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Forget New Cameras, These Older Fujifilm Cameras Are Top Performers

Brett Day
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05/26/2020
6 Mins read
Innovative cameras -Fujifilm X100

If you’re looking into buying a camera, perhaps consider picking up a new old stock Fujifilm camera rather than a more modern model.

There’s no doubt that Fujifilm has had a massive impact on the camera market over recent years. Seemingly coming out of the blue, Fujifilm started to revolutionize the camera industry with some stellar Mirrorless cameras that were dubbed the X-series. Since their first offering in 2011, Fujifilm X-series cameras have taken over a whole market segment. Fujifilm’s APS-C cameras are so good that they have found homes in the hands of pros all over the globe. However, did you know that some of Fujifilm’s cameras from just a few years ago were so far ahead of their time that they are still top performers today? Well, they are, and they can be found at bargain prices. If you’re looking for a camera, check out these six Fujifilm cameras from a few years ago that will still blow your socks off.

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Captured with the Fujifilm X-T2

No matter which Fujifilm camera you decide to pick up and use, you are guaranteed to have fun using it, and you will be able to use it to help you create gorgeous images. Whether you love shooting JPEG and want to take advantage of the incredible Fujifilm film simulations, or you like pushing and pulling RAW files, these Fujifilm cameras have you covered. Not only do they look incredible on the outside, but they are incredible on the inside too. The six Fujifilm cameras we listed below will not let you down should you decide to give one a home.

Fujifilm X-H1

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The Fujifilm X-H1 was cut from a different cloth of other X-T cameras in the company’s lineup. The body of the camera was much more industrial feeling, yet still nice to hold and use. The X-H1 was also the first camera from Fujifilm to feature IBIS. The differences between the X-H1 and the X-T3 released around the same time were enough that the X-H1 developed a cult following. The X-H1 is still a top performer and will serve any photographer who picks one up very well. Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

  • Great image quality
  • The best autofocus of any APS-C camera on the market
  • Film styles
  • 4K 24p 200MB/second video is fantastic
  • Weather sealing
  • Pretty good battery life if you switch off all connectivity
  • Easiest setup and connection to a mobile phone that we’ve experienced
  • Top LCD screen is nice
  • Dual card slots
  • Versatile images
  • Fantastic EVF

Cons

  • Fujifilm Eterna is overrated
  • Bluetooth on in the background can drain battery life on top of the IBIS
  • The grip and the size overall make it difficult to reach the shutter dial and it’s very difficult or nearly impossible to reprogram the exposure functions due to how their lenses work
  • The vertical grip isn’t necessary really, but we see how and why folks would like it

Buy now: $1,299

Fujifilm X Pro 1

Fujifilm hit a home run with the X-Pro 1. While all cameras in the X-Pro series are pretty fantastic, the X-Pro 1 had a magic about it that Fujifilm has not been able to replicate in newer models. The images from the sensor in the X-Pro 1 are the closest you’re going to get to film from a digital camera. There aren’t enough good things we can say about the images. The retro rangefinder-style and ergonomics take this camera over the edge. Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

  • Excellent ergonomics
  • Consistent performance improvement via firmware updates
  • Autofocus speed has vastly improved
  • Superb image quality and probably the best APS-C sensor currently in the industry
  • RAW file versatility improved with further Adobe and Capture One updates
  • Manual focus peaking implemented

Cons

  • Autofocus still isn’t as fast as that from Sony and Olympus. It is about on par with Samsung
  • No second curtain flash sync with Pocket Wizards and third party flashes

Buy now: $1,299

Captured with the Fujifilm X100

Pro Tip: There’s a lot to love about all of the Fujifilm cameras we have listed here. They all have excellent sensors and a ton of features that can help you become more creative, but they are only useful if you know how to use them. If you pick up a Fujifilm camera, be sure to grab this book from Dan Bailey, too. This affordable book will show you how to get the most out of any X-series camera.

Fujifilm X100

Innovative cameras -Fujifilm X100

The X series camera that started it all. The Fujifilm X100 was the first camera in the now infamous Fujifilm X-series lineup and it will go down as a modern classic. This compact camera rocked a 12.3MP sensor, a 23mm f2 lens, and a gorgeous retro design. The X100 can produce gorgeous images and is a good performer at high ISOs as well. For a digital camera that’s nine years old, it’s holding up very well indeed. If you want a small piece of Fujifilm’s history, grab one while samples are still affordable. Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

  • No complaints about the image quality at all
  • Good high ISO results
  • The X100 feels wonderful in the hand, it’s like holding a piece of history
  • Overall the camera has an effective AF system
  • The viewfinder is gorgeous

Cons

  • The controls can be a little confusing at times
  • The metering system is a little strange
  • The built-in flash is very weak

Buy now used: From $409.99

Fujifilm X100S

A follow up to the super popular X100, the X100S took what was already great and made it better. The autofocus system was improved drastically, and tweaks under the hood made the camera more speedy in several other areas too. A new sensor (a 16Mp X-Trans) produced glorious images. In fact, they would shine alongside images from some newer cameras. Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

  • Excellent image quality
  • High ISO images are almost noise-free
  • Drastically improved autofocus
  • Super quiet shutter
  • The camera retains all of the controls of the X100 being put in just the right spot
  • Card write speed has been substantially improved
  • Small and super lightweight camera that can become your constant companion

Cons

  • We’d love a dial for ISO control. Perhaps incorporating this into the shutter speed dial the same way that old film cameras used to would be best.
  • Autofocus suffers in low light
  • The lens should have received a revamp in terms of optics
  • Really wish there was a switch around the lens for the ND filter

Buy now: From $620

Fujifilm X-T2

fujifilm x-t2

If there is one camera that thrust Fujifilm into the spotlight, it was the X-T2. The X-T1 was good, but the X-T2 was spectacular. Fujifilm listened to all of the complaints made about the X-T1, rectified them, and then went up three more levels of greatness. The 24.3MP X-Trans sensor was a massive improvement over the 16MP version in the X-T1, and it was and still is capable of producing images that will make jaws drop. The gorgeous retro styling, the physical controls, the improved autofocus system, and overall usability turned APS-C deniers into believers. Despite the X-T4 now being out, the X-T2 is still a top camera thanks to many firmware updates. Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

  • Great image quality
  • Versatile raw files
  • Weather sealing
  • Super solid build quality
  • Reliability
  • Fast autofocus, though still not the fastest
  • 4k video addition due to the heat sink on the camera
  • Dials can be locked into place
  • With the battery grip and two other batteries in the grip, it can last for forever basically.
  • Fast FPS shooting

Cons

  • Tracking autofocus isn’t the fastest
  • Autofocus in low light isn’t so great

Buy used: From $1,178

Fujifilm X-T20

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The little brother to the X-T2, the X-T20 is another fine camera. Don’t be fooled by the cameras’ small size because it packs a mighty punch. It uses the same sensor as the X-T2, the same AF system, and it is just a pure joy to use thanks to its size and form factor. If you want a mirrorless camera that is feature-packed and incredibly affordable, take a closer look at the Fujifilm X-T20. Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

  • Great image quality, though not as much detail as the flagships at ISO 12,800
  • Nice feeling in the hand
  • Very fast autofocus even with older lenses
  • Controls feel nice
  • Menu system is still pretty simple to work with
  • An overall fun and compact camera

Cons

  • This camera really feels like it needs weather sealing or perhaps more support for video via ports on the camera
  • Battery life drains seriously fast

Buy now renewed: $514.20

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