Fujifilm UK Manager on Niche Products Expansion, Instant Gratification with Film Simulations, Adapting to Market Habits and More

Part 2 of the interview Fujifilm UK manager Theo Georgiades went online (part 1) and can be read at amateurphotographer here.

In short:

  • Focus on reaching a new audience, including younger people and first-time photographers (hence not only younger people)
  • Quality straight out of camera is a bigger thing now
  • Instax and Film Simulations are so popular because many people want instant results
  • we’ve had film simulation for the last 10 years but it’s really taken off since 2023 with our recent cameras
  • New generation consumers exhibit different shopping behaviors.
  • Earlier camera launches (e.g., X-T1, X-T2, X-T3) led to corresponding spikes in lens sales.
  • Current buyers of camera kits seem content with the included equipment, showing less interest in additional lens purchases.
  • Smartphone generation tends to prefer owning one or two lenses.
  • Lens popularity now depends on the user type and the camera launched (e.g., 70-300mm X-Mount and primes remain popular).
  • Fewer people purchase multiple lenses upfront compared to earlier trends.
  • New users typically start with their camera and kit lens, investing in additional lenses over time.
  • Adapting to these new market habits is essential for the brand.
  • The X-M5 has gained popularity among new audiences, unlike earlier X-M or X-A models, which performed modestly in regions like the UK but thrived in Asia.
  • Traditional users often prefer cameras with viewfinders, like the X-T50 or X-S20, while newer audiences, such as content creators and step-up smartphone users, are accustomed to shooting via screens.
  • Shifts in shooting preferences, like not needing a viewfinder, have removed previous barriers, enabling product diversification.
  • This evolution allows Fujifilm to cater to a wider audience and explore niche features in future products.
  • Increasingly, people are gravitating toward dedicated devices like Instax, X Series, or GFX, moving away from reliance on smartphones to avoid distractions.
  • A new film camera? The manager has 25 years of experience with Fujifilm and has learned to “never say never”
  • Film photography is experiencing a significant resurgence, evidenced by increasing film sales.
  • Film cameras are gaining popularity
  • But businesses must differentiate between long-term opportunities and short-term trends.
  • Fujifilm continues to leverage its Instax range of instant film cameras and printers to meet market demand.
  • The GFX line was launched in 2016 with the goal of diversifying Fujifilm’s offerings.
  • The aim was to grow the medium format market, which had become stagnant, while also challenging the full-frame market.
  • The quality of video from the GFX sensor has continuously improved.
  • GFX remains a key focus for Fujifilm, and the company is excited about its future.
  • Fujifilm is committed to pushing the GFX line further and not becoming complacent (hence also GFX Eterna announcement)

I guess the part that got me pumped the most was when he talked about “becoming more adventurous with niche features in the coming years“.

We got hint of some of those “adventures” already:

And we have a Fujifilm X-Pro4 (or X-Pro5 or X-Pro6) that takes so much time to come, and this makes me think it could come with some “adventurous niche features” too.

Yes, I know. If I was in charge of Fujifilm, the company would go broke within a few months, because I am really just mostly drawn into their niche product lines. And I have zero interest in hybrid cameras, as my Fuji’s don’t shoot video at all. But in order to survive as a camera company, Fujifilm does have to offer more mainstream products too and “adapt to the market”. So I guess I have to put my heart in peace and accept that part of the R&D goes into products and features that I don’t care about (for example, I do not have any interest in the upcoming GFX Eterna).

But if adapting to the market helps Fujifilm to survive and maybe even thrive, than so be it. It’s just good to know that Fujifilm does not lose its soul and keeps niche products and features on their roadmap.

Fujifilm UK Manager says Fujifilm Ranks 3rd in UK, X100VI Waiting Decreased, X-Pro/X-E Love and a Surprising Best Seller

image courtesy: amateurphotographer

Theo Georgiades, general manager of Fujifilm Imaging Solutions UK, gave an interview to amateurphotographer which you can read here.

Most surprising to me: this camera here is the 3rd best selling Fujifilm camera in UK after the X100VI (1st) and X-T5 (2nd)

In short:

Market Share

  • Our recent product launches have really set us apart from other brands… we’ve always been a bit different.
    (Fujifilm launched the Fujifilm X100VI, X-T50 (with film simulation dial), GFX100SII (medium format) and X-M5
  • We’re trying to create our own niche in the marketplace
  • Especially in the UK, Fujifilm has proven that we can be strong on our own without having a full-frame offering.
  • Fujifilm is now number three the UK market in terms of sales value, behind only Canon and Sony
  • That includes all camera types, including compacts

X100VI Demand

  • X100VI was a huge success and GFX system is growing
  • The demand for the Fujifilm X100VI was not underestimated but exceeded expectations.
  • Forecasting for a new product launch is approached prudently to avoid overstocking.
  • The launch day response for the X100VI was unprecedented, with overwhelming orders globally.
  • Criticism of planning is deemed unfair, as it overlooks the complexities of the background processes.
  • Fujifilm quickly recognized the unexpected demand and acted swiftly to increase production.
  • Developing and launching a camera takes up to two years, making rapid supply increases challenging.
  • Fujifilm began ramping up production within days of the X100VI’s announcement.
  • Since September, allocations to retailers have increased, and waiting times have significantly decreased.
  • Customers now experience shorter wait times of a couple of months instead of six, despite high demand.

