Fujifilm X100V - Should You Buy One? (vs Ricoh GR III)

The Fuji is beautiful, but I have a GRii and can’t imagine a better camera. I use or for everything - even astrophotography! It’s a brilliant camera that easily fits in a pocket. If I could only keep one of my several cameras, it would be the GRii.

The 100S was my first foray into the Fuji world. Now the Fuji X series are my go to cameras for work. Very tempted by the 100V but really cannot justify it.

I really am loving these videos and the way Kai narrates and how the videos are produced, long with the humour, reminds me if Top Gear did a show on cameras.

For me personally,
Fuji X100V:
1 Built-in Flashlight
2 Appearance
3 Viewfinder
4 Color - Film Filter
Ricoh GR3
1 Pocketable Size
2 Built-in Stabilization
3 I already have it for a while so I cannot return.

I have both. Although I carry the GRiii in my pocket daily, I use the X100V more. I prefer the 35mm over the 28mm field of view. The X100V is an overall better shooting experience. I did shoot some test video yesterday with it in 4K and F-Log. It is not a camera I would use for video often but it is nice to know it is cable of doing so if needed.

I think the Ricoh's smaller size is a big bonus for its intended use. If the goal is to be compact and fast, then the Ricoh is the obvious winner.

I adore the sexiness of the Fuji immensely, but the practicality of the GR III has won me over. It is so darn small, sharpest of lenses and stabilized for night photography (where it simply excels).

Thanks for the video. I have come from the x100f which I love and it was a great camera. Purchased x100v and this is a 10 out of 10. Best camera I have ever owned. Easy to use want to take everywhere great camera. I came from the leica iiif and m3 and now have the me 240 which I love, however this is the best street camera ever made hands down

i like the x100v's hybrid viewfinder and less wide focal length, plus its probably overall the better camera but the ricoh has the size advantage and is maybe more fun as you will take it with you more often

I owned the X100V and the Ricoh GR3 side by side. The GR takes better images. Has nicer colors. To me at least. The V has a nice body. But I still don’t get the budget cuts on the EVF and the sensor a 1500 bucks camera has. I sold it. Kept the GR. Supplemented it with a ZV-1. Still money left.

If I had to choose between these two I would go for the Ricoh. The small size makes it easier to carry when you do street photography and that's something I really appreciate.

Nice video as usual! I had the X100F. A great camera for sure, but large enough that I usually still needed a bag to carry it around. Now I'd probably go with the GR III just based on size. Maybe once it drops in price a decent amount I'll check that one out.

X100 is VERY pocketable into any sort of hoodie/jacket/etc, and a much more robust of a tool IF you need to do some work while out and about. Plus proper flash system support. I'm anything but complaining about XT3+18/2 size, so anything even smaller like the X100 would fit the bill for me aside from 35mm equiv. FoV - that is way, way too tight for a fixed lens.

I have a Fujifilm x10 and a Ricoh 8.1 megapixel GR digital cameras.
I love them. Got both for £200.
I love the zoom on the Fuji and the little pop up flash on the Ricoh.

Hi Kai. I think the Fujifilm XF10 is the camera to compare to the Ricoh GR III. The XF10 has also a 18,5mm (28mm in 35mm terms) lens. They would be closer. I am waiting for a X100V, but I really like the little XF10.

I would have preferred interchangeable lenses to a flippy screen and video capabilities. Nothing crazy just an option for something a little wider or touch longer, but no not the tcl & wcl, or how about a film option. People fixate that the chosen path is the only path. The V is better than the F (and I don't doubt Kai's judgement) but how about a V which is different to the F.

I still carry around a Pentax Q7 in my bag along with a couple fun cinelenses for my quick shots. I've grown to appreciate these types of cameras (I know my Q7 isn't the same, it's a SLR mirrorless but the concept is similar) I just can't eat the cost for one despite this or the Ricoh's being perfect outside of not being able to all my old vintage glass for fun (although I also do that with my Olympus e-m1 mark ii). For anything "serious" I use either a Pentax 67 or Mamiya RB67, since it's more a hobby anymore than a business (I went from taking photos and doing post work to repairing old stuff using my experience from my main job machining/fabricating parts) I don't mind the extra time it takes and actually enjoy the process.

