Top 10 Most Important Fujifilm Digital Cameras of All Time

How can I start this article.

Maybe like this.

I was solo hiking through Eastern Europe. In my bag, a tent, food, water, a few clothes. And my DSLR gear.

One morning I woke up very early at the top of the Popluks mountain in Albania, left my tent and enjoyed the sunrise all alone on the mountain peak. It should have been my last day on one of the best kept secrets in Europe, the Albanian Alps. Next stop: a 12 hours long hike all the way to Montenegro through lonely mountains and valleys of rare beatuy.

And I tell you this: when I arrived at my destination, the town of Gusinje in Montenegro, I was exhausted and I promised myself: I need to travel lighter. I need lighter gear.

So I went mirrorless.

Panasonic, Olympus, Sony, you name it, I tried them all. But it became soon clear to me that I was not only looking for lighter gear, but also for gear that I had fun to use.

And exactly in that moment of my photographic journey, 11+ years ago, Fujifilm launched the Fujifilm X series. Then, 10 years ago, the Fujifilm X-Pro1 was announced, introducing the X mount in the photography world.

And that was it. That was exactly what I was looking for.

The rest is history. I fell in love. I needed to share this love. I started FujiRumors.

So I wondered, how can we sum up this long Fujifilm X journey (which is basically just as long as my personal journey with Fujifilm) best?

Well, since Fujifilm is celebrating 10 years of X mount this year, I thought I could make a list of what I consider the top 10 cameras of this Fuji-decade. But, shall it be allowed to me, I will start with the X100, which is technically older than 10 years. But I think you’ll agree it makes sense to add to this list.

Attention: we are not (only) talking about the most successful cameras, but also about what I consider the most important ones, beyond the success they had (or not).

  1. Fujifilm X100 – the original
    That’s the camera that started it all. And it gave us a clear indication on which way Fujifilm would go: great looking cameras with manual controls and overall vintage feel.
  2. Fujifilm X-Pro1
    This was Fujifilm’s first mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses. Iconic. Beautiful. The start of X-mount.
  3. Fujifilm X-T1
    If you ask me, my heart, I’d say X-E1 (as I love the X-E series). But that line was never a huge seller. The real first big success for the Fujifilm X mount was the Fujifilm X-T1. It was the first camera that was able to go a bit more mainstream compared to X-Pro1 and X-E1.
  4. Fujifilm X-T10
    The X-T10 was a huge hit and helped Fujifilm to break through mid-range market in a way the X-E line could not. A very successful series for Fujifilm, started by X-T10.
  5. Fujifilm X-H1
    True, it was not a big success, but it set the base for a platform that will earn lots of success in future. That’s why I put it on the list. Guys, just wait to see what a beast the Fujifilm X-H2 will be, and then you’ll agree with me. Be patient, May isn’t that far anymore.
  6. Fujifilm X-T3
    A mega success for Fujifilm that not even the release of the Fujifilm X-T4 could stop. According to my knowledge, Fujifilm’s all time best seller.
  7. Fujifilm X100V
    Announced 8 years after the original X100, it was a terrific success for Fujifilm and it brings a much needed redesign of the lens as well as an “invisible” tilt screen. It’s my biggest GAS temptation along with these 2 more Fujifilm items. And please, don’t trigger my GAS further in the comments. I have a marriage to take care of ;)
  8. Fujifilm GFX50S
    Enter medium format: Fujifilm’s first digital medium format camera with a sensor about 70% fuller than full frame. Now that we arrived at the Fujifilm GFX100S, which is even smaller than some full frame mirrorless cameras out there, we can say that the GFX50S (hence skipping full frame) was an incredibly smart move by Fujifilm.
  9. Fujifilm GFX100S
    It has to be on the list, as it is such a terrific success for Fujifilm. Not even in their best dreams they’d have hoped for as many sales as the GFX100S generated. The only problem: Fujifilm has a hard time producing as many cameras as the market requests, yes, even now, 1 year after its announcement. And please, stop to say nonsense like “it should not have had IBIS” or stuff like that. This nonsense often comes from the same people praising OIS. So aren’t both, OIS and IBIS, serving the very same purpose. And more importantly, can’t you simply turn off both if you don’t like them?
  10. Fujifilm X-Pro3
    Arguably the most controversial on the list, as this camera is designed for the niche and therefore was never planed to make massive sales. But here is the thing: while Fujifilm has indeed released the X-S10 and GFX100S with more “mainstream” oriented ergonomics, the Fujifilm X-Pro3 shows that Fujifilm cares also about niche and does not run only after the mainstream. They still want to offer all sorts of different photographic experiences by changing the ergonomics among various camera lines. So don’t panic guys, Fujifilm ain’t dropping retro at all. Whoever creates panic about this, is just out for clickbait. The X-Pro3 is Fuji’s statement for their continuing commitment to retro and vintage controls.

