p.15 #3 · Fujifilm X-E5 and XF23mm f/2.8 Preorders started
Ordered from B&H a couple minutes after preorders opened - arrived a couple days ago 8/25. My goal - lightweight walkaround camera that I can change lenses on, X100V replacement, basically.
Very happy with this camera. The film sim dial is more useful than I expected, especially the FS1-3 custom recipes. Clever implementation of custom buttons, especially the "viewfinder lever" that supports 5 different functions.
The eye and subject-detection AF is miles ahead of my last fuji camera (X100V). Feels about on par or better than my Z7ii but I haven't really put it through the paces - not doing action photography or birding with this thing anyway.
Build quality feels solid, no complaints there. Definitely heavier than my X100V, but not overly so.
A couple quirks,
* the startup and switching between playback/shooting is very slow if the 23mm f2.8 lens (that came with it) is attached. No issue with the other lens I have (35mm f2).
* it's very hard to get the SD card out, due to the slot's position next to the battery/card door. I usually have to let it "shoot" out and try and catch it, or catch a nail on one of the ridges on the card and drag it out.
Attached picture is a JPG straight from the camera (other than leveling in post)
p.15 #4 · Fujifilm X-E5 and XF23mm f/2.8 Preorders started
I saw some video comparisons about this start up and shut down time. It definitely lags. Glad to hear it's just with the 23 because it sounds like something firmware could address.
agvogel wrote:
Ordered from B&H a couple minutes after preorders opened - arrived a couple days ago 8/25. My goal - lightweight walkaround camera that I can change lenses on, X100V replacement, basically.
Very happy with this camera. The film sim dial is more useful than I expected, especially the FS1-3 custom recipes. Clever implementation of custom buttons, especially the "viewfinder lever" that supports 5 different functions.
The eye and subject-detection AF is miles ahead of my last fuji camera (X100V). Feels about on par or better than my Z7ii but I haven't really put it through the paces - not doing action photography or birding with this thing anyway.
Build quality feels solid, no complaints there. Definitely heavier than my X100V, but not overly so.
A couple quirks,
* the startup and switching between playback/shooting is very slow if the 23mm f2.8 lens (that came with it) is attached. No issue with the other lens I have (35mm f2).
* it's very hard to get the SD card out, due to the slot's position next to the battery/card door. I usually have to let it "shoot" out and try and catch it, or catch a nail on one of the ridges on the card and drag it out.
Attached picture is a JPG straight from the camera (other than leveling in post)
p.15 #8 · Fujifilm X-E5 and XF23mm f/2.8 Preorders started
fotografur wrote:
I guess it was in stock. Ordered at 4:24pm notified it shipped 4:31pm 😳
Got mine a few days ago. Haven't had a lot of time to play with it but it's a healthy upgrade over my old XE1 and they managed to keep the size really small even with the IBIS. Definately a major upgrade in build quality all around. Seems like it will play very nicely with my assortment of really small/pancake primes for an ultra compact kit. I have noticed the new side mounted focus mode switch gets changed really easily never noticed that with the front mount dial. The new 23mm pancake is nice as well made as well, fits very tightly and the aperture ring has a nice smooth feel. Overall nicely done.
p.15 #9 · Fujifilm X-E5 and XF23mm f/2.8 Preorders started
I’ve had mine for almost a week now and have been loving every second of it. No regrets parting with the X100VI. The added flexibility of being able to swap lenses outweighs any of the small tradeoffs.
Here are a few from a trip to the Toronto Reference Library… many with the new Viltrox 15mm 1.7
X-E5AF 15/1.7 XF lens15mmf/2.51/100s250 ISO-1.0 EV
X-E5AF 15/1.7 XF lens15mmf/6.41/15s400 ISO0.0 EV
X-E5AF 15/1.7 XF lens15mmf/6.41/30s400 ISO0.0 EV
X-E5AF 15/1.7 XF lens15mmf/6.41/30s400 ISO0.0 EV
X-E5XF23mmF2.8 R WR lens23mmf/5.61/400s2000 ISO-1.7 EV
p.15 #10 · Fujifilm X-E5 and XF23mm f/2.8 Preorders started
I originally had no plans to buy an X-E5; seemed like too much money for something no better than what I had (X100VI, XPro2, X-T5).
