Fujifilm vs Nikon: Fujifilm Manager Interview – Fujifilm Wants To Usurp Nikon


Phototrend published a lengthy interview in French with Fujifilm France’s director of the photography division, Franck Bernard. You can read the full interview in French here or check out the summary below:

  • Fujifilm Sales in France
    • Fujifilm holds about 12% of the APS-C market
    • Overall, Fujifilm holds 13-14% of the market when you include GFX and compacts
    • Momentum is excellent
    • Fujifilm is growing in every segment
    • Fujifilm wants to push Nikon out of third place to be behind Sony and Canon
  • Fujifilm’s Biggest Successes over the past twelve months
    • The Fujifilm X-E5 has been big for Fujifilm
    • Fujifilm X-E5 was a substitute for the X100VI for some
    • X-E5 has its own audience, too
  • Economic Climate
    • Fujifilm hasn’t been impacted by the economy, and the Electronic Imaging Division is doing quite well.
    • The brand remains strong across multiple sectors
  • Smartphones
    • Fujifilm’s cameras have been increasingly user-friendly, which has helped them get cellphone photographers
    • Fujifilm has a range of cameras for them from the X-S to X-H line of cameras
  • GFX100RF
    • The GFX100RF has performed well beyond expectations, with interest comparable to the X100VI
    • Sales stabilized after launch, but they remain strong
    • Competitors like the Leica Q3 and Sony RX1R III haven’t impacted sales since the GFX100RF has its own spot
  • X100VI
    • Fujifilm is still having stock shortages, but some retailers not have units on shelves
    • Backorders remain significant
    • Shortages will remain through Christmas, and Fujifilm understands your frustration
  • X-Half
    • The X-Half was designed for a new generation of customers who create for social media
    • X-Half isn’t intended to be a mass-market product
    • It exists in a niche that requires education
  • GFX Eterna 55
    • Fujifilm has been in broadcasting for a long time
    • The Fujifilm GFX Eterna 55 was developed for people with cinematic ambitions
    • Cinematographers and small production groups want more affordable high-end cameras from companies like ARRI, RED, and Sony
    • Fujifilm is targeting directors of photography on short films who want that cinema quality
    • Fujifilm is shaking up the market while revitalizing medium format
  • Video
    • Fujifilm started with the photography-centric camera, the X-Pro1, and has grown into hybrid cameras like the X-H2S that are more video-oriented for sports and documentary work
    • The market priced between €1500–€2500 is oversaturated, so moving up market to Eterna or down market to the X-M5 is a solid strategy to stand out
    • Fujifilm isnt going to sell as many cameras for video as they do the X100VI, but they aim to stay active in every part of the market
  • Instax
    • Instax users are aged 7 to 77
    • The Mini 12 remains its top seller
    • The Mini Evo sells well, too
    • The Mini Evo is the X100VI or Instax
    • Instax demand was so strong last year that Fujifilm couldn’t keep up
    • The Wide Evo is selling very well
    • Some people shoot three packs of film, while others shoot dozens, so it is hard to tell how many packs most people use
    • Instax usage remains strong
    • The Evo line has not impacted the number of prints people make, even though it lets people be more picky about what to print
    • Printing only your best shot also lets you share multiple prints with others
  • Inexpensive Cameras
    • Prices are higher today, and Fujifilm didn’t intend to release another camera below $1k until the X-M5
    • Fujifilm does not have plans to go lower than the X-M5
    • The second-hand market is a good place to save money
  • The Used Market
    • Fujifilm doesn’t have figures on it, but they know it is an important gateway for photographers
    • Fujifilm cameras are built to last, so they will perform well for years to come
  • The Fujinon XF23mm f/2.8 R WR
    • The XF23mm isn’t intended to be sold as a kit lens, even though some retailers are offering it that way
    • Fujifilm just doesn’t want to see official kits sold by retailers with third-party lenses

FUJIFILM GFX ETERNA 55:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
FUJIFILM GF 32-90mm T3.5 PZ OIS WR:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

Fujifilm X-E5:
B&H Photo / Amazon (Black : Silver) / Moment / Adorama
Fujinon XF23mm f/2.8 R WR:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Moment / Adorama
Fujifilm X-M5
B&H Photo / Amazon Silver : Black / Moment / Adorama
Fujifilm X-H2:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Moment / Adorama
Fujifilm X-H2S:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Moment / Adorama

Fujifilm X100VI Silver and Black:
B&H Photo / Amazon (Silver : Black) / Moment / Adorama
Fujifilm GFX100RF:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Moment / Adorama
Sony RX1R III:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

Instax Mini Evo:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Moment / Adorama

Fujifilm X-Half Frame:
B&H Photo / Amazon (Silver / Charcoal / Black) / ShopMoment / Adorama

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This entry was posted in Fuji X-Pro1, Fuji X100, Fujifilm Compact, Fujifilm GFX, Fujifilm GFX 100, Fujifilm GFX 100 Megapixel, Fujifilm GFX 100S, Fujifilm X-E5, Fujifilm X-H2, Fujifilm X-M5, Fujifilm X100VI, Instax, Interview and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink. Trackbacks are closed, but you can post a comment.
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