Sadly many interpreted it as me saying that there will never be any Fujifilm X-Pro3 successor ever.
But as I told you from an ugly parking lot while waiting for my car to get fixed, I think that Fujifilm will never discontinue the X-Pro line, because it is a very prestigious line for Fujifilm. It was Fujifilm’s first mirrorless interchangeable lens camera and as such it is symbolically very important for Fujifilm.
And recently Fuji Guy Billy seemed to confirm that a Fujifilm X-Pro3 replacement with 5th generation goodness will come. It will just take a bit of time.
And he also said: it has to be something very special.
… and it’s Very Special?
So if all the 5th generation goodness is ready, why does it still take so long?
Well, let’s see some possibilities
SIMPLE ANSWER: there is parts shortage. Fujifilm decided to use those parts for cameras that are more successful (X100VI, X-T5, etc), and the Fujifilm X-Pro4 must wait until the peak demand for those cameras is over
BILLY’s PATH: Fuji Guy Billy said the X-Pro4 has to be something very special. Could it be a new design experiment (for example a screen-less camera). A monochrome or XPan sensor? Will they get rid of the mechanical shutter and go for a 26MP stacked sensor? Anything else that could make it “special”?
I personally hope that the result of this long wait will be a monochrome Fujifilm X-Pro. But again, that’s just a mere and random wish of mine (no rumor).
Feel free to let us know what your best guess is in regards to what’s going on with the long awaited Fujifilm X-Pro4 and why it’s taking Fujifilm so long.
And suddenly, the rumors about fixed lens cameras coming from other brands are hitting the internet.
And I believe them all.
I believe them all, because given the immense success of the Fujifilm X100V first and now of the Fujifilm X100VI, it was just a matter of time until other brands would expand, refresh (or even start) their fixed lens camera offerings.
The first one to come should be the Leica D-Lux 7 successor.
The Leica D-Lux 7 was launched back in 2018 featuring a 17 Megapixel Four Thirds sensor with a fixed 24-75mm f/1.7-2.7 lens. We don’t have rumors about its specs yet, but Mirrorlessrumors speculates (not rumor) that it will get a bigger APS-C sensor and feature a fixed lens instead of a zoom. But that’s not a rumor, only a guess.
The D-Lux 7 was co-developed with Panasonic which had their own version named Lumix LX100II.
CineD is giving an opportunity for 2 shooters to join their NAB 2024 team and win a set of X-H2S and XF18-120mm lens each (Worth $3,390). A 5 stars hotel for 4 nights and $100 allowance per day is also provided. What is not covered is a flight ticket or any other means of transportation. (So this initiative is best suited for those who were considering to go to NAB 2024 anyway). Check out all details at CineD here.