Surprise: Fujifilm X-M5 to be Launched in Second Half of 2024

We told you that Fujifilm will revive a camera line in 2024.

I guess most of us hoped for the Fujifilm X70 successor, hence the Fujifilm X80.

But that won’t be the case.

According to our trusted sources, Fujifilm will launch the Fujifilm X-M5 in the second half of 2024.

A while back I wrote an article about the top 10 flop cameras of Fujifilm and the original Fujifilm X-M1 made it into that list.

I explained why the Fujifilm X-M1 failed (despite being the better camera over the Fujifilm X-A1) and which lessons Fujifilm should learned from that failure.

Let’s hope that this time they will do things right and give the Fujifilm X-M line the success it deserves.

And of course, feel free to let us know in the comments how you’d like the Fujifilm X-M5 to be.

Fujifilm X100VI Language Addition Service in Japan

Starting from 2025, the Fujifilm X100VI cameras sold in Japan will come in only two languages: Japanese and English.

That’s something we have already seen with the Fujifilm X-M5, which also comes in Japanese and English in Japan as we reported here.

So keep that in mind if you plan on buying the X100VI in Japan and your native language is not English or Japanese.

Fujifilm offers a paid language addition service, in case you need it.

As FR-reader Speed pointed out in our X-M5 article here:

these are countermeasure to prevent malicious scalpers taking advantage of the weak yen ( and tax free ). I think this is just a measure to prevent malicious scalpers from reselling. This is not surprising. There are too many malicious scalpers who buy cameras in Japan and then resell them to China.

As annoying as this might sound, ultimately this is an attempt to protect genuine customers. And with “genuine” I mean customers who buy gear to use it, and not those who buy multiple cameras with the sole purpose to resell it at a higher price.

In theory, Fujifilm could not care less: a camera sold to a scalper brings them just as much money as a camera sold to a genuine photography lover. But it is nice to see they do try to find ways to make life a bit more difficult to scalpers.

Language settings for the high-end compact digital camera “FUJIFILM X100VI”

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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.

Ricoh Beats Fujifilm, Firmware Love, GFX100RF Specs and More – Top 10 November Articles

Here are the top 10 articles for November. Interestingly, the rumor about the Ricoh GR IV and GR IV M is by far the most read article, which proves my point even further: we need a monochrome Fujifilm as soon as possible and we need a Fujifilm X70 successor. There is a huge interest for such cameras, and Fujifilm should grab a piece of that market share before it is too late.

  1. Watch Out Fujifilm: Ricoh GRIV Coming First Quarter 2025 and Monochrome Version to Follow Later On
  2. FINALLY: New Autofocus Firmware and New Features Released for Fujifilm X-H2, X-H2S, and GFX100 II
  3. Fujifilm GFX100RF is the Name of the Upcoming Rangefinder Fixed Lens Camera
  4. Firmware Updates for Fujifilm X-T2, X100F, X-T20, X-E3, X-Pro2 and GFX50S
  5. Fujifilm GFX Fixed Lens Camera “About the Size” of Fujifilm X-Pro3
  6. Fujifilm GFX Fixed Lens Camera Lens Patents Spotted – GF35mm F3.5, GF40mm F3.5 and GF50mm F3.5
  7. Fujifilm Autofocus Feedback: Mostly Positive and The Curious Case of the X-T3 (or the Root of All Autofocus Issues?)
  8. Fujifilm’s Upcoming Half Frame Camera: Welcome to Diptych Heaven!
  9. Fujifilm GFX100RF First Specs: No IBIS, GF35mmF4 Lens and Coming March 2025
  10. Fujifilm GFX Eterna Filmmaking Camera Development Announcement with Expected 2025 Release

Do Not Miss

Evergreen

Top Fujifilm (Related) Gear 2024 – VOTE

Top Gear 2024

So we told: there are no more Fujifilm announcements in 2024

Maybe we might still get some third party manual of even autofocus lenses (maybe the X mount version of this lens here for example), but they’d come so late in the year that I prefer to include them in the 2025 list anyway.

