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

December 21, 2024
News, Rumors
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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.