X20 discontinued at B&H… X30 (with sensor bigger than 1“) on the way?

These days, all eyes are set (deservedly) on the umpteenth version of Sony’s RX100, the RX100MIII. It’s crazy how frenetically Sony updates its products (see also the Sony A7-R-K-S).

That’s not really the same policy of Fuji. The X-PRO1 is about 2 ½ years old, and still hasn’t been replaced. And of the 13 X-cameras currently available, only 4 were replaced by newer models in about 3 years (X10=X20, XF1=XQ1, X-E1=X-E2, X100=X100S). Fujifilm seems to focus more on firmware updates to improve the performance of older cameras. This Kaizen philosophy might be bad for electronic imaging field of the company (which is still losing money), but it’s definitely good for us customers.

Now, one of the next cameras that could be replaced in foreseeable future is the X20. The X30 is rumored to come in “summer”, and, as the usually well informed xjrumo said months ago, the sensor will be bigger than the 1” sensor of the RX100III.

Another hint that the X30 could be in the pipeline: the silver X20 is already discontinued at BHphoto… and US stores that have some left in stock, are selling it now with a $50 price drop. Check it out at AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline.

And what do you think? Should Fuji follow Sony’s path and release udpated cameras with new (even minor) hardware changes more often (e.g. X-PRO1S)? Over at the Fujirumors facebook page Anurag said that Sony is “keeping up with the market“, while Olle said: “I myself value a brand that constantly keeps improving their current firmwares and meanwhile produces cameras with bigger improvements (x-t1) and great lenses. I work in a camera store and if its something the nex-users are asking for its the non existens nex lenses.“

So the question is, if it’s better to launch an X-PRO1S/T/N or whatever, instead of waiting 3 years for the “major breakthrough” promised by Fuji with the X-PRO2.

stay tuned
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