The future of the X-E line. Fujirumors video

youtu.be/sbpTf2Hh3rQ

Interesting take from fujirumors.

I doubt there will be an X-E5 anytime soon (if there is one) let’s hope on Fuji’s next May event we will know.

I agree, I don’t think it’ll be soon. I know there’s different schools of thought on why the XE4 seemed to be out of stock permanently, but my theory is they just weren’t making many due to limited demand (and their various supply problems).

Also, traditionally the XE can be seen as the little brother to the X-Pro - it would be a bit weird to see a 40mp XE5 before the X-Pro4 surfaces…

I can see where he is coming from, but he is assuming that Fuji see the X-E4 as not successful. We don't know that.

Broad strokes, there are two scenarios why the X-E4 ended up being out of stock during much of its life span:
1. Fuji produced/ordered a "normal" volume of X-E4s to be produced, but demand was much higher than anticipated, so this should be a supporting argument for continuing the line.
2. Fuji either couldn't make more X-E4s (e.g. due to supply issues) or expected low demand, either way producing/ordering a "small" volume of X-E4s and they all sold out. So either there's a camera for which you underestimated demand, or one that sold as many units as you could produce. These could both be seen as outperforming expectations.

Product design and production takes years before launch.
If the X-E line was put on the chopping block, it's already dead.
If the X-E line will have a new release in 2024/25, it's already being worked on.

It's all reading tea leaves. We don't know what's going on internally.
Unless/until we get a statement from Fuji themselves, we're inferring the end of a product line from the end of an individual product's life span.

It’s true we simply don’t know, and this is all guesswork. I would add though, there is an extra element to the scenarios you outline, which is the pandemic. Product planning for the XE4 would have begun well before the pandemic, and it ended up being released a year into Covid, at which time the full impacts on supply chains etc may not have been fully understood or predicted. My point being, it’s possible that the supply issues which then enveloped them meant they had to start prioritising which models got the parts for production, and the XE4 was bottom of the list, hence the short supply. If that’s the case, it suggests demand for the XE4 (and support for it within Fuji) wasn’t high.

A recent interview revealed that they’ve increased X100V production (and still can’t meet demand.) My working hypothesis is that Fuji is diverting available components to more popular models. It’s possible that some key bits are no longer in production as newer versions have taken over the capacity. This doesn’t say anything definitive about future models, but may indicate that the XE line isn’t as popular (or at least as profitable) as others and it will be a lower priority. Time will tell.

The XE series has always been popular for Fuji, as a midlevel camera. The shortages and freeze of economy during Covid, plus supply disruptions post-covid, have certainly introduced havoc in the electronics industry. Inflation has been at a 30 year high because supply is still not meeting demand. This will take time to adjust. I liked the way the X-E series was going with the X-E4, trimming down on command dials.

One thing I am expecting is for all Fuji cameras to feature IBIS in the future, something the competition has had for several years now.

I think so too. The X-E4 has no special components like the hybrid viewfinder, pretty much is an X-T3/X-T30 with the finder on the left. They allocate parts, that they think are better for their business. We don't know, maybe owners of X-E4 buy fewer lenses than the owner of X-T cameras, or maybe is not the best for video, etc.

The other big mystery is why the X100V is permanenly out of stock 🤔

Out of stock yes. But orders are consistently filled. No mystery. Demand exceeds supply.

Don't think the X-Pro line will survive. It was special when it came out. EVFs were bad at the time, an OVF made the transition from DSLR easier. Today, it is a nostalgic left over that must be quite expensive to produce. Fuji's modern fast lenses partaly block the OVF. It is large and heavy. And expensive.

On the other hand, the X-E line is living up to promise of "small" that APS-C makes. They are inexpensive and offer everything needed in a small form factor. That line has a future. The X-E4 was a move in the wrong direction, though. Sold mine after a short while mostly because of the control layout. Fuji has been able to revcover from their X-T4 misstep with teh X-T5 - no reason they can't with an X-E5.

