Fujifilm X-T5 Review
A fantastic pro-grade camera for photography
Verdict
The Fujifilm X-T5 is a bells and whistles crop sensor mirrorless camera that packs a huge amount of technology and features into a tiny body that’s not only incredibly well-built, but also drips in retro-chic design styling. Great for stills and video creatives but comes with a premium price-tag to match the image quality.
Pros
- Huge 40-megapixel resolution
- Fast 15 frames per second burst mode
- Advanced stabilisation system
Cons
- Crop-sensor
- Design won’t suit all
Key Features
- 40.2MP sensorWith the X-Processor 5 image processing engine
- Big resolution 6.2K videoCapable of capturing highly detailed video footage.
- 7-stops of internal body stabilisation Helps to eradicate shaky movement when capturing video.
Introduction
Fujifilm has often led the way when it comes to crop sensor cameras and the X-T5 has pushed this envelope even further with the brand serving up the highest resolution APS-C sensor on the market.
Delivering 40-megapixels from a crop sensor is unbelievable, but there is much more to the X-T5 than just the big resolution.
From the retro-chic style that evokes memories of classic analogue cameras, to the fast burst rate that opens up this camera to wildlife and sports photographers and even the video features that will interest independent filmmakers – this is an all-things to all-people camera and potentially one of the most all-round APS-C cameras even built.
With plenty of technology inside a small, portable body, is the X-T5 simply too good to be true? Here are my thoughts.
Design
- Increased resolution sensor
- Lighter body
- Improved Electronic Viewfinder
Fujifilm has always walked its own path when it comes to the design of its mirrorless cameras and the X-T5 doesn’t stray from this script.
The retro-chic design can be decisive, but the attention to detail on the camera body, with elements such as the milled dials, simply can’t be denied and helps the X-T5 stand out as a premium product.
Amazingly, despite being stacked with newer technology, the X-T5 is actually lighter than the older X-T5 that it takes over from (557g v 607g). How Fuji has managed to keep the weight down is unbelievable and makes this camera a device you can carry around all day without it becoming a heavy burden.
The lack of a standard mode dial may mean newcomers to this system will have to spend time learning the dial system, as it is different to cameras from brands like Nikon and Canon. That said, despite the high-end styling, this is also a remarkably robust body, with no less than 56 weather sealed points to keep out dust and moisture – plus the camera can operate in extreme conditions, including down to as low as -10 degrees.
Again, despite its small size, newcomers to this system will be surprised to discover that not one, but two SD card slots are available and this gives the user the option of making an instant backup of files or choosing to record stills to one card and video to the other – thus keeping the different media separate.
The grip gives a decent enough hold, but Fuji does offer the MHG-XT5 optional accessory hand grip that will offer even more of a hold, especially if you have big hands. Images can be composed via the 3.69 million dot resolution EVF or the three-way tilting LCD, which is not only touch-sensitive but will also help setting up awkward high/low compositions much easier.
Features / Performance
- Increased battery life
- Rapid burst rate
- Solid stabilisation
Fuji may not be the first brand name that pops into your mind when you think about lightning quick autofocus and a rapid burst rate, but the Fujifilm X-T5 really does open the doors for wildlife and sports photographers getting into this brand ecosystem and this is thanks to a number of features.
First up is the five-axis, In Body Image Stabilisation (IBIS) system that buys back a whopping seven stops of compensation for the user. This will be particularly useful both in low light conditions, but also when using longer focal lengths, as this is where camera shake can be more pronounced.
Next up is the burst rate, and this matches the 15 frames per second on the older X-T4, but remember, the sensor and processor engine are recording nearly double the resolution (26MP v 40MP) so to equal this figure is actually quite the achievement. At 15 frames per second using the mechanical shutter, photographers should be good for capturing fast moving sequences that you would encounter with sports and wildlife.
Lastly, when it comes to capturing fast moving scenes, an extra feature that will help the photographer is the presence of subject detection, so the autofocus system will identify a subject and lock on to it. Along with humans and eye detection, the X-T5 is able to detect animals, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, planes and even trains. The improved autofocus is partly thanks to an improved AF prediction algorithm that was newly developed for the X-H2S and this improves tracking when in AF-C (continuous focus mode).
Another difference between the X-T5 and the older X-T4 it replaces appears to be that the former is a more efficient camera, as the battery life between the two models is different. While the older X-T4 could offer 600 shots on a single charge, the X-T5 increases this to 740, bagging the user an extra 140 shots before they have to recharge and when that time comes, you can charge the X-T5 on the go using a powerbank.
What’s more, the X-T5 also includes an electronic shutter that is lightning quick and offers a maximum shutter speed of 1/180,000sec – yes, that many zeros, so it can be paired with flash lighting gear to capture split-second moments like a water drop landing and so on.
