The Fujifilm X-M5 compromises in the right places to provide the biggest bang for your buck. Giving up a viewfinder, the latest processor, and longer battery life so that you pay almost half the price is a no-brainer. Especially since what you get in return is incredible portability, up to 6.2K resolution video, and the opportunity to try all the different lenses with the money you've just saved.
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Design
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Features
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Battery
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Performance
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Value
The Fujifilm X-M5 is the sort of camera we love here at Stuff. The sort with a low barrier to entry and a high ceiling for upgrades. Since the smallest unit in the X range also comes at the smallest price, the ability to attach most Fujifilm lenses makes it potentially the biggest bang you can get for your buck when buying a camera.
Are you just happy to see me?
The Fujifilm X-M5 weighs only 355g and fits in the palm of your hand. This makes it an easy addition to a handbag or even certain pockets. The X-M5’s size and form factor are a big win for vloggers, mainly because of its reversible touch screen. The Fujifilm TG-BT1 Tripod Grip made a huge difference for vlogging in selfie mode. We would have liked a wide-angle lens like the Fujifilm XF 18mm f/2 R to help us grab more of the surroundings and look less like a dad who accidentally found the selfie camera and insists on using it.
The Fujifilm X-M5 isn’t just for video wannabes. It comes with the film simulation dial we saw in the X-T50 which make Fujifilm’s film simulations more accessible. This is a good way for Fuji to lean into its history as film producers, especially in the form of its uncanny vintage-looking top dials. Where there’d usually be two dials for shutter speed most X-T cameras there’s now only one that serves that purpose. The second dial is used for selecting the mode you want to shoot in.
A little give and take
The big question you need to ask when considering the X-M5 is what you’re willing to sacrifice. If you’re looking for a nice viewfinder, you should look elsewhere. The camera’s small size meant components packed close together led to overheating with heavy use. Heavy use also put the smaller Fujifilm Original NP-W126S battery under pressure.
Read more: Fujifilm’s X-M5 is a vlogger’s dream, resembles the X-T50 for a whole lot less
When it comes to battery life you get 330 Frames per charge (440 in Eco mode) and about 1 hour and 30 minutes in video mode. With a USB-C charging port the time spent plugged in depends on the power brick but we needed only an hour with a 66W charger to return to full battery. If you anticipate heavy usage like a live streaming day of heavy shooting, we’d recommend a cooling fan, spare batteries, and a charger.
Super sub
The fact that the Fujifilm X-M5 is an interchangeable lens camera is nearly its biggest highlight. The first recommended lens is the XC 15-45 mm. It’s on the more affordable side of Fuji’s lenses and offers you the ability to zoom without being too clunky. It also pairs nicely with the Fujifilm TG-BT1 Tripod Grip which lets you zoom without touching the lens.
If vlogging isn’t a priority but photography is, a prime lens like the XF 23mm F1.4 R is an excellent choice. That low focal length produces some of the most crisp portrait photos we’ve taken. The lenses are where you’ll experience the highest upside and the X-M5 is the perfect starting point for exposing yourself to Fujifilm’s range.
I can’t believe it’s not premium
Internally the Fujifilm X-M5 has an X-Trans CMLS 4 sensor we also saw in the X-T4. While it may not be the latest CMOS 5HR 40.2MP from the X-T50 and X-T5, the 26.1 MP sensor does a decent enough job. It does however include the latest X-Processor 5 which allows for HEIF compression. This also gives it AI-driven subject detection autofocus for a state-of-the-art point-and-shoot experience.
The Fujifilm X-M5 also does well to provide a state-of-the-art video-making experience. The most functionality is found in vlogging mode thanks to the touchscreen interface. Here you’ll select if you want stabilization with OIS or OIS + DIS, microphone direction settings, and even portrait mode without tilting the camera. You can also select a reduced max bitrate to transfer files to your phone with the Fujifilm Camera Remote app even faster. When in the normal video mode you can shoot 6.2K at 30p, 4K at 60p, and FHD at 240p if you want slow-mo footage.
Fujifilm X-M5 value verdict
The biggest highlight of the Fujifilm X-M5 is its price tag. You can grab it without a lens for just R16,250 which is an excellent price for a mirrorless camera. If it’s your first camera and you want to add the XC 15-45mm lens, you’ll pay R18,700 which is R17,930 less than the X-T5 with a starter lens.
The Fujifilm X-M5 compromises in the right places to provide the biggest bang for your buck. Giving up a viewfinder, the latest processor, and longer battery life so that you pay almost half the price is a no-brainer. Especially since what you get in return is incredible portability, up to 6.2K resolution video, and the opportunity to try all the different lenses with the money you’ve just saved.
