If you're looking for a camera with the latest digital technology that still honors the old-school mentality of film photography, Fujifilm is where it's at. Generally speaking, the company makes versatile cameras aimed primarily at photography enthusiasts. These days, Fujifilm solely produces mirrorless cameras and, unlike some of its competitors, focuses mostly on APS-C cameras, along with medium format and premium compact cameras. The brand is also known for continuing to support older models with firmware updates well past the point that most brands typically stop providing such support.
We've bought and tested several Fujifilm cameras, 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
- 05/04/2023 Fujifilm X-H2 reviewed
- 01/12/2023 Fujifilm X100V updated
- 07/12/2022 Fujifilm X-T30 II reviewed
- 07/06/2021 Fujifilm X-E4 reviewed
- 06/08/2021 Fujifilm X-S10 reviewed
Best Fujifilm Cameras
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Best Fujifilm Camera
Travel Photography8.0Landscape Photography8.1Sport & Wildlife Photography7.9Vlogging7.9Studio Video8.4Action Video6.9The Fujifilm X-T4 is the best Fujifilm camera we've tested and a fantastic all-arounder for enthusiasts, performing well for photography and videography alike. While they've replaced it with the higher-resolution Fujifilm X-T5, the X-T4 is still an excellent camera for most people. With a 26-megapixel sensor and several film simulation profiles, you can get amazing results straight out of the camera. Plus, speedy 12 fps burst shooting (or a blistering 20 fps when using the electronic shutter) and a decent autofocus system make it a great choice for faster subjects.
Beyond that, it's just a blast to shoot with, proving that you don't necessarily need the biggest sensor to take great photos or have fun with photography. It's no slouch in the video department, either. Though it's limited to 4:2:0 subsampling, it can record 10-bit 4k 60 fps video internally, and unlike previous iterations, the X-T4 comes with built-in sensor-shift stabilization to help reduce camera shake. Ultimately, the X-T4's relatively portable design, dedicated exposure dials, and great battery life make it one of the best enthusiast APS-C cameras you can get.
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Best Mid-Range Fujifilm Camera
Travel Photography7.7Landscape Photography8.0Sport & Wildlife Photography7.5Vlogging7.8Studio Video7.7Action Video5.6If you think the Fujifilm X-T4 sounds overkill for your needs, the Fujifilm X-S10 is a great mid-range option. It uses the same 26-megapixel sensor found in the X-T4 but with a simpler body and lesser video capabilities (no internal 10-bit video here). Longstanding Fujifilm users might be disappointed by them replacing dedicated exposure dials with a more conventional mode dial. However, it makes the camera more accessible to new users, and the larger handgrip is a welcome addition.
There's a lot to love here, including in-body image stabilization and a vari-angle screen that's great for vlogging. Out-of-camera image quality is also excellent, as usual with Fujifilm. It does have a worse battery life than the more expensive X-T4, and its mechanical burst rate is capped at 7 fps, but given its lower price point, the camera still offers a ton of value. Its simple control scheme makes it one of the best Fujifilm cameras for beginners.
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Best Portable Fujifilm Camera
Travel Photography7.8Landscape Photography8.0Sport & Wildlife Photography7.2Vlogging6.5Studio Video7.4Action Video5.8If you're looking for something portable but still want the flexibility of interchangeable lenses, the Fujifilm X-T30 II is your best bet. It uses the same sensor found in our picks above, so you'll get similarly excellent image quality straight out of the camera. The big difference here is in design. With a super compact and lightweight body, the X-T30 II is easy to take on the go, especially when paired with a small prime lens.
Unlike the Fujifilm X-S10, you also get exposure dials here, so you get that old-school Fuji shooting experience that makes it a breeze to adjust settings on the fly. Its tilting screen is also great for waist-level shooting. It's also cheaper than the X-S10, but its autofocus system is less consistent than its higher-end siblings. Still, it's a great choice if you need something more portable for travel or street photography.
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Best Fujifilm Point-And-Shoot Camera
Travel Photography7.6Landscape Photography8.1Sport & Wildlife Photography7.7Vlogging6.3Studio Video6.9Action Video4.8A point-and-shoot can be a great tool in the photographer's arsenal, especially for travel or street photography. Fujifilm's X100 series has long been a favorite among pros and street photographers, and the Fujifilm X100V is the best of the bunch. With a stylish rangefinder-style design, it's relatively compact and well-built, with an excellent lens that's well-suited to more dim lighting conditions. Though recent demand has caused stock shortages and price surges in the US, the X100V is worth the hype—if you can get your hands on one.
Using the same 26-megapixel sensor as the other cameras listed here, the X100V comes with a sharp built-in prime lens and a unique hybrid viewfinder. Flip a switch, and it goes from an optical rangefinder to a high-res electronic viewfinder, letting you engage with your surroundings or see what your camera "sees" in real-time. Of course, battery life isn't as long with a compact camera like this, but if you're looking for a portable all-in-one camera to take on the go, it doesn't get much better than this.
Compared to other brands
- Sleek, well-crafted designs. Many Fujifilm cameras take inspiration from the company's history by making retro design elements new again, from rangefinders to sleek silver accents. They're also usually fairly lightweight and feel well-built overall.
- Manual exposure controls. Most Fujifilm offerings 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 it easy to adjust settings on the fly.
- 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.
- Autofocus performance can be inconsistent. Fujifilm cameras can be inconsistent when tracking moving subjects in photography. They perform better for video, but the inconsistency puts them behind competitors for overall autofocus performance.
- Adequate ergonomics. Many Fujifilm cameras sacrifice ergonomics in favor of size, weight, and portability. The grip is often lacking, 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. 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 a lot more reliable. However, Fuji's dedicated exposure dials offer an old-school shooting experience that you don't get elsewhere.
Fujifilm cameras provide a slightly different shooting experience than competitors like Sony 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 enthusiasts alike, offering great image quality, impressive video features, and good-looking 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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Apr 20, 2023: Removed the Fujifilm X-T200 and added the Fujifilm X-T30 II under the new category, 'Best Portable Fujifilm Camera'. Also renamed the Fujifilm X-S10 from 'Best Intermediate Fujifilm Camera' to 'Best Mid-Range Fujifilm Camera' and added specific brand comparisons.
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Jan 17, 2023: Verified accuracy of picks with no change to recommendations.
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Oct 19, 2022: Reviewed picks and restructured article for clarity and to better reflect user needs.
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Jan 26, 2022: Reviewed article for accuracy with no change to recommendations.
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Oct 28, 2021: Checked that picks were still accurate and available.
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 has translated into a range of well-rounded cameras that can keep up with the needs of modern consumers.