If you're looking for a camera that has the latest digital technology but still honors the old-school mentality of film photography, Fujifilm should be your number one stop. Generally speaking, the company makes versatile cameras aimed primarily at photography enthusiasts. These days, Fujifilm only produces mirrorless cameras and, unlike some of its competitors, focuses primarily on cameras with APS-C sensors, in addition to offering a range of premium point-and-shoots and being a leader in the medium format market. The brand is also known for its "kaizen" philosophy, which translates to "continuous improvement," meaning they'll often continue to release substantial firmware updates for older cameras well past the point that other brands would typically stop.
We've bought and tested over 100 cameras overall, and below, you'll find our picks for the best Fujifilm mirrorless cameras. Read on to see how the brand stacks up in today's camera market.
Updates
- 07/25/2024 Fujifilm X100VI reviewed
- 04/17/2024 Fujifilm X-T30 II updated
- 01/11/2024 Fujifilm X100V updated
- 08/11/2023 Fujifilm X-S20 reviewed
- 08/09/2023 Fujifilm X-T5 reviewed
Best Fujifilm Cameras
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Best Fujifilm Camera For Pros And Hybrid Shooters
Travel PhotographyLandscape PhotographySport & Wildlife PhotographyRaw Photo PerformanceVloggingStudio VideoAction VideoThe Fujifilm X-H2S is one of the best Fuji cameras we've tested. This flagship model ditches some of the things Fujifilm is known for, like dedicated exposure control dials and a compact design. However, it's a hybrid powerhouse with a lot to offer for pros and enthusiasts, including a sturdy weather-sealed build and excellent ergonomics. Its real standout feature, however, is its 26-megapixel stacked APS-C sensor, which offers a remarkably fast readout speed for quicker burst shooting and minimal rolling shutter distortion.
That aside, the camera has in-body image stabilization (IBIS) and high-end video specs, including 6.2k open gate recording, with external RAW video output and internal Apple ProRes codecs, making this a fantastic videography camera for the price. If you don't shoot as much video or action photography, consider its sister model, the Fujifilm X-H2. Rather than using a stacked-design sensor, the X-H2 has a 40.2-megapixel sensor, so it's a great choice for high-resolution portraits, landscapes, or studio photos.
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Best Fujifilm Camera For Photography
Travel PhotographyLandscape PhotographySport & Wildlife PhotographyRaw Photo PerformanceVloggingStudio VideoAction VideoIf you're looking for the old-school shooting experience that Fujifilm is known for, turn to the X-T series, the latest of which is the Fujifilm X-T5. With a notably more compact body than the Fujifilm X-H2S and dedicated exposure dials that hearken back to the days of film photography, this camera offers more of a purist photography experience for those who prefer more manual control over their exposure settings. Its 3-way tilting screen is also ideal for waist-level shots and street photos.
Beneath that exterior is the same 40.2-megapixel sensor found in the Fujifilm X-H2, so you'll get stunning detail and plenty of cropping leeway. With a shallower grip, it may not be as comfortable to shoot with, particularly for those with larger hands, but it's much more portable for street shooting and travel. Though photography is the name of the game here, don't overlook the X-T5 for video, either. It has some excellent video specs, although, unlike the X-H2 and X-H2S, it lacks internal support for Apple ProRes codecs.
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Best Mid-Range Fujifilm Camera
Travel PhotographyLandscape PhotographySport & Wildlife PhotographyRaw Photo PerformanceVloggingStudio VideoAction VideoThe Fujifilm X-S20 is an excellent hybrid camera for intermediate shooters. It's one of the best mid-range models on the market from any brand, with a great mix of advanced photo and video features at a lower price than the cameras mentioned above. With a comfortable hand grip and a more typical PSAM dial, rather than dedicated exposure dials, it's more accessible than the Fujifilm X-T5 but more portable than the Fujifilm X-H2S, offering the best of both worlds.
While it uses an older fourth-generation 26-megapixel X-Trans sensor, it still captures excellent image quality. Its autofocus system does a great job tracking moving subjects, and it has a fantastic battery life for a mirrorless camera. Plus, it has IBIS to help with handheld shooting and 4k recording at up to 60 fps, albeit with a slight crop. Not bad for a camera at this price point.
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Best Entry-Level Fujifilm Camera
Travel PhotographyLandscape PhotographySport & Wildlife PhotographyRaw Photo PerformanceVloggingStudio VideoAction VideoThe Fujifilm X-T30 II is among the best entry-level options in Fujifilm's lineup. It uses the same sensor found in the Fujifilm X-S20 and higher-end Fujis of its generation, like the Fujifilm X-T4, so you'll get excellent image quality straight out of the camera. The big difference here is in design. With a highly compact and lightweight body, the X-T30 II is one of the most portable camera bodies in Fuji's lineup.
Unlike the X-S20, you also get dedicated exposure dials, giving you a more hands-on shooting experience that makes it a breeze to adjust settings on the fly. On top of that, its tilting screen is great for waist-level shooting. This camera is also notably cheaper than the X-S20, although its autofocus system is less reliable than newer generations of Fujifilm cameras. Still, this is one of the best Fujifilm cameras for beginners or those who need something highly portable for travel or street photography.
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Best Fujifilm Point-And-Shoot Camera
Travel PhotographyLandscape PhotographySport & Wildlife PhotographyRaw Photo PerformanceVloggingStudio VideoAction VideoFujifilm's X100 series has long been a favorite among pros and street photographers, and the Fujifilm X100V is one of the best models to ever come out of that lineup—in fact, demand for it became so high that it's basically impossible to find one at a reasonable price these days. Now that the Fujifilm X100VI is out, Fujifilm is yet again struggling to meet demand, so we've yet to get our hands on one to test it, but these cameras are without a doubt the best point-and-shoots in Fujifilm's lineup and, therefore, deserve a spot on the list.
