The new Fujifilm X-T5 features a 40.2megapixel sensor and is aimed at both stills and video shooters, whether enthusiast or professional, thanks to impressive specifications in both stills and video. This is the design that Fujifilm is most known for and X series fans have been waiting for.

It features a back side illuminated or BSI X-Trans CMOS 5 HR 40 megapixel sensor and the super fast X-Processor 5, which we saw debuted in the X-H2S and then again in the X-H2. It’s capable of 15 frames per second in mechanical shutter, 20 mechanical, has a pixel shift mode capable of producing 160 megapixel images, features up to 7 stops of internal body stabilisation or IBIS, 6.2K 30p 10-bit 4:2:2 video features up to 13 stops of dynamic range with F-log2. It’s smaller and lighter than the X-H2, 15% lighter in fact, and retains the classic styling you’re used to from the Fujifilm X-T series.

It follows on from the X-T4 in Fujifilm’s very popular X-T line-up. The “T” in Fujifilm X-T stands for “traditional” and as such the X-T5 retains the traditional styling and handling; featuring shutter speed and ISO dials on the top of the camera as well as the pentaprism style design.

The X-T4 was the first in the X-T series t feature 5 axis IBIS, offered improved video features to the Fujifilm X-T3, a new, more powerful and efficient battery, improved tracking and Eye AF, up to 15fps mechanic shutter, improved controls (still / movie mode on the control dial), a multi-angle lcd screen and some other minor changes or improvements. It was designed as a sister model, rather than a replacement to the X-T3.

So, there’s a lot of X-T3 users with high hopes for this X-T5 and X-T4 users who are hoping for significant upgrades as well.

The Fujifilm X-T5 is the more traditional style camera that you’re used to from Fujifilm. But is this an X-H2 in an X-T body or is there more to it?

 

Watch our full video review where we compare this new X-T5 to the X-H2 and X-H2S.

 

The X-T5 features the same 40MP sensor and incredibly fast X-Processor 5 found in the X-H2. It also shares the same 7 stop In body image stabilisation and 15 fps mechanical or 20 fps blackout free electronic shutter and you’ll also find the same film simulation modes and 10-bit HEIF stills as found in the X-H2. It also features the same 160MP pixel shift mode found in the X-H2.

This will be the world’s second 40MP APS-C camera, hot off the back of the Fujifilm X-H2.

The key differences between the two come in video modes, form factor and general design and handling.

For stills and video there’s up to 7 stops of 5 axis In body image stabilisation. X-T3 users, who have NO IBIS are going to see massive improvements here, but there’s also improvements to the IBIS seen on X-T4. This is the same as in the X-H2 and X-H2S.

Just like the X-H2, this is capable of 20frames per second continuous shooting in electronic shutter mode and 15 frames mechanical. A little dive into the specs however shows that the X-H2 is going to excel here. The buffer on the X-T5 is far lower. For example, at 20fps on the X-T5, you’ve got 168 frames, versus 1000 plus on the X-H2. For uncompressed RAW and jpeg the specs are showing 23 frames… or about one second’s shooting… compared to approximately 11 seconds on the X-H2. That’s a big difference!

Low light performance matches that of the X-H2, from 125 to 12,800 expandable down to 64 and 51,200.

 

 

For autofocus, it’s the same Intelligent Hybrid AF found in the X-H2 and the X-H2S. In the Single point AF mode there are up to 425 selectable AF points. As well as this, there’s Zone AF and just like in the X-H2 and X-H2S, the camera can detect animals, birds, cars, bikes, planes and trains.

The AF in both the X-H2 isn’t quite as fast as in the X-H2S… but still very impressive. Autofocus, tracking and eye AF, animal AF, etc. all work in stills and video.

 

Video

For video, the X-T5 has up to 6.2K/30p as opposed to 8k/30p in the X-H2. However, you’ve still got a very impressive 6.2K in 4:2:2 10-bit colour, plus there’s a 4K HQ mode which oversamples 6.2K footage for superior 4K output. This can be used to make the most of a 2x digital zoom function to provide further versatility. It features both f-log and f-log2, f-log 2 provides even more dynamic range of around 13stops. This is great for colour grading as you’ll see from our examples.

On top of this if you want to record with a suitable Atomos or Blackmagic external device, doing so will unlock 12-bit Apple ProRes RAW and Blackmagic RAW too. So, despite the design of this camera being distinctly more stills-orientated… this is still a very capable video camera.

