According to actioncamerarumors here, Fujifilm decided to get rid of the non-profitable entry-level X MILC segment in order to free up resources to put into the flourishing action camera market (GoPro & Co). Actioncamerarumors says:
“The Swing-cam presented at Photokina could be seen as a first foray into the action camera domain.”
If true, the next Fuji X entry-level camera (rumored to come early 2015) could also be Fuji’s last one!
Actioncamerarumros also spotted an interesting Fujifilm patent about an optical system that can shoot a telephoto and wide-angle image at the same time. It could be used in a surveillance camera as well as in an action camera.
Read the whole rumor & check out the patent here at actioncamerarumors.
26 Responses
It doesn’t make sense to announce a new model and to then kill the entry level range entirely. It seems more likely this is their last shot at an entry level X model and future versions will depend on its success. If it’s successful it would be stupid to discontinue it after all.
If they do kill the entry level models presumably they will discontinue the XC lenses too?
Hmm. To be honest: I was a little bit disappointed of the quality of the X-M1 (tried it about three weeks ago – Not just in a shop – Used / Tested it for about a week). It´s just too plasticy – I mean: Even the cheapest Micro 4/3 and Sony E-Mount bodies are of a higher quality. Also the 16-50mm was a little bit disappointing (performance AND mechanical quality wise) – So (for me personally) it´s not surprising that it´s not selling THAT well.
Though: Would love to see a new entry model with noticeably higher built quality. OR also ok: Less models with lower starting prices according the actual “mid range” bodies. Maybe the even better way to go for Fuji.
Just my personal 2 cents to the topic – As the experience with the X-M1 is quite “fresh” …
Interesting to hear your opinion. I’ve just bought an X-M1 (as part of a ridiculously cheap deal) and have been nothing but impressed by the quality of the camera. I had intended to sell it on (as I have X-E1, X-E2 and X100), but I’m so impressed I might just keep it.
The XC lenses on the other hand are not well built and feel very plasticy. Did you try it with anything other than the XCs? I used the 27 and 35 on the X-M1 and thought it felt very well built. Don’t get me wrong, you can tell the bottom and top plates are plastic, but it feels very dense and doesn’t creak. Much better than most entry level DSLRs I’ve handled.
Also got it ridiculously cheap btw. ^^. Maybe I got a bummer (according the 16-50mm) – Who knows. Btw.: No. I didn´t try it with other lenses (as I am out of the Fuji system now for a few months). Just thought to get back in (with that good deal).
I know the 18-55mm (as I used it with the E2 quite intensively – VERY nice lens) – No comparison at all to the 16-50mm I had. Would love to test out the primes somewhere in the future (more intensively). Too bad, the T1 is that expensive. Would love to get that camera (together with the 18-135 WR as a “walkaround” kit and the 56 1.2 prime for portrait …).
Well – I should have tested it with the 18-55 – Btw.: Also had the (full) black model. Not only touched like a brick (also looked like one). Altough other cheapo entry models are also not better – That´s right ^^.
16-50 should give more a less the same IQ as the 18-55. I had them both. Kept the 18-55 because of the built and the aperture ring. I have both the X-M1 and X-T1. The M1 is really quite nice. Although it is plastic it is a high grade plastic. It does feel solid. With my 23mm 1.4 on it it is a small beast. I use both the M1 and the T1 equally. Just bought the 27mm for the M1 only. It makes it almost as small as a compact..
It’s just nonsense to say the quality is not good enough because you think it is “too plasticy”, yes it’s your two cents, but what does it have to say about quality. The quality of the camera is more about sensor and lenses, not if its put together with plastic. If the plastic get easily destroyed, ok, but titanium cameras get easily dings, is the camera less quality?
If you handlet it with thin gloves on, would you think it was plasticy??
I have abuesed my X-M1 for 6 months now. Glacial caves, extended wintertrips, climbing. It has several times hit the ground from a meter or more, into rocks and pavement. Still: the camera holds it grounds, scratches yes, the lens is still working, but has a small stop before it reaches max. The lens has also got several “very very good” for a kit lens. So I think its your eye or screen that fools you,
So how is that for quality?
As said – Just my opinion / feeling about the X-M1 kit (together with the 16-50mm).