So that’s my list. Feel free to change and modify it as you want in the comments.

  • Must Read for X100 Lovers – “Don’t Touch that Camera!” the Story About the Inspiration Behind the Fujifilm X100 Series Design

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Sensor Cleaning and IBIS

For most users of X-Series cameras, do-it-yourself sensor cleaning with blowers, sticky sticks or swabs is a matter of course. However, things can get a little bit tricky if your camera has IBIS.

by Rico Pfirstinger

Sooner or later, cameras with interchangeable lenses get dust or dirt on the sensor. When the built-in sensor-cleaning function (SET UP > USER SETTING > SENSOR CLEANING > OK) doesn’t help, you can clean the sensor by yourself.

If you leave your camera’s sensor exposed, it will soon collect dust and spots from dried fluids.

Popular Sensor Cleaning Options

  • Touchless cleaning involves using a blower, like the Giottos Rocket Air Blaster, to rid the sensor of dust particles. A key feature of such devices is a filter in the intake valve that prevents contaminated (dusty) air from being blown against the sensor.
Caution! Don’t use compressed air from aerosol cans that contain propellants. Particles could hit the sensor like tiny projectiles and damage the protective surface!
  • Tough sensor dirt (like water or oil stains) requires wet cleaning with a sensor swab. They consist of wipers that are wetted with special cleaning fluids. Wipe one side of the swab from left to right over the full width of the sensor, and then from right to left with the other side of the swab. Your X-mount camera requires swabs that match APS-C-sized sensors.
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Fujifilm Fiscal Year 2020 Financial Results: Income Down 37.8%, but Great Recovery thanks to X-S10 and GFX100S, No Mention of X-T4

Fujifilm has published its financial results for Fiscal Year 2020 (from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021).

So how did Fujifilm perform in the year of the COVID-19 pandemic?

In a nutshell:

  • Instax is going strong
  • broadcasting and cinema lenses suffered most due to cancellation of events (such as the Olympic games) caused by the Coronavirus pandemic
  • Fujifilm X and GFX series had a tough start but recovered greatly later in the year thanks to the Fujifilm X-S10, Fujifilm GFX100S and GF80mm F1.7 R WR, allowing a year-over-year increase in the second-half revenue

For the imaging solution, this translated in an operating income that amounted to ¥15.6 billion (down 37.8% year-over-year).

It is curious they do not mention the Fujifilm X-T4 in their reports, which hit the market in spring 2020. Maybe it’s the camera that suffered most from the pandemic, as it was released right when the pandemic started, factories were shutting down and there was the biggest uncertainty on how the pandemic would evolve.

And once the situation was getting more clear and better, Fujifilm had already a mini X-T4 on the market, the X-S10, which was smaller, more affordable, mainstream ergonomic choices and IBIS, making it probably a top pick over the X-T4 for many. Plus the X-T3 saw some substantial rebates, so if you don’t need IBIS and hate selfie screens, the X-T3 was still the better choice.

This time the bad timing was definitely not Fuji’s fault (as opposed to the X-H1 and X-T3 release timing), but mere bad luck.

