Thoughts On The Fujifilm X100
A Popular Camera Range
At the time of writing this it’s June 2025 and the Fujifilm X100 range is probably the most popular camera series in the world. I think the popularity of the Fujifilm X100 exploded only within the last couple of iterations of the camera, the X100V and the newest model the X100VI. But why are these cameras so popular?
Well there are a lot of reasons really but here are the main ones (according to me)…
01. How It Looks
Most Fujifilm cameras are designed to be super tactile, just like the film cameras of years gone by. On the cameras are little buttons, dials and switches that all feel so good to use. They almost make photography addictive. If you are a tactile person then you for sure would enjoy using a Fujifilm camera. They are super well made.
There’s no denying that Fujifilm cameras just look cool. I actually heard a story that many people are walking into camera stores and requesting to buy Fujifilm cameras with no card or battery, just to wear as like a fashion accessory. It’s insane to me that someone would just buy a camera to wear, but if it was going to be any digital camera, of course it would have to be a Fujifilm camera.
I’m not on TikTok but apparently there were a bunch of celebrities that were posting about the X100V a few years ago which boosted it’s success. That camera (and every Fujifilm camera since) has pretty much sold out worldwide which only adds to the allure.
02. Built In Lens
I have a bunch of friends who aren’t photographers but are interested in buying a simple camera to document their families or their lives. The X100 range is always appealing to them as it comes with a fixed lens like built-in to the camera (i.e. you can’t take the thing off).
Not having to worry about buying different lenses or whatever is a plus for some people, but honestly for me it’s one of the biggest downsides to the X100 range. Switching out my lenses is how I stay creative and the restriction of a fixed lens on the X100 turns me off.
I can understand why non-photographers like the idea though.
03. Fujifilm Recipes
Another reason for the success of Fujifilm (and the X100 range in particular) over recent years has to be down to one simple thing… ‘recipes’
If you haven’t heard of Fujifilm Recipes where have you been? Basically Fujifilm cameras have a bunch of settings like Dynamic Range, Highlights, Shadows, Clarity, Grain etc. that users can change and save to create their own ‘recipes’. When a ‘recipe’ is loaded up, the user can shoot JPEGs straight out of the camera, send them to their phone to share, without the need for editing.
People with a Fujifilm camera can just find a ’recipe’ that they like (or create their own) and shoot away without the need to edit. I’ve had fun over the last few years creating Fujifilm recipes which are pretty popular around the world. If you’re looking for some new ones to try, check a few of my favourites out below…
Ross and the Original X100
Before the X100VI (which came out in 2024) there was the X100V, X100F, X100T, X100S and the camera that started it all… the original X100 and it’s this original X100 that I am the proud owner of.
I bought the original Fujifilm X100 in 2016 off a friend who at the time was upgrading to the X100S. I think I bought it off him for £250 with a couple of spare batteries. Fast forward to today (June 2025) and the popularity of the X100 range means that you’ll have to spend between £500/700 for one. Crazy right?
I love my little original Fujifilm X100 and it was definitely worth the few hundred pounds I spent on it. The first few years of owning it I literally took it EVERYWHERE with me. I treated it so badly, it got so beaten up but that was the joy of this camera. Sling it round your shoulder and off you go!
A few years ago when I started my YouTube Channel I decided to dust off my original Fujifilm X100 and make some videos about it. Check them out below…
Using the OG X100 in 2023
My first YouTube video with the original X100 back in 2023. Check it out…
Starting 2024 with the Original Fujifilm X100
I enjoyed the 2023 one so much I made another in 2024…
Dublin with the Original Fujifilm X100
I took a trip to Dublin with Ruth & PK and brought the OG X100 with me. Check it out…
Starting 2025 with the Original Fujifilm X100
Starting 2025 with what is now a tradition… dusting off the original X100 for a few shots…
Making the Ultimate Fujifilm X100 Recipe
With the age of the camera the options for creating ‘recipes’ are limited. Back in 2023 I did however try make ‘The Ultimate X100 Recipe’. Have a watch…
A B&W Fujifilm X100 Recipe (With A Twist)
Another OG X100 recipe, this time experimenting with B&W and a seriously high ISO! Watch below…
Time For An Upgrade?
Now that it’s 14+ years since the 12MP original X100 was released, one question lingers in my head. Will I ever upgrade my OG to one of the newer models?
Never say never, but… yeah I can’t see myself spending the type of money that Fujifilm are looking for this fixed lens camera. I threw my oroginal X100 around, chucked it in a bag, it got wet, sandy, muddy etc. and I didn;t care because it was cheap and fun to use.
The X100 range of cameras I feel are perfect cameras for non-photographers or hobbyists. But with the price of the most recent X100VI being £1600 I’m not sure that’s the case anymore. Personally if the X100VI was around £1000 I would definitely consider it. But £1600 for a fixed lens camera with an APSC sized sensor seems a little (or a lot) steep! There are plenty of alternatives for a lot less out there…
What do you think?
