Fujifilm X-T50 to deliver IBIS, 40 MP X-T5 sensor in compact body alongside new kit lens on May 16

Fujifilm recently caused quite a buzz lately with the launch of the compact X100VI, but the more budget-conscious photographer might want to consider what it has in-store for us at its May 16 X Summit in Sydney, Australia. Recent rumours and leaks of the upcoming X-T50 indicate that it will be an affordable, feature-rich X-T5 contender.

The latest X-T50 rumour gave us a release date of May 16, but previously, Fuji Rumours reported that the new APS-C camera would ship with the 40 MP X Trans V sensor ripped straight out of the X-T5, IBIS and all, making it the first in the line-up with in-body image stabilisation. 

It's unclear how capable the IBIS in the X-T50 will be, but it seems unlikely that Fujifilm will compromise its X-T5 sales by giving the X-T50 the exact same sensor and stabilisation capabilities. Another possibility is that the Fujifilm X-T50 will ship with a cut-back processor, like the X Processor 4, or with other functionality, like the SD card slot, significantly degraded.

Alternatively, this high-end spec could mean that the X-T50 will launch at a higher price than the $900 X-T30 II, which is already expected, given that the X100VI (curr. $1,599.99 on Best Buy) and X-S20 (curr. $1,299 on Amazon) both launched at higher prices than their predecessors. Either way, the X-T50 looks like it's stacking up to be a rather impressive hybrid camera if the rumours are true, and it might even be an exciting indication of things to come when Fujifilm updates the X-T5 in a year or two.

The X-T50 rumours also point to a new Fujifilm XF 16–50 mm F2.8–4.8 kit lens launching alongside the compact camera — perhaps destined to be offered together at launch, but there's not much known about the price of this new lens.