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Buy Right: A Quick Look at Fujifilm Cameras for All Genres of Photography

Brett Day
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07/25/2020
10 Mins read
Chris Gampat The Phoblographer Fujifilm X100V review product images 41-8000s160

All Fujifilm cameras are great, but make sure you get the right one for you.

There are many Fujifilm cameras on the market, and it can be hard to choose between them all. Whether you want to shoot street photography, sports, weddings, events, documentary images, or if you’re just a beginner finding your way in the world of photography, just know there are Fujifilm cameras for you. In this roundup, we will break down some of the models Fujifilm currently has on the market, and help you get a better understanding of which models are suited to different genres of photography.

Captured with the Fujifilm X-T200

Over the last few years, Fujifilm cameras have become more popular than ever thanks to fantastic retro designs, incredibly capable sensors, and of course, the simply beautiful Fujifilm film simulations, which you can find in all of the Fujifilm cameras below. There really are cameras for everyone in the Fujifilm lineup, ranging from the APS-C X-T200 for the beginner to the Medium Format GFX 100 for the professional. No matter which Fujifilm camera you go with, you’re going to get your money’s worth and then some. Check out our picks of the best Fujifilm cameras for every type of photographer below.

For the Beginner – Fujifilm X-T200

This small, stylish camera is one of the best cameras on the market for photographers who are ready to step up from their smartphone. The 24MP sensor can capture incredibly detailed images, it performs very well in low light situations, and its touchscreen interface is fantastic. The real trick of the X-T200 though is it being a JPEG powerhouse. Use the built-in film simulations and you will find that you can create images that are ready to share straight out of the camera. Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

  • A beautiful, elegant design which mixes old and new elements
  • Outstanding image quality
  • Versatile RAW files
  • Excellent high ISO performance
  • You can shoot JPEGS all day long and will be nothing but happy
  • The touchscreen and touch controls are some of the best on any camera (they’re really that good)
  • The high-resolution LCD is also a full flippy screen
  • The Fujifilm X-T200 has good battery life
  • Lots of 4K video options for those that need it

Cons

  • Only one UHS-1 SD card slot
  • No Acros film simulation due to no X-Trans sensor
  • A few focusing issues, but nothing crazy
  • The touchscreen is a little too sensitive
  • The buffer fills quickly due to the speed of the UHS-1 cards
  • The camera is unusable for over a minute while the buffer clears
  • Shutter maxes out at 1/4000 sec

Buy now: $599.95 Body Only, $699 with lens

For the Enthusiast/Travel Photographer – Fujifilm X-T30

mirrorless cameras

The X-T30 may be on the small side, but it’s packing big performance under its vintage-styled exterior. The X-T30 uses the same fantastic 26.2MP sensor as the X-T3, and it has access to all the gorgeous Fujifilm XF mount lenses and the great Fujifilm film simulations we all love. The X-T30’s small size makes it perfect for the enthusiast who wants a small, manageable camera, or for the travel photographer who wants to travel light. Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

  • Solid construction that we’ve come to expect and love about Fujifilm cameras
  • Compact
  • Lightweight
  • Almost everything that made the X-T3 such a hit

Cons

  • Lacks in-body image stabilization and weather sealing
  • Rear touchscreen only tilts up and down, unlike the X-T3 which also tilts to the right as well
  • Perhaps a tad too compact, particularly for photographers with larger hands
  • The new joystick is awkwardly placed on the rear of the camera body, making single-handed operation challenging and increases the risk of accidentally dropping the camera due to its diminutive size
  • Unremarkable battery life

Buy now: $799

For the Street Photographer – Fujifilm X100V

The X100V just exudes class. The gorgeous Rangefinder design will turn heads, the hybrid optical and electronic viewfinder will allow you to have a pleasant shooting experience, the build quality of the X100V is excellent and will enable it to survive in your pant pockets or bag, and the image quality will make your jaw hit the floor. Screw a UV lens filter onto the 23mm f2 lens and the X100V becomes weather-sealed too! Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

  • Feels good in the hand
  • Focuses quickly but the all wide tracking needs a revamp
  • Beautiful overall
  • We like this new ISO dial
  • So simple to use
  • Image quality is nice so far
  • Built-in ND filter option
  • With the right tweaks, the autofocus can be very good for street
  • We’re finding autofocus with the OVF to be faster than with the EVF
  • Touchscreen focusing is wonderful in protests

