For the first time in a while, Fujifilm has released a sub-$1,000 camera, reviving its 11-year-old “M” brand with the $799 X-M5. At this price, it’s primarily aimed at photographers on a budget and video bloggers looking to step up from their smartphones. Fujifilm’s film has cut down on some features, such as the viewfinder (EVF), to achieve its price point, but it still features the company’s latest 26-megapixel X-Trans 4 CMOS sensor and decent video specs. Equipped with:
For a camera without a viewfinder, the X-M5 should handle pretty well. It features front and rear control dials, as well as a top settings dial with a new “Vlog” mode. It also comes with the same film simulation dial as the X-T50, helping social media users and creators create cool photos right from the camera.
fujifilm
Vlog mode displays a complete GUI interface on the touchscreen for easy access. This includes things like a “portrait enhancer,” background blur, and product priority, similar to what we’ve seen with Sony’s video blogging products.
For vloggers, there’s a 3-inch, 1.04 million-dot fully articulated rear display that’s bright enough for use in sunlight (again, since there’s no EVF). There are both headphone and microphone ports for vloggers, but not on the left side like usual. Instead, Fujifilm has placed the 3.5mm mic input on the back (where the EVF would normally be located) and the headphone port on the right side. This is to avoid the display hitting the microphone or headphone cable when it’s flipped over, which can happen with other cameras.
Not to be mistaken for a sports camera, the X-M5 can shoot bursts of 8 fps with its mechanical shutter and an impressive 20 fps in electronic mode (both with continuous autofocus). These modes allow you to capture decent 82/60 compressed RAW frames before the buffer is full. This is also very good for such a small camera.
Video is also very strong, with 6.2K open gate 3:2 capture, 4K 60p, and Full HD up to 240 fps (as you might have noticed, these specs match the X-T50). There’s a bit of a crop on 4K 60p (1.18x) and FHD above 120fps (1.29x), but everything else is 1:1.
Another thing missing is in-body image stabilization, so the X-M5 is limited to what the lens provides or electronic image stabilization. The latter mode has a minimum crop of 1.32x for 4K 30fps video, and a whopping 1.44x for 4K 60p shooting. The smaller body also has overheating limitations when using LP (long play) recordings, which can be alleviated with the included $200 fan.
fujifilm
Other features include three built-in microphones for surround sound-like capture, 9:16 short movie mode for TikTok creators, fast movie transfer, up to 440 frames of battery life, and one UHS-I card There are slots, etc.
I couldn’t understand what Fujifilm was thinking when they released the X-T50, which costs $500 more than the X-T30 II. Now we know they’re hoping lower-end buyers will gravitate towards the X-M5 instead. Pre-orders start today for $799, and Fujifilm is offering a 16-55mm f/2.8 (24-70mm full-frame equivalent) lens priced at $1,199, and an XF500mm f/5.6 super telephoto lens currently on pre-order ( 750mm equivalent) was also announced. $2,999.
