Fujifilm X-Pro5

Report: Next Fujifilm X-Pro Coming As Early As October

Posted on by Ritchie Roesch

Fujirumors just reported that the Fujifilm X-Pro3 successor, which might be called X-Pro4 or X-Pro5 or maybe even X-Pro6, will come sometime after September. “After September” could be late this year, such as October or November, or it could be in 2027 sometime, or maybe even 2028. It’s still unknown when the long-overdue camera will be announced, but I hope it’s sooner than later.

There are three things that this report clarifies to me. First, the next X-Pro isn’t coming “early” in 2026 (I guessed that it was coming in early 2026). Based on the pattern of past releases, it should have come in late-2023 or early-2024, but here we are in February 2026 and there’s still not an X-Pro3 successor. Second, the camera is coming sometime, just not imminently. It might be late in 2026, or sometime in 2027, or even later. Who knows? But this is further confirmation that the camera is actively being developed, and the camera line hasn’t been abandoned. There will be another X-Pro, and it could come as early as October (but probably later). Third, it won’t be the first X-Trans VI camera—that might belong to the X-T6, which, according to Fujirumors, is coming in September. Fujifilm introduced X-Trans I with the X-Pro1, X-Trans III with the X-Pro2, and Classic Negative, Color Chrome FX Blue, and Clarity with the X-Pro3 (when you consider that the X-T3 and X-T30 were left on an island, the X-Pro3 could be considered the spiritual introduction of X-Trans IV). So it made sense to me that X-Trans VI would make its debut on the next X-Pro, but that won’t be the case. It also won’t be a fifth-generation camera, like some speculated it could be.

That’s the known, but what’s still unknown is what will be the same or different on the X-Pro4 (or X-Pro5 or X-Pro6, whatever they will call it). My best guess is that the controversial hidden rear screen of the X-Pro3 will be replaced with something different. Maybe it will be more like the GFX100RF screen, or maybe like the X-T5, or something else entirely. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a second screen, perhaps similar to the little vertical one on the X half, make an appearance. A Film Dial like on the X-E5 would make a lot of sense (but please include Classic Negative! And make each position capable of a Recipe, not just FS1-FS3). I really don’t have any other speculation. I’m sure there will be some surprise that will cause a stir, but overall it will be a lot like the previous iterations, which are all fairly similar to each other.

I really don’t know why the X-Pro3 successor is taking so long, other than the X-Pro3 was problematic. Specifically, the ribbon cable to the rear screen was too fragile, and gave a lot of problems, which has been well documented and lengthily discussed. I believe that Fujifilm prematurely halted production (as in, did not secure parts for more when there was still demand) of the X-Pro3 because of this. Had Fujifilm continued to manufacture the X-Pro3 another year or two, the gap wouldn’t seem quite as large. It’s that large gap, which is from late-2022 until now and beyond, that’s so puzzling. When the next X-Pro is released, it will have been at least four years since the last X-Pro was discontinued, which is a large enough gap for a whole different X-Pro to have existed within. It doesn’t make a lot of sense why Fujifilm would allow this to happen, other than they didn’t originally intend for the X-Pro3 to be as short-lived as it was, and how to move forward from the problem was for some reason difficult to figure out. But, it sounds like they got that sorted out, or at least are actively working towards it. It’s a shame, though, that—for over three years now—if you wanted to buy a brand-new X-Pro, which is an iconic camera line, you couldn’t. Soon enough you will be able to again, which is good news, even if long-overdue.

Will The Next X-Pro Have a Film Era Dial??

Posted on by Ritchie Roesch

Fire, Truck – Lordsburg, NM – Fujifilm GFX100S II – 1970’s Summer Recipe

Fujirumors just posted today that Fujifilm is working on “a dial that lets you choose an era-inspired look for your images.” This will be for some upcoming camera. It sounds like this new dial might be similar to the Film Dial, except instead of Film Simulations (and Film Simulation Recipes on FS1/FS2/FS3 for the X-E5 & X-T30 III), it will be aesthetics that mimic specific eras of photography, presumably something like 1950’s, 1980’s, etc.. So not a Film Dial, but a Film Era Dial.