Cons

  • Battery life drains too fast
  • Could use a leatherette grip and not this plastic fantastic stuff
  • Exposure compensation dial needs a lock button
  • Touchscreen menu is needed
  • Maybe even a few more Fn buttons
  • Viewfinder diopter adjustment doesn’t lock
  • When you set the camera to viewfinder only for shooting and LCD for playback, the menu system works only in the viewfinder.
  • There are situations where Image Stabilization would really benefit this camera due to the quick “hit and run” style of shooting
  • LCD needs to adapt to lighting automatically
  • Autofocus suffers in very low lighting and in zone setting

Buy now: $1,399

Captured with the Fujifilm X100V

Pro Tip: The Fujifilm X100V is a fantastic camera to take with you out on the streets, but you need to remember that, out of the box, it’s not fully weather sealed. To seal the camera against the elements, you’re going to need this Fujifilm adapter ring and a 49mm UV filter. Once these are in place, you can go out and shoot in all kinds of weather without having to worry.

Fujifilm X-H1

Fujifilm Cameras

The Fujifilm X-H1 is a unique camera in Fujifilm’s lineup. It was the first of the Fujifilm cameras to feature IBIS, and it had a much more robust, industrial design than other X series cameras. The X-H1 is no slouch, either. The 24.3MP sensor captures gorgeous images, and when you attach the additional Power Grip, the X-H1 can shoot up to 14 frames per second. The X-H1 is also built like a tank and can withstand inclement weather and temps down to -10 Degree C/-14 Degree F. The grip will allow you to get a better purchase on the camera when using longer lenses too, which makes the X-H1 perfect for wildlife and sports photographers. 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 (at the time of writing)
  • 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 I’ve experienced
  • The top LCD screen is nice
  • Dual card slots
  • Versatile images
  • Fantastic EVF

Cons

  • Bluetooth being on in the background can drain battery life
  • The grip and the size overall make it difficult to reach the shutter dial
  • The vertical grip isn’t necessary really, but we see how and why folks would like it

Buy now: $1,299.95 with the grip

For Portrait and Jack of All Trades Photographers – Fujifilm XT4

Fujifilm Cameras

The X-T4 is the follow up to one of the most successful Fujifilm cameras to date, the X-T3. The X-T4 features the same fantastic 26.2MP X-Trans sensor, but there are a ton of updates that make this camera a step up! In the X-T4, you’ll find 5-axis IBIS, a fully articulating touchscreen, a more substantial battery, faster burst rates, and an improved autofocus system. It’s perfect for portrait photographers thanks to its eye and face auto-detect, and it’s overall performance lends itself well to multiple genres of photography. Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

  • Excellent build quality and weather sealing
  • Upgraded autofocus performance
  • Articulating touchscreen, finally!
  • Dual UHS-II SD card slots
  • Some of the best in-camera image stabilization we’ve seen
  • Deeper grip
  • New Bleach Bypass film simulation
  • Larger battery (can be tripled when using the VG-XT4 vertical grip)
  • A lot of technology for $1,699

Cons

  • Some of the menus in the Fujifilm XT4 still aren’t touch compatible
  • Inconsistent high ISO performance

Buy now: $1,699

For Photojournalists and Documentarians – Fujifilm X Pro 3

Fujifilm Cameras

Fujifilm really broke the mold with the X-Pro 3. This beloved Rangefinder-style camera wants its users to be in the moment, and because of this, the X-Pro 3 features one of the most unique rear LCDs in the business. When closed, the rear LCD displays what film simulation you are using. This feature replicates film cameras that would have a place holder for your film details (think film type and ISO), but when needed, the screen can be unfolded to reveal a more traditional touchscreen. Like most of the other high-end X series Fujifilm cameras, the X Pro 3 features a 26.2MP X Trans sensor and fantastic weather sealing. Like the X100V, the X Pro 3 also features a hybrid OVF/EVF. If you want performance along with retro styling that will turn heads at events, grab the X-Pro 3. Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