The list includes only Fujifilm cameras and Fujinon or third party autofocus lenses (no manual focus), which are:

  1. Fujifilm X100VI
  2. Fujifilm X-T50
  3. Fujifilm X-M5
  4. Fujifilm GFX100S II
  5. Fujinon XF 16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR II
  6. Fujinon XF16-50mmF2.8-4.8 R LM WR
  7. Fujinon XF 500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR
  8. Fujinon GF 500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR
  9. Viltrox AF 56mm f/1.7 X
  10. Sirui Aurora AF 85mm f/1.4 X
  11. TTArtisan AF 56mm f/1.8 X
  12. Meike AF 55mm f/1.4 X
  13. Meike AF 33mm f/1.4 X
  14. Brightin Star AF 50mm f/1.4 X
  15. Sirui Sniper AF 16mm f/1.2 X
  16. Sirui Sniper AF 75mm f/1.2 X

VOTE BELOW

My Top Fujifilm Related Product of 2024 was... (max. 1 Pick Only)

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Sony A1 II Wins Praise for a Feature Fujifilm X-S20 Had First and I Hope to Get on X-T5 & Co via Firmware Update

So, I have looked at a few launch videos of the Sony A1II.

One feature that reviewers unanimously praised on the Sony A1 II is its automatic subject detection mode—a capability that the Fujifilm X-S20 has had for quite some time. However, Fujifilm has consistently declined to implement this feature in its higher-end models via firmware update.

Interestingly, while the Sony A1 II is now being lauded for this feature as though it’s the greatest innovation since sliced bread, the same reviewers largely overlooked it when the Fujifilm X-S20 introduced it. At best, it received a passing mention, with only a few exceptions like Johnnie from CineD, who both praised the feature and urged Fujifilm to roll it out to other cameras via firmware updates.

This disparity highlights Sony’s superior ability to engage with influencers compared to Fujifilm. Also, Sony likely emphasized this feature heavily in its launch materials, whereas Fujifilm seems to have neglected to draw attention to it.

That said, I completely agree that fully automatic subject detection is an excellent feature. Fujifilm has implemented it in the X-S20 and, I believe, also in models like the X-T50 and X-M5.

But for some reason, Fujifilm seems to treat this as a “beginner” feature, limiting it to models with full Auto mode, as if more advanced photographers wouldn’t benefit from it. However, with the Sony A1 II now receiving widespread praise for this capability, I hope Fujifilm will rethink their stance.

Here on FujiRumors we also suggested a very simple way to implement that feature on other 5th generation models:

Will Fujifilm give it to us via firmware update?

Well, Fujifilm had a similarly stubborn stance when it came to limiting Auto mode to JPEG-only recording. Thankfully, after persistent advocacy through several articles, they eventually listened and allowed RAW recording in Auto mode as well.

I hope Fujifilm will listen again this time and bring the fully automatic subject detection mode to all 5th generation cameras through a firmware update.

FujiRumors is happy to give Fujifilm patent-free access to our idea on how to implement it on current cameras. ;)

Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 Discontinued at Some Stores

It’s happening: one of the most popular Fujinon XF lenses of all time is about to retire.

In fact, the Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR starts to be marked as discontinued at stores in Japan as reported by the Japanese website asobinet.

This is inevitable since now we got the Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR II, which is smaller, lighter and optically even a bit better. And it costs the same as the older version.

You can still find the XF16-55mmF2.8 MKI in stock in USA, Canada and Europe, but I guess these will be the last samples available and honestly quite hard to sell for Fujifilm if they do not decide to offer it with a substantial price drop.

Fujinon XC15-45mmF3.5-5.6 Firmware Update Released – Again

Just a few days ago Fujifilm issued a firmware update for the Fujinon XC15-45mmF3.5-5.6. Well, now we have another one. All details below.

Fujinon XC15-45mmF3.5-5.6 ver.1.12 – download here
The firmware update Ver.1.12 from Ver.1.11 incorporates the following issue:

The following software issue is supposed to be fixed with Ver.1.11, but it is observed that the same issue is still occurs in rare cases under some shooting conditions. This is the revised firmware to fix the bug even in the above conditions.

  1. “The lens initializes itself unintentionally and automatically retracts once and back to the original position frequently when using the latest X-T50 and X-M5 cameras.”

Fujinon XC15-45mmF3.5-5.6 Firmware Update Fixes Unintentional Sinking and Ejecting of Lens

It’s not the firmware we are all waiting for, but it is an important update for all those who purchased the Fujinon XC15-45mm as a kit with their Fujifilm X-T50 or Fujifilm X-M5.

Fujinon XC15-45mmF3.5-5.6 ver.1.11 – download here
The firmware update Ver.1.11 from Ver.1.10 incorporates the following issue

  • A software issue is improved that the lens Improved the phenomenon of the lens automatically sinking and ejecting unintentionally when used with X-M5 or X-T50.