Fujifilm has just announced two new cameras at the company’s X Summit in Sydney. There’s also the medium format GFX100S II, which, frankly, is beyond my scope of interest (and budget).The more mainstream of the two is the X-T50, which is – but no A replacement for the X-T30 II, it will remain in Fujifilm’s lineup going forward.
The X-T50 is a hodgepodge of old and new technology from the camera manufacturer. Let’s start fresh. The body has a fresher, more rounded shape and, unlike other products in the X-Series line, has a film simulation dial on top, a first for a Fujifilm camera.You can cycle between several preset film emulations, and choose your own for three customizable slots – however you cannot Set these as custom movie recipes. Still, the dial shows how these simulations have become a big part of Fujifilm’s appeal over the years.
The X-T50 includes the same 40-megapixel sensor as the X-T5 and X-H2, as well as the accompanying fifth-generation processor, so the camera has better resolution and autofocus performance than the X-T30 II have significantly improved. And it also gets a 7-level anti-shake system; the much cheaper X-T30 II has no IBIS at all. When using the mechanical shutter, burst shooting speed is limited to 8 fps, while both the X-T5 and X-H2 can achieve 15 fps. For storage, there’s a UHS-II SD card slot. Video performance has also been significantly improved:
But the camera still has some older hardware elements. For one, you’re stuck with last-generation batteries, which are less durable. Disappointingly, the electronic viewfinder is also unchanged from the X-T30 II. You at least get the same 3-inch, 1.84 million-dot rear LCD as the X-T5, with two-way tilt functionality.
The X-T50 has a strange problem with pricing. If you buy the body separately, the price is $1,399.99, which is $500 more expensive than the X-T30 II. But Fujifilm once again stressed that it does not consider this a replacement for this camera. It has its own unique spot in the lineup and now looks like this:
Some of the upgrades to the X-T5 include waterproofing, a better EVF, dual SD slots, better continuous shooting performance, and a new battery with great battery life.
Fuji Film’s kit lenses have also been significantly improved. The company’s highly regarded 18-55mm glass lens is being replaced by the new, lighter 16-50mm f/2.8 – 4.8 lens, which is now waterproof. (The X-T50 itself doesn’t have any official waterproofing.) Fujifilm believes this lens does a better job of resolving the 40MP sensor than the venerable 18-55mm lens. It’s also constant length, so all zooming is now done internally, without the need for a lens extension. The new 16-50mm lens is sold separately for $699. The combined X-T50 kit costs $1,799.99, so in this case you’re only paying $400 for the lens.