If the X100V have the d-pad I would buy it with no question. I would rather not having the weather resistant or the flip up screen to exchange for the d-pad. Because I feel very useful to setting film profile, white balance and etc on my X-Pro2. What do you think about it.

The price differential is a killer; the 100V is twice the price of the GRIII, and, in my opinion, too expensive for a camera that doesn't offer lens interchangeability (yes, I know, the Leica Q...whatever). I don't have the V, but I do have both the GRII and GRIII and both are superb for street photography and everyday carry.

The leaf shutter + ND filter + built-in flash is incredible. I wouldn't give that up for a ricoh or any other camera!
I want X100V but already have x100T so cannot justify the purchase.

Kai, you are spot on. I love Fuji. I have several Fuji cameras. I want the X100V so bad, but it doesn't allow me to do anything new. It is too big to carry all the time. That is why I considered and bought the GRIII. It is the camera I have with me. And it's features and quality don't appoint.

After seeing all the reviews, I finally purchased one to use it as my daily pocket camera to take pictures of my two kids. I have been using Sony a6300 series for quite sometime, but I wanted something smaller. First of all this is not a small camera, and the "improved" autofocus is very clunky, noisy, and hunts a lot (compared to my a6300). It wasn't quick enough to focus my kids running around. Just did not work for me. But its film simulation and jpegs are far better than what you get out of Sony. The optical viewfinder is something to try and may use for a couple of days before switching to the amazing evf. Returned it and got a Sony RX100 VA. Cheers.

Great camera. I still have the first x100. Loved it but have since moved on to other cameras. Nowadays, I appreciate IBIS. So, when Fuji put stabilization system in future x100 iteration, I will have a serious look at it.

Kai: "Camera a bit too wobbly without stabilization"
Also Kai: *Holds camera 1 handed while trying to film with another camera*

Nice video, about the stabilization i think that a camera for street photography dont need it for several reasons. Ergonomics, pocket size, weather resistence or even flash is something more valuable.

I really like that X100V. I Think I need to trade in my X100F, I was never in love with the softness of that lens. On the other hand, I really like the D-pad on it... Also, AF looks much improved!

Well done for salvaging some of the footage - Glad those ridiculous outfits didn't go to waste! 😏 I know the X100 isn't a big camera, but whenever I see it next to the Ricoh, I'm reminded just how incredibly small the GR is!

Other than the OVF, is there a reason to get this one if you have an X-T2?
Love my X-T2, still battling audio issues though. High sound levels, even with an external microphone, just don't work. I wonder what Fuji were thinking with the super limited control over the levels. Using it for concerts with a Rode Videomic Go is just impossible

You were the first photography channel I subbed to back in the early DR days. I love that you’re heading back in that direction with your content. A good mix of out there practical shooting, you just need to show us some files again a and keep up your signature humour 👌

Great video Kai, I bought the X100V after trying it in London last month. A big difference from my A7II. Love both.

Love your sense of humour.
I really need advice. I have tried the Pen E-PL10 and the 14-150mm lens. While the quality and clarity of the photos was brilliant (for me), I realised I would rather a camera you dont have to change the lens. I found them awkward. Loved the camera otherwise. But my main worry was that i would not have support from Olympus next year as they are selling on. So i now am looking for a camera again with the same specs, (good stabilisation as i have a bit of a tremor in my hands, close up photos, good zoom but with good quality when using zoom, but good night shots too, 4K Video, tiltable touchscreen etc etc. I also liked the fun things that the PEN E-PL10 did ie. like ART, SCENE, PANARAMA, FIREWORKS etc etc. I do not understand all the jargon. Only owned point and shoot before but wanted to do better photos day and night and video. That's why the PEN was good. Worried about Sony as i read may also sell out but dont know if true. I would spend say up to about £900. I may be asking the impossible for this, but do you have any suggestions please? I really do need advise.

The x100v for me is almost perfect. My only complaint is the removal of the D-pad. I like to be able to program my buttons the way I prefer them. No D-pad means less programable buttons. They say it's better battery life if you use the evf. Well they removed the D-pad. Forcing you to use the LCD to change settings. For me that's the only negative.

