Fuji We’ll, that escalated quickly

[Bobby T]

Fujifilm X-T4, X-E4, X-T30II Discontinued at Major Japanese Stores: So Let's Talk Fujifilm X-T5, X-E5 and X-T40 - Fuji Rumors

Several major Japanese stores like MapCamera, BicCamera, and Yodobashi have now marked the Fujifilm X-T4, X-E4 and X-T30II as discontinued. Map camera still has it in stock, but they won’t be receiving anymore units for sale after their stock is depleted. There’s a note on the pages that says “在庫限り(生産完了品)” which translates to “Limited stock…

www.fujirumors.com

 

[agentlossing]

That's honestly shocking.

 

[drd1135]

Fujifilm X-T4, X-E4, X-T30II Discontinued at Major Japanese Stores: So Let's Talk Fujifilm X-T5, X-E5 and X-T40 - Fuji Rumors

Several major Japanese stores like MapCamera, BicCamera, and Yodobashi have now marked the Fujifilm X-T4, X-E4 and X-T30II as discontinued. Map camera still has it in stock, but they won’t be receiving anymore units for sale after their stock is depleted. There’s a note on the pages that says “在庫限り(生産完了品)” which translates to “Limited stock…

www.fujirumors.com

As many have said, they probably ran out of the non-stacked 26 MP sensor and don't want to order more. I suspect previously they made too many X-T3 which is why it was offered along with the X-T4. They then made less X-T4 and so ran out. I also suspect a similar reason as to why they came out with the X-T30ii. They ran out of the older parts for the X-T30, needed to use different ones, so they called it an "upgrade". It's like the Sony A7R iii & iv getting a higher rez LCD screen because they ran out of the lower resolution ones. I'm very curious which of the lower end Fuji bodies (X-S10, X-T30, X-E4) are going to end up with the 40 MP sensor. I'm curious if the 40 MP sensor is going to need the body to have IBIS otherwise camera movement will ruin the resolution of the 40 MP sensor. I also wonder about the price difference between the old 26 and new 40 MP sensors. If the 40 is not too much more, that could be the default low end chip, which would be wild.

That's all, I'm done speculating for now. Fortunately, speculation is cheaper than GAS, because an X-T40 with IBIS and a 40 MP sensor would be really tempting.

 

[bartjeej]

40mp vs 26mp really isn't such a massive difference. Just 24% more pixels horizontally and 24% more vertically. It's a visible difference, but half a stop faster shutter speed should take care of it. Hardly what you'd need IBIS for. Not that IBIS wouldn't be handy or desired, but necessary? I don't think so.

With the chips shortage still going on, I wonder if Fuji might be able to order new 26mp non-stacked sensors in the future when the shortage is over. There're very few user cases where you  need 40mp over 26mp, and it is/was a great all-round sensor. Especially for entry level / mid level cameras, I think it could continue to serve in future body generations just fine, if there's a price benefit compared to the 40mp.

 

[Ghostbuggy]

I am honestly a bit surprised by these news, on the other hand Fujifilm seems to have been hit a bit harder from the supply shortages when compared to some other companies. The X-E4 in particular is still a very recent camera and it's fairly unlikely they will announce a successor soon. I am not too surprised about the rest though, as they might have to use the parts they'll get on future cameras rather than those they already have in their line-up. It is not only about chips and sensors, but certain electronic components are also harder to get nowadays.

Pretty sure we will see an X-T5 next year, I am just wondering which sensor they will use going forward: The stacked 26 MP or the unstacked 40 MP sensor?

 

[Bobby T]

According to rumors, the X-T5 will be announced before the end of 2022. Already rumored with no battery grip.

 

[gyoung]

Well the big uk photo show is on next weekend, it will be interesting to see what is on display for the UK and European market.
But they cant stop supplying all cameras that don't have the new XH2 sensors, take a while to market replacement models for Xe, Xpro, Xs and both Xt lines and they would have little revenue in the meantime.
My bet is just supply chain issues meaning shortages of sensors, temporarily hopefully.

Gerry

 

[drd1135]

40mp vs 26mp really isn't such a massive difference. Just 24% more pixels horizontally and 24% more vertically. It's a visible difference, but half a stop faster shutter speed should take care of it. Hardly what you'd need IBIS for. Not that IBIS wouldn't be handy or desired, but necessary? I don't think so.

