One of Fujifilm’s most beloved lines is the X-E series. While never the most popular, X-E cameras have a passionate cult-like following. My first Fujifilm camera was an X-E1, so I have a special place in my heart for the line. The X-E4 is currently my favorite for travel photography, especially when paired with pancake lenses. At this time, Fujifilm doesn’t offer an X-E camera—the last one was the X-E4, but it was discontinued over two years ago.
The X-E1, which was announced in the fall of 2012, was a striking camera that caught a lot of people’s attention with its retro styling and compact design; however, there were some initial issues (later rectified via firmware updates) that hindered the perception of it. One year later, Fujifilm released the X-E2, which had a new sensor and was largely free of the problems that had given its predecessor bad press. This was a successful model for Fujifilm, but the X-series was still pretty new, with a small (but quickly growing) market share. The X-E2s was released three years later; it was almost just a firmware update disguised as a new camera, and Fujifilm later gave that same firmware to the X-E2. A lot of people consider the X-E2 and the X-E2s (which had a pretty short run) to be the same camera, because they basically are (although not 100%). In the fall of 2017, Fujifilm announced the X-E3, at a time when the X-series seemed to be hitting its stride, with several commercially successful models coming before (X-Pro2, X100F, X-T2, X-T20). I think there were some high sales expectations for the X-E3; however, demand turned out to be sluggish, and the camera had to be discounted in order to move the inventory. Because it was considered a bit of a “flop” (too many copies were manufactured for the actual demand), there were some rumblings that the X-E3 might be the last model in that series. Thankfully it wasn’t.
In March of 2021, Fujifilm released the X-E4. I preordered my copy the moment it was announced; if I hadn’t, I might not own one today. Fujifilm used the sales figures of the X-E3 to estimate the demand for its successor, which was a fair assumption, but what they didn’t know is that the X100V was about to go viral, and it was going to take the X-E4 with it. Demand for the X-E4 turned out to be much greater than it had been for the X-E3; however, as luck would have it, this was during the Covid global parts shortage, and Fujifilm had trouble securing materials to manufacture more copies. Two years after it was released, and with a very long backorder list, the camera was discontinued.
Because there was so much unfulfilled demand, the second-hand market for the X-E4 went nuts. It was pretty common to find a used X-E4 selling for 50% more than the MSRP of a new model, and sometimes double. Crazy! If sales had been slow, it very well might have been the final nail in the X-E coffin; however, sales were good, except that Fujifilm discontinued the camera at the peak of its popularity because they ran out of parts. Now, a little over two years later, apparently a new model is forthcoming. Interestingly, in 2023 I predicted that the X-E5 might come in the spring of 2025… not a bad guess, only slightly off. Let me quickly discuss what I hope for with the X-E5.
A lot of people wanted to buy the X-E4 but just couldn’t find one in stock, so I wouldn’t change much. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. There are five things I would do different, and otherwise I’d leave it alone. I don’t think Fujifilm needs to reinvent the wheel here.
The five things that I would change, which would make the X-E5 pretty much perfect in my eyes, are simple: use the Shutter/ISO combo dial of the X100/X-Pro series, include an M/C/S switch, include a rear command dial, improve the EVF resolution, and use the X-Processor 5. That’s it. Keep the design the same, keep the sensor the same, use the same battery—keep almost all of it the same. Do this, and it will be a very successful camera.
Some people will demand IBIS and claim that the X-E5 must have it or the camera’s a dud. I don’t care if it does or doesn’t have IBIS, I’m fine either way. For still photography, IBIS is nice, but is oftentimes very overstated. It’s not a critical feature whatsoever for most people and circumstances. It does add weight (and probably size), cost, and battery life—in other words, there are tradeoffs. I’m ok with either choice, but I definitely lean towards its exclusion.
Will it have a small grip like the X-E3? It could, but if it doesn’t have IBIS, it’s lightweight enough that the omission is not a problem (it’s not a problem on the X-E4); personally, I’d welcome it for times when a larger lens is attached to the camera. They could include a built-in flash (the X-E1 and X-E2 had a flash), but it doesn’t bother me even slightly that the X-E4 doesn’t have one. I’d be a little surprised if the X-E5 has the 40mp X-Trans V sensor, but it certainly could. I’m more inclined to believe that it will have the 26mp X-Trans IV sensor like the X-S20 and X-M5, if for no other reason than to keep the cost down. The Film Dial? I like it personally, and I’d be curious to see how it might be implemented, but it doesn’t seem like an easy addition (the EVF is in the way), so I’m guessing no, the camera won’t have it.
