When it was announced that Fujifilm is creating a new camera sensor for its future camera range, there was speculation that it could be an X-Trans-based GFX sensor intended for a fixed lens medium-format camera. However, a recent update from Fuji Rumors has clarified this uncertainty.
New Sensor Size Speculation
The latest information from a reliable Fujifilm insider suggests that the new sensor will be of a “sensor size never used by Fujifilm so far.” This has sparked fresh discussions among fans about the possibility of a full-frame Fujifilm camera. It’s important to note that in a 2018 interview with DPReview, Fujifilm firmly stated its intention to avoid entering the full-frame market.
In that interview, a Fujifilm representative said, “No, never. Because we don’t have that legacy – luckily or unluckily. We don’t see any point in Fujifilm entering that market, particularly since we have good APS-C and medium format systems. If we entered full-frame [our systems] would just start cannibalizing each other. We’re happy to stay with two completely independent systems.”
Limited Future Options
Unless Fujifilm has changed its strategy, which appears unlikely since the company continues to prioritize the APS-C segment, the options for future Fujifilm cameras seem limited. The most logical and popular predictions suggest that the new format could be Micro Four Thirds or a 1-inch sensor. While both possibilities exist, a 1-inch sensor seems to be the more sensible choice.
Fujifilm has justified its avoidance of the full-frame market by expressing a desire to protect its existing medium-format GFX series, and a Micro Four Thirds camera could similarly affect the APS-C lineup. The difference in surface area between a full-frame sensor and a GFX sensor is not vastly different from that between Micro Four Thirds and APS-C.
Production Cost Considerations
Moreover, while a Micro Four Thirds sensor could potentially reduce body size and lower production and retail costs, a 1-inch sensor would offer more significant advantages in terms of size and production expenses, making it a more likely option. Additionally, it would be distinct enough from the X-T and upcoming X-M series, minimizing the risk of competing with those models.
It appears improbable that Fujifilm is developing anything smaller than the 1-inch sensors typically found in models like the Canon PowerShot G7X series and the Sony RX100VII (currently priced at $1,298 on Amazon). However, there is a possibility that Fujifilm could be exploring a more unique sensor, as Fuji Rumors has hinted in its report.