Then I read about the FS1-3 feature, which corrects the one problem I’ve had with every camera since the XT4/XPro3/GFX50R… they ‘broke’ the Custom Settings feature by having it push all settings. The XE5 corrects this with the “FS” settings (albeit for three slots rather than seven).
As a result, the XE5 is now my only X body. I’m enjoying it very much, so far. AF of the XT5, size of the X100VI, classic Fuji controls of the XPro2.
Here’s my favorite from a morning walk with the 60/2.4–a bee waiting for the sun to reach his dewy morning perch:
p.15 #11 · Fujifilm X-E5 and XF23mm f/2.8 Preorders started
I received mine yesterday. First impressions is the small size and little buttons and wheels which takes some getting use too coming from FF son and Fuji GFX.
I must say the quality and heft is not like any Fuji I had before. It's a solid feeling body.
The 23 f2.8 seems plenty sharp right out to the edges on my copy at f2.8
These are my standard testing shots. I currently have no other Fuji lenses but here's the frame shot with a Sony FF and 50mm lens at f2
And then the Fuji at f2.8 and a fuji crop of that shot to see sharpness. All jpg because of no raw converter yet.
p.15 #12 · Fujifilm X-E5 and XF23mm f/2.8 Preorders started
Finally had hands on one of these yesterday and wow, it's pretty much exactly what I was hoping Fuji would make. I was a heavy X-E1/X-E2 user years ago, and this camera just feels so much more refined (and quite a bit smaller) than those bodies were. Myself from 2012 would be so jealous of this camera, it is the closest Fuji have gotten to the "autofocusing Leica M" experience I've been hoping for. Very nicely executed, and I definitely want one, except for that price tag...
p.15 #14 · Fujifilm X-E5 and XF23mm f/2.8 Preorders started
After using the X-E5 kit for a few days now, I've decided the 23 2.8 lens is worth every bit of the $499 standalone price. Build quality, sharpness, color, contrast, and focus falloff are outstanding for a pancake lens. In my head, I think of the $299 kit discount as applying to the body, not the lens:
p.15 #15 · Fujifilm X-E5 and XF23mm f/2.8 Preorders started
highdesertmesa wrote:
After using the X-E5 kit for a few days now, I've decided the 23 2.8 lens is worth every bit of the $499 standalone price. Build quality, sharpness, color, contrast, and focus falloff are outstanding for a pancake lens. In my head, I think of the $299 kit discount as applying to the body, not the lens:
Lens $499
Body $1,400
Yeah and now that Fuji(and others) have had to increase the prices on all their other models for tariffs the price for the body which initially seemed a little high seems more realistic.
p.15 #16 · Fujifilm X-E5 and XF23mm f/2.8 Preorders started
rbf_ wrote:
Yeah and now that Fuji(and others) have had to increase the prices on all their other models for tariffs the price for the body which initially seemed a little high seems more realistic.
Agreed.
Part of my problem with the price before was due to some of the specs: EVF and LCD resolution and lack of weather sealing. Since getting one, the image in the EVF is a little smaller than other cameras, but the quality of the image looks great to me. And the LCD looks great, and that's comparing it to the X-M5, 100RF, and what I remember from my brief ownership of the X-T5. As for weather sealing, I decided to think of this camera as an APS-C autofocus Leica M-Q hybrid. I was always fine with no weather sealing on the M11 and M lenses, and this at least comes with a WR lens.
p.15 #17 · Fujifilm X-E5 and XF23mm f/2.8 Preorders started
I’ve had a very similar experience. I actually enjoy the viewfinder… especially with the classic mode set. I’ve been shooting with a Zf and both Leica Q3’s and fully expected to be annoyed with the transition, but the the X-E5’s viewfinder is sharp, bright and easy to see in bright light, with no noticeable lag.
