Will prices of older Fujifilm cameras balance out when they normalize distribution of newer cameras?

Will prices of older Fujifilm cameras balance out when they normalize distribution of newer cameras in the near future?

It's difficult to ignore the price hike on used cameras of older and current Fujifilm models in the market. The scarcity of the X100V is a prime example which are being sold for $2000. As well as X-E2, X-Pro2, etc, that's now priced for at least $200-$400 higher than what it used to be a year ago.

When Fujifilm starts to release more current gen models in the market later this year, can we expect the price of the used market to drop or normalize? Or are some of these older first & second gen cameras  (X-Trans I & II) going to remain high because of the rarity of them?

okmarzo wrote:

When Fujifilm starts to release more current gen models in the market later this year, can we expect the price of the used market to drop or normalize? Or are some of these older first & second gen cameras (X-Trans I & II) going to remain high because of the rarity of them?

It really depends.  I would think they are going up because Fuji's name is mentioned by influencers a lot.  Also, not being able to buy new cameras due to new cameras not being in stock has caused many older cameras to go up.  I think there will always be a few digital cameras that are considered classic and will maintain a higher price than they should, but I think if stores had stock of all of the latest cameras, I do not think we would have seen these price increases.  That said, these cameras are all pretty good still and maybe people are just realizing that.

My guess is "somewhere in between". Certainly short supply of new models is part of the reason for strong prices for older Fujis, but that's not the whole story. Fuji cameras have changed a lot over the past 4 or 5 years, with many models becoming much more feature rich and complex, more video oriented, and in some cases larger and heavier as well. These may be welcome changes for some, but for other longtime Fuji users who came to the brand for a high quality but relatively simple stills camera with full analog style controls, the new ones can seem like a bit much. There will probably always be some demand for the older cameras from fans of the original Fuji types.

I've bought two Fuji cameras fairly recently, one three years ago, and one earlier this month. The first was an X-T2, the second an X-T20. In both cases I considered newer models and decided that I didn't just not need the features of the newer camera, I actively preferred the older one.

I think I paid somewhere between $100 and $200 US more for the X-T20 than I would have 2 years ago. The smaller cameras seem to be in particularly strong demand-- when I was actively shopping after the holidays I found asking prices for used X-T20s often equalled or even exceeded asking prices for used X-T2s in similar grades. This could be because the X-T20 is in short supply, or because buyers are looking for a smaller, lighter, simpler camera, or some combination of the two factors.

I think it all really depends.  Let's take the X100V for example (which I own).  I could sell it for $1800-2000, more than I bought it for.  It can be tempting once in a while, but then I'd have to replace it with something else for a compact travel camera beyond my iPhone 14 Pro Max. So I hold on to it for now....and that reduces the supply of pre-owned X100V's.

Then Fuji seems to be on perpetual back-order for the X100V....more decreased supply of new units.

The demand is inflated due to 1) supply and then 2) increased social media visibility of the X100V by some users on TikTok, etc. and 3) it's a great camera and well respected.

Combine that and you have, at best, full retail new and likely a slight mark-up from some dealers. Then for used, the inflated prices you see.

When will it come down? When supply catches up. Fuji ramps up new units available, then new is less expensive than used and both prices will fall after a while of stabilization.  When a new model is released then the current users may want to upgrade their about 3 year old cameras to the newest one. Uses prices will drop to reality and then new model will be hard to get for a while...but old stock of the X100V (new in box) will be a good deal.

WHEN WILL IT HAPPEN? No clue. I do suspect that Fuji isn't ramping up supply of the X100V at all.  If I were in their shoes, I'd have that replacement ramping up for production by year end and release before the holidays if possible late 2023.

Coldpaw wrote:

It might very well be possible newer models might crush the prices for used, earlier models a bit, but I don't see it set in stone: Some newer models aren't fully desired by the customers. Take the X-Pro3 for example, a number of people really dislike the rear LCD and rather get the predecessor instead of the 3rd model. Same goes for people who really do a lot with the OVF, which is more flexible on the previous model.

Those who don’t like the XP3 like to say this, and yet on the used market right now the XP3 sells for a lot more than the XP2, as you’d expect.  New examples are now drying up, with no new model in sight; I wouldn’t be surprised to see those used prices rise further as supply drops off.

As others pointed out, scarcity of supply of new cameras and influencer buzz, especially regarding the older models are spiking prices.

I'm glad I got in under the wire. I love shooting with two bodies and after buying my X-E3 new, I started hunting for an E2. I bought one, then my grandson lost his Canon Rebel in a fire and I gave it to him.  I missed it and went out and bought an E2s and excellent condition. Then I started hearing buzz about first generation sensors.  I looked for a Pro1 but it was already becoming a cult item. I found an E1 at a great price ($225), also in wonderful condition and with a low shutter count and bought it as well.

I think next camera will be a new model.  I also have and H1 and am looking hard at the H2.