Fujifilm decided early on to jump onto the mirrorless camera train. What set them apart was the decision to offer retro looks in both design and output.
The designers took hints from classic rangefinder and SLR cameras, while the film simulation modes provided the picture look of old film stock. That’s our main reason today for checking out the best Fujifilm mirrorless cameras.
It was clear from the start that Fujifilm was going to do things their own way when they offered only APS-C cameras, then, later on, jumped straight to medium format. The combination of classic old school design with lots of manual controls and digital wizardry is still a popular mix.
Plus, now that they have medium format cameras at relatively affordable prices, high-class studio photography has never been more accessible.
1. Fujifilm GFX 50R
Digital medium format cameras used to be just the preserve of wealthy, high-end studios or those who needed the highest resolution possible, no questions asked. The Fujifilm GFX 50R brings the medium format into a more compact package, which is also relatively affordable for this level of camera.
All the high-end resolution comes from a 51.4mp CMOS sensor, with a base ISO range of 100 to 12,800 and the ability to shoot HD video at 1080p 30fps.
These Fujifilm mirrorless cameras can only rattle off images at 3fps, but this is true to form for many medium format cameras, as it’s built predominantly for studio use. The autofocusing system does have 117 points, with face and eye detection, along with a very capable focus peaking facility when manually focusing.
All of Fuji’s film simulation modes have been included, which is a big selling point for the whole range. But the main reason for buying into the GFX 50R is to gain medium format quality in a fairly compact kit. It may not be the fastest camera in the world concerning the AF speed or burst shooting, but it is one of the most cost-effective ways to obtain a medium format camera. Read our Fujifilm GFX 50R review for the full rundown.
2. Fujifilm X-T4
One thing that is in no doubt about the Fuji range of cameras, they have pushed the APS-C format to the limits. The Fujifilm X-T4 is centered around a 26.1mp, X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor, with an impressive 15fps burst speed or 20 fps with the EV shutter, the ability to shoot 4K 60fps video, and a usable ISO range of 160-12,800. The camera body also offers built-in image stabilization with up to 6.5 stops of compensation.
All those tasty film simulation modes are in here. But one of the main attractions is the manual dials and levers, very reminiscent of a classic SLR. Once you get the handle on twiddling the ISO, shutter speed, and exposure compensation via the top plate dials, hitting the correct exposure becomes very intuitive.
This is a camera that can cover all types of shooting situations while producing amazing images and video results at the same time. Our review of the Fujifilm X-T4 demonstrates further.
3. Fujifilm X-Pro3
If you’re really bowled over by this retro camera thing, the Fujifilm X-Pro3 provides a classic rangefinder design, with the workings of a highly-capable mirrorless camera. The sensor is the usual APS-C format in the form of a 26.1mp X-Trans CMOS 4 version, with an ISO range of 160-12,800 and an optical and OLED electronic viewfinder.
You won’t be short of AF points, with 425 phase-detection versions available, and there are plenty of manual dials and levers to play about with.
The dual-purpose viewfinder is impressive, as is the seamlessly-fitting rear LCD screen. There’s also no faulting the ergonomics here and if you want the nearest experience to shooting film, this is a great camera to own. See more in our Fujifilm X-Pro3 review.
4. Fujifilm X-A7
For those who want all the Fujifilm sensibilities in a more affordable package, the X-A7 still delivers great quality and versatility. The 180-degree touchscreen viewfinder is great for selfies and the autofocus system makes it a snap to get everything quickly in focus.
As per usual, there’s no faulting the exterior design, with a far simpler layout than the cameras above, but it does lack an optical viewfinder. The 24.2mp APS-C CMOS sensor has a native ISO of 200-12,800. With video facilities coming in at 4K 29.97p and HD recording at 59.94p.
There are also lots of filter modes if you prefer to process everything in-camera, which is a very quick and high-quality way to post final image results to Instagram. The camera has a reasonable battery life of up to 440 shots. Plus, the 6fps of continuous shooting speed is very respectable for this level of mirrorless camera.
5. Fujifilm X-T200 (Budget Winner)
The Fujifilm X-T200 comes in at an affordable price and is a nice, happy medium between the top X-series models and the entry-level versions. Many of the issues with the Fujifilm X-T100 have been addressed, providing a far more versatile camera solution.
The X-T200 is still wrapped around a 24.2mp APS-C CMOS sensor with an ISO range of 200-12,800, but the video now comes in at 4K 29.97p and HD recording at 59.94p, along with a continuous shooting speed of 8fps.
The large rear 3.5-inch, 2.76m-dot touchscreen LCD screen can be rotated to all sorts of angles. And there are plenty of ways to transfer your images with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The design of the camera also looks fantastic, making the X-T200 a nice little midrange proposition.
A Retro Look at Fujifilm Mirrorless Cameras
Fujifilm mirrorless cameras have managed to strike a nice balance between all the latest workings you would expect from a mirrorless camera for travel or studio work, with very sleek looks.
If you need the most in resolution and quality, you can’t beat the GFX 50R for offering medium format workings in an attainable package. The camera is still relatively expensive, even when compared to many full-frame cameras. But if you’re serious about owning a camera with a medium format sensor, these units have never been more accessible.
However, if you want a nice mix between retro looks and the latest mirrorless technology, the X-T200 can still provide professional results with a nice, rounded set of features. Even if you’re not swayed by the design concepts, the Fujifilm range provides some very capable imaging solutions for all skill levels.