It also features 240p Full HD slow-motion recording as well. This is just like the X-H2, but significantly less than the 4k 240p you’ll find on the X-H2S.

It also features a red frame when recording and IS boost in video mode as well. This takes the already impressive image stabilisation and digitally enhances this for even more stable video footage.

 

 

Design & Handling

The camera is noticeably smaller and lighter and features the traditional control dials you’d expect on an X-T camera, including shutter speed and ISO and exposure compensation. But other key differences between this new X-T5 and the X-H2 and X-H2S come in both the viewfinder and LCD screen on the back. It’s also weather sealed.

The viewfinder is a 3.69 million dot OLED EVF, the same as found in the X-T4, but noticeably different from the 5.75 million dot OLED EVF you’ll find on the X-H2. It’s a good viewfinder, it’s comfortable to use, the image is bright and large and detailed. But if you were comparing side by side, you can tell the difference between the two and I personally prefer the X-H2’s viewfinder.

The LCD panel on the rear reverts back to a 3-way tilt, which X-T3 users will be familiar with. The X-T4 did away with this and moved to a fully articulated screen, which is what you’ll also find on the X-H2 and X-H2S. This is one reason why videographers will probably look more towards the X-H2 or X-H2S. In fact dedicated videographers are going to want to look more towards the X-H2S thanks to the 6.2 K 30p on offer there with massively improved rolling shutter when compared to this or the X-H2.

It feels superbly well built, as do the X-H2 and S models, plus the mechanical shutter guarantees 500,000 actuations so you can be confident that this will last!

 

On the side of the camera there are the standard ports you’d expect, including 3.5mm mic input, remote, USB C which is also able to be used for charging the camera, micro HDMI out – as opposed to full HMDI on the X-H2 and X-H2S and dual UHS-II SD card slots on the other side.

 

Just like the X-H2 and X-H2S the X-T5 uses the NP-W235 battery. Along with the more efficient processing power we’ve seen in the X-H2 and X-H2S that this will prove to be a long lasting battery and we certainly found that when testing. Fujifilm claim it will give around 680 frames from a single charge. Of course actual usage will vary dependent on conditions, but just like both X-H2 models, I found the battery life to be excellent.

 

Features

 

The X-T5 features the same sensor shift mode found in the X-H2, previously only found in Fujifilm GFX series medium format cameras. This Pixel Shift Multi-Shot mode by taking 20 individual images, shifting the sensor by 0.5 pixels between each frame. This feature utilizes the camera’s IBIS system to precisely shift the sensor, automatically recording 20 separate frames with one press of the shutter release.

Also found in the X-T5 AND the X-H2 are the digital teleconverter modes. These allow you to simulate a 1.4x or 2x teleconverter in-camera, utilising that massive 40mp resolution to crop into the image. Of course you don’t have to use these and you can crop in post. The detailed and large images you get from this camera mean there’s loads of room to play around afterwards if you didn’t quite nail your composition in the field.

There’s also an interval timer built in for timelapse shooting.

Just like other Fujifilm cameras, this features the film simulation modes, and introduces the new Nostalgic Negative Film Sim as well. This is an amber tinted highlight with rich shadow tone for a printed photo look and just like other Fujifilm cameras you can bracket up to 3 film simulations so you can try a few out at once.

 

Which should I buy? Fujifilm X-T5 vs X-H2 vs X-H2S

And that’s the X-T5… It’s a little bit of the X-T3, some X-T4 a lot of the X-H2! But which one should you buy?

 

It seems that Fujifilm have really found their perfect product line-up. The X-H2S, the X-H2 and the X-T5 all have their own little niche and will all appeal to different photographers and since the X-T4 and the X-H1, they’ve perfected where each camera sits and what they do…. And they do it really, really well. These APS-C mirrorless cameras can perform alongside the full frame mirrorless cameras from competitors and benefit from a range of dedicated smaller, lighter lenses and a small and light build on top.

 

There’s no perfect camera out there for everyone, but here’s which Fujifilm X series camera you might want to consider depending on your uses:

• Fujifilm X-H2S: speed and video for dedicated video or hybrid shooters who focus on fast action
• Fujiflm X-H2: high resolution, DSLR or traditional mirrorless handling for hybrid creators who shoot both stills and video
• Fujifilm X-T5: stills first photographers, but with powerful video for hybrid shooters who prefer the smaller, traditional form factor – wedding photographers will love this!