreamy quality and bokeh that only a large sensor can offer. Like the GFX100S II, the GFX100RF captures video using the full width of the sensor in most modes, albeit with pixel binning that reduces quality. The sharpest video comes with a 1.32x crop, but that reduces the image quality benefits of a large sensor. Video on the GFX100RF has one thing going for it that the photo side lacks: digital stabilization. This smooths out shakiness for handheld shots, but the excessive rolling shutter limits your ability to move the camera quickly. Colors are pleasing and easy to adjust, particularly when using Fujifilim's F-Log or F-Log2 10-bit modes to boost dynamic range. And of course, Reala Ace, Acros and other film simulations are available in video modes to create great looks straight out of the camera. Fujifilm's $4,899 GFX100RF is a powerful camera with incredible image quality that's hampered by a lack of low-light performance. It's also a niche and expensive product that, unlike Fujifilm's popular X100 VI, only appeals to a small group of photographers. Its primary rival in this space is Leica's Q3, which has a smaller 60MP full-frame sensor and higher $6,735 price tag. However, the Q3 has a much faster 28mm f/1.7 lens, less rolling shutter, a single SD UHS-II card slot and up to 8K video. It also has the Leica brand cachet, which does mean something to people spending this kind of money. The GFX100RF is fun to use, though, and introduces several innovations like the aspect ratio dial. Though it may never have a huge market, I think products like this push the industry in new directions and create conversations that draw new people into photography. So even though I'd never buy one, I'm glad the GFX100RF exists for those reasons.
Engadget
3 days ago
- Business
- Engadget
Nikon joins other camera manufacturers in raising prices due to tariffs
Nikon has announced that it will increase prices on its photography products in the US due to tariffs, joining other camera manufacturers including Canon, Blackmagic Design and Leica in doing so. It hasn't yet shared which products will be affected, but several outlets have received word from dealers that the changes will mostly affect lenses and accessories manufactured in China. "Due to the recent tariffs, a necessary price adjustment for products will take effect on June 23, 2025," the company wrote last week. "We will be carefully monitoring any tariff developments and may adjust pricing as necessary to reflect the evolving market conditions. We wish to thank our customers for their understanding and know that we are taking every possible step to minimize the impact on our community." The development comes from Trump's recent tariffs affecting electronic goods, with Nikon noting that the increase could cut its operating profit by around $68 million. Canon, the worldwide leader in camera sales, said in its earnings report last month that it would raise prices soon. Fujifilm recently paused US preorders for several models including the X-M5 and X100 VI. Other electronics companies, including Acer and DJI, also recently announced US-only price hikes. In its latest earnings report, Sony said it expects to seller fewer PS5s and expects a $700 million tariff-related revenue hit. These increases could just be the beginning. Nikon builds its products in multiple countries affected by US tariffs, including China, Thailand and its home country, Japan. Unless those nations can negotiate new tariff terms before the end of Trump's 90-day pause, they could be subject to drastically higher rates by July — which would in turn prices for Nikon and many other camera manufacturers.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Nikon will raise prices in June because of US tariffs
Nikon has revealed that it will increase its prices in the US due to the recent tariffs. The company has thus far been silent on the matter but released a brief statement on its site announcing the change. Nikon didn't provide specifics on what the price increase would look like, simply stating that "Due to the recent tariffs, a necessary price adjustment for products will take effect on June 23, 2025." Nikon's statement went on to say that it will be monitoring tariff developments and may further change pricing "as necessary to reflect the evolving market conditions." While the United States and China agreed to a 90-day suspension of most tariffs on May 12, the situation is still uncertain. It isn't surprising that Nikon is leaving room for more changes. Nikon is just the latest in a long list of brands announcing similar increases due to the US tariffs. Earlier this month, Sigma said its prices would increase by an unspecified amount on June 2 for US orders. Leica also announced substantial price increases in the US earlier this month. Those prices, which include a 20% increase on the Leica D-Lux 8 and Leica Lux Grip, are already in place. Sony hasn't made any official announcements, but some of the prices of its cameras and lenses have gone up on sites like B&H, as PetaPixel reported. On April 28, Canon released its Q1 financial results, which included a statement that it will be increasing prices on June 1. Canon assumed those pricing increases would be local to the US, but added, "if the tariff issue were to trigger a global recession, our assumptions will change." Blackmagic was one of the first to increase prices in the US because of the tariffs. Like Nikon and Sigma, it didn't specify the amount of the increase. Some brands have announced changes in production plans or availability instead of pricing increases. Tamron said it's shifting where its lenses are made because of the tariff situation. Fujifilm announced last month that it is pausing pre-orders of its X100VI, GFX100RF and X-M5 (Black) models. Of course, all things tariff-related are in flux. What happens after the 90-day "pause" is unclear, making it hard for companies to plan appropriately. The pricing increases from these brands could change substantially depending on what happens in the coming days and months.
