DPReview TV: What Happened to Fujifilm’s Kaizen

Fujifilm built a reputation for bringing continuous improvements to its products, a process frequently referred to as ‘Kaizen’.

In 2019, however, we saw major firmware updates from almost every camera company except Fujifilm.

So now Chris and Jordan ask, “What happened to Kaizen?”

Especially now, that the Fujifilm X-Pro3 is out with many major improvements (and the same sensor/processor of X-T3), many hoped for a big firmware update that will bring the X-Pro3 goodness also to other cameras.

But Chris remembers, that delaying the firmware love for the Fujifilm X-T3 and X-T30, is also a way to protect Fujifilm X-Pro3 sales for a little bit longer.

And guys, honestly, Fujifilm is a company that at the end of the day has limited resources and has to make profits.

So I understand if they delay their firmware, and I am fine to wait a little bit longer to get my firmware love. It’s a compromise: Fuji makes more money, and I still get what I want, just a bit later.

And as a long time Fujifilm lover (and blogger), I remember this discussion popping up so many times already.

In fact, back in 2015 I wrote this article, where we discuss the future of Kaizen already, as already back then, people were worried that Fujifilm abonded their Kaizen philosophy. Of course all discussions ended, once Fujifilm released again several huge updates.

The point is, there can’t be updates all the time and non stop. Sometimes, it just takes a bit longer.

Sure, it was not a great 2019 Fujifilm Kaizen year, but I am confident that in 2020, we will be able to “download a new camera” again ;).

I mean, Fujifilm also publicly asked us Fujifilm users, which firmware we would like next, and 14,000+ of you voted on their new favorite firmware features.

This alone shows that they do care, and that improving their cameras via firmware is always a goal Fuji has in mind, but they can that only do when:

  • they have enough resources to develop it
  • the firmware is mature and ready
  • the “market-moment” is right, meaning for example a new firmware won’t affect sales of a brand new camera all too badly.

So, be patient, and Kaizen love will be back :).

BREAKING: Fujifilm X-T3 Successor Shipping in March/Early Spring 2020 – TRUSTED SOURCE

Fujifilm X-T3 Successor

Ok, let’s rock it!

According to our trusted sources, the Fujifilm X-T3 successor will start shipping in March/early spring.

This comes surprising, as if we take a look at the complete Fujifilm X cameras release timeline, if Fujifilm would have kept their usual X-T refresh-pace, it should have come around September 2020.

But this time Fujifilm decided to anticipate the release by half a year, replacing the glorious Fujifilm X-T3 just 1.5 years later.

Now, I do not know if it will be called Fujifilm X-T4, or Fujifilm X-T5 or Fujifilm X-T3s or whatever. What I know, is that it will ship very soon.

Oh, it’s from trusted sources, so you are not allowed to doubt this rumor, but you are allowed to share the good news… and of course quote and link FujiRumors as the source, don’t “forget” that ;).

And stay tuned… as more is coming soon on FujiRumors only, of course.

Don’t forget also…

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Let’s Enjoy the Mirrorless Price War – Last Day (Maybe) to Save $1,000 on Fujifilm X/GFX Gear

eXtended X/GFX Deals

In theory, this is the last day of Fujifilm X and GFX deals. I say in theory, as lately Fujifilm (and all other manufacturers), just keep up chronically discounting all their gear. See for example:

The drastically shrinking camera market triggered a battle for survivor, which is surely stressful for companies, but it’s mostly good for us customers, as this competition gives us innovation and the latest and greatest at a cheaper price than ever.

There is a downside, though, also for customers, as this inevitably means that our lovely gear loses value faster.

But if you were looking at your gear as an “investment“, then here is a tip: electronic goods are never good for that. You don’t even have time to unbox your brand new gear at home, that it already lost value.

Is there a thing in life that has only Pros? Well, let me know if there is, because I still haven’t found it. And so it is in the case of the deals. We can decide to be annoyed by the Cons, or just try to enjoy the Pros of it.

With that said, down below is the full list of deals, that will end on January 5th, but in some shape or form will come back surely later this year.

Full List of Fujifilm X / GFX Deals

GFX Deals

X Camera Deals

*Note that the X-H1 is discontinued in many stores

XF Prime Lenses

XF Zoom Lenses

General Deal Pages

All Fujifilm Deals

Used Fujifilm Gear

Official Fujifilm Recommended Accessories

SD-Cards

Power Banks

Software

Fujifilm X and GFX Deals Extended until January 5, 2020

eXtended X/GFX Deals

Fujifilm decided to extend the deals on Fujifilm X and GFX gear until January 5, 2020.

Check out down below the updated list of deals.

Full List of Fujifilm X / GFX Deals

GFX Deals

X Camera Deals

*Note that the X-H1 is discontinued in many stores

XF Prime Lenses

XF Zoom Lenses

General Deal Pages

All Fujifilm Deals

Used Fujifilm Gear

Official Fujifilm Recommended Accessories

SD-Cards

Power Banks

Software

ENDS SOON: BHphoto MEGA Deal Zone with up to 70% Discount

MEGA DEAL ZONE

Just as last year at the end of 2018, also this year B&H Photo has launched the Mega Deal Zone.