Here are some excerpts:

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Fujifilm X-T4 Firmware 1.20 Released

Fujifilm has finally released the Fujifilm X-T4 firmware 1.40 that the Fuji Guys inadvertently leaked last week.

A new firmware for Fujifilm X-H1 should be released shortly, too. It fixes an annyoing IBIS bug when the X-H1 is used with the brand new Fujinon XF70-300mmF4-5.6.

Also, recently Fujifilm released firmware updates for Fujifilm X-T3, GFX50S and GFX50R as well as for X-E4, X-S10 and X-A7.

Down below the full details for X-T4 firmware 1.20.

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Fujifilm Confirms X-H1 IBIS Issue with XF70-300mmF4-5.6 and Promises Firmware Update Fix Shortly

Fujifilm just confirmed that there is an issue with IBIS on the Fujifilm X-H1 when used with the brand new Fujinon XF70-300mmF4-5.6 R L LM R WR.

They issued an official note that you can read below, promising a firmware update to fix it shortly.

FujiRumors will notify instantly as soon as the new firmware is online for you to download.

Official Fujifilm Note

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Fujifilm GFX100S Size Reduction Explained by Fujifilm Engineers – Fujifilm X Lab

Fujifilm has uploaded its latest Fujifilm X lab episode. As usual the episode is in Japanese and we rely on the automatic translation tool.

But I don’t want my readers to go through this pain, so I have summed it up for you below, as well as shared all close up images of the internals of the Fujifilm GFX100S.

Most of the size reduction was achieved thanks to the new shutter mechanism. But also the IBIS got smaller and even the Fujifilm X-T4 battery played a role in this.

Everything is nicely summarized for you down below ;).

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Summary + Images

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FujiRumors 2020: Most Read Articles, Top/Flop Blogger Moments, Most Used Gear and a MASSIVE Thanks!

FujiRumors 2020

There are wines, that get better only with the years. And there are years, that get better only with wine. I guess 2020 was such a year and so I hope you have a glass of wine ready to celebrate the end of this unreal year ;).

But let’s quickly look at what happened it 2020 here on FujiRumors.

Now, I already thought you were amazing, but in 2020 you did even better than in 2019!

  • 63,000+ comments on FR-articles (average 172 a day – was 145 in 2019)
  • 156,370 votes in our polls

Your massive participation is the reason why Fujifilm reads us with greatest care, as proven multiple times such as here, here and here.

As you know, I run FujiRumors alone in my spare time from my teaching job.

So it was not always easy, especially this year with the extra workload I had to do to switch to online-teaching, but I have tried to honor your fantastic participation by delivering you in 2020:

  • 967 blog posts written in 2020 (average of 2.65 articles every single day of the year)
  • 90 rumors shared
  • 94% correct rumors (rumor check here)
  • at least 7,000+ personal messages written to you via fujirumor@gmail.com, Facebook and Twitter and Instagram Direct (about 20 messages a day every day, holidays and weekends included)
  • 750+ replied comments in the various FujiRumors articles
  • 100% Free ;)

Phew!! :)

Most Read Article

Most Read Non Rumor Article

Most Read Guest Post

Day with most Contacts

Top & Flop Blogger Moment

FLOP

Anyone out there knows what a burn-out is? I hope not, but I am afraid yes.

As if all the hours I spend every day on the computer to work on FujiRumors weren’t enough, in 2020 I also had to make my entire teaching work on the computer. Correcting homework on PDF files, prepare online-teaching friendly material, cutting video lessons on Final Cut, writing tons of emails to give constant feedback to students and parents. So much work, it just squeezed the last drop of energy out of me.

I ended up staring at the screen for so many hours a day, that as a consequence, my eyesight declined to a point that I had to buy new glasses. But no complaint here… we have seen much worse things happen to people this year… sadly. So I consider myself lucky.

Anyway, somehow I managed to handle all the work anyway and I’ve always tried to deliver creative and fun lessons to my little students. And given the enthusiastic feedback of students and parents (and also my school principal), I’d say I did a decent job with that.

