Fuji is well known for their high quality X cameras and lenses. But now they will focus on the low end market where the market is pretty filled with a huge ammount of cameras. Don’t know if that is a good strategy. Anyway, Fujirumors reports:
1) THE STRATEGY: Fuji won’t replace frenetically its cameras after a short time. The company’s goal now is to extend its offer to new market segments. Therefore there will be new cameras targeting different customers. (a trusted source told me hat after the X-A1 Fuji plans to release two more cameras this year)
2) THE X-PRO2: Because of this strategy the high end cameras won’t be replaced that soon. (so it seems that the X-PRO2 won’t be one of the two cameras released after the X-A1 this year.)
3) THE NEW LENSES: There will be new cheap lenses after the 16-50 f/3.5. These lenses will be cheaper because they are slower, but the image quality will remain top-notch because inside all elements are made of quality glass.
4) THE CHEAP 55-200: We will soon have a cheaper 55-200 lens (or something very similar).
5) THE DOUBLE KIT: Fuji could offer the X-A1 with a double zoom kit lens (16-50 and cheap 55-200)
Damn, was hoping to see the X-PRO 2 this year!
24 Responses
And what about a Fuji X-E2?
I’m disappointed about the (theoretical) X-Pro 2 being a no-show, but this was probably smart. Reasons: (1) People who bought an X-Pro 1 tend to be very passionate about it, and they would be mad if it were replaced too soon. Kind of like when you get a new computer or phone and then a better one comes out right away. (2) Dealers would hate it because it would kill remaining sales for the X-Pro 1; people would “wait for the new one” instead. (3) I think they are trying for a Leica-like positioning for the X-Pro 1, as something that’s so good that they don’t need to change it very often.
I have to admit that Reason #2 applies to me: I have been tempted to buy an X-Pro 1 (even though the system doesn’t have the lenses I need or features that are important to me such as in-body stabilization) and had been telling myself, “No, wait for the X-Pro 2 and then decide.” So now I don’t have that excuse…
Side note — Last weekend I was talking to a couple of Fuji salesmen at a camera show (and yes, I know “manufacturer reps” are notoriously unreliable sources of rumors.) I asked them if they knew anything about an X-Pro 2 and they said no. Then I asked if there was any chance it might have adjustable diopter correction and they said they COULD definitely tell me it would not! They said that Fuji gets asked so often about this that they took the unusual step of telling the sales force that the new camera would NOT have this feature (supposedly it would require enlarging the viewfinder optics too much) just so they could stop answering that question! It may not be true, but at least it’s kind of funny…
It is only logical for them to do this, they needed the high end cameras to capture the attention of the public but like every camera maker most of their income will come from the low end camera market, the same has been true for Canon, Pentax, Nikon, Olympus, etc.
I on the other side like the idea of Fuji taking its time to deliver us the Xpro 2, the X-pro1 has been a terrific camera in terms of image quality however even with the firmware updates the camera’s AF isn’t oly or panasonic fast, I own it and I like it a whole lot but if they are going to present something to tempt me to buy an xPro 2 then I prefer something that has all the bugs ironed out rather than a rushed product with half assed features to meet the deadline (X100, EOS-M, etc) and something that’s as revolutionary as the Xpro 1 was (and not only with marginal features updates like the Olympus Pen cameras)
Makes sense to delay the X-Pro2. The X-Pro1 is a nice camera but it has its flaws.
A X-Pro2 should come out when all of these are fixed, which basically means the next X-flagship body should have an autofocus and processing speed up to its competition.
Good move! Whereas others come up with only literally upgraded cams, fuji offers firmware updates. As a costumer you have more for your money…
I think in 2-3 years term only x-series will be inthe lineup
Look forward to an update of Fujifilm SLR to replace my aging Fujifilm S3 S5.
I’m waiting more info about the rumor from Fuji about a fixed zoom lens with bigger sensor. and I wonder if Fuji will counter the RX1 in any sort of way.
I’d like to see a stripped down Fuji on the lines of the Ricoh GR. Even a M4/3 with a fixed 17mm would be great.
I have a suspicion that on 23 July, we will end up with the X-pro1.3 and the x-e1.2 all without having to go out and buy any more hardware!
Although I am pleased to hear that Fujifilm is trying to squeeze as much as it can out of the X-E1 and XPro1 (via firmware updates), I don’t think it’s right to let them age more than 2 years. While they made and continue to make vast improvements via firmware, their top two cameras will definitely need a new generation processor and sensor (at least comparable to the X100s) to compete in 2014. PDAF on sensor for sure. I think Fuji making all the right moves for now (i.e. trying to enter the low-end mirrorless market), but 2014 better result in a Xpro2 and X-E2!
BTW, IMHO I believe SLRs may still be strong (in the West), but once mirrorless cameras’ speed (autofocus and otherwise) improves, we will see the demise of the SLR. Although Wall Street may have expected a digital trend (pun intended) from SLR to mirrorless, I think the latter will experience a slow death (like CRT monitors vs. LCDs and film vs digital cameras) and mirrorless systems will take over the high end. It’s only a matter of time.
Sorry romrom, I disagree. In the USA, the DSLR is still king, and will remain so for a long time, because the typical move-up buyer still thinks a big, hulking camera body and big lenses means “professional” or “I am now serious.” Most of them are not technical buyers, so issues of focus speed and dynamic range are secondary to the look of seriousness. Also, many of the the other suburban people at the soccer field or Disneyland use big hulking DSLRs. I am not sure how micro 4/3, Fuji, etc. will break into this market.
As I mentioned, it’s just a matter of time. A few years ago people said if you want a “quality” monitor you’ll have to stick with a CRT. Same argument with digital vs. film cameras. Ditto with automobiles and horses. How many people ride a horse today?
Fuji probably need something to make up for declining P&S sales. So making entry level X cameras makes sense.
“Pro” level cameras are usually on a much less frequent replacement cycle than consumer cameras.
Seems reasonable. Fuji isn’t Leica.