The Fujifilm X-E4 is discontinued?!? Did I know that? Gotta think if I knew that. I don't think I did. How did that happen? Does anyone know the story/rumors/rationales? Any statements from the company about it?
That really surprises me. I thought it was a mainstay of Fuji's lineup and a very successful design. I know a lot of my readers over the years have loved the X-E[x] family of cameras and used them.
Mike
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Featured Comments from:
Ed Turkel: "Patrick, over at FujiRumors, posted on this a while back. Even has a YouTube video speculating on what's next. With an upcoming Fujifilm X Summit coming on May 24, he's been speculating on updates to their roadmap, and what might be announced."
Kenneth Tanaka: "This also surprised me when I first learned of it last month. I had an earlier model X-E some years back and it had a certain fun factor to it. I don’t know. But what I’ve seen/read makes me suspect that the decision was driven, at core, by supply chain issues. Fuji has been having a very hard time making X100V’s, the crown jewel of their Leica M mimic form factor line. (I just sold mine for about the same price as I paid for it new…three (?) years ago! And I replaced it with a used-like-new black unit for $300 over list!) Amidst Fuji’s newer models and Fuji’s probable plans/challenges for the X100 (newer sensor, etc.) line I suspect something had to go. And I further suspect that the X-E, being neither fish nor fowl, just didn’t sell enough units to stay onboard."
TC: "I can't help but wonder if Fuji has either made an upcoming X-Pro4 that is small and light enough that the X-E series is now redundant, or an X-E5 with a hybrid viewfinder that makes the X-Pro series redundant."
Peter Komar: "I had an X-E2 a few years back, it was my favorite digital camera of all time. The X-E4 just did not appeal to me: no grip, not enough buttons on the rear of the camera; they just ruined it. I feel the X-E2 was their best effort in that lineup. I had an X-E3 for about a week, hated it, felt cheap and plastic. The X-E line just got worse with time, shame on you Fuji."
Albert Smith: "There is a thin line between discontinued and unavailable. Doesn't matter which word you use if the bottom line is that you just can't buy this camera. The X100V is not discontinued, but you just can't buy one...for almost a year. The X-E4 has mixed reviews from longtime Fujifilm users. It was panned for the ultra stripped-down layout, removing what many considered 'must have' features like the three-position focus mode switch from the front and reducing the number of programmable function buttons. They also shaved off the ergonomic grip, but offered (for $150) an optional screw on grip and shoe-mounted thumb grip. The image quality is first class, based on the sensor and processor, and for those who never owned a previous X-E class body it was fine. Me, I still use my X-E2s and X-E3 when I want to go small and light, but never gave the X-E4 a second glance after seeing what was left off of it.
The X-E4 was the only cropped sensor camera I daydreamed about. I don't have the cash or honestly the need to buy into an entirely new camera system, but if I had the money to spare, I'd certainly pick one up with a couple of their light, tiny primes.
I noticed it was discontinued a couple weeks ago because my local camera store no longer had a listing for it. It's a pity, really.
Posted by: Dillan | Monday, 24 April 2023 at 10:28 AM
I had the X-E4 and sold it after 2 years to get the X-T4. The E4 sold for more than I bought it for becasue it seems small Fujifilm cameras are fashionable at the moment. It's too much of a compromised design I think and too narrow a profit margin for Fuji from what I understand. The limited capacity and supply of parts is better used elsewhere including for the even more fashionable and more expensive X100 series.
Posted by: Mark Brown | Monday, 24 April 2023 at 10:57 AM
I researched the X-E4 when I was looking at Fuji, and eventually bought an X-T5. The problem for Fuji, I suspect, is that the two cameras overlapped too much, and the X-T5 was getting the new 40mp sensor and was priced higher, so perhaps is more profitable. Aside from the "look" and the sensor, the two cameras are quite similar. The X-T5 has a bulkier SLR appearance, but is really very compact. The Wiki says major Japanese dealers began listing the X-E4 as discontinued in September of 2022. It now appears to be selling at a premium.
Posted by: John Camp | Monday, 24 April 2023 at 11:51 AM
Hi Mike, I wrote about this in a featured comment last month. But I didn't really emphasize the point (maybe because I assumed you knew).
In September 2022, the X-E4 was already marked as discontinued by some Japanese stores, and then Fuji removed it from their Japanese catalog.
At the time, Fujirumors speculated that it was "because Fujifilm needs some of the parts to manufacture newer and more important cameras (in terms of revenue for Fujifilm)" such as the X-H2S, X-H2 and X-T5. I have no way of knowing how reliable or accurate this is.
Anyhow, the discontinuation was actually a blessing in disguise for me, because it finally forced my hand. I bought one of the last few units available at the retail price, and I absolutely love the camera. Since then, two friends have bought secondhand X-E3's on my recommendation :-) (I have no affiliation with Fuji btw, just a very happy user.)
