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

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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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Patent: new color filter, also for organic sensor!

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The innovation continues. Fujifilm is working hard on the new organic sensor. Will this be the sensor of the X-PRO2? I still don’t know it. In the meantime check out the patent for new color filters giving better color reproducibility and less noise, applicable also to the organic sensor, at freepatentsonline.com.

Organic sensor or not, looking at the various polls shared here on FR, the majority of you prefer an APS-C sensor over a Full Frame sensor.

RUMOR: Sigma to announce X-mount lenses at photokina? (anonymous source)

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The Sigma 50mm f/1.4: almost the IQ of the Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4 for ¼ of the price!

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anonymous source = take it with a grain of salt

Zeiss did it, Samyang did it… and Sigma could do it in the next months, according to an anonymous source: at photokina 2014 Sigma could announce the first lenses for Fuji X-mount.

Did the success of the [shoplink 17992]X-E2[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 21553]X-T1[/shoplink] convince Sigma to jump on the X-boat? Let’s hope so!

Imagine how well a lens like the Sigma 50 f/1.4 could perform in combination with Fuji’s unique X-Trans sensor! I’m sure you’ve read of the unbelievable test results of the Sigma 50 f/1.4 that almost matches the Zeiss Otus 55 1.4 performance for ¼ of the price!!!

My radar is finely tuned on this rumor. Will update you as soon as I hear something more reliable about it. In the meantime, take it with a grain of salt and let’s cross fingers.

If the rumor is correct, could the cooperation Sigma/Fuji be more successful than the Zeiss/Fuji one? In fact the Zeiss Touit 12mm 2.8 and 32mm 1.8 didn’t sell well at all (available now for a much cheaper price than at their launch), as photographers prefer the Fujinon [shoplink 12888]XF 14mm[/shoplink] and [shoplink 12889]XF 35mm[/shoplink].

HamburgCam said via twitter, that, in order to be successfull “ Sigma lenses would have to be cheaper to have a chance! Fuji’s XF lenses have such high IQ already!”

cheers
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TCL-X100 pre-order now in USA

The TCL-X100 tele conversion lens can be pre-ordered at BHphoto for $349 here. Use this link if you want to support Fujirumors with absolutely no extra costs for you. A small comission is valued back to this blog and it will allow me to keep it running, thanks.

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Size Comparison: X-T1 with XF 18-135mm and XF 10-24mm!

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Yesterday, a facebook follower shared the image you can see at the top in this facebook post. He asked me some information about the lens. I told him that the XF 18-135 (the first weather sealed lens in the Fuji lens line-up) could come in June and asked him what’s the source of the image.

I obviously made immediately a screenshot of the leaked image. So, although the follower deleted the image just a minute after he posted it, I was fast enough to copy it for you.

The image shows the size of the XF18-135 f/3.6-5.6 compared to the [shoplink 20414]XF 10-24[/shoplink].

And here is the still unofficial roadmap of Fujifilm

RUMOR: Fuji will launch a new XF 35mm f/1.4 lens (SRP = source was right in the past)!

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the “old” XF 35mm: still out of stock after the high demand at the X-deals of February-April

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First off: this rumor comes from a source, who was right in the past (SRP). If it is correct also this time, it will enter the elite team of trusted sources… until then, take it with a grain of salt!

The source told me that Fuji will launch a new 35mm f/1.4 lens. I do not know when it will be launched nor which improvements we can expect, but, as you may guess, I’m restlessly working on it even now on my lunch break from my day job (see facebook ;-) ). Once back at home this evening I’ll contact some sources and I hope to be able to give you an update soon.

Any help is highly appreciated and could make my work here a lot easier. You know how to contact me (via rumor box = anonymous (you can use a nickname so that I can recognize you in future) / via email at fujirumor [at] gmail.com)

cheers
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US-X May Deals

X-PRO1 body (save $200): AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline /
X-M1 (body OR super combo kit) (save up to $300): AmazonUS (Superkit: silver – black – brown)/ BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline /
X20 (save $50): AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline
XF 18mm (save $100): AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline
XC 50-230 (save $50): AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama /
X-A1 (save $100): AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline
X-E2 body and kit (save $200): START MAY 25th