Fuji X100 VI vs Leica Q3

Review of the Fuji X100 VI next to the Leica Q3

[Spearmanmark]

As someone who shoots the Q and M series, as well as Fujifilm, this is, hands-down, the most factual and nuanced discussion in which these two cameras are compared and contrasted. Thank you.

[analog_astronaut]

The fact that the Fuji is even in the dame conversation as the Q3 says a lot about the Fuji.

[MurrayMcMillan]

Had an X100v, sold it when I sold all my Fuji gear and switched to Sony for weddings, and picked up a Q2 for me. This was around 2 years ago. Sold the Q2 a month or so ago, and managed to snag an X100vi.

Used it for a few days and although I loved the V, after using the Q2 it just wasn’t the same for me anymore. Sold the X100vi, bought a Q3 and over the last week, realised I’ve made the right choice. I wanna take it everywhere with me, and if I didnt have weddings, I’d sell everything and just have the Q3. Incredible camera

[cameranerdsmedia]

The DR 400 comparison is blowing my mind! Well done sir

[k.tanaka]

As an owner of both these cameras I can say that this is the most open-handed, informative, mature comparison of these cameras I've seen on YouTube. Well done!

[omeallynile]

Pretty sure pal2tech has a DR400 explainer but i can give it a go:

When you crank the ISO, the same amount of light is hitting the sensor - but the sensor basically amplifies the signal. When you shoot at DR400 at ISO 640, it exposes the image at 160 - 1/4 of what you specified - and then amplifies the signal 4x (400%) to 640.

What it does is then combine those two signals. It can do this in RAW because it’s working with analog signals to achieve this - not the digital file.

This is also *why* you have a high ISO requirement - it works at the base ISO and higher, which on the X trans 4 sensor in the X100V and my XT30 is 160, and then multiplies it.

If there’s interest I might make a video, this is a very common question

[gregxu]

Just got my X100vi, and your video is the best I've seen so far at explaining nuances. Thought I should wanted to thank you for that.

[shzammpatapon]

Dr400 is a must, have been using it since xt1 days, the extra dynamic range you got is impressive. I have never been impressed by smartphone dynamic range until iphone 15 pro, because the fuji is just as good as the iphone

[schmitzoide]

I have both cameras as well, and I use them for very different purposes. Like you said, Tyler, the X100 lives in the pocket of the jacket, or you wear it around your torso, to be there 100% of the time, ready to shoot amazingly rendered creative colors. The Q3 is on another level, meaning it does shoot for the most digitally accurate representation, regarding sharpness, contrast, and color, so it’s not for everyday shooting. It’s for that landscape/posed photo that you know you need all the data to work on it after the fact. But there’s one huge difference where the Fuji is king: software. So many times, my Q3 hung and failed because of software, not to mention the loss of photos because of that. That never happened to me on all the 4 X100s I owned. The recent Q3 update fixed a lot of issues, but then again, that update should have been the one released from day one, meaning they have issues with it. Finally, after contacting Leica and looking under the hood at the Leica app, the Q3 accepts .CUBE files to render on camera, like the Lumix cameras do, but just not officially. If that becomes a trend, the X100 series will have some tough competition. Great video as always!

[GeoffGrant]

Thanks! Nicely done. I have the Fuji XT5, the Q2M, and the iPhone 14 right now and I’m very happy with my gear and my range! I’ll keep following you! Geoff

[jordanjoestar]

Hilarious that at 6:54 you just contradicted the entire strength of the Fuji system. You can do that all in camera, and once dialed in, not only have a full cohesive set of perfect JPEGs, but also save it into a profile. Throw the editing PC out the window and enjoy shooting! Fuji freed me from the headache of wasting time messing with RAW, and I shoot combined JPEG/RAW so the back up is there if I need it.

The thing is, for the price of the Leica you can have the X100VI and an additional medium format GFX that simply is far beyond the Leica in regards to utility potential. Great review!

[fron]

Q3 far superior with NO question, but if you afraid to pick it up, carry it with you everywhere - what's the point?

[matt-lang]

That DR400 vs DR100 setting difference was shocking! That’s a really fascinating difference

[sssf]

The elephant in the room is that the X100VI is far more portable than the Q3. Which is the main point of the X100VI- the best camera is the one you have on yourself at all times. Unfortunately, the Q3's massive fixed lens actually makes it less portable than most cameras. Coupled with that extreme price tag, you're far more likely to take out X100VI and get more use out of it.

[stefansmuts]

Hey Tyler - thanks for the great video.

The DR400 under exposes by 2 stops and then brightens it back up in camera by those two stops and saves the highlights that way. The ISO shown is actually reflects the comparative ISO after it's been brought up by 2 stops.

In order to compare the DR100 and DR400 you need to underexpose the DR100 by 2 stops and then raise it back up again in LR - I expect you will see the similar results when doing things that way.

Shooting RAW at DR400 is the same as shooting DR100 with -2 exposure comp all except the way the image will be displayed afterwards on the back screen and the starting point with lightroom. The RAW data is still the same.

The real advantage of this is when shooting Jpeg since it allows you some of the Dynamic range advantages of RAW while shooting JPEG.

[andreamadaro]

Nd filter you can activate with the evf/ovf selector if you hold on for 3 seconds. You can use the fn button for another use.

[DavidHenderson]

Finally, a truly clear and frank discussion of the Fuji X100VI without all the hype. I appreciated, and thank you.

[maksim]

DR settings are also applied to RAW files. It shoots underexposed photo, thus having a lot of room for highlights, and then it pushes the exposure digitally to make it look normal.

[iKnowReview]

Every time I learn something new from your videos 🤯 by far the best comparison between the Q3 and X100VI.

For me, someone that also used both, the Q3 is by far higher quality in every aspect, but also less fun. It felt more like work.
FUJI: Vibe, Atmosphere, Street, experimental
Leica: Ads, Social Media, clean images

[UrbanoModa]

if you move the lever on the front of the X100VI for 3 seconds it sets up the ND filter on and off, freeing up the function button. its a default setting for the X1006