Final Call for Fujifilm X80: Closing the Gap between Premium Smartphones and X100VI

Guest Post by FR-reader Igor
(original text in Slovak and translated using AI for better grammar)

A High-End Smartphone or a Better Compact Camera?

Photography today stands at a crossroads. When it comes to capturing moments, many of us face a tough decision: should we invest in the latest flagship smartphone, like the iPhone 16 Pro, or buy a premium compact camera, such as the new Fujifilm X100VI? This dilemma isn’t just about image quality—it’s also about convenience, affordability, and the overall user experience.

Convenience vs. Quality

For everyday photographers capturing family moments, nature trips, or city life, a smartphone seems like the obvious choice. It’s always in our pocket, offers excellent image processing, and allows instant sharing on social media. The iPhone 16 Pro features advanced computational photography, yet it’s still limited by its small sensor and optical constraints.

On the other hand, the Fujifilm X100VI provides a true APS-C sensor that significantly outperforms any smartphone camera. It boasts great low-light performance, stunning color reproduction, and optical capabilities that smartphones simply can’t match. However, it lacks instant connectivity, is bulkier, and requires extra investment in accessories.

Price: Where Is the Limit?

Price plays a major role. The iPhone 16 Pro costs between €1,000 and €1,500, while the Fujifilm X100VI with essential accessories (memory card, bag, extra battery) reaches around €2,000–2,200. For an average user with family expenses, a mortgage, and other financial priorities, spending such an amount on a standalone camera is a significant decision. Moreover, many people might not see enough of a quality difference to justify the higher cost.

What Should an “Ideal” Compact Camera Offer?

Fujifilm has an opportunity to fill a gap in the market with a more affordable, compact alternative to the X100VI. A successor to the Fujifilm X70 or Fujifilm XF10 could be the perfect solution, featuring:

  • an APS-C sensor
  • fast and accurate autofocus
  • seamless smartphone connectivity (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth)
  • a tilting screen for selfies and creative angles
  • a built-in flash for quick indoor shots
  • a compact body that fits in a pocket
  • a reasonable price range of €1,000–1,400

Such a camera could be a strong competitor to smartphones while offering noticeably better image quality. It would attract a broad audience, from families to street photographers, who want something superior without the bulk of a larger camera.

Will Fujifilm Release a Smaller X100VI?

Fujifilm has a strong track record of producing iconic compact cameras. If they were to release a more budget-friendly, compact version of the X100VI with simple controls and outstanding image quality, it could be a game-changer. But the big question remains: does Fujifilm have such a camera in the pipeline?

For now, the dilemma continues. Investing in a high-end compact camera is a major decision, especially when smartphones are so convenient. But if Fujifilm were to introduce a well-priced, compact camera with the right balance of features, it could shake up the market.

What do you think? Is it worth investing in a dedicated compact camera, or is upgrading to a flagship smartphone the smarter choice? Let’s discuss!

New Fujifilm GFX100RF Teaser Launched: Shows X100VI and GFX Fusion

Fujifilm has just released yet another teaser showing a heavily underexposed camera.

But this time it comes with a hint: they show an Fujifilm X100VI first, then a Fujifilm GFX100SII, and ultimately the silhouette of e new camera.

That’s so far the best hint we got that our rumors were right: a medium format X100 is on the way, and it will be called Fujifilm GFX100RF.

Fujifilm X100VI Production Boost Moves Closer to Fulfilling Backorders

The Fujifilm X100VI enjoyed an extraordinary success, with pre-orders reaching levels that even Sony, Canon or Nikon could never dream of getting with any of their cameras.

Of course, this lead to a massive backorder and consequently, for many the only option so far was to purchase the Fujifilm X100VI highly overpriced via third parties or to wait many months to get it shipped after pre-order.

Fujifilm has consistently increased production, but it was not so easy, especially due to a curious fact that Fujifilm disclosed in an interview to Petapixel.

  • Fujifilm has more than doubled our production compared to the previous model
  • now more than 15,000 units per month are produced
  • it is complicated to increase production, especially for pieces like the top plate, which requires many processes
  • X100VI is not suited for ramping up production quickly
  • in 1 year Fujifilm has shipped as many units as for previous models in 3 or 4 years
  • Fujifilm understands that the wait is frustration, but first day pre-orders were very big
  • Fujifilm is doing its best and getting closer on clearing backorders
  • Fujifilm invites people to wait and not to purchase the overpriced units on the market

So, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Fujifilm GFX100RF vs X-Pro3 vs X100VI Additional Size Comparisons

FR-reader Matt estimated the size of the Fujifilm GFX100RF by aligning the width of the hotshot as seen in this image.

In our previous coverage of his comparison he “only” compared the size on paper.

Now he made also a visual comparison and he recalculated the size of the Fujifilm GFX100RF. So here is an update:

Below you can see the comparisons based on this data.

