If there is one camera that is capturing the world's attention right now it is the Fujifilm X100VI. By all indications, this stylish rangefinder is likely to be the most popular release of the year; In fact, so much so that pre-orders for the Fujifilm X1000VI are currently facing months of delays.
Do you have your eye on this camera but don't want to wait? Fear not: there are some fantastic alternatives currently out there that are possibly just as good. While some may lack the certain je ne sais quoi that the X100VI exudes, there are currently some options that are lightweight, offer similar movie presets, and in some cases, are cheaper.
Firstly, there are plenty of decent older options from Fujifilm. These cameras are still great for 2024 and offer those coveted presets for film-like JPEGs straight from the camera. However, be aware that second-hand prices for Fujifilm equipment are hugely inflated due to the popularity of the brand.
Outside of Fuji, we're spoiled for choice, with attractive options like the Ricoh GIII and Leica Q3 offering some of the best compact cameras on the market. In particular, Ricoh offers a cheaper option that's very easy to fit in any pocket, although it doesn't have those brilliant film presets like the X100VI. Anyway, continue with our top alternative recommendations below, and be sure to check out our just-released Fujifilm X100VI review while you're here.
Three excellent alternatives to Fujifilm
Excellent alternatives from other brands.
Honorable mentions
You're probably thinking: why not mention the Fujifilm X100V? Overall, the latest generation model is a fantastic camera, but it is currently absolutely riddled with the 'Fujifilm curse', meaning you are paying a hefty premium on the second-hand market due to its popularity. This may gradually change in the coming months as more people get rid of their old cameras, but right now, the X100V is almost as expensive as the new model, so it's probably best to wait.
This is also the case of the X-Pro 3 and X-Pro 2 – Both are excellent Fujifilm cameras with gorgeous rangefinder-style bodies and optical viewfinders. The X-Pro line hasn't yet been updated to align with the X-T5 and X100VI, so you're paying a premium for an older camera here, although the retro camera
One camera worth paying attention to is the Olympus PEN-F. This is a dark horse being a Micro Four Thirds camera released in 2016, but it features a gorgeous rangefinder design that harkens back to the glory days of Olympus. Does he lower it? It's surprisingly expensive for a camera of its age, probably because it's still a relatively unique camera in the Olympus/OM System range. For my money, the GX9 is the best value option.
