The X100V delivers the same excellent image quality as an X-Pro3. The sharpness is quite good from edge to corner, also at F2.

Almost ten years ago, at Photokina 2010, Fujifilm made a surprising announcement. They were working on a compact camera with a sensor in APS-C format, so as large as in most system and SLR cameras, a fixed lens with a focal length of 23mm (converted to full-frame 35mm) and a hybrid optical and electronic viewfinder. The retro design was inspired by classic viewfinder cameras, and the camera also received classic controls such as an aperture ring and shutter speed and exposure compensation dials. When the X100 came to market in 2011, it was able to charm many street and travel photographers. Since then, Fujifilm has released a new version every two years on average: the X100S (2013), the X100T (2015) and the X100F (2017). Now it’s the turn of the fifth generation, the X100V. It builds on the formula of success but brings some important improvements.

BUILD AND OPERATION

Although the interior is completely new, the X100V retains the familiar retro look of the X100 series. It is available in two versions: completely black, or in “silver.” The top is made of smooth aluminum. On the right, the camera was given a slightly different design, with a rounded handle on the front and a thumb rest on the back. That makes it fit better in the hand. The X100V is the first in the X100 series to be finished weatherproof. However, to completely protect the camera against rain and dust, you must purchase the adapter ring AR-X100 and the protective filter PRF-49. Otherwise, moisture or dirt can penetrate through the lens.

The 3-inch LCD screen at the rear is now touch-sensitive, which makes it easier to operate the camera menu. You can use the touchscreen to select a focal point and to print if you wish. The screen can now also fold out, up to 90 degrees upwards (useful for taking pictures with the camera at abdominal height) and 30 degrees downwards. Unlike the X-T3 and X-T4, the screen does not fold out in the vertical shooting mode.

Operation  
The 4-way selector button on the back has disappeared; to move a focal point, you use a joystick.
The other familiar controls were kept. Around the lens, there is a ring to adjust the aperture (F2 to F16, or A for automatic). At the top is a shutter speed wheel (1/4,000s to 1 second, or A). Click this ring up to set the sensitivity. The click mechanism has changed, making it easier to operate and so that it can be operated with one hand.
You can set exposure compensation via another wheel, and there are two setting wheels to which you can assign a function yourself. The front ring on the lens can also be assigned a function, for example to quickly select a film simulation. Thanks to this combination of physical controls and freely assignable functions, the X100V is a camera that you can perfectly tailor to your way of photographing.
Despite the faster processor, the working time per battery charge has increased. With the same NP-W126S battery as the X100F, you can now take 350 shots with the electronic viewfinder or 420 with the optical viewfinder. The battery can be charged via the USB-C connector.

New sensor  
The X100V has the same image sensor as the Fujifilm X-T3, X-T4 and X-Pro3. This 26.1-megapixel, back-illuminated CMOS sensor uses Fujifilm’s unique X-Trans color filter instead of the classic Bayer color filter. This filter reduces the chance of moiré, which means that an optical low-pass filter is not required. A low-pass filter reduces the chance of moiré for conventional sensors, but this comes at the expense of sharpness. This sensor has a slightly larger sensitivity range than the sensor in the X100F: ISO 160 to 12,800 compared to ISO 200 to 12,800. The sensor features 245 phase-detection AF sensors that cover almost the entire image surface.
The image processor was also upgraded. The X-Processor 4 with Quad-Core technology ensures reliable autofocus up to -5 LW, improved tracking of moving subjects and more accurate eye and face detection.

Better viewfinder
The large hybrid viewfinder is one of the most important factors in the success of the X100 series. You can use it as an optical viewfinder with 0.5x magnification, as a purely electronic viewfinder, or combined as an optical viewfinder with a small electronic preview in the bottom right corner. Use a lever on the front to set the desired option.
When using the optical viewfinder, shooting information and an image frame are projected; they are now more visible than on the X100F. However, the biggest improvement can be found in the electronic viewfinder; with 3.7 million pixels, it is much sharper than that of its predecessor. Thanks to the fast processor, the electronic viewfinder image is also refreshed faster (100 times per second), giving you a quieter image.

Improved lens
At first glance, the lens of the X100V is unchanged, with a focal length of 23mm (converted 35mm) and a maximum brightness of F2. However, the optical formula has been changed. Two lens elements are now aspherical. That should ensure a higher level of sharpness in the image out to the corners. New coatings reduce the chance of unwanted reflections.
The central shutter in the lens allows flash synchronization up to 1/4,000 s. A built-in grey filter reduces the incoming light by 4 stops, so that the largest apertures remain usable even in a lot of light. Because the dimensions of the lens remained unchanged, the existing tele- and wide-angle converters fit.

IMAGE QUALITY

If you are shooting in jpeg, you can choose one of the 17 film simulations on the camera. These determine, among other things, color reproduction, tone curve, contrast and ‘grain’ in the photo. The X100V was given the new Classic Neg film simulation with the neutral colors of Superia 400 film.
I photographed with the X100V, preferably in Fine + RAW mode, so that I had a jpeg file with applied film simulation and a freely editable RAW file.
The X100V delivers the same excellent image quality as an X-Pro3. The sharpness is quite good from edge to corner, also at F2. The light measurement and white balance control are reliable, and with the standard film simulation (Astia) the colors are realistic. The images are virtually free of noise up to ISO 3,200, with visible noise from ISO 12,800. The autofocus system works quickly and accurately and also manages to track moving subjects.
For video, the Eterna film simulation has been added, with a “flat” rendering and low color saturation. The X100V can film internally in 4K resolution (8-bit 4:2:0 with a maximum bit rate of 200Mbps), or on an external recorder in 10-bit 4:2:2.

ConclusiON: camera REVIEW – Fujifilm X100V