Stuff.tv
22-05-2025
- Stuff.tv
An hour with the Fujifilm X-Half left me nostalgic for analogue film
Fujifilm has done more to make compact cameras cool that just about any other camera brand, but the new X-Half might just make them sub-zero. Sitting somewhere between modern mirrorless camera and retro toy, it's is a true love letter to a niche form of analogue film – just one that was written in the digital age. The underlying hardware might not be much to shout about, but for sheer fun factor it's going to take some real beating. No prizes for guessing which camera Fuji took design inspiration from; the X-Half looks just like an X100VI that shrunk in the wash. You can get one in the same Silver or Black colours, as well as a new Charcoal option. It's about as big as a disposable film camera (if you're old enough to remember one of those) and almost as light. Chalk some of that up to the polycarbonate construction, which avoids feeling cheap. That's appreciated, as this isn't a pocket change camera. It'll set you back $850/£699, or only a little less than the interchangeable lens X-M5. It's not like you're getting high-end hardware for your cash, either. There's a 1in sensor at the X-Half's heart, which is half the size of Fuji's APS-C norm. Pixel count maxes out at 18MP, and it's paired to a 10.8mm, f/2.8 fixed focal length lens with no image stabilisation or even a filter thread. The rest of the camera is pretty basic, with just an exposure compensation dial on the top plate. Aperture and manual focus controls are built into the fixed lens. There's a cold shoe for accessories (though I'm not sure which ones would actually prove useful) and an LED flash. A single SD card slot handles storage. Fuji says the battery is good for up to 880 shots, and charges over USB-C. The focus is very much on the shooting experience here. You can only take JPEGs (no RAWs), so the firm's trademark film simulations are baked in once you press the shutter button. There's a second screen on the back of the camera dedicated to showing which simulation is active; it looks like a window highlighting an analogue film canister inside the camera. There's an optical viewfinder for composition, but it doesn't have the fancy hybrid gubbins as seen on the X100 VI; just a green LED to indicate when the single-zone autofocus has locked onto a subject. With the sensor oriented for 3:4 vertical shooting, the X-Half fully embraces the niche half-frame format – named because each shot is half the width of an image shot on 35mm film – for the social sharing era. The rear touchscreen is even styled to match, with a refreshing lack of buttons next to it. Everything is controlled with swipes and taps. The UI has been simplified greatly, too, so there aren't hundreds of menus to sift through – just the essentials. A film winder next to the shutter button is the icing on the cake. Pulling it takes a 2-in-1 diptych, or side-by-side shot, while pushing it in previews the last shot. You can mix and match stills with video in a single diptych, too. I wish the winder had a ratcheting feel, but the way it springs back after every pull is very satisfying. The shutter has the soft click of a film camera, rather than the heavy thunk of a mirrorless digital one. Even more fun is the Film Camera mode, which lets you take 36, 54 or 72 shots before 'developing' them – along with a contact sheet – via the X-Half smartphone companion app. Image previews are disabled until you complete the 'roll', and you can also apply a handful of analogue effects like light leak and expired film. You've got to remember that the optical viewfinder is offset from the lens, though; the few shots I framed precisely didn't line up after developing. Whichever mode you're in, the shots the X-Half takes are full of Fuji's signature colour science. There's real warmth and contrast on display, and I was pleasantly surprised at how crisp some of my test shots came out; the lens may be more 'characterful' than Fuji's usual optics, but that doesn't mean it's bad. There may be fewer film simulations here than you'll get on the firm's regular X-series cameras, but the big hitters are all present and correct, including two of my favourites, Classic Chrome and Reala Ace. Each gives your shots a distinctive feel, and I liked being locked into one for an entire 'roll' at a time. I don't shoot in portrait very often, so being forced into it here meant not relying