In this article, we will compare the grain structure of the Fujifilm X100VI to that of the Fujifilm X100V. In my previous article, where we looked at a comparison of detail, I concluded that the detail increase from the 40MP sensor, although better, wasn’t a game changer for casual photography.
This made me wonder if the 40MP new X100VI is really worth it. Should I cancel my Fujifilm X100VI pre-order? I almost did, but then I got to comparing the grain. Even though we didn’t see a meaningful increase in resolution in casual photography (for how I use this type of camera anyway), the fidelity of the overall image when factoring in grain is noticeably better.
So, when the slight resolution increase is combined with the overall nicer fidelity of the image because of the nicer grain structure from the new sensor, this upgrade and quality increase together is worth it because even when missing focus or shooting from the hip with motion blur in the mix, the quality of the grain will still matter.
This is an improvement not only to the X100VI but also to all their cameras that use that 40MP sensor.
Grain Quality Comparison Fujifilm X100VI vs X100V
Samples at 100% Crop With The X100V Scaled To Match. Samples are shot at f4, 1/125 at ISO 6400 on a tripod. All settings in-camera zeroes out.
This test yields a few interesting results. For one, the grain looks a lot nicer, even in areas that are not in focus. It allows the skin to look cleaner and less waxy, and overall, the colors and tones are a bit clearer.
You can see in this next sample, partly from the new sensor and partly from the new processor, that the shadow detail holds up a lot nicer when transitioning into the shadows and it generally doesn’t seem to smear the colors as much with the new X100VI compared to the older camera. Everything is just better. This is not just at ISO 6400 but at lower ISO as well from other tests I ran.
Samples at 200% Crop With The X100V Scaled To Match.
The X100V grain will look a little softer here because the scaling effect is a little more exaggerated.
You can see in this next sample how the grain is smeary, blotchy, and wormy.
Look here when we transition into the shadows. The Fujifilm X100V also doesn’t hold onto those tones, and you overall have a better shape with the X100VI grain, which will be easier to clean up with noise reduction tools.
Conclusions
One of the biggest problems historically, or at least one of the biggest complaints I’ve always seen online about these X-Trans sensors, was the smeary grain and waxy skin tones. It looks like this latest 40MP sensor clears up all of these problems.
Not only are we getting slightly more detail, but the overall fidelity, due to the improvements in the grain from the tighter pixel pitch in the new sensor, will yield a noticeably superior image.
Unfortunately, the X100VI is still using that NP-W126 battery and you notice the additional drain that the new sensor and IBIS system put on the system. But I think most people can live with this, and you can always find great third-party batteries in my X100VI accessories guide.
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I’d upgrade just for the stabilization, so I can have less grain most of the time in the first place 🙂
Indeed 🙂
Hey Alik, amazing insights. What small 35mm lens are you shooting on film m cameras these days? I read your review on the 28mm zeiss zm and you mentioned the zeiss 35mm 2.8 might have too much contrast? Would love if you could expand on this maybe even a post on this concept.
I use mostly the Voigtlander 35mm f2. I had the Zeiss 35mm f2.8 but returned it because there were some issues with the mount, but I never re-bought it. It has very high contrast, which some people like and some don’t. Depends on what film you’re shooting with, B&W color etc. Just personal taste.
I like the Voigtlander 35mm f2 a lot for film; it pretty much lives on my Lecia MP since they are both black paints. My buddy Alex is using the Voigtlander 35mm f1.5 a lot, but it is a bit bigger, and he also uses it on some on digital cameras for portraits, which is sort of why he bought it.
The reason I never rebought the Zeiss 35mm f2.8 because I ended up with the Zeiss 28mm f2.8 which I’m pretty happy with for digital, and I’m happy with the Voigtlander 35mm f2 for film and am basically all set with lenses for the M system for now. I also have the Zeiss 50mm f2 and the Voigtlander 50mm f1.5. But I really love those Zeiss ZM lenses, you can never go wrong with them.
Also, if you’re on the fence about M-mount film lenses, I recommend checking out Matt Osborne; He goes pretty deep down the rabbit hole on this topic.
https://www.youtube.com/@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom
I wish I could turn the noise reduction off completely in the X100VI. Even at -3 (or is it -4?), it can be quite aggressive. I find the noise much more pleaseant than the NR smudge.
At least it’s better than in the X-T1 times, the jpegs from that era were unusable.
Yeah, even on those older 24-26MP sensors, the hair-eating from the noise reduction was awful with the Jpegs.
I think the pattern will remain the same.. it is juste the scale that is changed.. i guess that if you zoom in then you’ll have the same wormy effect because of the x trans sensor array…
Yeah this is most likely the case, but having the little wormies be a lot smaller is very nice since all the wormies and noise reduction used to make fine hairs disappear. Now the fine details don’t have these issues as much.