Video
- 6.2K internal video
- F-Log 2 support
- RAW output via HDMI
The Fujifilm X-T5 is not only a great camera for stills, but it is also suitable for use by indie filmmakers who want to take advantage of the huge resolution movies that can be produced. In fact, the Fujifilm X-T5 can shoot 6.2K video at 30p and at 4:2:2 10-bit, which means these files will capture a whole lot of tonal data that will help videographers colour grade footage back at the computer.
There’s also support for Fuji’s F-Log2 profiles, which will help widen the dynamic range that can be captured to 13+ stops and increase the tolerance of any colour grading.
If you have an external device, such as the Atomos Ninja, you can unlock additional features, such as the ability to record Apple ProRes RAW externally, but be aware that you’ll need a fairly speedy computer to edit this footage.
If 6.2K video is too much for your needs, you can instead make use of the 4K 60p option, which will enable you to use this footage at half speed for a high resolution slow motion effect. The one downside of recording 4K 60p is that there is a slight crop factor so if you want a wider view, you’ll have to use a wider focal length.
Image Quality
- 40-megapixel sensor
- Pixel Shift mode
- Film Simulation features
Photography is where the Fujifilm X-T5 really comes into its own and the real reason you should consider this camera as your next buy.
Let’s start with the AP-C sensor, which is a X-Trans CMOS 5 HR that is paired with the X-Processor 5 engine. There’s no Low Pass filter and the sensor uses a Stacked Layer, Back-Illuminated design for increased image quality.
How does the stacked sensor work? Well, by placing the chips that process and read out signals on the back of the sensor surface, Fuji says the reading speed is more than four times faster than the X-T4 and more than 30 times faster than the first-generation model.
But what if you need even more resolution? Well, Fuji has you covered for that as well because the X-T5 has a Pixel Shift feature that takes advantage of that advanced IBIS system to fire off 220 frames before combining them into a gigantic 160-megapixel single frame. This will massively appeal to photographers looking to make big, big prints or even billboards from their photos.
But it’s not just the size of the imagery that’s impressive, the style and quality of the photos are superior too. In fact, the X-T5 includes no less than 19 Film Simulation modes, which recreate the look and tone of famous films. From Prova, to Velvia to Classic Chrome and Nostalgic Neg, there are so many to explore and incorporate into your portfolio and the quality of the files are stunning.
When you work in RAW file format, the files hold a huge amount of tonal data, and this makes it easy for a photographer to tweak Highlights to recover detail in the skies or to boost Shadows to reveal detail in darker areas of the frame.
The White Balance settings can be tweaked and the new deep-learning AI technology aims to optimise Auto White Balance performance in X-T5 by accurately identifying warm, orange-tinged colours to assist with the camera’s Auto White Balance accuracy.
So, in summary, if image quality is one of the key considerations to buying a new camera, the Fujifilm X-T5 has a huge amount to offer. The X-T5 handles digital noise very well and the images are free from unwanted colour casts. Colour rendition on the whole is spectacular and the X-Trans sensor just adds that premium feel to the colour science in the frames.
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Should you buy it?
You want a great value camera for high-resolution photography
For what you get with the Fujifilm X-T5, it actually offers incredible value for money, beating off competition from the likes of Nikon and Sony.
You’re a newcomer to high-end photography:
The dials system and general look will appeal to many but not all. In fact newcomers to photography may be turned off by the analogue approach with a lack of standard mode dial.
Final Thoughts
If you don’t want to go full-frame, there really are very, very few APS-C cameras that can come close to the Fujifilm X-T5. With a pro-spec build quality and the advances to the autofocus, this is a big step up from the X-T4 and I would expect many existing Fuji users to trade in their older camera and make the jump up to the X-T5.
The big resolution does come at the cost of the burst rate that, while still decent, can’t match rival cameras. However, the most important thing about this camera is the quality of the stills imagery and there’s no mistaking it produces first class photos that users will be proud of.
Check out our Best Camera guide for even more options.
How we test
We test every camera we review thoroughly. We use set tests to compare features properly and we use it as our main device over the review period. We’ll always tell you what we find and we never, ever, accept money to review a product.
The Fujifilm X-T5 was tested in a range of different lighting conditions using multiple lenses
Video clips were captured in a range of resolution and frame rates
Video clips were captured in a range of resolution and frame rates and images were captured in uncompressed RAW file format and converted in Adobe Lightroom.
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FAQs
The Fuji X-T5 delivers a resolution of 40.2-megapixels via its APS-C X-Trans CMOS 5 Black-Illuminated stacked sensor.
The Fuji X-T5 can record 6.2K video internally, along with 4K 60p and there’s even a super slow motion 240p option at Full HD.
Yes, the enhanced image quality is great at capturing the form and texture inside a landscape scene, plus the option of the 120-megapixel Pixel-Shift option means you can capture a scene in even higher resolution.
Full specs
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Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