on my usual compositions, and thinking more about framing each shot. It's a world away from today's multi-talented mirrorless cameras, which can tackle pretty much any conditions. Walking around East London with the camera gripped between thumb and forefinger felt freeing, too; I wasn't constantly reviewing each shot, but looking for my next subject or location. I'll have to withhold judgment on how well the 1in sensor holds up in low light, although outright image quality isn't the ultimate goal here; like an analogue film camera, a lot of the appeal is how imperfect images still convey the mood and intention of the photographer. Having spent an hour with the X-Half, I'm convinced its limitations are part of the charm. This is a fun camera that makes you think about composition rather than the minutiae of ISO values and the like; and with no option for RAW editing later, what you shoot is what you get. That will surely make it a hit with social media sharers who want to get their pics live ASAP. At $850/£699 it's hardly an impulse – but if you're willing to pay for retro charm, this camera has plenty of it. The Fujifilm X-Half is up for pre-order now. Cameras start shipping from June 12.
NBC News
19-03-2025
- NBC News
Fujifilm X100VI review: I tested TikTok's favorite camera for seven months
If you have even a passing interest in cameras, chances are you've seen the Fujifilm X100VI. For the past few years, the X100VI (and the previous X100V) has been the it camera: everyone wants one, but no one can get one. It's easy to use, stylish and most importantly, very popular on TikTok. Demand is so high that retailer wait-lists are measured in months, not days. I pre-ordered mine the day it was announced in February of 2024 — it took five months to arrive at my door. Having used the X100VI for over seven months, I understand the hype — it is a fantastic camera. But is it worth the wait? What is the Fujifilm X100VI? Fujifilm X100VI The Fujifilm X100VI is a compact camera with a retro design and modern guts — it may look like a vintage film camera, but it has high-tech features like AI-based subject detecting auto-focus and 6.2K video recording. It uses a fixed (non-removable), slightly wide-angle 35 millimeter (mm) lens that is small and compact on the camera. The lens and camera are flexible and versatile for taking pictures of everyday life, even in less-than-ideal lighting, in my experience. It is the sixth and latest version of the Fujifilm X100 series camera, originally introduced in 2011. The previous X100V was extremely popular, and sold out at most retailers for years. The X100VI, despite Fujifilm doubling its production capacity, is similarly hard to find at most retailers — I received mine five months after pre-ordering it on the first day it became available. Focal length: 35mm | Screen: tilting | Viewfinder: yes, digital and optical | Built-in Flash: yes | Weight: 1.12 lbs. (512g) | Aperture: f/2-16 | Shutter speed: 60 min. to 1/4000 sec. | ISO: 125-12,800 | Photo resolution: up to 7728x5152 | Battery life: up to 310 shots or 45 min. of video My experience with the Fujifilm X100VI The X100VI is more than just a small, stylish camera. (Though, to be fair, of all the camera's I've used, it is the one that gets the most compliments from friends and strangers alike.) It takes stunning photos, and has powerful and versatile tools built-in that inspire me to be more creative, without having to lug around a bunch of extra camera gear or do a ton of photo editing at home. What I like Excellent image quality The images from the X100VI are consistently excellent. Other cameras of a similar size simply cannot compete with the large image sensor, accurate auto-focus, rich colors and low-light performance. Buildings and landscapes maintain sharp lines and fine detail, even when you zoom into the photos later. Portraits are detailed and can have pleasing bokeh or out of focus backgrounds. Shadows and contrast are clear and defined. Looking at the images on my computer, I would guess they were taken with a much larger, 'more professional' camera than the X100VI. Beautiful and versatile Fujifilm Film Simulations Fujifilm Film Simulations are photographic 'looks' you can select before (and after) you shoot a photo or video. These film simulations are based off of real-world Fujifilm films — the brand started in the 1930s as a photo film manufacturer, and still produces film to this