Fujifilm X-M5 Hands-on Review
Summary Verdict
The Fujifilm X-M5 is a compact, entry-level mirrorless camera with advanced features designed for novice photographers and content creators. With its lightweight design, the X-M5 offers impressive autofocus capabilities, 6.2K video recording and Fujifilm’s popular Film Simulation modes. Despite lacking a viewfinder and in-body image stabilisation, it seems a strong contender, especially for those transitioning from smartphones or seeking a versatile, travel-friendly option. The addition of a Vlog mode and easy file transfer options enhances its appeal for video creators. With a competitive starting price, the X-M5 appears to be a well-rounded choice for those looking to advance their photography or video skills.
Score: TBC
Pros:
Attractively priced
Uses a respected imaging system
Excellent range of features
Cons:
No viewfinder
Only has digital image stabilisation
What is the Fujifilm X-M5?
The Fujifilm X-M5 is an entry-level interchangeable lens mirrorless camera, designed with novice photographers, vloggers and content creators in mind. It’s the lightest camera in the current Fujifilm X series but it features the company’s fifth-generation X Processor 5 and the respected 26.1MP X-Trans CMOS 4 APS-C format sensor. That’s the same combination as is found in the Fujifilm X-S20 and it improves on the Fujifilm X-T30 II by having a more advanced processing engine in a smaller, lighter body.
In keeping with the X-S20, the X-M5 has a mode dial rather than the traditional exposure controls of models like the Fujifilm X-T50 or X-T5. However, it gains the dedicated Film Simulation Mode dial that was first seen on the X-T50.
A viewfinder is a noticeable omission from the Fujifilm X-M5 and images and video can only be composed on the screen, but it is a vari-angle unit.
Read our Fujifilm X-T50 Review
Fujifilm X-M5 Price and Availability
The Fujifilm X-M5 is set to hit the market on the 14th of November, with prices starting at £799 / US $799 / €899 Aus $1449 body only, or £899 / US $899 / €999 / Aus $1649 with the XC 15-45mm F3.5-5.6 OIS PZ kit lens.
The Fujifilm X-M5 is available in silver or black but the XC 15-45mm F3.5-5.6 OIS PZ kit lens is only available in black.
Specifications
Camera type: Mirrorless
Announced: 14th October 2024
Sensor: 26.1MP X-Trans 4 CMOS APS-C format sensor
Processing engine: X-Processor 5
Lens mount: X-Mount
Sensitivity range: ISO 125-12,800 expandable to ISO 80-51,200
Viewfinder: No
Screen: Vari-angle 3-inch 1.04million-dot touchscreen LCD
Autofocus system: Intelligent hybrid with up to 425 selectable AF points
Subject detection: Face / Eye AF, animals, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, airplanes, trains, insects and drones
Continuous shooting: Mechanical Shutter: 8fps, Electronic Shutter: 30fps with 1.25x crop, 20fps full-sensor
Max video resolution: 6.2K (6240 x 4160) at 29.97/25/24/23.98fps, DCI 4K (4096 x 2160) at 59.95/50/29.97/25/24/23.98fps, 4K (3840 x 2160) at 59.95/50/29.97/25/24/23.98fps.
Stabilisation: Video only - Digital Image Stabilisation and DIS Mode Boost
Storage: SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I
Dimensions (WxHxD): 111.9 × 66.6 × 38.5mm
Weight: 355g, including battery and card
The Fujifilm X-M5 has a 3-inch, 1.04-million-dot touch screen on a vari-angle hinge for composing and reviewing images or videos. The screen can be flipped out the side of the camera and angled up or down, or rotated to face forwards.
Key Features
While Fujifilm’s recent camera announcements have centred around the presence of a 40.2MP backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS 5 HR sensor, the X-M5 uses the 26.1MP X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor that’s in the X-S20 as well as popular older models like the Fujifilm X-T4 and X-T30 II. However, unlike the X-T4 and X-T30 II, the X-M5 has the latest X Processor 5 engine that’s also in cameras like the Fujifilm X-T50 and X-T5. This combination enables a raft of advanced features including sophisticated autofocus and subject detection systems that work in stills and video mode. The subject detection system can be set to detect animals, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, aeroplanes, trains, insects and drones.
