Thoughts on the Upcoming Fujifilm Camera
Until this year, Fujifilm has always announced at least one new X or GFX series camera by the end of June. We’re in August, and nothing new has been announced. Some people are getting antsy, anxiously waiting for whatever is to come. Personally, I’m glad that there’s a little gap. In my opinion, camera companies introduce new versions of their lineup much too quickly. It made some sense in the earlier days of digital technology when improvements tended to be more drastic; nowadays, and for at least a decade but probably longer (closer to two decades), the advancements have been much more gradual. Each new iteration of each camera model is only a small improvement over the previous version. Because of this, it’s become a common axiom to skip a generation before upgrading.
For example, if you purchased an X-T1 when it was new, you’d have skipped the X-T2 and waited for the X-T3; later, you would have skipped the X-T4 and waited for the X-T5 (and you’ll skip the X-T6 whenever it comes). Likewise, if you purchased an X-T2 when it was new, you would have skipped the X-T3 and purchased an X-T4 instead; later, you skipped the X-T5 and are now waiting for the X-T6. By skipping a generation, you are allowing enough time to pass that the upgrade is more substantial. If camera makers waited longer before making successors, this gap generation rule-of-thumb would be unnecessary. If Fujifilm waited another two years before releasing the X-T6, I’d be perfectly ok with that, just so long as they continue to manufacture and sell the X-T5 during that time.
The rumors circulating the internet are that the next camera to come from Fujifilm will be the X-T6. Some people seem to think that I have inside information about future camera models, but I don’t. Only one time did Fujifilm share with me details on an upcoming model: about two weeks before the X-T50 was announced, they sent me a pre-production copy to try, and made me sign an NDA regarding it. That was the one and only time; otherwise, I find out the same way that everyone else does, which is largely Fujirumors. I watch the X Summit at the time of announcement to learn the details about the camera the same as you do. I read the initial day-one reviews by those who got a pre-production model. I honestly don’t know anything about whatever camera Fujifilm plans to release next.
Last year Fujifilm introduced the X-E5 on June 12th, and the B&H BILD expo was five days later on June 17th, which was the first opportunity most people had to touch-and-try the upcoming camera. Fujifilm had asked for my help at the event, just as someone who could answer questions about their cameras, particularly questions about Film Simulations and Recipes, to those visiting their booth. Funny enough, I was assigned to the X-E5 station (which was incredibly busy, as you might imagine!), but the morning of June 17th—maybe an hour before the event began—was my first time seeing the new camera in-person. I literally knew as much about it as anyone else, yet I was supposed to answer questions about the X-E5. My point in telling this story is to simply illustrate that I really don’t know anything about upcoming gear, Fujifilm doesn’t disclose that type of information to me—not even when I’m involved in an event about that gear.
With that said, I would describe myself as an X-series expert (an X-pert, if you will…). I know more about Fujifilm cameras than most, simply because I have so much experience (or is it X-perience?) using them. There’s certainly plenty that I don’t know. For example, I regularly learn new things from Pal2Tech’s YouTube videos. I have reached out to Fujifilm’s Tech Reps with questions several times. I’m constantly learning more, and I imagine that there’s a lot that I don’t know simply because there are features that I rarely or never use. Still, I think I’m well qualified to comment on Fujifilm cameras simply because I have a lot of knowledge about them and a lot of experience using them.
What I can’t comment on is what I don’t know. I’ve received a ton of questions lately asking for my opinion of the upcoming yet-to-be-announced Fujifilm X-T6. My guess? It will be a lot like the X-T5, just a little faster. Simply speculating, I think Fujifilm will introduce the sixth-generation (X-Trans VI) with the X-T6, and the main improvements that sixth-gen will bring are speed and efficiency. I don’t expect much in the way of IQ improvements; however, autofocus and video specs could see a notable upgrade. It might be somewhat like the X-T2 vs X-T3, if that makes any sense. I’m sure there will be a couple of cool surprises, and maybe a head-scratcher or two, but overall I will be completely shocked if the X-T6 isn’t 90% exactly the same as the X-T5, and mildly surprised if it isn’t 95% the same. Basically, I expect the X-T6 to be an X-T5 but with a boost. Whether or not that boost will be particularly beneficial to you will depend on how you use the camera. My guess is that for some people it will be a major improvement, but for most it will be minimal. Of course, this is all speculation, and I very well could be wrong (I’ve been wrong before plenty of times). In the meantime, I’m very happy to patiently wait, and use the Fujifilm gear I already own.