With the chips shortage still going on, I wonder if Fuji might be able to order new 26mp non-stacked sensors in the future when the shortage is over. There're very few user cases where you  need 40mp over 26mp, and it is/was a great all-round sensor. Especially for entry level / mid level cameras, I think it could continue to serve in future body generations just fine, if there's a price benefit compared to the 40mp.

The problem is that Fuji needs a special order for a batch of the older sensor. If they could do that profitably, why would they essentially discontinue all the cameras that use it? I suspect 40 be the new standard for monetary reasons. Thom Hogan has an article about this:

Start Saying Goodbye to 20/24mp | Cameras and Photography Explained | Thom Hogan

The smartphones take another chunk out of the camera business

bythom.com

I’m not saying he’s absolutely right, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it happens. Fuji may go that way to separate themselves from the other APS-C makers. It will be fun to watch in any case.

 

[gyoung]

The problem is that Fuji needs a special order for a batch of the older sensor. If they could do that profitably, why would they essentially discontinue all the cameras that use it? I suspect 40 be the new standard for monetary reasons. Thom Hogan has an article about this:

Start Saying Goodbye to 20/24mp | Cameras and Photography Explained | Thom Hogan

The smartphones take another chunk out of the camera business

bythom.com

I’m not saying he’s absolutely right, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it happens. Fuji may go that way to separate themselves from the other APS-C makers. It will be fun to watch in any case.

Well Sony makes the sensors I think, and they dont have a 40mpx aps-c camera, or even a 26mpx last time I looked.
But it makes sense to the producers, force everyone to buy the new higher priced sensor, whether they want/need it or not.

Gerry

 

[gryphon1911]

Well Sony makes the sensors I think, and they dont have a 40mpx aps-c camera, or even a 26mpx last time I looked.
But it makes sense to the producers, force everyone to buy the new higher priced sensor, whether they want/need it or not.

Gerry

Sony does make a lot, but not all, the sensors for most cameras. However, companies like Nikon have their own designs and they have Sony fabricate them as Nikon does not have their own fabrication facilities.
It would cost more money for someone to request a base sensor tech that is not part of the normal production runs.

 

[drd1135]

Well Sony makes the sensors I think, and they dont have a 40mpx aps-c camera, or even a 26mpx last time I looked.
But it makes sense to the producers, force everyone to buy the new higher priced sensor, whether they want/need it or not.

Gerry

Well, somebody makes those sensors for Fuji, and they often need to buy a certain size batch for economic reasons. I know it sounds odd, but they may just be switching to the 40 MP and new 26 MP stacked sensors because they don't want to order a whole batch of the older 26 MP sensors as well. The only cameras that they might want the older 26 for might be the X-S10 and the X-T30 successors, and switching to the 40 might encourage many to buy the new model. I know I would probably pre-order a new X-S20 with the 40. I'd be truly surprised if the next X-Pro model didn't get the 40. I doubt it will get the stacked sensor because it would cost more and raw speed is not why folks typically buy the Pro models. JMHO, as always. This all encourages me because I like Fuji cameras and they are acting like they are in it for the long haul.

 

[gyoung]

Well, somebody makes those sensors for Fuji, and they often need to buy a certain size batch for economic reasons. I know it sounds odd, but they may just be switching to the 40 MP and new 26 MP stacked sensors because they don't want to order a whole batch of the older 26 MP sensors as well. The only cameras that they might want the older 26 for might be the X-S10 and the X-T30 successors, and switching to the 40 might encourage many to buy the new model. I know I would probably pre-order a new X-S20 with the 40. I'd be truly surprised if the next X-Pro model didn't get the 40. I doubt it will get the stacked sensor because it would cost more and raw speed is not why folks typically buy the Pro models. JMHO, as always. This all encourages me because I like Fuji cameras and they are acting like they are in it for the long haul.

I quote the Fuji staff at the big uk photo exhibition 2 days ago, no news of any discontinuations of 26mpx cameras. Xpro 3, Xs10 and Xt4 openly displayed and demonstrated alongside newer stuff
Just another misunderstanding or misinformation

Gerry