You can check out the full list of deals here.

All deals expire December 31.

For you convenience, I’ll highlight for you every single Fujifilm related deal for you, as well as other deals

Apple Deals

Bags and Storage Media

Deals for Fujifilm

The Rumor Year 2019: The Right, the Wrong and the Still to Come!

The Rumor Year 2019

As you know, I am a teacher, and usually it’s me, who has to judge and give votes to others.

But not today, as it’s time for our yearly 2019 rumors check, and to see if I did my homework well or not.

Also, there will be an accuracy rating of those rumors, that still could not be verified.

Keep in mind, there could be further rumors before the end of the year, in which case I will update this list!

Ready? Cool, so let’s start,

But be warned: I will be incredible severe to myself, as I will include in the wrong rumor section, rumors that were actually correct at the time of sharing, but just turned out wrong because Fujifilm changed plans.

It’s the case for example of the new lens roadmaps. In fact, just a few days after our rumor, top Fujifilm manager confirmed here, that indeed there would have been new roadmaps in 2019, but 2019 is now ending, and nothing came. So I was wrong, but so was the top Fujifilm manager.

  • 52 rumors shared
  • 14 rumors still to be verified
  • 34 correct rumors out of 38 verifiable rumors
  • 4 wrong rumors out of 38 verifiable rumors
  • 89,4% correct rumors

Follow FujiRumors on Facebook, Flipboard, RSS-feed, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram

Rumor Overview with Accuracy Rating

HIGH RATING*
* 75% to 99% correct

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Unbeatable: Fujifilm X-T3 remains Best Camera You can Buy for under $1,500 also in 2019

2019 was another exciting year for the camera industry, with lots of different cameras in all price ranges hitting the market.

So DPReview had to update its buying guide for cameras under $1,500, and guess what, not a single camera could dethrone the 2018 Fujifilm X-T3 from the top spot.

DPR writes it’s still the best camera you can buy for under $1,500:

the Fujifilm X-T3 is one of the best APS-C cameras ever made and one of the most adept cameras full-stop, if you want to shoot both stills and video.

Its image quality is excellent, with a choice of attractive ‘Film Simulation’ color modes and detailed, flexible Raw files. Autofocus with most X-series lenses is snappy with effective focus tracking, eye-detection AF for portraits and zone focus modes that will adapt to a range of sports. This is on top of a well-respected interface which blends traditional dials with a good degree of customization.

We’re particularly impressed that the X-T3 does all this while also offering some of the best video we’ve encountered. It can shoot highly detailed 4K footage (UHD or DCI) at up to 60p with the option for 10-bit capture for maximum grading leeway. Useable (though not flawless) video AF makes it comparatively easy to get good results, too. Only the lack of in-body stabilization counts against its go-everywhere, capture everything credentials.

The Fujifilm lens range isn’t as extensive as some systems, but there’s a good choice of sensibly priced lenses that go well with the X-T3.

And it’s not over yet, as the Fujifilm X-T3 will get surely one significant firmware upgrade, and maybe even another big one in future.

You can see the entire buying guide at DPR here.

 

Top Fujifilm Product 2019 – VOTE NOW

Top Fujifilm Gear 2019

Another Fujifilm year is ending.

With 4 cameras and 4 lenses released in 2019, Fujifilm has a little bit slowed down, if we compare it to the Fujifilm year 2018 (7 new cameras and 6 lenses) and to the Fuji year 2017 (4 cameras and 8 lenses).

But it was definitely quality over quantity.

And then there were these lenses:

Now it’s your time to vote what you consider the overall top Fujifilm gear launched in 2019. Vote down below.

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The Top Fujifilm Product of 2019 is... (max 1 selection)

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LAST DAY to Save on Fujifilm X-T3 and LAST WEEK to Save Big on X/GFX Gear

 

Software Deals

Holiday Savings Pages

Adorama Exclusive Fujifilm Savings

Adorama sells the X-T3 for $1,299, and adds a free Flashpoint R2 (rebranded Godox V1 – worth $239) on top of it! This means you get a total saving of $439.

Full List of Fujifilm X / GFX Deals

GFX Deals

X Camera Deals

*Note that the X-H1 is discontinued in many stores

XF Prime Lenses

XF Zoom Lenses

General Deal Pages

All Fujifilm Deals

Used Fujifilm Gear

Official Fujifilm Recommended Accessories

SD-Cards

Power Banks

Software

Best Gear of 2019 According to Tony Northrup, Philip Bloom and More

BEST GEAR OF 2019

DPReviewTV already made their best of 2019 gear list here.

But these days many others make their own lists, too, such as Philip Bloom, Tony Northrup and more.

So I thought it might be nice to make a “best of 2019” roundup.

SPOILER: Fujifilm GFX100 grabs quite some attention, Fujifilm X-T30 wins too, and the Fujifilm X-Pro3 is wtf camera of the year.

Ready?

Then check it all out down below.

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