For the past 90 years, Fujifilm has been one of the world’s leaders in all things imaging, from photography to cinema to printers to even medical devices. Never shying away from cutting-edge technology, the Japanese brand always finds a way to move forward with its products, even if it means venturing into an unknown industry altogether or blending old tech with new products. This year, at the brand’s X Summit Sydney event, Fujifilm introduced a new digital camera that easily allows you to simulate the look of shooting on film. Let’s take a look…
Film in the Digital Age
Although they were available to the public as early as the 1980s (with bodies that had chunky external hard drives attached to them), digital cameras (then DSLRs) saw an aggressive rise starting in the late ‘90s — coinciding with the preponderance of home computers onto which you could store the image files. Eventually, mirrorless cameras debuted in 2008 and now seek to replace the DSLR — but it’s all digital any way you slice it.
However, with nostalgia comes retrograde. Film cameras may be a small portion of the market share but their charms have found a way with budding young photographers eager to learn about the ways of the past and fascinated with the tactile aesthetic and techniques of shooting on actual film.
Film Simulation
Like most advancements in technology, digital cameras are much more practical and convenient than film cameras. But companies like Fujifilm, who are constantly pushing the envelope, have found a compromise for the consumer. Following up the X-T30 II, the new X-T50 is a mirrorless camera with all the features you come to expect from a $1,399 camera, but also a new dial that serves as a film simulator.
A first for any camera from the brand, this dial provides you with a few preset modes but also allows you to select a trio of customizable modes from its 20 total options, including the brand-new “REALA ACE” mode — named after the Fujicolor Superia Reala Ace 100 color negative film that was discontinued over a decade ago. These modes instantly change the result of what you’re shooting and don’t require you to do any editing.
Aside from the film simulation dial, the camera itself also aims to give you a retro feel, with a rounded, ergonomic shape that departs from previous X-T series models and mimics classic film cameras with a compact body that weighs under a pound, even with the battery and memory card inside.
Other Features
Run on Fujifilm’s fifth-gen imaging engine processor and featuring a 40-megapixel sensor, the X-T50 increases the resolution and autofocus performance (with an updated AF algorithm powered by AI) of its X-T30 II predecessor — which is admittedly $500 cheaper — while also gaining a 7-stop in-body image stabilization system and ProRes RAW capabilities, and also improving video performance. Its ability to interchange lenses is coupled with a tilting LCD screen to give you even more control over the end result.
Spec Sheet
Image Sensor: 23.5mm x 15.7mm (APS-C) X-Trans CMOS 5 HR with primary color filter
Megapixels: 40.2
Image Processing Engine: X-Processor 5
Shutter Type: Focal Plane Shutter
Video Capability: 6.2K/30P
Lens Included: 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8
Pricing & Availability
You can purchase the Fujifilm X-T50 on its own for $1,400 or bundled with a 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 lens for $1,800. These will go on sale starting June 17 but you can pre-order them now from Amazon.
Recap
Fujifilm X-T50 Mirrorless Camera
Fujifilm’s latest mirrorless camera has a dial that lets you select up to 20 different modes that simulate old film cameras.