According to Fujifilm, the X-M5 has its latest autofocus (AF) and subject detection algorithms, which means it can outperform the X-S20. However, the X-S20 will receive a firmware update to bring its AF system up to the same standard.
When the mechanical shutter is in use, the X-M5 has a maximum continuous shooting rate of 8fps (frames per second) and it can maintain that rate for up to around 173 Jpegs or 25 uncompressed raw files. This jumps to 20fps with the electronic shutter when shooting full-resolution images, and the burst depth is 127 Jpegs or 23 uncompressed raw files. However, if you are happy to apply a 1.25x crop, it’s possible to shoot at up to 30fps.
Meanwhile, in CIPA testing, the NP-W126S battery lasts for up to 440 images in economy mode, 330 images in normal mode and 300 images in boost mode.
The Fujifilm X-M5 supports internal 6.2K 4:2:2 10-bit open gate video recording at 30p and 4K up to 60p. This means the camera can use the full sensor for video capture, which gives greater flexibility for producing movies in different aspect ratios. Full HD video can be recorded at up to 240p, for dramatic slow motion results.
There’s also a Type D HDMI port for external video recording in 4:2:2 10bit colour.
In addition, the X-M5 builds on the Vlog mode that was first seen in the X-S20 for easy video creation. It adds a new 9:16 Short Movie mode that enables portrait orientation video to be captured while holding the camera in landscape orientation. There’s also Portrait Enhancer, Background Defocus, Product Priority and a better microphone set-up. The Vlog mode Graphical User Interface (GUI) has been updated with icons to access the new and existing vlogging features.
Fujifilm has given the X-M5 three microphone units and they can be used capture surround sound, or directionally to prioritise sound from in front of or behind the camera, or both. These mics are also said to improve upon earlier versions and the enhanced wind filter has an option to cut steady-state noise such as the constant humming of an air-conditioning unit.
Further good news is that the X-M5 has both a 3.5mm microphone jack and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
At 25-degrees centigrade, the X-M5 is capable of recording 4K/30p video for over 60 minutes, this drops to around 20 minutes at 40-degrees. However, the camera is compatible with Fujifilm’s Cooling Fan (FAN-001) which takes the maximum recording time at 40-degrees back up to over 60 minutes.
While the X-M5 doesn’t have physical (optical) in-camera stabilisation, Digital Image Stabilisation is available during video recording with options to suit when the camera is handheld as normal or you’re walking. Naturally, Digital Image Stabilisation isn’t accessible in open gate mode because it requires a crop. When recording in 4K or Full HD, there’s a crop of 1.32x or 1.44x depending on the frame rate.
The Digital Image Stabilisation can work in partnership with stabilised lenses. It also corrects rolling shutter.
Fujifilm’s Film Simulation modes are well-loved and the X-M5 has all 20: PROVIA/Standard, Velvia/Vivid, ASTIA/Soft, Classic Chrome, REALA ACE, PRO Neg.Hi, PRO Neg.Std, Classic Neg., Nostalgic Neg., ETERNA/Cinema, ETERNA BLEACH BYPASS, ACROS, ACROS + Ye Filter. ACROS + R Filter, ACROS + G Filter, Black & White, Black & White + Ye Filter, Black & White + R Filter, Black & White + G Filter, Sepia. They can be used in video and stills mode.
Multiple Exposure enthusiasts will be pleased to learn that the X-M5’s Multiple Exposure mode allows up to nine images to be composited in-camera with a choice of four blend modes: Additive, Average, Bright and Dark.
Fujifilm has made the X-M5 compatible with its XApp, enabling direct file transfers to smartphones via a USB-C connection. This is particularly useful for quick transfers of large files, over 4GB, directly to iOS or Android devices. Alternatively, there’s a new low bitrate mode, offering 25 Mbps and 8 Mbps options, for easier wireless transfer of smaller video files. The X-M5 can also serve as a webcam when connected via USB-C.