One final point I’d like to make in this article is in regards to timing. The X-E1 was the second-to-last X-Trans I camera (X-M1 was last), the X-E2s was the second-to-last X-Trans II camera (X70 was last), the X-E3 was the second-to-last X-Trans III camera (X-H1 was last), and the X-E4 was the second-to-last X-Processor 4 model (X-T30 II was last). Fujifilm has used the X-E series to mark the sunset of each generation, with one camera model to follow. It’s reasonable to assume that we’re nearing the end of the fifth-generation. My prediction, which is merely a guess and nothing more, is that an X-T30 III (an X-T30 II but with X-Processor 5) will be announced in the fall, and the X-Pro4 (maybe called X-Pro5), which will be the first sixth-generation camera, will be announced in January or February of 2026. I’ve guessed wrong many times before, so take this with a massive grain of salt.
Used X-E4’s are STILL selling for above the original MSRP, which certainly suggests that there will be strong demand for the new camera, whatever its specifics. I hope Fuji is prepared to meet that demand, and people don’t have to wait too long.
There is definitely pent-up demand. I hope that Fujifilm is prepared for it.
I agree with everything you said about the upcoming x-E5. Alongside my beloved x-S20, I need a lightweight second camera for city trips or short trips. A high-resolution electronic viewfinder is more important to me than 40 megapixels or IBIS. Add a new, modern 23mm pancake lens or smaller, and I’d have a perfect travel companion that wouldn’t require an additional camera bag. In the evening, I’d mount my lightweight 35mm/1.4 lens on the camera. So, I’m curious to see what kind of camera body we’re actually getting.
I hope that pancake is a bundle option, I’m guessing it will be.
With a choice of cameras at my disposal, why do I reach for the X-E4 typically? Or, why ask why?
😀 😀
Fuji makes me sad. I drift farther away from the system (deeply invested in) with every new announcement.
I’ve considered getting a used XP2 but can’t deal with old sensors’ custom WB shift (unable to save).
I’m pretty excited and happy with Fujifilm. I was sad, disappointed and worried when seven out of 10 cameras were PASM models, but that time came and wen’t, and all was well.
First priority IMHO is price. The X-E5 should be cheap, and that probably means compromises to a theoretical X-Pro4. If that means a 26mp sensor, no ISO dial, so be it. I think it’s better to keep the camera cheap (certainly in the X-S20 or lower price range) than to go all-in on something fancy like a combined shutter-ISO dial. If it’s basically an X-M5 with an EVF, shutter dial instead of mode dial, that’s fine. Maybe the far-right dial is EV comp and not untyped, maybe it remains untyped and user selectable. Maybe the film sim dial needs to go to make room for the EVF, but if you can do both, I’d do both.
For the theoretical X-Pro4, I want 40mp, and various optimizations for aspect ratio selection. Maybe a ratio dial like the GFX100RF. Maybe a wider-than-typical EVF (how about 2:1 instead of 3:2) so that wider aspect ratios use more of the screen. At the last extreme, maybe a slightly wider sensor (only a millimeter or two) to let wider aspect ratios use a tad more of the X-mount image circle, but that last one is pretty pie-in-the-sky. Mostly, I just want to be able to crop to panoramic aspect ratios like on the Fuji TX-1, or the Fuji GX617. And CROP is the key. Trying to do an XPan shaped sensor is just nonsensical in the digital age. If film was free and you could have cameras and lenses of essentially the same size, it just makes more sense to have a Pentax 67 or Fujica G690 you can crop in camera than an XPan. The XPan was a great idea given the limitations of film formats, but the limitations are different now.
Meanwhile, how about also a minor refresh for the 18/2 and 14/2.8 lenses (maybe also 35/1.4 and 60/2.4) to gain WR and newer autofocus motors? New optics wouldn’t be terrible, but old optics in improved housings would be a decent improvement already.
I would rather have the X-E5 be more affordable with fewer “upgrades” than more expensive but with the kitchen sink. Sometimes less is more.
I really hope the next X-Pro has the XPan aspect ratio. Seems like a simple and obvious thing.
The 18mm f/2 is the lens most in need of a refresh, in my humble opinion. It would pair well with both the X-E5 and next X-Pro, so the timing should be sooner than later.
Be nice to be able to get one to replace my xe1 and xe2. Hopefully by the end if 2026 the availability will be reasonable.
But….knowing Fuji’s track record, most likely long wait times with plenty of excuses while nothing is done to fix it.
I don’t think the second paragraph is fair. For example, Fujifilm delivered as many X100VI units within the first year as they did any other X100-series camera over the model’s lifetime. So they are doing something, no doubt. It’s just that demand is so high, and the line so long, that it doesn’t seem like it if you are at the back of the line.
There’s already a successor to X-T30 II, it’s called X-T50. They skipped number 4 because of bad luck.
Fujifilm has stated that the X-T50 is not the successor to the X-T30 II, but “a whole new line” that happens to be similar. An X-T30 III is definitely a possibility at some point.
I travel with two x-e3 cameras to minimize lens swaps. One with 9mm WA and one with the 18-135mm.
The light weight and slim form factor make them perfect travel companions.
I will be first in line if the x-e5 has 40 mp but otherwise, no reason to change.
Looks like it has 40mp 😀