If you want to see the leaked images, check out this article here.

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Fujifilm Managers “a Bit Scared” by Stacked Sensor GFX, X100VI Production, Fixed Lens GFX and if Skipping Full Frame was Key for Fuji’s Success

image courtesy: Phototrend

The French website photorend interviewed several Fujifilm managers at CP+:

In short:

  • Phototrend asks: “was skipping full frame the key to Fujifilm’s success“?
  • the managers answer: “I think the current trend has nothing to do with whether or not we avoid full format. The key factor to our success is that we launch attractive products and services that meet the expectations of our customers.”
  • among the younger generations and women, the sales volume of Fujifilm products is increasing. They want to capture images that stand out from those taken with a smartphone
  • The key to our success lies in the attractiveness of our products.
  • China is the engine of Fujifilm’s sales and is at the top of all the countries where we market our products
  • Demand for X100VI continues to grow. Fujifilm is making progress in matching demand
  • a large format version of the X100 would be very different from the X100
  • “even if we had to develop such a product, I don’t know how much bigger or heavier it would be compared to the X100 series.”
  • Fujifilm believes that the cinema market is growing strongly, that’s why they make GFX Eterna. This market is therefore just as important to Fujifilm as photography.
  • GFX Eterna minimal rolling shutter is 50 ms in full format 4K 16:9. NOTE: Fujifilm managers told CineD that readout speed is 15ms. Probably phototrend made an error with the transcription
  • when making MK II lenses like the XF16-55mmF2.8 II, the goal Nr.1 is to improve image quality and resolution, followed by reducing size and weight, and then optiomize autofocus and ergonomics.
  • the goal is to maximize the benefits of the APS-C system with compact optics.
  • Fujifilm does not consider the Fujifilm X-M5 an entry level camera. It is essential for Fujifilm to attract new users.
  • As far as GFX for sports goes, currently Fujifilm is working on increasing bursts rates and optimizing autofocus to make sports photography more accessible to GFX shooters
  • the Fujifilm manager says he would love to see stacked sensor technology arrive to GFX. But he doesn’t know how much it would cost… “it scares me a little“!
  • Fujinon GF/XF 500mmF5.6: sharing the design is a brilliant idea (except for rear optical parts of the lens, where design is different due to different sensor size).
  • For fixed-focal length telephoto lenses, the size is determined by the aperture and focal length, not by the size of the sensor.
  • AI can be used for image quality, autofocus, stabilization, video, automatic white balance, exposure, distortion compensation, subject detection and more
  • For Fujifilm it is important to have direct communication with its customers
  • At the X-Summit in Tokyo, Fujifilm asked participants to vote on lenses Fujifilm should develop. “Direct communication with customers is a fundamental principle for us. We really want to understand what lenses are interesting for photographers“.
  • “Of course, we cannot meet all market demands—we also have to take commercial considerations into account—but we prioritize our customers’ expectations.”

The Big Accessories Roundup: Kipon 0.62x GFX Focal Reducers, X100VI Protective Case, Batteries, Tilta Factory Tour and More

Flash / Accessories / eBooks

Today we have a major accessories roundup. It goes from batteries, the Fuji X Weekly Protective Case for Fujifilm X100VI / X100V / X100F, tripods and much more.

Also a very interesting Tilta Factory tour by CineD is linked below.

At the very bottom you can find the press release for the Kipon 0.62x focal reducers for GFX.

And since we also talk about batteries, we will refer also to a series of articles on FujiRumors, in which we talked about batteries:

Accessories Roundup

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Fujifilm X100VI Language Addition Service in Japan

Starting from 2025, the Fujifilm X100VI cameras sold in Japan will come in only two languages: Japanese and English.

That’s something we have already seen with the Fujifilm X-M5, which also comes in Japanese and English in Japan as we reported here.

So keep that in mind if you plan on buying the X100VI in Japan and your native language is not English or Japanese.

Fujifilm offers a paid language addition service, in case you need it.

As FR-reader Speed pointed out in our X-M5 article here:

these are countermeasure to prevent malicious scalpers taking advantage of the weak yen ( and tax free ). I think this is just a measure to prevent malicious scalpers from reselling. This is not surprising. There are too many malicious scalpers who buy cameras in Japan and then resell them to China.

As annoying as this might sound, ultimately this is an attempt to protect genuine customers. And with “genuine” I mean customers who buy gear to use it, and not those who buy multiple cameras with the sole purpose to resell it at a higher price.

In theory, Fujifilm could not care less: a camera sold to a scalper brings them just as much money as a camera sold to a genuine photography lover. But it is nice to see they do try to find ways to make life a bit more difficult to scalpers.

Language settings for the high-end compact digital camera “FUJIFILM X100VI”

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