Why I Chose the Fujifilm X100VI and Why I Ended Up Selling It

As a photographer who usually works with medium format and high-end gear, I never expected a compact APS-C camera to become an essential part of my daily creative life. But the Fujifilm X100VI changed that, and then changed my mind again. This isn’t just a technical review; it’s the honest story of why this camera won me over, became my favorite everyday companion, and why I eventually decided to sell it.

Falling Back in Love with Spontaneity

When you’re used to shooting with large, heavy cameras, photography becomes a ritual: planning, setup, intention. But what about the unexpected moments? The quiet corners of daily life, the light falling just right on a street, a quick portrait of someone passing by?

The X100VI made me fall in love with spontaneous photography again. It’s light, always with me, and it lets me focus on seeing rather than setting up.

Why I Chose the Fujifilm X100VI

I bought the X100VI for three simple but powerful reasons:

• IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization). A game-changer. I can shoot handheld at slower shutter speeds and still get crisp images. Perfect for low light, or for keeping subtle motion blur intentional rather than accidental.
• 40MP sensor. That’s a lot of resolution in such a compact body. I can crop in post, print large, and still retain beautiful detail and color depth.
• Design and discretion. It looks timeless, almost like a vintage rangefinder, and people don’t read it as a “serious camera.” That helps me capture authentic, unguarded moments, especially when photographing strangers or street scenes.

A Word About Film Simulations

One of the most iconic features of Fujifilm cameras is their film simulations, and the X100VI offers an incredible range. Classic Chrome, Nostalgic Negative, Acros, Provia… each one brings a different emotion and atmosphere.

I often use them as a visual guide while shooting, to see how the light and tones might render. But personally, I shoot mainly in RAW. I like having full control in post-production. Developing the image later in Lightroom, shaping the colors and tones based on how I felt in the moment, feels better than being locked into a baked-in JPEG. Still, I love that Fujifilm gives me both inspiration and flexibility.

The Strengths of a Small Sensor

Yes, it’s an APS-C sensor. That’s not a downside. It’s a strength when you put it in context.

• Depth of field is easier to manage, which is perfect for street, travel, or spontaneous portraiture.
• Lighter lenses, faster autofocus, and better portability are all part of the APS-C charm.
• The files are still incredibly detailed, and Fuji’s color science brings everything to life.

Combined with IBIS and high resolution, this small sensor performs far beyond expectations.

Image Quality That Surprises Me Daily

There are days I leave my Hasselblad or Mamiya at home and just carry the X100VI. When I get back and look at the files, I’m genuinely surprised at what this little machine can do.

The tones. The colors. The clarity. Even straight out of camera, the images have depth and soul. But when I process the RAW files, that’s where the magic really happens.

What I Don’t Love (But Can Live With)

No camera is perfect, and the X100VI has a few limitations worth mentioning:

• Fixed lens. You have to love this focal length (equivalent to 35mm full frame). It’s versatile, but not for every situation. For my kind of daily work, it’s ideal: fast, discreet, and sharp.
• Dynamic range. In extreme lighting situations, it doesn’t have the same highlight retention as a full-frame or medium format sensor. With careful exposure and post-processing, it’s rarely an issue, but it’s there.
• Price. The X100VI is not cheap anymore. But you’re paying for build quality, performance, and a unique balance between analog soul and digital reliability.

A Camera That Fits into My Life

Whether I’m walking the streets of Paris, exploring a quiet town in Wyoming, or chasing light in California, the X100VI was always in my bag or around my neck. It didn’t get in the way. It became part of the rhythm of daily life.

It’s the camera I used when I wasn’t “working.” But strangely, some of my favorite images, the most honest, the most intimate, came from it.

So Why Did I Sell It?

Here’s the honest part. Despite everything I just wrote, and I meant every word, I ended up selling the X100VI.

The reason isn’t technical. The camera is everything I said it was: gorgeous, capable, sharp, discreet. The IBIS works, the 40MP sensor delivers, the film simulations are beautiful. On paper, on a test bench, even on a weekend walk, the X100VI delivers.

But weeks went by, and I just wasn’t reaching for it.

When I had a project in mind, I’d pick up the Hasselblad. When I was traveling for a series, the Mamiya was already in the bag. And when I just wanted to walk around with a camera… I’d grab my phone. The X100VI ended up in that strange middle ground: too “serious” to be casual, too constrained (fixed 35mm, APS-C) to be my main tool.

It’s not the camera’s fault. It’s mine. The X100VI is built for a specific kind of photographer: someone who wants one camera, one focal length, always with them, shooting whatever the day gives them. That’s not how I work. I shoot in series, with intention. And when I’m not building a body of work, I’m not really shooting at all.

A great camera isn’t necessarily the right camera for the way you actually work.

So I sold it. No regrets, no drama. Just the honest realization that I’d been buying a story about myself that didn’t match how I actually shoot.

If you’re considering the X100VI, ask yourself one question before buying: am I the kind of photographer who genuinely shoots every day, anywhere, without a project in mind? If yes, this might be the best camera you’ll ever own. If, like me, you mostly shoot with a series in mind, you might love it for two months, and watch it gather dust after that.

Final Thoughts: A Beautiful Camera, Just Not For Me

The Fujifilm X100VI is a remarkable tool. It reminds you that great photography doesn’t always need big gear or technical perfection. Sometimes it’s about being present, ready, and inspired.

But “remarkable” and “right for you” are two very different things. I learned that the hard way, and that’s okay. If you shoot constantly and casually, this camera will become your best friend. If you’re more focused on projects, like I am, it might end up like mine did: admired but unused.

Either way, give it a serious look. And above all, be honest with yourself about how you actually shoot, not how you think you should shoot.

Do you own the X100VI, or are you thinking about getting one? I’d love to hear your experience. Did it become part of your daily life, or did it end up like mine? Let’s talk in the comments.