Last Updated on 05/19/2018 by Mark Beckenbach
It is being said that the long-rumored Fujifilm X-T100 could be announced as soon as next week
Fujifilm has a long history of producing great cameras within their X-Series, but one segment of the market that has always been a bit of a dud for Fujifilm has been their budget-oriented cameras. The X-A series has always been very basic and cheap in comparison to the mid-level X-Series cameras like the X-T10 and [amazon_textlink asin=’B01NCVNDPO’ text=’X-T20′ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’6f7645fb-57b1-11e8-b6ec-f7b963a3e069′]. But it seems maybe Fujifilm is finally adjusting their strategy, with reports indicating that an “X-T100” could be coming as soon as next week.
According to what has been reported, but unofficially confirmed, the X-T100 will feature a very similar design to the X-T20 (though likely with lower build quality; lower end materials, no weather sealing, etc), but unlike the other X-T series cameras, this one is reported to feature a 24MP Bayer sensor. It is also said to have a true selfie screen, making it an ideal option for the lower budget vloggers (assuming its video features are on par with the latest X-Series offerings).
So, some are probably thinking and wondering about why Fujifilm is launching yet another ‘low end’ camera. Well, by the looks of it, this offering is slated to go up between the bargain basement X-A series, and the mid-level X-T20/[amazon_textlink asin=’B0759GN2WL’ text=’X-E3′ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’85b883fc-57b1-11e8-b234-8b7d198d60c0′] level cameras. The interesting thing with this camera is the bayer sensor, because this gives the camera a clear difference between it and the other X-T offerings which feature Fujifilm’s special X-Trans tech.
But this camera is needed for several reasons. First of all, it gives photographers a real budget X-Series option with a good build, an EVF, vintage controls, etc. The other budget options like in those in the X-A series have always been too basic; missing an EVF or other features that users of the mid-high end X-Series cameras can’t live without. This camera will reportedly have many of those, EVF included, but at a lower price point thanks to the Bayer sensor and assumed lower build quality. This really can’t be understated; the X-A lineup simply did not offer the same experience that the X-T and X-E models did.
This new X-T model reportedly offers a much more ‘X-Series’ experience than previous budget Fujifilm offerings have, and this is why I am thinking that it will end up being a really big hit for Fujifilm. Assuming the reports that we are seeing are accurate. Previous Fujifilm budget offerings gave up too much of the Fujifilm experience that everyone loves; this one appears to not cut out so much of that experience and that is important.
We have a little over a week to find out, so let us know in the comments how you feel about this. Are you onboard for a Bayer-sensor based X-T camera? Will Fujifilm finally get their budget offering right?