Review: Fujifilm X-T5

The Fujifilm X-T5 is the best camera the company has ever made. For the right photographer, it might even be the best camera to buy right now.

It was once the flagship mirrorless camera in the X Series, but that role is now filled by the X-H2 ($1,999), which leaves the X-T5 free to become a great stills-oriented camera for photographers. It’s not perfect—the autofocus could be better—but if you love manual controls, the ergonomics of classic film cameras, and the distinctive color and character of Fujifilm’s X series cameras, this is the camera for you.

The X-T5 represents a return to form for the X-T line. It’s smaller and lighter than its predecessor and doesn’t have much in the way of new video features. Instead it takes mainly stills-oriented features from the flagship X-H2, including the new 40-megapixel, fifth-generation X-Trans sensor; better autofocus; and in-body image stabilization.

The new sensor is the highlight. This is the first APS-C sensor to match the image quality of my Sony A7RII. It’s not as large or high-resolution as newer full-frame cameras, like the Sony 7R V, but it’s good enough that when I was editing images I never found myself thinking “I wish I’d shot that in full frame.”

The X-T5 shoots surprisingly good video footage but lacks some high-end features—like ProRes support (available over HDMI)—that you’ll find on the X-H2. Likewise, it’s missing the flip-out variable-angle rear screen that was so handy for shooting video (again, it’s been relegated to the X-H series cameras). The clear message is that if you want a high-end hybrid still and video camera, the X-H2 is the one for you. The new X-T5 is very much geared toward still photographers, and it manages to strike a near-perfect balance between technical chops and that ill-defined thing photographers call “character.”

First, the technical chops. As noted, the 40-megapixel sensor is wonderfully detailed and doesn’t fall victim to the higher noise issues that sometimes come with more megapixels. That said, performance will depend somewhat on how and what you shoot. I tend to use fast lenses in low-light situations, and I rarely shoot over 1600 ISO. In testing, I found that once you went over this, noise became more of an issue. While 3200 is still usable, I would not go above that.

There is also a new processor, which Fuji claims is four times faster than the previous model. This is part of the new autofocus system which, while very good within the Fuji X-series cameras, is not that great compared to what you get with Nikon or Canon systems. If you need extremely fast, completely accurate autofocus, you’re better off with Nikon, Canon, or Sony. For most people’s purposes, though, the X-T5’s system is good enough. What troubled me more than the speed was that sometimes the autofocus just missed, especially with eye-tracking turned on. I’ve read that other reviewers have had similar experiences, which makes me hope this is something Fujifilm will address in a future firmware update.

While autofocus still isn’t the best, the improved in-camera image stabilization is fantastic. Fujifilm claims the IBIS system will buy you 7 stops of hand-holding, but I found it was even better than that. While I have fairly steady hands, I was able to shoot quite a few usable images at 1/4 of a second, handheld.

Now for the character, which I think of in two parts. First, there is the distinctly Fuji output of the images, especially the in-camera JPGs, which can be customized, tweaked, and tuned in ways that no other camera maker even begins to approach. When you meet rabid fans of Fujifilm cameras, this is usually the thing that hooked them. Why post-process if you don’t need to? There are hundreds of “recipes” around the web for tuning the in-camera JPGs to simulate various looks, from old film stock to whatever creative look you’re into. I happen to like the old film stock recipes that Ritchie Roesch of Fuji X Weekly makes available.

The upgraded sensor hasn’t lost the distinctive character of Fujifilm images, which to my mind is actually more than just those in-camera JPGs. Fujifilm lenses have a warmth and color rendition that’s unique to the X Series. The new sensor retains everything Fujifilm fans love about color, rendering, and the character that these cameras and lenses produce.

The other half of that character is the design of the camera body. It looks like my old Nikon F3 from the 1980s, instead of a modern digital camera. I spent three weeks with the X-T5, and in that time I had two people come up to ask if I was shooting with film. 

Some might argue that appearances don’t matter or that Fuji cameras are for hipsters, but I think that misses the point. Form serves function and vice versa. Film cameras were designed the way they were because it was the simplest method of making all the settings available to the user. The manual dials to control ISO, shutter speed, and (on most lenses) aperture aren’t there to make the X-T5 look cool or retro. They serve a purpose; you can set all those things before you bring the viewfinder to your eye. That way, the exposure is dialed in and you can focus on composing. The X-T5’s manual features serve a purpose—to get the technical aspects of photography out of your way quickly so you can focus on the creative part.

The only time the dials got in the way was when I wanted to put the camera in full auto mode so my kids could try it. That requires turning the shutter speed dial, ISO dial, and lens aperture dial to A setting, which is cumbersome. But the X-T5 isn’t priced or aimed at entry-level photographers anyway, so I don’t see this as a huge issue.

Not everything can be controlled with dials. You’ll still want to get into the menu system, which I found easy to navigate (but I am coming from Sony, which I think has the most confusing menus in a camera). There’s no touch capability when browsing the menu system on the screen (as with previous models, the touch features are limited to focus and shooting). The first thing I do with any camera is turn off touch completely, but if that’s something you want, be aware that it’s not here. You can navigate through using the D-pad, selecting options with the center button.

It’s also worth noting that this camera has a new battery system, which is frankly excellent. But an unfortunate side effect is that there is no way to put a battery grip on the X-T5. I have never felt the need for a battery grip on any camera, and definitely didn’t on the X-T5, but if that’s something you swear by, you aren’t getting it here. I prefer minimal straps like the Simplr F1, but for something included with the camera, Fuji’s strap is actually quite nice.

The X-T5 is a rather opinionated camera, but one that shares my opinions: Autofocus is nice, but not necessary; all important settings should be dials; and what really matters is that undefinable something extra you see in the results. I want all that in a rangefinder body, like the X-Pro or X-E series cameras, but the retro look of the X-T5 is also mighty appealing.