None of this is gonna make sense if it’s only looked at from a utility standpoint.
In the Summit, Fuji straight up referred to it as a X100VI ILC. Whether anyone agrees it actually is or not, that is an undeniable change in Fuji’s positioning than any previous XE line and is consistent with the updated X100VI like design language and new ILC pancake 23mm. Many of the initial “reviews” echoed the X100VI ILC sentiment so the rebranding engine for the XE line is in full force … and they started moving in this direction even with the rear design minimalism of the XE4.
The design is what Fuji is betting on to sell it at this price … not the added value in upgraded XE features or 3-4 year old tech at this point. This means that people who want function over form will not likely be buying the XE5.
Is it worth $1699? To you no. To me yes. To others, we will see.
Ultimately something is worth what someone is willing to pay. Some pay for function, some form, some for other reasons, or all of the above. Personally, for most all pro work Fuji would never be my first choice. And if function was top priority for me in the Fuji arsenal at the $1699 price point, I’d never choose an XE5 over XT5 (the XT5 was my first Fuji and loved it). Like you said, doesn’t make sense.
It only makes sense when form trumps function. And form tends to appeal way more to emotion than sense. Some consumers are totally willing to pay for products or services that make them feel good, even if it’s not the “best”.
I don’t know much about the future. But looking at the past, Fuji is brilliant with selling form so we will see … maybe they will flop and y’all can grab discounted XE5’s just in time for Xmas. 🤣
Malick80 wrote:
None of this is gonna make sense if it’s only looked at from a utility standpoint.
In the Summit, Fuji straight up referred to it as a X100VI ILC. Whether anyone agrees it actually is or not, that is an undeniable change in Fuji’s positioning than any previous XE line and is consistent with the updated X100VI like design language and new ILC pancake 23mm. Many of the initial “reviews” echoed the X100VI ILC sentiment so the rebranding engine for the XE line is in full force … and they started moving in this direction even with the rear design minimalism of the XE4.
The design is what Fuji is betting on to sell it at this price … not the added value in upgraded XE features or 3-4 year old tech at this point. This means that people who want function over form will not likely be buying the XE5.
Is it worth $1699? To you no. To me yes. To others, we will see.
Ultimately something is worth what someone is willing to pay. Some pay for function, some form, some for other reasons, or all of the above. Personally, for most all pro work Fuji would never be my first choice. And if function was top priority for me in the Fuji arsenal at the $1699 price point, I’d never choose an XE5 over XT5 (the XT5 was my first Fuji and loved it). Like you said, doesn’t make sense.
It only makes sense when form trumps function. And form tends to appeal way more to emotion than sense. Some consumers are totally willing to pay for products or services that make them feel good, even if it’s not the “best”.
I don’t know much about the future. But looking at the past, Fuji is brilliant with selling form so we will see … maybe they will flop and y’all can grab discounted XE5’s just in time for Xmas. 🤣...Show more →
What the X-E5 price indicates is that the X100VI price is way off. If there is a next one, the price will be much higher (if only because of the hybrid VF). But if the X-E5 catches on as an X100 alternative, it is well possible that Fuji may consider the future of the X100 line. I bet it is not a very profitable ine at the current price, which may be a reason Fuji turns out only a limited number. So yes, the X-E5 can be the start of a new concept, and the next X-Pro may be an X-EPro that is larger than the X-E5 with more feature - but also again more expensive. At some point, the pricing will be hard to sustain in competition with FF.
^yeah man I agree it’s likely Fuji will bump up the X100 line to $1799-$1999. I’ve never seen X100VI’s on the resale market under $1800 and up to $2300 (not including crazy $2800 EBay scalpers). I imagine Fuji has been keeping tabs of this $200-$700 valuation (by some, who knows how many).
And everyone should pucker up preparing for a $2499-$2999 Xpro4 that will likely launch the X Trans 6 sensor. Sony A7C2/R are in that range, the awesome Nikon ZF and others. I think Fuji has to continue going all in on form (ie Xpro actually a real RF but with EVF). Fuji has boldly set their goal to be like Leica so who knows how that turns out. I have the GFX100RF and was surprised it was close if not same to Leica build quality … and just a beautiful camera.
Saw a horror story on YouTube about the X-E5 strap lug completely failing, causing the camera to go flying. After some searching, found a number of others on Reddit with the same experience. Apparently Fuji has a bulletin out on this, and will inspect the camera if you have loose lugs. Sucks they didn't just do a full recall like Nikon did with the Z8.
Saw a horror story on YouTube about the X-E5 strap lug completely failing, causing the camera to go flying. After some searching, found a number of others on Reddit with the same experience. Apparently Fuji has a bulletin out on this, and will inspect the camera if you have loose lugs. Sucks they didn't just do a full recall like Nikon did with the Z8.
I wrote to the Fuji repair facility in New Jersey about this and on November 20, 2025, this was their response:
Unfortunately, there is no pre-emptive way to discern defective strap lugs for your camera - and there is currently no product recall for the issue.
Replacement of the strap lugs would require disassembly of the camera body at our repair facility.