And I hope I did a good work also on FujiRumors. In this case, you are my judge and you’ll give your vote to me :).

TOP

If anything was good at all in 2020, then the fact that it helped to realign my priorities.

And so, all the things that I took for granted, like getting a beer with a friend, a coffee with a colleague, a hug with my mom, all those “normal” things suddenly revealed themselves as the real important things in life.

And hence, just like this, when inevitably the usual haters insulted me, the biggest achievement for me was that I could lightheartedly say to myself “who cares!”. It just didn’t bother me at all. On the contrary. I really would like to wish also to FR haters all the best 2021. We are in this unreal situation all together, and hence, from human to human, I truely wish you to come out of this as soon and as good as possible so that you can get back to your normal life and fully enjoy it again. And if after that you still don’t like me, that’s ok. Important is, that you and your families are safe and happy.

Top Instagram Post

My Most Used Gear

I got the Fujifilm X-T4 this year for these 5 reasons, and it became my most used camera. Mainly because it’s brand new and hence I wanted to test it and shoot with it more, leaving my X-E3 more often at home. And I must I say it definitely balances better with my most used lens, the Fujinon XF18-135mm.

But overall, I passed 5+ months in lockdown anyway, I worked a lot and had little time to take pictures, sadly. I hope this changes in 2021.

And 2021…

I don’t know in terms of global pandemic…. but surely in terms of Fujifilm stuff, 2021 will be fantastic! :) Don’t worry, we are going to talk about it soon on FujiRumors.

Social Media Boom

Our social media and pages have reached new heights compared to 2019:

And our facebook groups grew massively compared to 2019:

Fujifilm Digital Camera Range: Making Sense of the Line-Up, What Should be Dropped, What Should Stay… and Where is the X-H Line?

Fujifilm shared this Pyramid explaining their Current Camera Line-up
Fujifilm shared this Pyramid explaining their Current Camera Line-up

I already said it in my X-S10, Attack on Sony article: the Fujifilm X-S10 makes a whole lot of sense.

And yet, I do understand one of the critiques made to Fujifilm: their line-up is huge and potentially confusing.

There are indeed some lines, that in some occasions do not not differentiated themselves enough from each other.

But this is an issue Fujifilm realized and I feel that they are taking care of it, for example:

  • the Fujifilm X-Pro3 is a unique machine, with a concept, so far nowhere to find
  • Fujifilm is aware that the the Fujifilm X-H2 must differentiate stronger from the X-T* line in order to continue to evolve separately

Fujifilm understands the problem and is finding ways to separate the lines better.

And yet… there are some lines that should be dropped, in my opinion.

Let’s take a look it at, by using an official Fujifilm media sheet that has been sent to me, which shows a pyramid with all Fujifilm X series cameras listed and ordered by Fujifilm itself.

The Red Zone

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IBIS COMPARISON: Fujifilm X-S10 vs X-H1 vs X-T4 – Smarter Wiring, 30% Smaller Side by Side with Older IBIS Units

In the latest Fujifilm X Lab episode (which is in Japanese and you rely on a ridiculous automatic google translation that often does not make sense), Fujifilm engineers and managers talk about the Fujifilm X-S10.

They talk about the challenges of shrinking IBIS, how they changed the wiring to make it smaller and more power efficient and other things.

But what is most interesting for us, is that they showed the brand new IBIS units of the Fujifilm X-S10 side by side with the one of the Fujifilm X-H1 and Fujifilm X-S10.

As we have learned during the the launch event (which we shared in our huge X-S10 live blog), the IBIS unit on the X-S10 is about 30% smaller over the one on the X-T4.

And looking at the images below, you can really see how the X-S10 IBIS is clearly smaller than the X-T4 IBIS, not to talk of the X-H1 IBIS, which is the first IBIS Fujifilm ever created (well, that’s not technically not correct, but seriously, we don’t count this one, ok?).

It’s impressive how rapidly Fujifilm is proceeding with the miniaturization process of its IBIS, which is a declared top priority for Fujifilm.

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More Images + Video

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