Fujifilm X80: X-Trans III Sensor and X-Processor Pro “Too Power Hungry” for Such Small Form Factor

As you know, back in February our sources expected the X80 to be announced by the end of 2017.

However, I started getting reports of delays, and our sources told us an X80 is no longer scheduled for 2017. Everything has been postponed to 2018 (for now).

So why the delay?

A possible answer comes from Gordon from Cameralabs, one of the most respected and professional reviewers out there, who often test pre-production gear and has some great insights into plans of camera manufacturers.

While talking about the possibility of having an X70 successor (the Fujifilm X80) with X-TransIII sensor and X Processor Pro, he said at dpreview here:

“As a professional journalist of over 25 years I have close access to camera designers and manufacturers and when I asked Fuji’s engineers if we would see X-Trans III in an X70 successor, they told me the sensor and processor are too power-hungry for the smaller battery and form factor of the X70.

My personal take on that then is that it would be possible, but the battery life would be too short to be useful. A shame as I’d have liked an ‘X80’ with X-Trans III.”

So what will Fuji do now?

• Fujifilm might have to think at other solutions such as making changes to the original X70 design to manage heat better and fit in a larger battery. However, that would go against the purpose of the X70 line, to have an ultra-compact APS-C camera.
• Fujifilm could completely drop the camera line, if they realize too much R&D would be required make X-TransIII and X-Processor work on a compact X80, especially considering that the Fujifilm X70, despite being a little great camera, was a failure for Fujifilm and they might no longer be motivated to keep the series alive.

Thanks a lot for the reader, who send me the link to this 1 month old comment… you guys are great… what I miss, you find it for me :) .

Fujifilm X70: BHphoto, AmazonUS, FocusCamera, Adorama