Is just three main feature differences between Fujifilm's lower and high tier cameras enough?

[jonikon]

Whenever there is a discussion of the advantages of the more expensive higher tier Fujifilm's bodies compared the Loewe tier, it typically comes down to just three main differences.

1. Larger viewfinder
2. Weather sealing vs not weather sealed
3. Two memory card slots vs one

Is this really enough to retain all the current camera body lines and price differentiation?
All the latest Fujifilm camera bodies now have IBIS and all but two have 40MP sensors and I expect the X-S30 will also have a 40MP sensor as well. So what can Fujifilm offer in future bodies to encourage "upgrading" to a newer model? Not more Megapixels I think. Not IBIS. It appears the only thing left is improved auto focus.

Based on the high introductory price of the X-T50 so close to the X-T5's I get the impression that it may be the last of of the X-Txx line and Fujifilm will only offer their higher tier X-Tx camera line going forward, and keep older models as their introduction models at lower prices.
I just hope Fujifilm continues the X-Sxx line because the X-H line is twice the money and too large and heavy for my desire for a lightweight camera kit.
What do you predict for Fujifilm's camera lines and pricing in the future?

 

[Artur Darulewski]

Whenever there is a discussion of the advantages of the more expensive higher tier Fujifilm's bodies compared the Loewe tier, it typically comes down to just three main differences.

1. Larger viewfinder
2. Weather sealing vs not weather sealed
3. Two memory card slots vs one

Is this really enough to retain all the current camera body lines and price differentiation?
All the latest Fujifilm camera bodies now have IBIS and all but two have 40MP sensors and I expect the X-S30 will also have a 40MP sensor as well. So what can Fujifilm offer in future bodies to encourage "upgrading" to a newer model? Not more Megapixels I think. Not IBIS. It appears the only thing left is improved auto focus.

I would also mention that top notch bodies work with battery grip and have usually faster series and deeper buffer. Also low end bodies have memory card socket in battery compartment while the rest have dedicated compartment on the right side. Low tier models have also built-in flash uni. IBIS seems to be a standard nowadays even with the smallest cameras.

Based on the high introductory price of the X-T50 so close to the X-T5's I get the impression that it may be the last of of the X-Txx line and Fujifilm will only offer their higher tier X-Tx camera line going forward, and keep older models as their introduction models at lower prices.

I would expect X-T60 having twice as much film sims on the left dial + subdial with creative filters . Price will depend on the global economic situation and the overall market trends...

I believe X-S line will be continued, but it lost IBIS as one of the advantages. Anyway it's entry level PSAM/full grip hybrid model, so good enough to attract new users to X-system.

Cheers,

Artur

 

[nightowlnz]

I don't think Fuji are going to stray far from their formula of continuing to use other components such as the viewfinder, battery, card slots, weather sealing etc as differentiators between model lines (in terms of price).

Each "generation" previously tended to stick with the same processor and sensor, but they obviously do now have a bit of variation into three "tiers":

• 26MP stacked: X-H2S
• 40MP high res: X-H2, X-T5, X-T50, X-100VI
• 26MP non-stacked: X-S20, X-T30 II etc

However, the X-S20 is a bit of a hybrid, having the older (still good) sensor, but with the new processor. It's been out for a year at this point, so it might be the last model that uses that sensor.

Since the X-T50 and X-100VI come with the 40MP sensor, I think it's likely that's going to be their default unit going forward. Which could mean more "affordable" models might not be coming (at least not in great numbers) unless they can reduce cost/price in other ways such as keeping that older 26MP sensor around.

Sensor aside, their other cost reductions probably depend on keeping that old battery around, or removing IBIS - and I don't think they'll do that, considering how much effort they've put in to making their IBIS units smaller and lighter.

 

[Samuraidog]

For me, those three differences alone are worth the extra cost.

 

[biza43]

Fuji is still at the step where they can not combine stacked sensor with high resolution. Hence the XH2 and XH2s variants. Other brands also went through this phase, but now they have cameras combining both. So maybe next generation XH3 will only have one camera with high resolution stacked sensor.

There is more to differentiate camera lines: better construction, better battery, better shutter, better EVF and screens, better dials/buttons, and so on.

Other brands have similar options and segmentation, according to what users want and need in a camera. Nikon Z7II, Z8, and Z9, for instance.

 

[SpeedyNeo]

Those are not trivial differences by any means. Also bigger bodies, bigger batteries, newer technology.

 

[Meeces]

Last weeks petapixel podcast touched a bit on the proliferation (they mentioned something like 15 current models on the website) and bluring of Fuji models at the moment. The X-T200, X-S10, and X-E4 are still on Fuji website for example.

I think the confusion between lines is partially exacerbated by release timing. For example, Fuji Rumors has reported there is still an X-E5 and X-Pro 4 coming. If that happened, I could imagine two solid tiers of cameras with a bit less confusion if timing and features could be (could being the operative word) better ironed out.