I have an older Fuji digital camera, and a newer Sony with about 4x the resolution rating. What I found interesting, and I was very shocked, was that when I compared the fine details of a picture of a house blown up to the maximum resolution, the old low res Fuji had better resolution and clarity than the Sony! If you zoomed into the grass, door, or roof, you could see the details much more clearly than the Sony camera. If I remember correctly the older Fuji advertised 6.7 million pixels, and the Sony 24 or 23.9 million pixels.

I have a question. Did Fuji change the colours on this one? I've been looking at samples and think the colours, particularly skin tones, look less like the clean X100F and more like blotchy Sony A6x00. I'm a Sony user, so I'm used to redoing colours but the whole point of Fuji is to get usable colours straight from camera.

Thanks for the review! Ricoh is a more focused design in my opinion, focused on being absolutely pocketable. On another note, can you share where you got your backback? Really cool design.

I’ve owned the T and F. For what I use the x100’s for I really don’t care if they have the sharpest lens in the world. Makes me remember, “okay, technically it’s not going to be the absolute best, so better make #$%* sure the composition and subject are the main focus.”
That said, the style of the camera is important to me. I would rather shoot with a beautiful camera than a technically superior one that looks like crap. The entire process is all about art or at least athetics so why not start with the tool? I enjoy and get inspired by the process itself. I play electric bass. There are some great “foreign” made bass guitars, but I would no more go on stage with anything less than an American made Fender than go to Sturgess on a Vespa scooter.
The design of the F was nearly perfect. Everything matched. I spent FOUR TIMES as much than a well made third party lens hood because it matched. Shallow? No, I prefer thinking of it as attention to detail. When for the first time in their history I saw the Fuji had actually provided a matching hot shoe cover (not even provided on the upgraded $2000 version of the X-Pro3 - although you can drive nails and sharpen knives with it...handy,) my impression was that Fuji finally got it.
When it arrived I wasn’t quite sure of the new flat color, but when I attached the FUJIFILM, $70, dedicated lens hood I had to laugh. It doesn’t freakin’ match! The lens hood looks silver to be sure but now the camera looks...I don’t...”blue ice.” “WHAT DA???” They had it right. Why did they change it? Who actually buys a camera because of some new shade of silver? “Oh, I don’t have one that looks like an iceberg off the coast of Alaska yet. I’d better pick this one up?”
The design theory behind the X100 series was to make them look like range-finders from the 60’s even though they are not rangefinders and obviously not from the 60’s. I liked the viewfinder lever looking like an old self timer and placed where they used to be placed - against the black leatherette of the body. Now it’s a tiny thing that looks more like some kind of lever thing. On the F they made the window for the illuminator that almost no one ever uses square to look exactly like the focus window of a real rangefinder. BRILLIANT way to finish off the illusion. So what did they do with the new one.? Went back to the little round focus illuminator that again that no one uses.
FUJI: you don’t have to change things just to change them. It has to cost money with NO return on investment. The improvement of the lens, the more pixels in the EVF, the tilt screen, new sensor and processor IN A F BODY, would have been all you had to do.
I’d be okay with the iceberg blue if they then also made a FOUR TIMES OVERPRICED lens hood that was also, ice blue, but I’m not holding my breath for that. I once owned a Contax G1. It was a “champaign” sort of color which was risky because ANY mismatch in color would really stand out. The Zeiss lenses, the hoods, the clear filters, the flash and yes, the hot shoe cover matched PERFECTLY like they were all painted out of the same magic can of spray paint. These are the sorts of attention to detail that turn a garage band into a real stage act.
Great cameras. Great concept. Great designs. Great in-camera film sims. But that VP in charge of silver who’s the nephew of someone on the Board of Directors? Promote him to executive VP of the the box design and packaging division.
Fuji: come up with a silver you like and stick with it. Seems to do okay for Leica and in fact everyone else.

Both cameras are rad, I just sold my 100f..while I decide what route to take next my pentax q7 with the standard prime is my go to! :)

2 wishes for firmware: Digital Image Stabilization for VIDEO. so I don´t mind an add. 1.2 crop but please clean up the micro jitters. and add the ND filter feature to video too. it can´t be that hard... the rest of the camera is amazing!

The new Fuji XS1 10 is very close in size to the gr III.....very close. Fuji also has IS to compete with Ricoh. A pancake lens on the Fuji would make it slightly. But the difference is still minimal

Gee, you demonstrated the flippy screen's flippiness with no prior warning. I had conniptions! And then there is that horrible gap on the side. A dollop of Shoe Goo, finished with a bit of black Sharpie ink, would make short work of that. It was great that this video came out today. Quite a relief from watching all the terrible news. Stay safe and keep the videos coming!