Just goes to show how different experiences can be. I have used the X-E1 and X-E2, and much preferred using the X-E4 because it was pared down to essential commands. I shoot almost 100% of the time in aperture priority. As for the X-Pro series, I would be surprised if Fuji dropped it, given that it is at the core of the X system, and offers a unique experience. I also don't see the X-T4 as a misstep, I am enjoying using mine very much; the sound of the shutter oozes quality, reminds me of the X-H1.

No way is the X-Pro going anywhere. They may not rush the next model (there are still X-Pro3’s to be had despite it’s supposed discontinuance), and there may be more changes ahead, but the basic concept of a photographers camera with a rangefinder-like feel and premium build, that can strut around in the same ballpark as a Leica M, is important to Fuii.

It’s a true flagship (alongside their other flagships) and has halo value to the range, even for the many that wouldn’t actually buy one.

I’d agree. The XPro line will likely remain for the foreseeable future. The XE line though…I’m not so sure.

Same ballpark as Leica M? Not even close. The OVF on X-PRO is to mimik that Leica feeling. Now, if Fuji turns that OVF into a real rangefinder OVF and updates the f2 lens line, then we would have a different story.

I didn’t say it was the same, I said it was playing the same ballpark, which it is and has been since the X-Pro1 (which was pitched directly at the M9 at the time, with its X-Trans claims of “better than full frame” resolution).

If you want a compact non-DLSR body with an optical finder and choice of lenses, you have two choices - a Leica or an X-Pro. It’s been that way since 2012.

Of course they’re not the same. With its autofocus and hybrid finder the X-Pro is obviously more advanced and capable.

That's a good one. April 1st, right :-)

If you’re going to try and argue that the Leica is more advanced, I don’t think it’s me trying to fool anyone! I get the Leica’s appeal I really do, but we’re talking technology from a hundred years ago..

There is also the Pixii camera. Another true rangefinder (not a fake one), compact and with M-mount. In which way an X-Pro is more capable than an M11? Capable of better output? Not even close.

True I’d forgotten the pixii. But when did the M11 get fast autofocus and a built in EVF?

A rangefinder won't work with the current X mount lenses, for lack of mechanical coupling of the focus mechanism.
Unless (if Fuji hypothetically were to work on such a camera) the focus by wire information was relayed to a motor that moved the rangefinder.
But that doesn't sound like an elegant nor practical solution.
I can't see Fuji releasing a real rangefinder camera, so if that's what you're looking for, there really only is Leica (and much, much, much smaller: Pixii).

But we're drifting away from discussing the X-E line a little bit.

I think the xe4 isn't a misstep but a progressive step that brought me to it. I love it

Lota of comments in Fuji forums that the X-E line has been very successful, but do we know real sales numbers vs their other lines? All manufacturers are chasing the hybrid market so maybe they sell one X-E vs every 10 X-T bodies who knows.

The only thing sure is IF there will be an X-E5 in the future, first we will see an X-Pro4.

Well, before the X-E3, the X-E line was supposedly dead and the same for the X-E4. These were real rumors too.

www.fujirumors.com/rumor-fujifilm-x-e-line-canceled-game-over-for-fujifilm-x-e4/

That said, it is an $849 camera in a world where parts are scarce. Sure, they've sold every single X-E4 that they have produced (this is not the same as saying they sold a lot of them), but obviously it makes more sense to Fuji to sell the more expensive models. I would think it would continue to sell well enough since it is very popular on social media, but it made more sense to use the parts elsewhere for Fuji. It is just the state of the camera world over the last few years. If the stores in the US cannot even have many cameras in stock, what do you think is happening in non-priority countries (0 stock)? My guess is the X-E line is on hold until the parts situation is better for Fuji (and other manufacturers). I cannot imagine that Fuji and other companies have not noticed the popularity of these RF shaped cameras by Fuji as of late.

I am sure in several countries/markets, retailers have been very careful with managing stock. It costs money to keep and maintain stock in shops. For many consumer goods, the ones that are not mass sale, retailers only order the item from the manufacturer once they have a solid buy from a customer. For example, it happened to me several years ago when I bought a new car; there was no stock in the showroom, it was basically empty. I ordered it, made a down payment, and waited 3 months for it. With the crisis that has been going on since 2020 (covid plus war), the compounding market disruptions, retailers are doing whatever they can to maintain their margins.