My best guess is that this will be on the next X-Pro camera, which Fujifilm is working on. I suspect that this camera will be the next model that Fujifilm announces, and it will come early next year. This is simply the first of many rumors we can expect for the X-Pro4 (I’m predicting that it will be called X-Pro5) over the next few months. This is merely speculation, of course, and I have absolutely zero inside information. I do know that Fujifilm wants to do something unique and unexpected with the next X-Pro (they’ve said so a few times now), and this would certainly qualify as that.

I can only guess how the Film Era Dial might work, but it will likely be similar to the Film Dial on the X-E5. Perhaps it will have nine or ten or eleven “eras” plus an Off position. These eras, which will likely be divided by decades, will probably be similar to Recipes, except designed by Fujifilm and not customizable. In this way it could be more like Advanced Filters, which aren’t customizable—you get what you get—but probably more refined and sophisticated, something you’d definitely want to use (in other words: built-in—but not customizable—Recipes). Maybe it’s also a bit X half-ish, with the idea being that it’s super easy to get great retro-like looks straight-out-of-camera. If that’s all true, I’m disappointed to not have been invited to be a part of the creation process; however, I do trust that Fujifilm will do an excellent job with it.

So what does “Film Eras” look like on Fujifilm cameras? It can be different things, but I do have an idea. For example, Sepia prints were popular in the 1920’s; Faded Monochrome gives a nod to really old B&W prints; Vintage Kodachrome mimics an early version of Kodachrome film; Vintage Agfacolor has a 1950’s look; 1960’s Chrome resembles pictures found in magazines during that era; 1976 Kodak is similar to some Joel Meyerowitz photographs from the mid-’70’s; Kodacolor has a distinct ’80’s vibe; Kodachrome 64 was an extremely popular (and iconic) film in the 1990’s; Fujicolor Superia 800 has a 2000’s disposable-film-camera quality; Kodak Portra 400 v2 mimics a Portra 400 aesthetic, a popular film in the 2010’s; and the new Reala Ace film sim has been called the “negative for the new era” so it makes sense to use a Recipe like Fujicolor Film for the 2020’s. I could make probably four or five unique lists like this that demonstrates “photography through the decades” aesthetics using my different Film Simulation Recipes.

1920’s

Espresso Yourself – Layton, UT – Fujifilm X100V – Sepia Recipe

1930’s

Urban Escape – SLC, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 – Faded Monochrome Recipe

1940’s

Onaqui Horses – Dugway, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 – Vintage Kodachrome Recipe

1950’s

Always Moving Ahead – Rawlins, WY – Fujifilm X-Pro2 – Vintage Agfacolor Recipe

1960’s

Bell & Cross – Tumacacori, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5 – 1960 Chrome Recipe

1970’s

Rainbow over Jersey – Jersey City, NJ – Fujifilm X-T50 – 1976 Kodak Recipe

1980’s

Jon’s ’80’s Era – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 – Kodacolor Recipe

1990’s

Red Barn – Ronks, PA – Fujifilm GFX100S II – Kodachrome 64 Recipe

2000’s

Hello, I am at Disneyland – Anaheim, CA – Fujifilm X100VI – Fujicolor Superia 800 Recipe

2010’s

Sunset Photography – Laguna Beach, CA – Fujifilm X100V – Kodak Portra 400 v2 Recipe

2020’s

Saltwater Marsh – Plymouth, MA – Fujifilm X100VI – Fujicolor Film Recipe

I like the general idea of a Film Era Dial, and if anyone can pull it off it’s Fujifilm. I’ll reserve my full judgement until it is released, presumably on the upcoming X-Pro5 early next year. I don’t anticipate it being perfect; the Film Dial isn’t perfect, but it is good, adding aesthetic versatility if you know how to get the most out of it (tune into SOOC Live this coming Monday, as this will be the topic of our conversation). I wonder if the Film Dial will be unique to fifth-generation cameras, and the Film Era Dial will be unique to sixth-generation models. Time will tell.

If you like the idea of the Film Era Dial, you don’t have to wait for it. Simply program into your C1-C7 Recipes for different decades. I gave you some ideas above; perhaps this could turn into a series of articles. Maybe I can give some specific recommendations for each era. What do you think? Is a Film Era Dial a good idea? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!