Fujifilm cameras are well-represented in our guide to the best mirrorless cameras, but rumors suggest the company may finally be about to fix one of its biggest weaknesses: the Fujifilm smartphone app.
According to Fuji Reliable Rumors (opens in a new tab), a "trusted source" told the site that "Fujifilm is working on a new Camera Remote app." And it's about time too, with the existing smartphone app averaging just 1.7 stars on the Google Play Store and just 1.4 stars on the Apple App Store.
The main complaints about Fujifilm's smartphone app, which lets you transfer images to your phone and remotely control your mirrorless camera, are unreliable connectivity, slow performance, and limited image format support. While our experience wasn't as bad as some of these reviews, the app is one of the weakest parts of Fuji's polished cameras.
(Image credit: Fujifilm)
However, the news comes with a warning from Fuji Rumors. Fujifilm has already released major revisions to its app, most notably in February 2019, which actually did little to improve the overall experience, and possibly made it worse.
Still, the fact that it's rumored to be working on an entirely "new" companion app, rather than an update, is promising news for those who have been frustrated by the current one's inconsistencies. Fujifilm could also take the opportunity to introduce new features, such as the ability to wirelessly transfer raw files to your phone.
There's currently no rumored release date for the app, but Fujifilm has an X Summit scheduled for September, so Fuji fans will expect official news at that time.
Analysis: A significant improvement in the "last mile"
(Image credit: Fujifilm)
Burst shooting speeds, autofocus abilities, and image quality are all crucial camera features, but it's easy to overlook the importance of seemingly minor ones like companion smartphone apps.
Most mirrorless camera owners, especially amateur fans like the Fujifilm X-series, will want to quickly upload their shots to social media. But camera apps often feel like an afterthought, despite their importance to the overall user experience of many smart cameras.
This was especially the case with the Fujifilm app. While our experiences weren't as bad as the worst reviews on Google Play and the Apple App Store, the existing Camera Remote app is admittedly slow at times and doesn't quite match the quality of cameras like the Fujifilm X-H2S and Fujifilm. X-T4.
This has caused some owners to use third-party apps like Cascable or simply rely on SD card readers to transfer images. But rumors of a new official app look promising, and we look forward to hearing more at Fuji's next X Summit conference in September.