The X-E4 was only released in March 2021, about 3.5 years after the X-E2. I wonder when (if?!) we will see a Fuji X-E5. I really hope we do.
Posted by: Sroyon | Monday, 24 April 2023 at 12:18 PM
No clear information, but the scuttlebutt has been that they nixed it to save parts for the X100V, which has a lot of the same parts, when there was the big parts/shipping shortages last year.
Posted by: Aakin | Monday, 24 April 2023 at 12:58 PM
I had an XE-2, liked it but gave it to a grandson. Bought a used XE-3 like it also and use it often. Don't remember off hand what put me off the XE-4 but I did decide it was not worth the upgrade. The XE-3 is a nice easy to use little guy. Makes a small package paired with the 27mm.
Posted by: John Dahlstet | Monday, 24 April 2023 at 01:42 PM
Most goods today, from blouses to cameras, are made in one short batches.
Likely scenario:
Folks at Fuji gazed into a cloudy crystal ball and guessed how many X-E4 bodies would likely be sold before the next model came out or that line expired.
They then ordered all the vast number of parts, set up a production line and made the batch.
You see the results of this all the time. The new model is announced, the old one discounted, but remaining available for some time, short, long, whatever.
Or the opposite, which may be the case here, demand was underestimated, and/or development of the next model delayed, or continuation of the line ended (Panny GM5 anyone?). When all the stock has been sold, the model must, perforce, be discontinued.
There are, of course, exceptions, but this is the way of mass market production.
(One interesting detail example. When the Oly E-M1 III was announced, Oly briefly heavily discounted the E-M1 II*, then raised the price. I speculate that part of their sales strategy was to have secondary price point, older models in the line, the stock of Mk II bodies was too high for their plans, so they cleared out some?)
* I bought one. For some time, I had paid less for a new one than clean used ones were selling for.
Posted by: Moose | Monday, 24 April 2023 at 03:03 PM
Perhaps they're clearing the way for the X-E Monochrome.
Too soon?
Posted by: robert e | Monday, 24 April 2023 at 03:43 PM
I can only hope an X-E5 is in Fujifilm's future.
My best friend (Woman) almost said goodbye to me after all the swear words I screamed when I realized that you couldn't buy any X-E4 (New or used.)
Posted by: John Krill | Monday, 24 April 2023 at 04:05 PM
It seems that half of the Fujifilm X series is now discontinued/can’t be found anywhere: X-E4, X-Pro3, X-S10, and of course X-100V might as well be given how deeply backordered they are, X-T5 and X-H2 is all that’s left…
Posted by: Dan Boney | Monday, 24 April 2023 at 04:37 PM
Starting, as I recall, with the XE-2, the previous camera is discontinued before a follow on replacement is announced. I seem to recall Fuji did this with the XH-1 also. Makes plentiful FUD grist for the rumor site-mill.
Posted by: Keith B. | Monday, 24 April 2023 at 06:25 PM
Sorry to hear this. I’ve owned a few Fuji’s. Started with the original x100 but felt too limited by the fixed focal length. Bought an x-e2 and upgraded to the x-e3 but never felt it necessary to go for the x-e4. The x-e series in my opinion is just a great travel/carry everywhere camera. This year I decided to go with my version of the one lens, one focal length experiment and have been using the Touit 27mm with the camera set to the Acros film simulation with manual focus and have been having a blast. Sure hope they come out with something comparable but if they don’t I think I’ll be happy with what I’ve got.
Posted by: Pete F | Monday, 24 April 2023 at 07:38 PM
I am enjoying my X-E3 with the 35mm/f1.4 (equivalent to about 50mm full frame) on it, set to B&W Acros simulation. That is as close to a Monochrome which I am happy to achieve.
Posted by: Dan Khong | Monday, 24 April 2023 at 09:52 PM
I love my X-E3 and had alerts set at B&H for more than a year for an X-E4 but it never became available. I love my X-E3 but feared the X-E4 would be the end of the line so I wanted one. They make great travel cameras. I read it was supply chain issues.
Still hoping for an X-E5.
Posted by: Peter, in Boulder | Tuesday, 25 April 2023 at 12:31 AM
What a good looking camera!
Posted by: Wolfgang Lonien | Tuesday, 25 April 2023 at 07:40 AM
No one buys those cameras, they're too popular!
Posted by: Rob L. | Tuesday, 25 April 2023 at 05:45 PM
Alas, I'm guessing the cost accountants at Fuji are, at last, in on the act and "rationalizing" the product lineup. I've imagine that Fuji's "alternative" camera lineup, which is quite varied, is simply too much to be supported by the ever shrinking band of enthusiasts (even in Japan) who would buy a digital camera, in this era when high quality (and very portable and always readily at hand) smartphones take care of so much everyday "notetaking" style photographic tasks—at least in daylight.
It's a straw in the wind, and it makes me sad.
Posted by: Mani Sitaraman | Tuesday, 25 April 2023 at 11:30 PM