I’m a little late to the party, but in case you haven’t heard, Fujifilm announced a new camera: the tiny and inexpensive X-M5.
My alarm sounded at 3:30 AM Eastern Time this morning, so that I could catch my flight from JFK International to Phoenix Sky Harbor. After running through the airport Home Alone 2 style, I barely made it, just as the gate attendant was announcing the last barding call. I made it nonetheless, and am now home after a whirlwind tour of New York City and Connecticut. It was such a great time, and I look forward to sharing more about it with you in the coming days.
In the meantime, here’s my take on the Fujifilm X-M5. I will do my best to say something different than the many reviews that have already been published across the web. To be clear: this isn’t a review. I haven’t used, touched, or even seen the camera in-person. I know as much about it as you, and maybe not even that much. It does seem to pack a lot into a tiny and inexpensive body, from what I’ve read.
I have been saying for a couple of years now that Fujifilm needs an affordable entry-level model. They used to have two, but when the X-A7 and X-T200 had sputtering sales in 2020, Fujifilm discontinued both. I’ve stated several times that, in my opinion, there is a sufficient market to justify one entry-level model—but probably not two—so if Fujifilm were to make an X-A8 or X-T300 (but not both), it would likely do just fine. Instead (and after a few years), they did something really unexpected and better, and revived the long-dormant X-M line.
Fujifilm released the X-M1 in 2013. It was unusual in that it had an X-Trans I sensor paired with the X-Trans II processor. It was announced just a few months before the X-A1, which was basically the same camera, except with a Bayer sensor instead of X-Trans. Because the X-A1 and X-M1 were nearly identical, yet the X-A1 was cheaper, the X-M1 struggled to sell, and it never had a successor… until now.
The X-M5 has been imagined and designed with the idea of what an X-M series camera would look like had it not been discontinued. How would it have evolved over the last decade? Fujifilm used their imaginations, and created the new camera. And, in the spirit of the original, it comes with the “old” X-Trans IV sensor paired with the “new” X-Trans V processor.
It is currently the most affordable X-series model, at only $799 for the body-only, and $899 when paired with the 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 lens. For those wanting to get into the Fujifilm system but have found it to be a little outside of the budget, the X-M5 might be your best option. This is an easy camera to recommend for beginners, as it fills an obvious void in the X-series lineup.
The X-M5 is also the smallest interchangeable-lens X-series camera. It is tiny and lightweight, which makes it compelling for travel or walk-around photography. I would pair it with the Fujinon 27mm f/2.8 or Fujinon 18mm f/2… but, here is the problem: the 27mm lens is very difficult to find, and the 18mm is overdue for a refresh. This is an ideal camera (along with the X-E line) to showcase one big advantage of APS-C: size and weight; however, the lack of pancake lenses makes it less compelling than it should be. My suggestion to Fujifilm is to increase production of the 27mm f/2.8, design a new-and-improved 18mm f/2, and introduce one or more new pancake options (maybe to be released in conjunction with the next X-E camera?).
While the X-M5 is a bit video-centric, it does not have IBIS. I don’t think the lack of IBIS is a big deal whatsoever for stills photography, but I do see it as a potential problem for videography. However, for the price and size, I think its exclusion is acceptable. You can use OIS lenses, a gimbal, and/or the digital stabilizer, if necessary.
Perhaps the two biggest drawbacks are the lack of an EVF and the PASM dial. It’s understandable why the camera doesn’t have an EVF—the X-M1 didn’t have one, and if the X-M5 did, it would require the body to be both larger and more expensive—but the lack of one will be a dealbreaker for some. The PASM dial was also expected, but for me, personally, I much prefer the traditional dials instead; some people like this setup (different strokes for different folks), but it’s nearly a dealbreaker for me—nearly.
The Film Dial… I like it, but it’s controversial. You may or may not like it yourself; however, I suspect that many will find it both fun and useful on the X-M5 specifically. I’m quite happy to see its inclusion on this camera.
From what I can tell, the Fujifilm X-M5 is not for me, but it might be good as my teenage son’s first camera. Christmas is around the corner, so we’ll see. Maybe it will be wrapped under the tree (if it’s still even available…). I think it will sell very well, and serve as a gateway into the Fujifilm ecosystem for many. For those already in the X-series family, this might be a good compact camera for travel, or an inexpensive companion to a larger body.
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Fujifilm X-M5 in black:
B&H, Moment, Wex, Nuzira
Fujifilm X-M5 in silver:
B&H, Moment, Wex, Nuzira