While the X100V isn't the most compact of compact cameras, it's very well-built, with a fantastic prime lens, tilting screen, and the same old-school exposure dials that Fujifilm cameras are known for. The standout feature, however, is the camera's hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder—flip a switch, and it goes from an optical rangefinder to a high-res EVF, letting you engage with your surroundings or monitor your exposure in real time. That, plus a tried-and-true sensor with excellent image quality and film simulation profiles, and it's no surprise that the general public is going feral over these cameras.
Compared To Other Brands
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Sleek, well-crafted designs.
Many Fujifilm cameras take inspiration from the company's history by making retro design elements new again, from rangefinder-style viewfinders to sleek silver accents. They're also usually fairly lightweight and feel well-built overall. -
Manual exposure controls.
Most Fujifilm cameras sport dedicated shutter speed, aperture, and ISO dials, similar to traditional SLR film cameras. While they may take some getting used to, dedicated dials and manual controls can make adjusting settings on the fly easy. -
Color science and film simulation modes.
Fujifilm's history with producing film has translated to its color science with digital cameras, which also feature 'Film Simulation' modes that mimic the color and tones of famous film stocks, giving you another way to get creative with your photography.
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Autofocus performance can be inconsistent.
While Fujifilm has made strides with its autofocus with newer models, the AF on many of the brand's cameras still falls short of the high standard set by competitors like Sony and Canon. -
Adequate ergonomics.
Many Fujifilm cameras sacrifice ergonomics in favor of size, weight, and portability. Hand grips can be small or even non-existent, although you can purchase external grips and other accessories to help with this. -
No full-frame offerings.
For the most part, Fujifilm only offers APS-C and medium-format digital cameras. While some of Fujifilm's APS-C cameras can compete with full-frame cameras, those looking for the RAW noise handling capability and low light performance that full-frame sensors generally offer will have to look elsewhere.
Fujifilm vs Sony
Unlike Fujifilm, Sony also produces full-frame models. Sony cameras tend to be more on the front lines of technological advances, with more sophisticated and reliable autofocus systems and class-leading sensors. On the other hand, Fujifilm's out-of-camera JPEG image quality stands out among other brands. Fuji's dedicated exposure dials also make it easy to adjust settings without diving into menus, while Sony cameras tend to have less intuitive user interfaces and menus.
Fujifilm vs Canon
Canon cameras tend to be less portable than Fujifilm cameras but typically offer better ergonomics and more simplicity, making them more accessible to a wider range of users. Canon's autofocus is also generally more reliable. However, Fuji's dedicated exposure dials offer an old-school shooting experience you don't really get elsewhere.
Fujifilm cameras provide a slightly different shooting experience than competitors like Sony or Canon due to the company's dedication to old-school design elements. Think physical exposure control dials, rangefinder-style optical viewfinders, and more limited LCD screens. These elements add up to create cameras that are both fun and intuitive to shoot with, encouraging users to understand the art of photography and engage more closely with their surroundings. While these cameras tend to cater to a similarly old-school crowd, the company also offers a range of entry-level and mid-range cameras to entice beginners and hobbyists alike, offering great image quality, impressive video features, and stylish designs.
Lineup
Unlike some competitors, Fujifilm has a more limited lineup of cameras. They focus mostly on producing high-quality APS-C mirrorless cameras and are one of the few brands to offer more advanced medium format cameras on top of popular consumer products like the Instax series of instant cameras.
GFX Series: Medium format sensor cameras.
- GFX100 = Flagship model.
- GFX100S = Smaller variant of the GFX100.
- GFX 50S = First GFX series model with a smaller body than the GFX100.
- GFX 50R = More compact variant of the GFX 50S.
X Series: APS-C mirrorless cameras and premium compact cameras.
- X-H(X) = Flagship hybrid cameras aimed at enthusiast photographers and video shooters.
- X-T(X) = Interchangeable-lens mirrorless cameras aimed at professionals and enthusiasts.
- X-T(XX) = Mid-range interchangeable-lens mirrorless cameras.
- X-T(XXX) = Entry-level interchangeable-lens mirrorless cameras.
- X-S(XX) = Fujifilm's newest lineup of mid-range interchangeable-lens cameras aimed at vloggers.
- X-Pro(X) = Retro rangefinder-style cameras aimed at enthusiasts and professionals.
- X-E(X) = Mid-range rangefinder-style mirrorless cameras.
- X-A(X) = Entry-level rangefinder-style mirrorless cameras.
- X100 series = Premium digital compact cameras with APS-C sensors and fixed prime lenses.
Recent Updates
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Jul 08, 2024: We removed mention of the Fujifilm X-S10 as an alternative to the Fujifilm X-S20, as it's discontinued and harder to find new.
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May 10, 2024: We've updated the text in this article relating to the Fujifilm X100V and Fujifilm X100VI to better acknowledge the current stock shortages and heightened demand for these cameras.
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Mar 12, 2024: We've brushed up some of the text and added mention of the Fujifilm X100VI to better represent the current state of the market.
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Jan 11, 2024: Reviewed article for accuracy and clarity, with no change to picks.
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Nov 07, 2023: Replaced the Fujifilm X-H2 with the Fujifilm X-H2S because it's more well-rounded for video and hybrid shooters.
Conclusion
Many photographers swear by Fujifilm cameras due to the company's dedication to old-school design elements like manual exposure controls, relatively portable camera bodies, excellent lenses, and second-to-none color science. Overall, Fujifilm's long history of producing film and digital cameras and its continued efforts to prioritize the art of photography have translated into a range of well-rounded cameras that can keep up with the needs of modern consumers.