More Fujifilm Woes

Just as I was about to publish my review of the Fujifilm X20, I discovered that like the X10 before it, it’s defective. One morning, I turned I attempted to take a photo in my way to work, and noticed that the OVF was actually flickering. And then I noticed the absence of the shooting data along the bottom. Oh, it was there; it’s just that the numbers and symbols had been reduced to outlines, and were practically invisible. I searched the topic, and encountered another person who had exactly the same problem in March of 2013, and then a other in July, intermittently.

I can see no explanation for this. The camera was stored and handled meticulously. I’ve tried resetting everything, and even pulling the battery (but only for a couple of hours). I’ve since pulled the battery and will let it sit for an extended period. But, I am anticipating the day when I will have to take it in to Fuji for repair. 

At this point, my faith in Fujifilm as a manufacturer of cameras is waning. A lot. The whole X10 episode was inexcusable; to release a camera with defective sensor is simply inexcusable. How could it ever have passed QA by a company concerned with image quality; a company with a strong desire to be one of “The Big Three”.

Not including the two Fujis, I have a total of six digital cameras, which have never failed. That includes my Nikon D50, which was purchased used. This definitely does not bode well for Fujifilm. I gave them a second chance with the X20, and this is how I was repaid. 

So, before I finalize my X20 review, I’m going to see how this all pans out, including the service experience, should that be necessary.