Best Sellers

  • in UK, the X100VI surpassed sales of X-T5, although they are pretty close
  • X-T30 II is third, which went viral similar to X100VI
  • X-T50 had a really good start, then a bit of a dip, and has now started to pick up again

Film Simulation Dial

  • film simulation dial has attracted lots of new users

X-Pro and X-E line

  • Fujifilm has plans for new X-Pro and X-E cameras.
  • The Covid lockdown caused semiconductor costs to skyrocket, impacting production timelines.
  • Rising costs forced all brands to reprioritize product development cycles
  • The X-Pro and X-E series remain important to Fujifilm and are valued by the company and enthusiasts alike.
  • Development takes time, but Fujifilm is committed to these camera lines.

So the Fujifilm X-Pro and X-E line will both continue and Fujifilm says “we love those lines“. So they both will continue.

Fujifilm X-Pro6 in 2026 with 6th Generation Platform? Let’s Talk About it!

We told you that there won’t be any Fujifilm X-Pro4 or Fujifilm X-Pro5 in 2025.

The fact that it takes so long made many in the comments to this post speculate that Fujifilm might just skip the 5th generation platform and use the 6th generation platform for the Fujifilm X-Pro6.

And not only some of our readers, but also guys with excellent connections to Fujifilm such as Gordon from Cameralabs in the Petapixel podcast and Ritchie from FujiXWeekly speculate that Fujifilm will skip the 5th generation and go straight for the 6th generation with the X-Pro3 successor (X-Trans VI and X Processor 6).

Now, this goes against the pretty much only thing we have heard officially from Fujifilm about the next X-Pro, which is what Fujifilm Guy Billy said.

Billy said that he can see the X-Pro getting the 5th gen specs, but the reason for the wait was that it had to be something very special.

My take?

I try to avoid speculations in this matter, because I know it matters so much to many. Which is why I will stick to rumors. And for now, I have no rumors about the Fujifilm X-Pro4, X-Pro5 ro X-Pro6 (or however it will be called), except for the fact that it won’t come in 2025 but Fujifilm is working on an improved hybrid viewfinder.

Of course the fact that it takes so long for the X-Pro3 successor to come opens up the possibility for an X-Pro on 6th generation steroids. Or maybe Fujifilm will keep the 5th gen platform as suggested by Fuji Guy Billy, but look into other ways to make it “special”, with new ergonomic solutions, some of which we could see first on the Fujifilm GFX100RF as we rumored here.

But whatever it is, I will not make any speculations right now, because people tend to mistake my random speculations for solid rumors and then turn mad on me if those speculations do not materialize. That’s OK for me most of the time, but not in regards to the Fujifilm X-Pro3 successor.

But you guys can loosen your fingers, open your mind, and type all your thoughts and speculations in the comments below.

BREAKING: Fujifilm X-Pro4 (X-Pro5) is Not Coming in 2025

Fujifilm X-Pro Line Future

I don’t know exactly how to bring you this rumor, but I guess the best way is just to deliver it straight and raw:

According to multiple of our highly trusted sources (as well as a couple of new ones) there won’t be any Fujifilm X-Pro4 or Fujifilm X-Pro5 (or any X-Pro3  successor) in 2024 and not even in 2025.

I know that’s a bummer for many Fujifilm lovers out there.

But you can trust that I made sure this is an accurate rumor. I know a huge chunk of the reputation of this rumor website depends on the X-Pro4 rumors and I would only share it if I am 110% sure.

The wait for the Fujifilm X-Pro4 or may it be called Fujifilm X-Pro5 is longer than we’d like it to be.

I just hope that this also means the next X-Pro will be something super-special and worth the wait.

And in the Meantime…

While the Fujifilm X-Pro3 successor might not come in 2025, there are plenty of other cameras Fujifilm is working on for 2025 release.

And there might even more coming.

I am personally hyped about the Fujifilm X-E5.

BREAKING: Fujifilm X-E5 Coming in Summer, But Maybe Don’t Sell Your X-E3 or X-E4 Just Yet

Fujifilm X-E5 Coming

Judging from the comments here on FujiRumors, many are still doubting that there will ever be a Fujifilm X-E5.

But trust me guys, it is coming in 2025.

And today we can be more precise.

The Fujifilm X-E5 will come* in summer of 2025.

*NOTE: the source said “come” in summer 2025. So I do not know exactly if this means “announced” or “released”. This means it could be that it will be announced and released in summer, but it could also be announced in late spring and ship in summer, or announced in late summer and ship in autumn. But it won’t come in early 2025, nor in late 2025.

I say this just to be as precise as possible for now.

If I figure out month, day and time of the announcement, you’ll read it here on FujiRumors.

Sell your Current X-E Camera?

The Fujifilm X-E5 will be one of Fujifilm’s most exciting announcements of 2025 and probably another epic failure due to Fujifilm incompetence in production and delivery, just as it happened with the X-E4.

I am sorry guys for this rant at the end of the article, but the Fujifilm X-E4 was the most disastrous announcement I can remember. The camera itself was great, but if you think the X100VI is a shipping disaster, then look at what happened to the X-E4:

  • Fujifilm X-E4 launch in January 2021
  • I found it in stock once October 2021
  • no more stock pretty much anywhere
  • discontinued in March 2023 while tons of people still had one on pre-order, probably to reserve parts to other cameras with higher profit margins

Not even the Fujifilm X100VI has such a bad shipping record as the X-E4.

You know, normally I’d now sell my X-E3 before the X-E5 arrives, and then just buy the X-E5. But looking at Fujifilm’s failure with the X-E4, I think this time I’ll keep my X-E3 until the day I actually own the X-E5. I don’t want to sell it and then find myself without an X-E camera because of Fujifilm’s bad production planing.

Dear Fujifilm: the Fujifilm X-E5 could potentially be a massive best seller for you. Don’t mess it up like with the X-E4. If you bother to announce an X-E5, then please also make sure to produce it in sufficient numbers.