Fujifilm X-E5 in 2025: The Perfect Dial is…? – VOTE

If you thought the film simulation dial of the Fujifilm X-T50 was a one-time experiment by Fujifilm, then forget about it.

Hate it or love it, it is here to stay and it will be used also on the upcoming Fujifilm X-M5.

Of course the question now is: will there be also other future Fujifilm cameras that will use that dial?

Well, we can safely assume that higher end cameras won’t use the film simulation dial. I simply can’t believe Fujifilm would put one on the Fujifilm X-Pro5 or Fujifilm X-T6 or Fujifilm X-H3 or Fujifilm X-H3S.

But as we can see on X-T50/X-M5, on mid-low end cameras Fujifilm might as well use that dial.

So now the question comes up: will maybe the Fujifilm X-E5 have a film simulation dial, too?

I do not have the answer to that question.

But what I can do until I find the answer, is to ask you which dial you’d like on the Fujifilm X-E5.

I guess the most realistic options are either a shutter speed dial or a film simulation dial.

I don’t believe that Fujifilm would put the very complicated to manufacture and assemble combined ISO/Shutter dial on the X-E5. I mean, I’d be happy to pay the extra price for that dial, since it is my favorite dial offered by Fujifilm. But it would make the camera more expensive and slower to manufacture, which are dealbreakers for Fujifilm, especially considering how disastrous the shipping of the X-E4 was.

Fujifilm must make sure the errors of the X-E4 are not repeated. The X-E5 must be produced in sufficient numbers. And that dial is just too cumbersome to make.

And yet, out of curiosity, I will give you also that dial option to vote on. Just to see if I am the only one who’s in love with that dial or if there are also others who’d pay a bit more for an X-E5 just to get that dial.

I want a Fujifilm X-E5 with...

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Fujifilm X-Pro4 (X-Pro5?) Coming with Improved Hybrid Viewfinder (and What I Hope it Will be)

Today we have an update regarding the Fujifilm X-Pro4… or however it will be called, maybe even Fujifilm X-Pro5. That name would make sense, since Fuji Guy Billy said he can see the X-Pro line getting the 5th generation goodness, hence I think there is a possibility that Fujifilm could call it X-Pro5.

We have been informed by a source, who was right in the past (THANKS), that there will be an improved hybrid viewfinder on the X-Pro4/X-Pro5.

I don’t know yet what the improvement will look like. Is it just a higher resolution EVF? A larger viewfinder?

But what I really hope is the same what Thomas B. Jones said in his latest X-Pro5 whishlist video (see below in German): the return of the slot-in magnifiers.

So what’s that?

Well, if you are not familiar with the X-Pro line, up until the Fujifilm X-Pro2, the X-Pro line offered a slot-in magnifier for 0.36x and 0.60x magnification mode in the OVF.

This has been changed on the Fujifilm X-Pro3, which offers a fixed 0.52x magnification which is great if you are shooting with Fujifilm’s  23mm, 33mm or 35mm lenses (which most X-Pro users do).

However, with lenses like the Fujinon XF18mmF1.4, the image that hits the sensor is larger than the one that can be displayed on the OVF.

The return of the slot-in magnifier could solve this problem and make the XF18mmF1.4 the perfect match for the next X-Pro camera.

But again, I do not know what the change the hybrid viewfinder will have, nor if it will be something minor or major. But if I hear anything more, I will let you know here on FujiRumors.

Manufacturing Fujifilm’s Best Retro Dial: Complicated, Irrational, Expensive but Pure Photographic Pleasure

The Brilliant Dial – a Complicated Joy

When yesterday we published the comments of Fujifilm CEO, who said that it is very difficult to mass-produce Fujifilm cameras with retro dials, there were some who said that making a retro dial is just as quick and easy as making a PSAM dial.

Is it true?

Well, the CEO was referring to the production struggles of the Fujifilm X100VI, which uses the combined ISO/Shutter dial first introduced on the Fujifilm X-Pro2.

So let’s look at that dial. Is it really as easy as making a PSAM dial? Here is what Fujifilm writes about it:

Realizing the [dial] mechanism and manufacturing process were not easy.

Firstly, […] there are 22 positions in total, quite a lot of number for an internal dial. […]

Secondly, the dial is electronically linked. The analog dial operation is converted digitally to know exactly what the setting is.

And Lastly, this mechanism has to be weather-resistant.

In order to meet the requirement, the Shutter speed / ISO dial required 38 parts for its composition. This number is the fourth largest after the finder, shutter unit, and mount.

This is not only about number of pieces, some parts required highly tech solution to manufacture the piece.