day. As such, most film simulations feel robust and full of character, not gimmicky. I often used the simulation Velvia for shooting colorful nature, Acros for creating moody black and white scenes, and Provia or Reala Ace for anything spontaneous. Using these film simulations let me create a more specific look in each photo, and made me less inclined to do any photo editing after the fact. It encourage creativity and experimentation The X100VI has a lot of built-in tools — put together, they create a very flexible, unrestricted shooting experience. For example, the camera has very effective in-body image stabilization (IBIS) — basically, the camera will eliminate slight hand movement to ensure more steady shots. That means I can take pictures in lower-light conditions, without flash, and still get pretty sharp results. IBIS, paired with the camera's built-in neutral-density filter (basically sunglasses for your lens), means you can get pretty creative with your photos. I took the following photo (my sixth attempt) by placing the camera on a bench, turning on the neutral-density filter and experimenting with a long exposure time (about 4 seconds). No other small camera I've tested has made me feel as free as the X100VI. My creative vision is almost never limited by the camera, just my imagination. Potential drawbacks to keep in mind Beginner friendly, up to a point The Fujifilm X100VI is beginner friendly to a certain extent. The camera itself has a vintage-inspired design with controls to match. You may find this control scheme easier or harder to use compared to more modern-focused cameras like the Fujifilm X-S20 ($1,299) or Sony a6700 ($1,399). Regardless, you can set all the settings and dials to the automatic mode (A), keep auto-focus wide and just point and shoot — you'll still capture some fantastic images. But, like many modern cameras, the X100VI settings menu feels like an archaic labyrinth to anyone outside of a professional photographer. I have watched hours-long YouTube videos explaining each and every option in the Fujifilm settings menu. Most people I know who are interested in the X100VI are beginners — I don't think they are interested in hours-long camera tutorials. Lack of availability I pre-ordered the X100VI the day it was announced in February of 2024. It took me five months to receive it. The camera is still out of stock at every online retailer charging its regular $1,599 sticker price, and you can find many folks online commiserating about how long they have been waiting to receive their order. I understand that a huge part of the X100VI's appeal is its compact size and stylish design. But you can make other, similarly stylish Fujifilm cameras like the Fujifilm X-T50 ($1,399) or Fujifilm X-T30 II ($899) nearly as compact by pairing them with a small Fujifilm pancake lens ($399) or TTArtisan pancake lens ($149). The Fujifilm X-T50 in particular is arguably just as good as the X100VI, technically-speaking, but it is also widely available in most camera stores with little to no waiting period to ship an order. Pairing the X-T50 with a pancake lens costs around the same as the price of the X100VI too. Who is the Fujifilm X100VI for? The Fujifilm X100VI is arguably the best compact camera you can buy. It takes stunning photos, has advanced auto-focus, a built-in neutral density filter and enables creativity and expression with tools like Fujifilm Film Simulations. It's fun to use, easy to carry anywhere, and stylish too. It's also the camera everyone wants. It's nearly impossible to find in-stock at retail price, and if you do decide to purchase one, you'll probably have to wait months to receive it. If you want a small camera that takes excellent photos tomorrow, you're better off looking at a camera like the Fujifilm X-T50 and pairing it with a small lens. Even more direct competitors like the Leica D-Lux 8 ($1,595) and Ricoh GR IIIx ($1,049), while hard to find in stock, have fewer backorders than the X100VI. But if patience is your virtue, the X100VI may be worth the wait — it was for me. Why trust NBC Select? I am a reporter at NBC Select who covers technology and fitness including recent stories on point-and-shoot cameras, smartwatches, running shoes and more. I've been using the Fujifilm X100VI for over seven months. For this piece, I compared the experience of using the X100VI to other cameras I own and have tested over the past four years.
