Fujifilm X100VI, X-S20 orders on hold in Japan as production unable to keep up — a sign of things to come

When Fujifilm launched the X100VI a few weeks ago, it quickly became clear that it would be difficult to get your hands on an X100VI any time soon. What might be surprising, though, is that Fujifilm seems to be having a problem meeting demand basically across its whole lineup of APS-C cameras.

According to Fuji Rumors, these shortages are plaguing everything from the X-S20 and X100VI to the X-T5 and even the Instax Wide 300 (curr. $189.65 on Amazon), with sporadic availability at best in Japan, which serves as a sort of precursor to worldwide availability. What happens in the Japanese domestic market generally translates to what is to come for western markets a little further down the line as retailers run out of stock.

A recent report from Asobinet confirms that the Fujifilm X-S20 is no longer available to order at a number of Japanese retailers, although Fujifilm has not commented on the lack of availability. A similar story has played out regarding the X100VI, with Digital Camera Info reporting that orders have been suspended for the compact APS-C rangefinder-style camera, leading to some seeking out alternatives to the X100VI.

Currently, it seems as though the Fujifilm X-T5 is still available on Amazon in the US, but in very low volumes or as part of a kit, while the X-S20 seems to be unavailable on Amazon but in-stock at Best Buy — again as part of a kit. We have already reported on the chaos that is trying to buy an X100VI, and Fujifilm recently announced to its domestic market in Japan that it is unable to keep up with demand for the Instax Wide 300.

Dear customers

Thank you very much for your continued patronage of Fujifilm products.

Sales of the instant camera “Instax” *1 “INSTAX WIDE 300 ™ ” continue to far exceed initial expectations, and production has not been able to keep up. Due to difficulties in providing sufficient supply, we will temporarily suspend accepting orders starting today.
We deeply apologize for the inconvenience caused to our customers.
We will inform you again on our website regarding when orders will be resumed.

We will do our best to deliver the product as soon as possible, so we appreciate your understanding. (via Fuji Rumors)

While Fujifilm's production difficulties are certainly frustrating for the fans, it's almost certainly been a contributing factor in the hype surrounding many of the company's recent releases. The cameras in question will almost certainly enter availability again in the near future, since, apart from the Instax 300 Wide, they were all launched very recently.