2 weeks ago
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The Fujifilm X-E5 sits in an interesting spot in the Fujifilm lineup: it has the same 40-megapixel sensor as the Fujifilm X-T5 but in a body closer in size to the X100 series, with interchangeable lenses. After a year of daily use, including replacing the X-T5 as his main body, Mitch Lally has a clear picture of exactly who this camera is for and where it falls short.
Coming to you from Mitch Lally, this detailed one-year retrospective goes well beyond a typical first-impression review. Lally originally tested the X-E5 before its release, liked it enough to pre-order his own copy, and has been shooting it alongside the X-T5 ever since. One of the more practical points he covers is how the 40-megapixel sensor makes the digital teleconverter genuinely useful: cropping in still leaves you with around 20 megapixels, which he compares directly to the Canon EOS R6 he shot with for years.
Where things get interesting is when Lally draws a clear line between the X-E5 and the X-T5 for professional work. The viewfinder on the X-E5 is smaller, lacks the rubberized eyepiece surround, and gets uncomfortable over long sessions. More significantly, the X-E5 doesn't support live tethering, which rules it out for commercial shoots where a client or digital tech needs to see images in real time through Capture One. If your work involves that kind of setup, Lally is direct: the X-T5 is the right tool. The X-E5 is better understood as a travel camera or a capable second body, and for hobbyists who like the X100 VI's look but want interchangeable lenses, it's a strong option.
One section of the video that's worth watching closely is Lally's account of dropping the camera onto asphalt in Okinawa. The camera survived better than expected, but removing the damaged bottom plate to replace it revealed something worth knowing before you take this camera into rough conditions. He also shares his honest take on the film simulation dial on top of the camera, which he finds gimmicky given the price point, and explains why he'd rather have an ISO dial there instead. He rounds out the video with real-world shots taken with the Viltrox 25mm f/1.7 and the TTArtisan 75mm, showing what you can get out of budget lenses on the X mount.
Check out the video above for the full rundown from Lally, including the drop test details and his take on where the X-E5 fits as he looks ahead to the X-T6.
English (US) ·