Using a mini joystick rather than a navigation pad on the back of the Fujifilm X-M5 means there's enough room for your thumb on the rear of the camera. The ridge on the right edge of the camera also gives decent purchase. The black circle below and left of the hotshoe is the cover for the microphone port.
Build and Handling
At 111.9 x 66.6 x 38.0 mm in size and weighing just 355g, the Fujifilm X-M5 is compact, making it smaller and lighter than the X-T30 II (118.4 x 82.8 x 46.8 mm and 378g) and X-T50 (123.8 x 84 x4 8.8 mm and 438g).
Despite its small size and low weight, the X-M5 feels well-made and balanced. It has a shallow but effective front grip, and a little thumb rest that are in keeping with the proportions and weight of the camera. So far, I’ve only used the X-M5 with the small XC 15-45mm kit lens, but it would work very nicely with some of Fujifilm’s prime lenses as well. When I get it in for full testing I will try it with some larger lenses, but it’s a more natural partner for small optics.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I think the X-M5 is an attractive little camera. It’s top plate has three dials, on the left the Film Simulation mode dial and on the right the exposure mode dial and a smaller control dial for adjusting settings. This last dial works in partnership with a dial that protrudes from the front of the camera above the grip. It means there are two dials for adjusting the exposure settings.
These dials have a premium feel that will appeal to photographers familiar with Fujifilm's tactile controls.
To help novice photographers, and for experience shooters when time is of the essence, the exposure mode dial has an ‘Auto’ setting. When this is secreted, the camera assesses the scene and selects the optimum settings for the conditions.
Being small, the X-M5 isn’t going to appeal to people with huge hands, but I didn’t find the controls fiddly and they are all within easy reach. Although the screen is touch-sensitive and gives a good level of control, it’s great to see a mini-joystick on the back of the camera to help with navigating the menu, selecting settings and moving the autofocus point around.
As I mentioned earlier, the X-M5 doesn’t have a viewfinder. This helps to keep the size and weight of the camera down, but it could be a deal-breaker for some potential users. It means you must rely on the 3-inch 1.4-million-dot touch screen for framing and reviewing images and video.
In an interesting move, Fujifilm has moved all the connection ports away from the left side of the camera so that cables don’t impede the movement of the flip-out screen. The charging port, headphone socket and micro HDMI are positioned on the right side, while the microphone port is beneath the hotshoe. Of course, this means that your grip will probably be compromised if you’re using any of those ports, but with the possible exception of the headphone socket, they are mostly to be used when the camera is on a tripod or in a cage.
Unusually, the charging port, headphone socket and micro HDMI port are the right side of the Fujifilm X-M5.
I found a camera strap can get in the way of your view of the screen. I solved the issue by putting two Peak Design Anchor Loops on the X-M5’s right strap lug and attaching the Peak Design Slide Lite to them. This is made easier by the fact that the X-M5 has the bar-type strap lugs instead of small ones that require a split ring.
Like the X-T50, the Film Simulation dial on the X-M5 has settings to access 8 pre-set Film Simulation modes: PROVIA/STANDARD, Velvia/VIVID, ASTIA/SOFT, CLASSIC CHROME, REALA ACE, CLASSIC Neg., NOSTALGIC Neg., ACROS. These are the most popular options according to Fujifilm's research. However, there are also three customisable options (FS1, FS2 and FS3), which can be set to activate your favourite Film Simulation mode if yours isn't one of the presets. In addition, there's a 'C' setting on the dial that enables the Film Simulation Mode to be set via the Main or Quick Menus. If the dial is turned to any other setting than C, the Film Simulation mode option is greyed out in the menu.
While I shoot raw files and I can therefore change (and tweak) the Film Simulation Mode when I process the file, the presence of the Film Simulation Mode dial encourages me to switch between the options at the shooting stage. This helps me to think about how I want the final image to look. As I routinely shoot raw and Jpeg images simultaneously, this also means that my images are more likely to be ready to share straight from the camera.