  • Superia is beautiful (Classic neg)
  • We love the lack of a major screen
  • Autofocus can be fine-tuned for different situations
  • Everyone loves the look of Classic neg
  • You can push the shadows for forever and get details
  • The screen helps you stay focused and aware
  • USB C charging ensures that you can keep using the camera
  • Video features deliver pretty video
  • Arguably, you don’t need to edit the RAW files because the JPEGs let you do so much
  • For street and documentary shooting, the hidden screen will keep you in the zone when shooting
  • Face detection is fantastic when not trying to track erratic movements
  • Acros and clarity enhancements are going to make you fall in love with Fujifilm all over again
  • The Chrome effect for skies is subtle and very nice
  • Autofocus is fantastic for events and most professional work
  • Fujifilm’s collection of small primes pair wonderfully with this camera
  • The best camera to embrace high ISO noise on the market
  • Using the OVF will prolong battery life at the expense of slower autofocus
  • The wider lenses make zone focusing easy
  • Multiple exposure mode is a very welcome addition
  • Very good battery life

Cons

  • Has problems keeping subjects in focus when they’re continuously moving
  • When you need the screen, it being hidden is a bit of an annoyance
  • This camera desperately needed Blackout Free EVF shooting
  • Touchscreen menu navigation should be on this camera
  • Autofocus needs improvements
  • Rated images in-camera aren’t brought into Capture One Pro
  • Enhancing the clarity makes the camera take extra time to render the image
  • The battery life in long term use is about on par with the new Sony Z batteries
  • For street shooting, the wide and tracking AF area still lets you select a zone, but it shouldn’t. This can throw off shooting in real-life street situations
  • Shooting from the hip? You may accidentally hit the function button and not the shutter release
  • Exposure dial needs a locking mechanism
  • Multiple Exposure mode saves the final images only as JPEGs
  • The addition of image stabilization could have meant that this camera has a better chance at becoming the perfect camera for street photography

Buy now: $1,799.95

Captured with the Fujifilm GFX 100

Pro Tip: Cameras these days produce RAW files that will make most SD cards weep, especially Medium Format Fujifilm cameras. Make sure you have plenty of cards with you when you head out the door because the last thing you will want is to run out of storage space. UHS-II cards have dropped in price significantly over the last few months, so now is a great time to stock up on them. These are great, and they’re affordable.

For the Product and Fine Arts Photographer – Fujifilm GFX 50R

Fujifilm Cameras

The GFX 50R is an absolute delight to use, and the images you will get from the 50MP sensor will blow your mind. You will find more and more detail every time you look at the pictures. The sensor is housed in another wonderful Rangefinder-style body, and thanks to the autofocus system, this Medium Format camera doesn’t need to be bound to a tripod. in fact, it’s good enough and fast enough to take out on to the streets. Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

  • Great image quality
  • Excellent high ISO output
  • High speed sync with the Profoto Air system is a delight
  • Autofocus isn’t all that bad
  • Weather sealing is top notch
  • Lightweight
  • Not that large overall
  • The ergonomics are very good

Cons

  • This system really needs lenses faster than f2

Buy now: $4,499

For the Professional Landscape Photographer – Fujifilm GFX 100

Fujifilm Cameras

If you’re serious about your craft and you want the absolute best that money can buy when it comes to Fujifilm cameras, the Medium Format GFX 100 might be the one for you. Boasting a 102MP sensor, the same AF system that can be found in the X-T3 (which is on sale for $999.95), and in-body image stabilization, the GFX 100 is one of the best cameras on the market. Period. If you want to capture details in your details, the GFX 100 should be on your radar. Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

  • 102 amazing Megapixels
  • Under $10,000 for one of the most powerful Medium Format cameras on the market
  • It uses the same autofocus system as the X-T3
  • A gorgeous electronic viewfinder
  • The menu system is perhaps only second to Canon’s in terms of design
  • The image quality is simply jaw-dropping
  • Fantastic high ISO capabilities
  • Very good battery life
  • The top and rear LCD and OLED panels are easy to see and read in bright conditions

Cons

  • Quite possibly the worst ergonomics of any camera
  • The thumb rest on the back is poorly designed
  • The body of the Fujifilm GFX 100 feels cheap
  • The buttons are mushy and have hardly any tactile feel
  • AF tracking was hit or miss
  • The touchscreen cannot be used to navigate the menu system
  • The grip is too shallow and does not provide a comfortable way to hold this 3lb camera
  • The vertical grip is untextured and incredibly slippery

Buy now: $9,999.95