The Hidden Advantage Nobody Talks About – FUJIFILM 26MP vs 40MP

You all know I’m a big fan of Fujifilm’s 40MP sensor. In fact, when I put together my Fujifilm X-E5 wishlist, I said I’d happily pay more if it came with the 40MP over the 26MP.

But let’s be fair: the 26MP sensor paired with the X Processor 5 – as found in cameras like the Fujifilm X-S20 – is a terrific combination with its own clear advantages.

Advantages of the 26MP Sensor

• faster sensor readout → and all the benefits that come with it, such as less rolling shutter
• less battery drain
• more affordable

For a full breakdown, we’ve already written a comprehensive 26MP vs 40MP Pros & Cons article here.

• The Terrific Potential of X Processor 5 and Non-Stacked 26MP Combo

Today, though, I’d like to highlight something interesting from two articles by Alik Griffin, where he compared files from his Fujifilm X100V (26MP) and X100VI (40MP).

At first glance, you’d assume the main reason to prefer the X100VI would be the higher resolution. But Alik points out something else entirely that makes the 40MP sensor shine. Something that is hardly ever talked about.

Alik noticed:

Resolution

• on a tripod, the X100VI shows a clear detail boost over the X100V, even at higher apertures—enough to justify an upgrade for tripod work.

The Grain (and Why It Matters More Than You Think)

What really impressed Alik wasn’t just the resolution, but the character of the grain. Here are some of his observations:

• the X100VI’s smaller, tighter grain is far nicer to work with than the older models
• the slight resolution boost, combined with the finer grain and better overall fidelity, makes the upgrade worth it
• nicer grain with cleaner skin tones and clearer colors
• the X100VI preserves shadow detail better and avoids the color smearing
• everything looks better—not only at ISO 6400, but even at lower ISOs
• the X100VI’s grain has a better shape, making it easier to clean up with noise reduction
• beyond the added detail, the tighter pixel pitch and improved grain deliver noticeably superior image fidelity

Alik has covered the comparison in full with lots of samples at his blog at alikgriffin here and here.

One more thing… there is this myth that more pixels are worst in low light. Top industry insiders and professionals disagree with this statement:

• Fujifilm with 40MP? Don’t Worry About Low Light Performance, as More Pixels are Better for That (but Not For…)