The Film Simulation Mode dial is on the lfet of the X-M5's top-plate while the exposure mode dial is on the right.
Performance
While the sample of the Fujifilm X-M5 that I used had final hardware, the firmware was still a beta version and it’s not suitable for in-depth analysis. However, given that it has the same sensor and processing engine as the X-S20, it’s a safe bet that its performance and image quality will be on par.
Consequently, we can anticipate that the Fujifilm X-M5 is able to capture plenty of detail for a camera of its pixel count and sensor size at low sensitivity (ISO) settings. Noise should also be controlled well up around ISO 6400. I expect to find it worth shooting raw files at the higher settings to get a little more detail from a bespoke application of noise reduction.
Fujifilm’s Film Simulation Modes are well-established and respected for their colours. Provia / Standard, is a good general-purpose option that produces natural colours that are a close match to the scene. However, with 19 other options available, there’s something to suit every mood, taste, scene and style. I love the muted, earthy tones of Classic Chrome, and the low saturation, high-contrast look of Eterna Bleach Bypass. Meanwhile, Acros delivers very nice monochrome images straight from the camera.
As the X-M5 that I used doesn’t have the final firmware, it’s inappropriate to give a final verdict on the autofocus performance, but it was fast and effective. It’s also impressive how small a person can be in the frame and the camera still detects them.
The Q button on the Fujifilm X-M5's top-plate is used to access the customisable Quick menu. It's easy to fins with your finger when your looking at the rear screen.
Fujifilm X-M5 Sample Images
These images were captured using a Fujifilm X-M5 with non-final firmware so image quality may vary from that produced with final firmware.
Image credit: Angela Nicholson. The Fujifilm X-M5's Face/Eye detection is very useful for capturing spontaneous moments like this.
Camera: Fujifilm X-M5, Lens: XC 15-45mm F3.5-5.6 OIS PZ, Exposure: 1/100 sec at F/3.5, ISO 320.
The Fujifilm X-M5 is very small and discrete, which is useful for street photography.
Camera: Fujifilm X-M5, Lens: XC 15-45mm F3.5-5.6 OIS PZ, Exposure: 1/100 sec at F/3.5, ISO 1000.
The flippy screen is useful for vloggie and shooting selfies. Again, the Face/Eye detection takes care of teh focusing.
Camera: Fujifilm X-M5, Lens: XC 15-45mm F3.5-5.6 OIS PZ, Exposure: 1/100 sec at F/3.5, ISO 320.
The Across Film Simulation mode produces some please monochrome images.
Camera: Fujifilm X-M5, Lens: XC 15-45mm F3.5-5.6 OIS PZ, Exposure: 1/100 sec at F/5, ISO 640.
The multiple exposure setting can be activated quickly via the drive mode settings which are accessed with a press of a button.
Camera: Fujifilm X-M5, Lens: XC 15-45mm F3.5-5.6 OIS PZ, Exposure: 1/140 sec at F/5.5, ISO 1600.
The Face/Eye detection does a good job of detecting the subject from a distance and sticky with it as you compose the shoot and shoot.
Camera: Fujifilm X-M5, Lens: XC 15-45mm F3.5-5.6 OIS PZ, Exposure: 1/220 sec at F/3.5, ISO 160.
Early Verdict
With its compact size, refined handling and an array of advanced features, the Fujifilm X-M5 seems a capable and attractive camera for photographers and content creators alike. Its blend of stills and video functionality, combined with user-friendly features like direct file transfer and a Vlog mode, make it an appealing choice, especially given its competitive starting price.
Doubtless, its lack of a viewfinder will be a stumbling block for some, and other may wish for in-body image stabilisation, but the X-M5 offers plenty of creative possibilities for those looking to step up their photography or video game. Those moving up from a smartphone are likely to be unphased by not having a viewfinder, but experienced photographers wishing for a small, light camera to carry everywhere may think twice.
There’s plenty more testing to be done, but the Fujifilm X-M5 is well worth a closer look by anyone seeking an affordable, versatile, user-friendly camera.
