Is the Fujifilm X100S still a relevant camera in 2024? Or better yet, is this 11-year-old compact, rangefinder-like camera still capable? With the recently announced Fujifilm x100VI (the 6th model in the much loved Fujifilm x100 series) set to be available in early March 2024, a lot will surely cram to get their hands on one. After all, its predecessor, the Fujifilm X100V was a massive hit that ’till today, it’s hard to find one in stock. But is newer always the best to go after? The X100S says otherwise.
The Fujifilm X100S is a rangefinder-like, 16-megapixel APS-C premium compact camera. I call it rangefinder-like because it looks like a rangefinder camera but doesn’t really have a rangefinder. Released in 2010, the X100S much like all the X100 series of cameras is designed to look like old film cameras but is 100% digital. Aside, from its obvious beautiful and classic design, one unique feature of these cameras is its hybrid viewfinder where you can toggle between electronic and optical viewfinder. I find that the design of the X100S is better than the later versions of this camera. The later versions have this subtle sleek modern look to them that I am not a fan of, but it’s just personal preference, after all they all look great and are very similar.
Despite being 11 years old already and new features and improvements added to newer models, the Fujifilm X100S is still a very capable stills camera producing beautiful photos. 16 megapixels is plenty enough especially if you use this camera on how it is intended to be use, an everyday carry. It may not be the fastest nor a feature jampacked camera, but just the experience of shooting one is already enough for it to be a relevant camera for a long time. If it has one downside, its the awful battery life.
To be honest, I believe that any digital camera released in the last 15 years are still very capable. You just have to know how to use them and embrace their limitations. I use my X100S along side my Fujifilm XE3 which is an interchangable lens camera and offers better video. There is nothing wrong with buying the most modern camera releases specially if its for professional work. But if you are looking for a bang for the buck stills camera that looks great, then the X100S might just be the one for you.
King 