I figured the flip up screen is designed for discreet street photography with camera hanging around waist. So the flip up is good, and the tab at the bottom makes total sense.

I’ve a T, 2 F’s and now a V. Love them all and used the built in ND filter all the time. Here’s something I’ve discovered but heard no one mention: the 3stop ND was perfect.
Shooting in bright afternoon light wide open at ISO 160, I get the red, 2000+ SS warning, but when I turn on the 4stop ND the SS drops to between 160 and 250.
That’s much too slow and NOT a versatile range. Have that at only f2.8. As I said, at 3stops this would have been a SS around 360-500. Does anyone else wonder why Fuji upped the ND filter to 4stops? Every talks like this is an improvement. What am l missing?

I spent last year traveling and realized my a7iii setup sucked for long term (and ultralight) travel, especially annoying when shooting in rural parts of southeast asia... nobody wants to point a bazooka 24-105 f/4 at someone there. So, in preparation for resuming travels next year or whenever the plague lifts, I have been looking into this camera and the rxr1 ii (preferably iii but no news on that front). I think this works better for me- lower profile and the VF is integrated instead of a wonky popup. Also almost 1/3 the price so if I lose it or it gets damaged its not as much of a pucker factor.Thanks for the review, the GR III is interesting and Daido is great but I'm certainly not him.

The X100V is just a beauty to use and doesn't look like a plastic box.

the ovf looked pretty sick, i wish there were more videos revolving around the OVF.. but a lot of people are shooting with the EVF

I love your honest reviews! Thank-you!

What I like about GRIII is you don’t even have to look at the screen for a shot.
Just get your settings right

Always posting great videos Kai, I have been a great fan of your work for a long time. You have a great way of presenting things, because you have great personality and charisma. Keep up the good work man! I have a youtube channel but I need to do more with it. If you are ever in Louisville Kentucky, they have some decent parks here to photograph!

I had the original X100 and it broke, then I got the X100S and it broke, then I went to get the X100F and it broke, after spending over 4K US dollars and disposing off 3 amazing lenses and 3 bodies, I decided to get the X-E3 paired with a lens I can use again if the body fails on me.

kai and joe in one video with a fujifilm camera. this seems like all i ever wanted

What about the heating issues? I DO NOT want a camera that heats up during still photography. I don’t use X100’s for video but I’ve read many unbiased reviews by pedestrian owners that it heats up uncomfortably during normal use. 4K was definitely a bridge too far, which I believe is a Brit metaphor.

Haha Joe. I love his channel. You guys should collaborate more often. Joe seems much more relaxed and hilarious in Kai's videos.

The leaf shutter on the Fuji comes in very handy if you do flash

Very entertaining and informative. Thank you both

Your videos are the best, if you made more fujifilm videos you would be unbeatable.

The Olympus Pen F is the better choice. Much more features to create your own color and monochrom settings.

Size, weight and price undoubtedly restrict the optical quality of cameras and lenses. However for many consumers an affordable, lightweight, small and reasonably priced camera and lens is what they are searching for. Of course what is small, lightweights and affordable isn't specific. For example a Sony α7 camera is considered small, light and affordable but for many it may be heavy, very expensive and large.
Compact cameras have been replaced by smartphones but this kind of camera will always exist because amateur photographers will always want something better and convenient than the tiny cameras of smartphones without a large size.

I have X100S and love it, I have GR3 and love it as well. The GR seems to have better colors

Glad to see GB still is going strong

X-t30 is much better in many ways, smaller, more compact, perfect for traveling and street photography has much better grip, bigger viewfinder, more practical because u can change lenses, not fixed lens! Yes it's not weather sealed but got same sensor and processor as 100v. X-t30 is cheaper even if you add two f2 prime lens to the price.

GR is a great camera in every aspect except one - low light AF, that's really frustrating - hunting, hunting, hunting... Also I think that it's not about GR III vs X100V, it's much more simple - I like 28mm EQ more, so the choice is obvious.

My GRIII just died with the "lens error" and again I am forced to consider alternative. But there is no going back to life without GR. As boring as it is, I just have to buy another GR III. Fuji X100V is tempting, but too big and too noticeable. GR is the stealth king.