All FujiFilm products come with a one year warranty against manufacturer's defects when purchased via an authorized FujiFilm dealer - a complete US based authorized vendor list can be found at: https://www.fujifilm-x.com/en-us/shop/
If you feel this needs to be addressed, you can get your camera to us for a physical examination.
Normally, you start the repair process at our website:
What a shitty answer from Fuji. There's no way to know you might have bad lugs until they fail, and there's nothing they'll do for you until then...and insult to injury, this is only covered under their standard warranty?
RoamingScott wrote:
What a shitty answer from Fuji. There's no way to know you might have bad lugs until they fail, and there's nothing they'll do for you until then...and insult to injury, this is only covered under their standard warranty?
Pathetic.
I suppose one could send their camera to Edison, NJ, for inspection but I think they will only wiggle the lugs to see if they are loose and then send it back if they aren't. I can wiggle them myself. I guess the lesson is for owners to check their lugs regularly. I'm going to take my own advice and check them now.
TENOG wrote:
I wrote to the Fuji repair facility in New Jersey about this and on November 20, 2025, this was their response:
Unfortunately, there is no pre-emptive way to discern defective strap lugs for your camera - and there is currently no product recall for the issue.
Replacement of the strap lugs would require disassembly of the camera body at our repair facility.
All FujiFilm products come with a one year warranty against manufacturer's defects when purchased via an authorized FujiFilm dealer - a complete US based authorized vendor list can be found at: https://www.fujifilm-x.com/en-us/shop/
If you feel this needs to be addressed, you can get your camera to us for a physical examination.
Normally, you start the repair process at our website:
When the opposite voice to Fujifilm’s is some social media posters, I’m not going to be too fast to diss Fujifilm for this.
At the end they do say “If you feel this needs to be addressed, you can get your camera to us for a physical examination.” That seems like the right response, and it is what you wanted, right? If so, send it in for the examination that they have offered.
Saw a horror story on YouTube about the X-E5 strap lug completely failing, causing the camera to go flying. After some searching, found a number of others on Reddit with the same experience. Apparently Fuji has a bulletin out on this, and will inspect the camera if you have loose lugs. Sucks they didn't just do a full recall like Nikon did with the Z8.
Thanks for the heads up. I didn’t realize this is now recognized as a known problem. I will reach out to Fuji but does anyone have a written description of how to check your X-E5 to diagnose if it has a problem? If you bought your version from B&H can they offer any support?
swidstn posted: "Thanks for the heads up. I didn’t realize this is now recognized as a known problem. I will reach out to Fuji but does anyone have a written description of how to check your X-E5 to diagnose if it has a problem? If you bought your version from B&H can they offer any support?"
I checked the lugs on my X-E5 and they are fine. From what I read, only a very small percentage had a problem.
Text Skimmer wrote:
What a shitty answer from Fuji. There's no way to know you might have bad lugs until they fail, and there's nothing they'll do for you until then...and insult to injury, this is only covered under their standard warranty?
Pathetic.
You apparently missed this part where they said he could send it in and they would check it:
Fujifilm’s reply stated ”…you can get your camera to us for a physical examination.”
gaopa wrote:
I checked the lugs on my X-E5 and they are fine. From what I read, only a very small percentage had a problem.
There's really no way to know how widespread it is, if it was limited to a certain batch, etc. Complicating matters are the fact that there are the two versions of the X-E5, one of which is the "made in Japan", meaning there are two paths to the finished camera.
Something to regularly inspect if you have an X-E5.
I'm assuming that no one here on the Forum has experienced a problem with X-E5 strap lugs since none have reported it. If someone has, please post the news.
Took X-E5 on a 2 week trip to Patagonia. Just from taking in/out of bag, the top right and left edge black paint already has rubbed off showing metal. Disappointed how thin the paint is, despite being a made in Japan model, doesn’t seem the durability is there; hoping the strap nuts are not from the defective batch.
TENOG wrote:
I'm assuming that no one here on the Forum has experienced a problem with X-E5 strap lugs since none have reported it. If someone has, please post the news.
I am not saying that no it is impossible that such an issue has affected someone, but if it were widespread you’d expect at least a few new XE5 owners among the many here who bought it would have posted about it. But so far it is all “someone posted on social media.”
Whatever it is, it doesn’t seem to affect many people.
Saw a horror story on YouTube about the X-E5 strap lug completely failing, causing the camera to go flying. After some searching, found a number of others on Reddit with the same experience. Apparently Fuji has a bulletin out on this, and will inspect the camera if you have loose lugs. Sucks they didn't just do a full recall like Nikon did with the Z8.
Per Fuji's notice about the lug issue, fewer than 1 in 1000 cameras of all units shipped are affected. I've had the camera since October and haven't noticed any problems.
Patrick made a fawning post on FR today about the X-E5 and the first comment was from someone that had theirs hit the concrete thanks to a failed lug. Had to laugh at the timing.
I recently read (on DPR IIRC) that if your camera has a serial # that begins with 5D the lug problem will not be an issue. I'm not stating this is factual, just what I've seen elsewhere.