X-Tx/X-Pro (X100VI)/X-H: 40mp stacked? Like biza43 mentioned- stack the high resolution sensor in the next generation. Or, at least the only difference being stacked on the X-H if the space is needed for heat/design in an upper tier/line like this. Does a mechanical shutter eventually going away (ala Nikon Z-9) allow stacked in the smaller X-Tx for example? The internal physical size ins't needed for anything else- the bigger battery and IBIS are already here. I'm sure someone with more engineering background could chime in here.

X-Txx/X-E/X-S- 40mp non-stacked.

Similarities and differences could be-

Similarities- Keep the 40 mp and have IBIS across everything. I think the writing is on the wall for the 26mp going away. I'd keep the same battery. I think it's a customer pain point otherwise if one wants to mix tiers/lines, or have a mid-tier as a back up to upper tier body (personal opinion of course).

Differences- One vs two sd cards. Have different specs for the evf and lcd, overall build, burst and buffer rates, and sensor read/scan rates. Higher shutter life rating on the higher line (until mechanical shutters go away altogether anyway). Not sure if making a battery grip across a higher end vs mid-tier line would make sense. Maybe at least a return of one on future X-Tx and keeping one on X-H. More custom function slots on the higher line (like now- but I'd say more slots for each line). Maybe more future computational photo options on a higher line. Have both lines be weather resistant, but the higher line more so (better ip rating vs lower).

The amazing thing to me would be if Fuji ever had the ability to update one whole line and release at once. The buzz and clarity I think that would generate would be great. I've mentioned it in other threads that have kind of talked about this before.

I'm not sure there will ever be space for an entry level again (X-T200). Seems cell phones with computational photography continue to show why that's not viable. If it were to happen, it would have to have slower/lower specs everywhere. Can such a thing be produced to a demand and at a rate to make a profit and be worth the expense? Or, keep the older generation model in production and lower the price to fill the void- the current apparent plan with the X-T30ii.

Now, off to find the magic 8-ball.

 

[Alan Hewitt Photo]

Fujifilm have a different emphasis on their model range. As much as we see different features and capability, we also see cameras which offer completely different user-experiences based upon ergonomics and user-interfaces.

 

[Heritage Cameras]

I would also mention that top notch bodies work with battery grip...

Even that's been removed from the X-T5.

 

[Artur Darulewski]

I would also mention that top notch bodies work with battery grip...

Even that's been removed from the X-T5.

Because it's not top notch anymore - H2x are.

In the past X-Tx were flagships having the best available tech (except X-T3 which didn't have IBIS in order not to canibalize X-H1 - both were top tier cameras produced at the same time).

X-T5 is very nice, but it's positioned lower than X-H2, burst buffer is also smaller.

Cheers,

Artur.

 

[Heritage Cameras]

I would also mention that top notch bodies work with battery grip...

Even that's been removed from the X-T5.

Because it's not top notch anymore - H2x are.

In the past X-Tx were flagships having the best available tech (except X-T3 which didn't have IBIS in order not to canibalize X-H1 - both were top tier cameras produced at the same time).

X-T5 is very nice, but it's positioned lower than X-H2, burst buffer is also smaller.

Sad, but true.

 

[michaeladawson]

Whenever there is a discussion of the advantages of the more expensive higher tier Fujifilm's bodies compared the Loewe tier, it typically comes down to just three main differences.

1. Larger viewfinder
2. Weather sealing vs not weather sealed
3. Two memory card slots vs one

Is this really enough to retain all the current camera body lines and price differentiation?

You've also left out overall body size which translates to many to ergos. Larger body is easier to handle and often has more buttons. To take it to the extreme, compare an X-E4 to an X-T5. That's a huge difference.

I'd pay for an X-T5 over an X-T50 any day of the week.

Then you get into cameras like the X-H line. Totally different cameras. So actually, I would disagree with your whole premise that Fujifilm differentiates just on your 3 features.

 

[Artur Darulewski]

Those are not trivial differences by any means. Also bigger bodies, bigger batteries, newer technology.

What "newer technology" means - sensor + CPU + battery + in-body latest film sims?

It's mixed as X-S20 doesn't have the 5th gen sensor but the X-Processor 5, X100VI has the newest sensor/CPU but uses "old" smaller battery, H2(s) flagships don't have reala-ace... it's not so simple.

Cheers,

Artur

 

[jbuzzinco]

There are other underlying hardware difference that don't always appear in the "specification" lists when comparing cameras. Body materials, processors, memory and connection ports have significant impacts on the user experience and can add significant cost to manufacturing.

Performance related to the computing power and memory in the camera can be gleaned from some reviews based on max frame rates and buffering times. More memory and faster processors makes the camera more responsive and able to handle video and continuous bursts better. HDMI ports are critical for video production but incur a licensing fee to the manufacturer. Any physical button, dial, switch or port incurs substantial manufacturing cost. This is one reason why Fuji cameras in general are expensive.