Fuji’s annual report is online here.

As you can see from the diagram above, Fuji’s imaging division is partitioned in 3 fields: 1) the photo imaging business, 2) electronic imaging field (compact digital cameras), 3) optical device field.

_ _ _

The Good News

The good news is that, overall, the imaging division is making profits… and it’s especially fiel 1 (photo imaging) and field 3 (optical device) that are leading Fuji’s imaging division out of the operational loss.

“In the Imaging Solutions segment, consolidated revenue amounted to ¥373.6 billion, up 8.0% from the previous fiscal year. Such factors as the expanded sales of camera modules for use in smartphones led to the consolidated revenue increase.

Operating profit amounted to ¥3.6 billion, due to strong sales in the photo imaging business, such as instant cameras, cost reductions and other factors.

Robust sales were seen in the optical devices field, owing to the large sales increase in camera modules for smartphones as well as strong sales of TV camera lenses.

Revenue increased and the segment turned into profitability, reflecting such factors as the strong sales in the photo imaging business (mainly instant cameras), the falling yen exchange rate, and fixed-cost reductions […] the sales of instant cameras and films increased substantially ([shoplink 17593]Instax mini 90[/shoplink] and [shoplink 23847]Instax Share SP-1 printer[/shoplink])”

The Bad News

And what about the compact digital cameras (field 2: electronic imaging field)? Well, it’s still the weak spot of the imaging segment.

In fact, the electronic imaging field is still suffering, because the “popularity of smartphones has been causing demand for compact digital cameras to decline“. So, although the sales of the premium X-series cameras are increasing, the overall revenue is declining. However, Fuji expects the sales to of X-series cameras to grow in future.

“Sales in the optical device and electronic imaging products business increased, because sales in the optical device field were strong while sales of compact digital cameras decreased.

In the electronic imaging field, the sales of premium interchangeable-lens-type cameras, such as the FUJIFILM X-E2, which was launched in November 2013, and the FUJIFILM X-T1, which was launched in February 2014 were strong, but a decrease in overall demand for compact digital cameras, reflecting the spread of smartphones, caused the overall revenue to decline. Fujifilm is working to expand sales centering on interchangeable-lens-type cameras, increasing the product lineup in the X Series of premium cameras that leverage Fujifilm’s exclusive technologies and, XF Lens Series, interchangeable lens systems.

Although the market for compact digital cameras is shrinking, demand for high-quality photographs is growing. Our X-Series of high-end digital cameras that concentrates on image quality, operational sense and texture is particularly beloved of photography aficionados. […] we expect the market for digital cameras with interchangeable lenses to grow”

The moral of the story? Drop the entry level segment and give us the X-PRO2 / X200 :-)

All five VSCO Film packs for Lightroom 5 and ACR for Photoshop CC (VSCO Film 01, 02, 03, 04 and 05) now support the [shoplink 21553 ebay]Fuji X-T1[/shoplink]. Check it out here at VSCO.co. Note that all VSCO Film packs for LR 5 and ACR for Photoshop CC are 15% off till end of day Pacific Standard Time on Monday, May 5th, 2014.

Lightroom 5 is $35 off at at BHphoto here. UDPATE: AmazonUS offers Lightroom 5 for $80 (46% off)

And thanks a lot those FR-readers who shared this information with me via Fujirumors twitter page.

… and now I’m finally going to test my “new” X-E2 :-)

have a nice day,
Patrick

Fujirurmos facebook

GODOT

There are certain things that every X-shooter really likes about Fujifilm: the dedication to the customer, the constant improvements, the firmware updates, the technology that meets our passion by combining vintage design and manual controls with top-notch digital image quality and much more, but…

… but there is one thing where Fuji is really testing the patience of X-shooters: the delivery of X-products.

So we are still here, mostly waiting for the X-T1 and 56mm like Estragon and Wladimir waited for Godot!

“I know you are following availability of lens/camera gear.  B&H Photo are now shipping pre-orders of the X-T1 kit.  I pre-ordered from B&H on March 28 and mine just went out for delivery today.  Also, the online store notice changed from “expected availability: April 30” to “expected availability: mid-May”.  It appears this supply was just enough to fulfill pre-orders.”

Also Sander van Dijk confirms: “Looks like B&H is shipping the X-T1 kit and 23mm’s. I did place my order over a month ago. Status has now been updated to ‘ready for shipment’. New delivery date on the X-T1 has been updated from April 30 to mid-May.”

However, right now, you can find some X-T1 kit in stock. It’s sold directly by AmazonUS here. For the XF56mm you have to stop by BHphoto here or AmazonUS (via third party) here to grab it.

X-E2 and X-E1 DEALS ($100 off)

It’s no more an exclusive of Adorama. Now also other stores are offering the X-E1 for a ridiculous price of $499 for the body and $699 for the kit… you basically get  the kit for the price of the XF18-55!!!. Here is where you can grab it:

X-E1 body ($499): AmazonUS black –silver / BHphoto sliver–black (+4%reward) / Adorama silver–black (+4% reward, hand grip and more) /
X-E1 kit ($699): AmazonUS black –silver / BHphoto sliver-black (+4%reward) / Adorama silver-black (+4% reward, hand grip and more) /

FUJIFILM X-E2: The X-E2 body is currently $62 off at BHphoto (+ 4%reward), AmazonUS and Adorama (+ 4% reward) / The silver X-E2 kit is $100 off at BHphoto (+4% reward) and AmazonUS .