But to be more precise: I loved the image quality. No question. Used it with manual glass too (Yashica ML lenses) – Quite nice body performance at it´s (low) price point. But today it´s not only the image quality. It´s the mechanical and tactile quality too. And here the X-M1 is not compareable to the competition. Not even to the midrange bodies like the X-E2 for example (i also used quite intensively in the past).
Let´s take the X-M1 kit I had: The X-M1 is completely out of plastic. Feels quite cheap in the hand. The control dial on top had play (vertically and horizontally) and the 16-50mm was quite hard to extend / zoom in and out. Brand new out of the box btw. (not used). Also the 16-50mm images were of a lower quality overall – I also got the XC 50-230 (in the kit). Noticeably increased image quality over the 16-50. Maybe I had a monday model – But it was really disappointing.
That´s the point, why I think the X-M1 isn´t selling well – As this was my feeling after a week of usage. If it would come with the 18-55 – Not THAT of a problem any more maybe. But I think it´s the combo, which is also lowering the overall “quality feeling” of the X-M1 kits.
But good to hear and know, that the X-M1 is quite robust ^^.
The X-M1 and 27 is a fantastic combo. The XC kit lens just feels very cheap; it feels cheap (and jerky) when you zoom. I reckon had you put an XF lens on it, you would have had a much better experience. The 16-50 is supposed to be very good optically, but I’ll stick with my 18-55 for the feel (which is more important to some than others).
It probably didn’t sell because it didn’t have the marketing drive that others do – not just canikon, but also Panasonic and Olympus.
Hmm. Yes. Maybe (according XF instead of XC on the X-M1). Too bad, that the 18-55 isn´t the standard kit lens. Sure – Marketing is also a problem. But give someone the X-M1 to test in their hands – With the 18-55mm or the 27mm as a kit lens (instead of the 16-50mm) it would sell better too ^^.
Fuji should accommodate all consumer segments… not just covering the mid-high level. It’s better to just release 1 entry level product per year than nothing… I’m sick to see all the entry levels camera are either Canon or Nikon product…
I agree, except it needs an evf. Both the cheap Canikon DSLRs have an OVF (obviously..), but when someone in the store compares them this is probably the biggest difference between them. For a travel camera I would always want a VF of some sort…just my 2cents
Their market research sucks if they think action cams are where the money is at. It’s a very competitive market with lots of players and an established, dominant force (GoPro). It makes it difficult to buy into a system when you don’t respect 95% of the business decisions they make – I question how safe an investment in their lenses is.
I sendt you a link to that patent two weeks ago, since it had been therefor several days already. it was from photorumors;
http://photorumors.com/2014/11/22/new-patents-fuji-lens-system-that-can-take-telephoto-and-wide-angle-pictures-at-the-same-time-new-sony-60mm-f2-8-macro-lens/
pretty sure actioncam.. is not the original source.
And here is some NEW stuff; PANCAKE 30 f2.8
http://egami.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2014-11-28
http://photorumors.com/2014/11/30/the-latest-patents-from-fuji-ricoh-and-canon/
If the 30mm looks like the Nikon 45mm 2.8 P (i.e., with aperture ring and focussing scale) I’ll buy it immediately after having sold my 35mm+27mm
in fact, the source is egami, and egami itself says that it is nothing about a new lens for the X-system, but something for action & survelliance cameras.
Ok.maybe i misread something. Good to know. Keep up the good work!
may I ask you, did you use the rumor box to contact me or your personal email?
Rumor box
ok, thanks. Will look into it. Seems I’m a little bit too distracted by the server issues we are having in the last weeks (if you follow me on facebook/twitter, you might now what I refer to). Will go thourgh both, email and even Spam folder now, and see what I can find.
emh…. action cam with Fujifilm “premium” video quality??
ok, now actioncamerarum. got some clicks…now let´s get back to serious buisness
I’ve always thought that FIVE lines of cameras is an overkill. No idea why I met so much resistance on my comments, especially on dpreview. In my mind, the A line is totally redundant. M – maybe…
AF will have to work on that one…
late reply, but if it’s anything like the gopro then no it wont as the focus is fixed
LOL, is this a joke?