The Return of Compacts: Fujifilm Might Be Preparing a New Pocket Camera

If you’ve ever wanted to get your hands on a Fujifilm X100VI, you surely know it is a coveted item that is hard to come by. Waiting lists are often long, and the hype for these retro-styled cameras seems endless. But what if Fujifilm had an alternative plan for those seeking that experience in a smaller, more accessible format?

New rumors suggest that the Japanese giant is refocusing on the small-sensor compact camera market and could bring a very interesting surprise next year.

The Rumor: A 1-Inch Sensor

According to recent reports, Fujifilm is seriously considering launching a new compact camera equipped with a 1-inch sensor.

Although the brand released the "X-Half" last year with a sensor of this size, many users felt that, with its 240g weight and bulky dimensions, it didn't quite fulfill the promise of being truly "pocketable." The new bid aims to correct this, offering real portability without sacrificing Fuji’s distinctive image quality.

Two Theories on the Table

What form will this mysterious camera take? Analysts and enthusiasts are shuffling two exciting possibilities:

1) The Return of the XQ Series (A Fujifilm XQ3?)

• For brand connoisseurs, the XQ2 was a highly valued camera: tiny, elegant, and capable. The strongest theory is that Fujifilm could revive this format to compete directly against models like the Sony RX100 VII.

• The Idea: An ultra-compact body that actually fits in a pocket.

• The Hardware: It could reuse the 18MP (3:4 format) sensor from the "X-Half," but in a much slimmer chassis, ideal for those seeking total discretion and portability.

2. A "Mini X100"

• This is the option generating the most anticipation. Given the massive success of the X100 series, it would make sense for Fujifilm to launch a "little sister."
• 
  
• The Concept: A camera with the classic aesthetic and manual controls of the X100, but with a smaller sensor (perhaps similar to the old X30 series).
• 
  
• The Challenge: To be a true "Baby X100," it would need to integrate an optical viewfinder, which would be an interesting engineering challenge in a reduced body.

Why Now?

The market is evolving. For years, smartphones displaced compact cameras. However, we are seeing a reverse trend: more and more people want to disconnect from their phones and reclaim the tactile, dedicated experience of taking photos.

Japanese manufacturers seem ready to revive this segment, seeking the perfect balance between profitability and what many users desire: a capable, fun-to-use camera with Fujifilm’s famous "color science," ready to be taken anywhere.