Fujifilm’s 2020: Even with the world in lockdown, Fujifilm put on a show

After all of the doom and gloom of 2020, it is fairly a nice shock to step again, take inventory and uncover simply how a lot has occurred within the house of 12 months. And for Fujifilm followers it has been a really busy yr certainly.

The undoubted highlights of 2020 have been the launch of the Fujifilm X-T200, the Fujifilm X-T4, the X100V and the Fujifilm X-S10.

All 4 cameras are essential in their very own manner. We predict the X-T200 has raised the bar for newbie cameras, the X-T4 has raised the bar for APS-C mirrorless cameras as a breed, and that the fifth-generation X100V is proof of the enduring enchantment of a traditional 35mm equal compact digicam with correct digicam controls in a physique that is a correct measurement! We additionally love the X-S10, however hope Fujifilm is not abandoning its conventional exterior publicity controls any time quickly. That is what has made Fujifilm completely different – and we would like it to remain completely different!

So here is a month-by-month run-down on the whole lot that occurred on the planet of Fujifilm in 2020.

January

Fujifilm began 2020 with a bang, by launching the Fujifilm X-T200, a digicam that appeared as if it was geared toward freshmen and smartphone upgraders. We felt then, nonetheless, and nonetheless do now, that that is digicam. that may swimsuit fanatics too, because of its large vari-angle display, 4K video and controls that are slightly extra superior than the common novice digicam. It is also an entry level to the entire Fujifilm X-mount system.

The X-T200 and different lower-cost X-mount cameras usually ship with a Fujinon XC 15-45mm lens – the ‘XC’ label denotes a lower-cost tier within the Fujinon lens vary. This month we realized a brand new lens can be added to this, the Fujinon XC 35mm f/2, to supply a quick, low-cost prime lens good for freshmen.

We additionally obtained a heads up concerning the Fujifilm GF lens roadmap. Fujifilm’s medium format digicam vary has been steadily bolstered by new lenses and now covers fairly a spread of wants and capturing types. The massive story right here was a brand new Fujinon GF 45-100mm f/4 R LM OIS WR for GFX cameras. That is not an enormous zoom vary by common digicam requirements, however any medium format zoom is a fairly uncommon beast.

Two extra lenses caught our eye. The GF 30mm F3.5 R WR was promised in 2020 (and we did get to see it later within the yr), however the GF 80mm F1.7 R WR would nor arrive till 2021. That f/1.7 most aperture is fairly unheard-of in a medium format lens. However that was nothing! We additionally realized that Fujifilm had patented a GF 90mm f/1.4 optic, which might be the quickest medium format lens on the planet – although there is a large distinction between a patent and a completed product.

This appeared a superb time to take a more in-depth have a look at the Fujifilm GFX 100 vs GFX 50S and the important thing variations between Fujifilm’s first medium format digicam and its newest. We additionally ran an article on travel photography with a Fujifilm GFX 50R, Fujifilm’s rangefinder-style medium format mannequin.

In the meantime, rumors concerning the Fujifilm X-T4 have been hotting up with a narrative that the X-T4 would have a totally new battery! (Nicely, we get excited concerning the small stuff, too.) We realized {that a} new instax Mini 11 was on the way in which, and Laowa launched a hyper-wide 210° 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye for Fujifilm X-mount, amongst others.

February

It seems that the brand new battery wasn’t the most important information concerning the new Fujifilm X-T4 as Fujifilm introduced it formally this month. Now with in-body stabilisation, the X-T4 turned the undisputed king of the X-series vary – beforehand, the one X-series digicam with IBIS was the X-H1, which appears to have pale from view.

The X-T4’s in-body stabilisation would work with any present X-mount lens however supply enhanced stabilisation with lenses that had their very own optical stabilisation inbuilt – so we labored out an inventory of 18 lenses that give you maximum IBIS on the Fujifilm X-T4.

That wasn’t the one information in February! Fujifilm launched the X100V as properly, the most recent model of its fixed-lens premium compact digicam, this time with the corporate’s newest 26MP X-Trans sensor, a brand new lens design for sharper particulars and higher shut focusing, and a tilting rear display.

We additionally obtained extra particulars concerning the Fujinon GF 35mm f/3.5 and GF 80mm f/1.7 lenses we heard about in January, and took the brand new Fujinon XC35mm f/2 on slightly take a look at drive.