So… that new FUJIFILM X-M5.

So… that new FUJIFILM X-M5.

This one is easy so it should not be long. (Me from the future. Lies.)

I will start by saying I am not the intended customer. But it would not be the first time a product not intended for me found a home so I have some thoughts. I know. You are shocked.

Like the Lumix S9 this is aimed at a video use case so it is not the camera for me. While not full frame this is no slight at all. Smaller sensors make more sense for the intended purpose in my opinion. Saves on size and manages to add a couple of things over the S9 like a hot shoe and headphone jack. Neither has an EVF which is a no for me. The S9 lost some stuff to keep it small, but it seems the X-M5 lost something to keep the price point down.

• No IBIS.

That is a definite no for me. I am sure the optical stabilization for video is effective, but I am more of a stills person so that does not help. Why am I even looking at the S9 and X-M5 if I am not in the market for a video camera? Easy. Because there is a camera aimed at video users that I love using for stills.

While sporting a smaller sensors and also not having an EVF it counters with:

• IBIS (Missing on X-M5)
• A hot shoe (Missing on S9)
• A headphone jack (Missing on S9)
• Built in ND filter (Missing on both)
• Product mode (Fuji added their own variant, missing on S9)
• One button blur (Fuji added their own variant, missing on S9)
• An f/1.8-2.8 ZEISS lens built in.
• Stellar AF. (I am sure both others will do fine, but the Sony AF seems almost supernatural in its speed and accuracy.)

Sure, at a few years old it does lose a step to the others in the ongoing features race, but it has all I need to get it done.

And if I wanted an EVF in a small package I do not need all of those specs for stills. Other older cameras like this…

…would do just fine for my purposes.

This is of no help to video inclined folks admittedly, but makes far more sense for me.

Where was I? Right. The Fujfilm XM-5.

Do I want one?

Yes… It looks cool. And I like Fujifilm products. I can even forgive its lack of EVF. The no IBIS thing is a harder pill to swallow I will admit. But, I get it. Price point and everything.

Will I get one?

No. Here in the year of our Lord 2024 no IBIS is a no go for me no matter who makes it or how cool it may look. Unfortunately due to compact Fujifilm camera body prices experiencing X100-flation I can not even recommend my past favorite at the current asking price.

At what I paid the last time I took a Fujfilm spin right before the world went sideways it was a bargain. Now? A bit pricey. But it is still a fine option.

Anyhoo. I said this would be a short and that has already proven to be a lie so I will stop myself here.

All the best to those with whom the X-M5 resonates. Use it in good health. It is a great product. I am sure great things will come from it.

Happy capturing.

-ELW