For example, in order to achieve the accurate 22 positions, the piece needed to be very precise and durable regardless of its complicated form. This piece is realized by a method called Metal Injection Molding (MIM). It is not cost friendly, but the this method realizes the metal part to be durable even in its complicated form.

Why do we spend so much time on this one dial?

Unfortunately there is no economic and rational answer to that question. But it was something that the developing team of X-Pro camera had always dreamed of achieving. And it was also something that the passionate X-Pro users strongly wished for.

So please, don’t go around saying that making a dial like the one on the Fujifilm X100VI is just the same as making one for any PSAM dialed camera.

There is no other digital vintage-looking camera out there that uses that dial. And the reason why is explained above: it’s complicated, it’s expensive, and it makes no sense from a manufacturing efficiency point of view.

But we are lucky that Fujifilm thinks differently.

Fujifilm does not think that niche products with niche ergonomic solutions are just a waste of R&D. Fujifilm has such a massive photographic culture that they understand that cultivating a niche means cultivating the true passion for photography.

That’s why we get cameras with such a unique (and expensive) dial, and why I believe it absolutely possible that there will be ultra-nice products like the Fujifilm TX-3 in 2028.

And that’s why, even if slower refresh times, Fujifilm will give us the Fujifilm X-E5 and Fujifilm X-Pro4.

And speaking of Fujifilm X-E5, personally I hope it will have such a dial too, although I have little hopes since it is so expensive to make, and I guess Fujifilm does not want that camera to become too expensive.

With that said, you can read the full article about the combined ISO/Shutter dial development here.

Fuji’s Vintage Cameras

Fujifilm Managers Interview at DPR: “We Are Determined to Continue the X-Pro line” and About X100VI, AI and More

image courtesy: dpreview - full interview linked below
image courtesy: dpreview – full interview linked below

Japanese Fujifilm managers gave an interview to dpreview.

  • without the success of the Fujifilm X100, there would probably not be any Fujifilm X series
  • the success of the X100 gave Fujifilm confidence
  • It’s the younger generation (who currently uses smartphones) that will drive photography. There is huge potential there
  • Fujifilm must think about the differences between smartphones and real cameras and understand what could motivate younger generation to use cameras
  • smartphone connectivity is important. Joy and operability of using a real camera is important too
  • operability, image quality and quality of the product itself are important
  • they talk AI, subject detection that improved operability of cameras
  • AI might continue to provide benefit for autofocus
  • focus demand for video is different compared to stills. In video focus has to change smoothly at the speed set by the videographer
  • X100 will never have a flip-out screen, even though video features are enhanced. It’s a photography centric line
  • it’s useful for Fujifilm to have different ranges, also two lines like X-T and X-H line. It’s about finding the balance between these lines
  • Fujifilm is determined to continue the X-Pro line

You can read the full interview at dpreview here.

We remind you that Fuji Guy Billy recently said he expects the Fujifilm X-Pro4 to join the 5th generation platform, but that we will have to wait a little bit for that.

Read also:

X100VI In Stock Check

Fujifilm X-Pro4 not Coming in 2024: The End of Line or the Beginning of Something Very Special?

There is a Future…

As we told you from a beautiful lake before jumping into ice cold water: there won’t be any Fujifilm X-Pro4 in 2024.

Sadly many interpreted it as me saying that there will never be any Fujifilm X-Pro3 successor ever.

But as I told you from an ugly parking lot while waiting for my car to get fixed, I think that Fujifilm will never discontinue the X-Pro line, because it is a very prestigious line for Fujifilm. It was Fujifilm’s first mirrorless interchangeable lens camera and as such it is symbolically very important for Fujifilm.

And recently Fuji Guy Billy seemed to confirm that a Fujifilm X-Pro3 replacement with 5th generation goodness will come. It will just take a bit of time.

And he also said: it has to be something very special.

… and it’s Very Special?

So if all the 5th generation goodness is ready, why does it still take so long?

Well, let’s see some possibilities

  1. SIMPLE ANSWER: there is parts shortage. Fujifilm decided to use those parts for cameras that are more successful (X100VI, X-T5, etc), and the Fujifilm X-Pro4 must wait until the peak demand for those cameras is over
  2. BILLY’s PATH: Fuji Guy Billy said the X-Pro4 has to be something very special. Could it be a new design experiment (for example a screen-less camera). A monochrome or XPan sensor? Will they get rid of the mechanical shutter and go for a 26MP stacked sensor? Anything else that could make it “special”?

I personally hope that the result of this long wait will be a monochrome Fujifilm X-Pro. But again, that’s just a mere and random wish of mine (no rumor).

Feel free to let us know what your best guess is in regards to what’s going on with the long awaited Fujifilm X-Pro4 and why it’s taking Fujifilm so long.