If there’s one camera that’s catching the attention of the wider world right now it’s the Fujifilm X100VI. By all accounts, this stylish rangefinder is likely to be the most popular release of the year – so much so, in fact, that Fujifilm X1000VI preorders are currently facing months of backlogs.
Got your eye on this camera but don’t want to wait? Don’t fear – there are some fantastic alternatives right now that are arguably as good. While some may lack the certain je ne sais quoi that the X100VI exudes, there are some options right now that are lightweight, offer similar film presets, and are in some cases cheaper.
Firstly, there are plenty of decent older options from Fujifilm. These cameras still hold up great for 2024 and offer those coveted presets for film-like JPEGs straight out of camera. Just note, however, that second-hand prices for Fujifilm gear are massively inflated due to the brand’s popularity.
Outside of Fuji, we’re spoilt for choice with compelling options like the Ricoh GIII and Leica Q3 offering some of the best compact cameras on the market. In particular, the Ricoh offers a more budget-friendly option that’s super easy to fit into any pocket – although it doesn’t have those shiny film presets like the X100VI. Anyway, on with our top alternative recommendations just below – and be sure to swing by our freshly published Fujifilm X100VI review while you’re here.
Three excellent Fujifilm alternatives
Excellent alternatives from other brands
Honorable mentions
You’re probably thinking – why not mention the Fujifilm X100V? Overall, the last-gen model is a fantastic camera but it’s absolutely plagued by the ‘Fujifilm curse’ currently – meaning you’re paying a hefty surcharge on the second-hand market due to popularity. This may gradually change over the next few months as more people off-load their old cameras, but right now, the X100V is almost as pricey as the new model so you’re probably better off just waiting it out.
This is also the case for the X-Pro 3 and X-Pro 2 – both of which are excellent Fujifilm cameras with gorgeous range-finder style bodies and optical viewfinders. The X-Pro line still hasn’t been refreshed to bring it into line with the X-T5 and X100VI so you’re paying a premium for an older camera here, although the X-Pro 3 absolutely ticks all the boxes for a stylish retro camera.
One camera that may be worth keeping an eye out for is the Olympus PEN-F. This one is a dark horse being a Micro Four Thirds camera released in 2016, but it does feature a gorgeous range-finder design that harkens back to Olympus’ glory days. The downside? It’s surprisingly expensive for a camera of its age – likely because it’s still a relatively unique camera in the Olympus / OM System range. For my money, the GX9 is the better value choice.
