I’ve been asked to speculate on when future X-Trans IV cameras will be released. I don’t have any insider information whatsoever, so take whatever I say with a very large grain of salt. It’s just a guess, and just for fun.

The Fujifilm X-T3 is the first and only camera with an X-Trans IV sensor. This new sensor has a tiny bump in resolution (26-megapixels vs. 24-megapixels) and a tiny increase in high-ISO performance. From an image quality point-of-view X-Trans III and X-Trans IV are nearly identical, kind of like X-Trans I and X-Trans II were nearly identical. Where the X-Trans IV sensor shines is speed, made possible by less heat emission. X-Trans IV is significantly faster than any previous X-Trans sensor.

The Fujifilm X-T3 has been out for a month or so and it’s received raving reviews across the web. There is no doubt that it is an excellent camera. But not everyone wants the X-T3, as Fujifilm designs different cameras for different people. The question is, when will Fujifilm update the different models with the new sensor?

My guess is that next spring Fujifilm will release a new X100 series camera with the new sensor (perhaps called X100V), and an X-T30. Later next year an X-Pro3 and an X-H2 will come out. I’m going to speculate that an X80 (replacement for the X70) will be announced in the fall, and it will include an X-Trans IV sensor. Perhaps an X-E4 will be released in 2020 sometime, or maybe an X-E4 will never come out. Don’t be surprised if the X-E line goes dormant for a couple years, and perhaps is revived when the X-Trans V sensor is made. Maybe Fujifilm will even surprise everyone with a brand-new camera series, but I wouldn’t count on that.

I think 2019 will be the year of the X-Trans IV sensor. We’ll see many different models announced throughout the year. The next generation of X-Trans is already being worked on by Fujifilm, and don’t be surprised if in the second half of 2020 or the first half of 2021 the X-Trans V sensor is announced, and with it more new cameras will begin trickling out. There is always some new camera just around the corner.

What X-Trans IV really means for you is deals on X-Trans III cameras. Currently at Amazon the Fujifilm X100F is discounted $100 off, the Fujifilm X-E3 is $100 off, the Fujifilm X-T20 is $150 off, the Fujifilm X-Pro2 is $200 off, the Fujifilm X-H1 is $250 off, and the Fujifilm X-T2 is $500 off. If you use these links to purchase those cameras, you’ll be supporting Fuji X Weekly. Also, as a quick update, Fuji X Weekly merchandise, including T-shirts, coffee mugs, cellphone cases and more, will be available very soon, so be on the lookout for that.