Great, thank you. But what about the most important features as image quality, low light performance and dynamic range? I’d like to have you thought on how they compare 😉

☺️ small cameras are...... convenient indeed
Im a XF10 user and I think it’s underestimated, love it.
Thumbs up from sweden 🇸🇪
//freddie

Wished they did monochrome sensor versions of cameras like this.

If you actually pocket your Ricoh GR, you're gonna have pocket lint specks all over your sensor in no time, you can already see it creeping into the lens gaps at 11:18

Really good comparisons Kai, I enjoyed that!

I like the Look of the GR - looks really stealthy

you are still making me laugh years after first dicovering you Kai :]

It's nice to see kai has a taste on taking true street photography photographs

Kai and Joe! I’m so happy right now seeing two of my fave photographer youtubers together

To comply with social distancing, I would recommend shooting street photography only with an 800mm f/5.6 prime.

One good reason for why I won't buy this camera is that I am still loving my X100t.
It is my go to camera these days

Is it possible to weather seal the x100v with a circular polarizer filter instead of a UV filter?

The GRIII is sublime. I want one.

No image stabilization makes it not an option, shame.
Because it looks cool, and 35mm f/2 is nice.
But Ricoh's 28mm f/2.8 doesn't interest me the slightest.
I'm used to f/1.4 primes.

You need a GR with knobs. Plenty of knobs always improve the experience.

Very great camera. Should fit our new Tech & Trek Sling.

This guy is super hilarious & humorous!!! A rarity.

The start up time of digital cameras has always mystified me. What’s the point of switch on to take shot time because by the time this has happened, you have missed “the decisive moment”. Just leave the camera switched on or standby.

I will definitely be owning both

I bought it last week and I’m in big dilemma about returning or keeping it.. I always liked X100 concept ever since from the original one and had all models unless the X100s, but have I have any Sony RX1R Mark 2 full frame camera with fast mounted 35mm F2 Zeiss lens which I unfortunately can not come even close to according to image quality.. I really really hoped to like this baby, because of amazing ergonomics and style, but Sony RX1R2 just blows this camera miles away..
The 35mm Zeiss lens is so damn sharp already at F2 that Fuji X100V’s new lens at F2 look like de calibrated and cheap..
Any thoughts? 💭

The X100V would be perfect if it had IBIS which was demonstrated when you were doing video and that's the only reason I haven't bought one (yet).

Currently in a city that's about to do a mask mandate again next week. Here for the pre-pandemic vibes... edit: GR III all the way. It fits in my jacket pocket or pants pocket.

Simple answer: NO! Very expensive for just one fixed lens. Many todays mirrorless - even full frame - is no much bigger than this with capability to put what lens you like.

The GR is a dead end street camera. The X100V has more for me. Only problem is costs. Fujifilm is wonderful but it is costs for me. The GR is nice but over priced for what it is. The X100V is great and I will pay but I feel a greater value there than the capable GR stills grabbing beast. Ricoh has their head up their film backs. Pentax is dead to me. I don't just do stills. I video too! The X100V does not penalize me for that. I would rather wait and get this one used when I really need it. The GR is a yawn. 5 years ago maybe a GR. Now? Nope. The X100V is it!

I bought the x100f. Because it's still ridiculous amazing. Also d-pad =)

You basically convinced me to get this camera. Nice to meet you

Kai, do you think the x100 (original version) can still perform well in this era?

What's that strap you use on the fuji? It looks awesome and probably comfortable?

could you do a video of night photography with this camera or if its even good for night photography? love the vids.

How long is the battery life on x100v??

My dream camera from now on for sure

Thank you for all your wonderful videos!!! Love them all!!!

OK, mine arrived one day late, but at least I have it now. Now I just need to learn how to use it. The variety of settings is amazing.

GR III is so under rated

"...420 versus 350, if you're using the OVF. And that's interesting, because the LCD and EVF are bigger and better than before."
Think about what you said there, Kai. Lol.
And man, that autofocus jittering. I can't look away from it!

No Ibis a no go for me. Its pretty much the best feature in modern cameras. I don't know why people, which are testing cameras don't mind it. 🤔

I would love a flip screen in the GRIII

Kai is the James Hoffman of Cameras