The 23mm lens impresses me more and more with each use… the rendering is excellent… the AF speed is solid… it only hunts a little in situations with a combo of low light and contrast, and even then it locks on pretty quickly.
Build quality is also very nice… great action on the aperture ring. For a lens that weighs 90 grams, I’m not sure what more you could ask for.
I had chat GPT put together one chart of various body/lens combos and another of day-kit options I have to choose from. These days, weight and portability are priority features for me… I want a camera that makes me want to take it with me everywhere at all times. That’s been the main driver for me to switch to Fuji… the X100Vi having served as the gateway drug that got the transition started.
highdesertmesa wrote:
Agreed.
Part of my problem with the price before was due to some of the specs: EVF and LCD resolution and lack of weather sealing. Since getting one, the image in the EVF is a little smaller than other cameras, but the quality of the image looks great to me. And the LCD looks great, and that's comparing it to the X-M5, 100RF, and what I remember from my brief ownership of the X-T5. As for weather sealing, I decided to think of this camera as an APS-C autofocus Leica M-Q hybrid. I was always fine with no weather sealing on the M11 and M lenses, and this at least comes with a WR lens....Show more →
Sep 06, 2025 at 09:20 PM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
p.15 #18 · Fujifilm X-E5 and XF23mm f/2.8 Preorders started
Raptor_Fan76 wrote:
I’ve had a very similar experience. I actually enjoy the viewfinder… especially with the classic mode set. I’ve been shooting with a Zf and both Leica Q3’s and fully expected to be annoyed with the transition, but the the X-E5’s viewfinder is sharp, bright and easy to see in bright light, with no noticeable lag.
The 23mm lens impresses me more and more with each use… the rendering is excellent… the AF speed is solid… it only hunts a little in situations with a combo of low light and contrast, and even then it locks on pretty quickly.
Build quality is also very nice… great action on the aperture ring. For a lens that weighs 90 grams, I’m not sure what more you could ask for.
I had chat GPT put together one chart of various body/lens combos and another of day-kit options I have to choose from. These days, weight and portability are priority features for me… I want a camera that makes me want to take it with me everywhere at all times. That’s been the main driver for me to switch to Fuji… the X100Vi having served as the gateway drug that got the transition started.
Oddly GPT left out the Sony options which include:
Rx1R III (35 f/2 lens) - 500g
A7C II or A7Cr (515g) + Sony/Zeiss 35 f/2.8 (120g) total - 635g
A7C II or A7CR (515g) + Sony 28 f/2 (200g) + Sony/Zeiss 35 f/2.8 (120g) + Sony 50 f/2.5 G (174g) for a total of 1009g
p.15 #19 · Fujifilm X-E5 and XF23mm f/2.8 Preorders started
I’m not the biggest fan of the Sony user experience… it feels too much like trying to make an image with a household appliance… at least for my personal taste. To be fair, the last Sony I shot for a sustained period of time with was an A7iii, but the user experience + Sony’s colour science was enough to keep me from looking at the brand ever since. I like their sensors, though!
The new RX1r looks like it’s fun to use, but 60mp with no ibis puts it outside the boundries of my handholding capabilities (cursed with unsteady hands) in too many situations.
But those are for sure valid options for a lot of people, just not me personally.
Steve Spencer wrote:
Oddly GPT left out the Sony options which include:
Rx1R III (35 f/2 lens) - 500g
A7C II or A7Cr (515g) + Sony/Zeiss 35 f/2.8 (120g) total - 635g
A7C II or A7CR (515g) + Sony 28 f/2 (200g) + Sony/Zeiss 35 f/2.8 (120g) + Sony 50 f/2.5 G (174g) for a total of 1009g
p.15 #20 · Fujifilm X-E5 and XF23mm f/2.8 Preorders started
Just an FYI for those still waiting on their black X-E5 and XF 23mm f/2.8 R WR kit. B&H sent me an email earlier today that my pre-order shipped. It was ordered at 7:29 AM on the 12th of June.
So they must have received a shipment from Fujifilm recently. Good luck if you are still waiting on yours.
