Earlier this week, Fujifilm unveiled the X-T5, the long-awaited APS-C successor to the X-T4.
The new model offers a bevy of improvements over its predecessor, including enhanced autofocus performance, elevated image quality, and increased portability. According to Fujifilm, the X-T5 is a “photography-first” camera that “bring[s] photographers unrivaled image quality in a timeless, classic, and beloved camera body.”
Let’s take a closer look.
What can you expect from the X-T5?
The X-T5 boasts many of the features Fujifilm users have come to know and love: a beautiful, retro-style body; shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation dials for quick settings adjustments on the fly; and a lifelike, 3.69M-dot EVF plus dual card slots for a professional shooting experience.
But the X-T5 outpaces the X-T4 in several key ways. Most notably, the new model packs a powerful 40 MP APS-C BSI sensor, likely taken straight from the outstanding X-H2. Compared to the 26 MP sensor in the X-T4, photographers will gain increased cropping and printing capabilities – and while megapixel bumps often do impact high-ISO performance, Fujifilm claims that users will appreciate “advanced image resolution without compromising the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio.”
Presumably due to the jump in resolution, the X-T5’s continuous-shooting speeds have been reduced. Instead of 20 FPS when using the electronic shutter, you get 13 – but that’s still ridiculously good (and you can always switch to the mechanical shutter for a slightly faster 15 FPS).
And despite the drop in shooting speed, the X-T5 does boast improved autofocus capabilities over the X-T4. Thanks to an increased number of phase-detection points, the camera will offer enhanced AF accuracy, and AF software updates (combined with an upgraded processor) have resulted in a slew of additional AF tracking options, including car tracking, bird tracking, airplane tracking, animal tracking, and more. Wildlife photographers will undoubtedly appreciate the animal- and bird-tracking modes, and motorsport photographers should jump at the chance to quickly nail focus on race cars in action.
Impressively, Fujifilm has managed to decrease the X-T5’s size compared to the X-T4’s, if only marginally, while improving the camera’s in-body image stabilization capabilities (to 7 stops versus 6.5 stops on the X-T4). And the new camera packs a handful of additional features worth noting:
- A pixel-shift mode that creates 160 MP composites (useful for commercial and landscape shooters requiring high-resolution files)
- An electronic shutter that reaches speeds up to a whopping 1/180,000s (useful for fast-action photography and portrait photography in bright light)
- 6K/30p recording (albeit with a slight crop), as well as uncropped 4K/60p recording
Who should consider the X-T5?
The X-T5 is a capable APS-C body aimed at generalist professional photographers and serious hobbyists, though thanks to the camera’s smaller size, array of capabilities, and reasonable ($1700) price tag, I’d also encourage you to check out the X-T5 if you’re:
- An intermediate Fujifilm shooter looking for an upgrade
- A non-Fujifilm photographer interested in a film-based, tactile shooting experience
- A hybrid photographer/videographer in need of an all-around camera
- An intermediate or professional travel or street photographer requiring both portability and outstanding image quality
On the other hand, if you like Fujifilm’s retro style but would prefer a more compact body, consider the X-T30 II, which packs plenty of excellent features (and costs significantly less, too).
When will the X-T5 be released?
The X-T5 should begin shipping on November 17th. You can currently preorder the camera on B&H, and while it isn’t available on Amazon, that should (hopefully) change within a matter of days.
Now over to you:
What do you think of the Fujifilm X-T5? Are you interested? Excited? Disappointed? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
