I'm getting back into Fujifilm X cameras after being away for a while; I'm tempted by the new X-E5 that is both small and supports their latest 40.5 Mpixel sensor along with IBIS so I did place a pre-order. While I wait for it to arrive at the end of August 2025 I decided to give the new sensor a look and found a mint used body X-T5. It clearly is larger and more full featured but still thought it would give me the learning I needed. Previously the last two Fujifilm bodies I owned were the X-E3 and X-T4 but sold those both a while ago.
I was a little surprised by the X-T5's now smaller body and how well it felt in my medium sized hands with the SmallRig bracket with the rubberized grip. Admit I might also need a grip of some kind for the X-E5 but don't know yet since I'm still two months away from seeing it and even trying it out.
Other than the new, smaller, form factor and the new Film simulation dial on the X-E5 and lighter weight is there any other improvements in the X-E5? Of course the range finder is a style I appreciate but the X-T5 has the better EVF.
I know a lot of people complained about the new higher price but for the moment lets leave that out of the discussion.
So, now that I have the X-T5 is still worth it to get an X-E5?
They are fundamentally different cameras. You need to decide whether you prefer a rangefinder style or DSLR style camera. The X-T5 works well with all Fuji and third party lenses; while the X-E5 is really made for use with the smaller Fujicrons and pancakes.
Seems like a good move to buy the X-T5 now that it’s been out a while and available at a discount. More camera for the money and then you could always pickup an X-E5 later once they are discounting/ available used, either as a 2nd body or to swap out.
Frankly, your XT5 is the better camera. The biggest difference I think you'll see is the resolution of the EVF's, meaning the XT5's being better, but even still not great...
This is frankly one of two main improvement Fuji had better address in their next XT6/XH3 series. The other is AF performance. If they don't, I believe it will essentially kill what little bit of the line they currently hold. As much as I like the small form factor, color quality and overall IQ from my XH2s, I am starting to detest the weak EVF and LCD performance. And at the same time I longingly await improved AF recognition and lock-on performance.
Fingers crossed, but at this point frankly I'm not overly optimistic that photographers like me are on Fuji's intended target-market radar. I'm seriously close to going back to Nikon. Or maybe even Sony or Canon, I just don't know...
swldstn wrote:
I'm getting back into Fujifilm X cameras after being away for a while; I'm tempted by the new X-E5 that is both small and supports their latest 40.5 Mpixel sensor along with IBIS so I did place a pre-order. While I wait for it to arrive at the end of August 2025 I decided to give the new sensor a look and found a mint used body X-T5. It clearly is larger and more full featured but still thought it would give me the learning I needed. Previously the last two Fujifilm bodies I owned were the X-E3 and X-T4 but sold those both a while ago.
I was a little surprised by the X-T5's now smaller body and how well it felt in my medium sized hands with the SmallRig bracket with the rubberized grip. Admit I might also need a grip of some kind for the X-E5 but don't know yet since I'm still two months away from seeing it and even trying it out.
Other than the new, smaller, form factor and the new Film simulation dial on the X-E5 and lighter weight is there any other improvements in the X-E5? Of course the range finder is a style I appreciate but the X-T5 has the better EVF.
I know a lot of people complained about the new higher price but for the moment lets leave that out of the discussion.
So, now that I have the X-T5 is still worth it to get an X-E5?
Unless you are certain that only the smallest of the Fujifilm ILC bodies will do or you are (inexplicably) passionate about some particular feature on the XE5,d the XT5 is a better choice in most cases.
The XE5 seems like a fine camera, but its price is the same as the XT5! The XT5 gets you the newer, higher capacity batter, two card slots, full manual controls, and a more comfortable carry.
Nielk Mike wrote:
They are fundamentally different cameras. You need to decide whether you prefer a rangefinder style or DSLR style camera. The X-T5 works well with all Fuji and third party lenses; while the X-E5 is really made for use with the smaller Fujicrons and pancakes.
In Sony, my main full frame system I actually own and use both styles of their DSLR style and their range finder style bodies and originally was after Fuji’s range finder style but even their DSLR style with the right lens is lighter than Sony’s range finder since that is a full frame camera (at least the one I own).
In Fuji I only see two pancake lenses, the XF 23/2.8 and XF 27/2.8 which are only 4mm apart in focal length.
X-T5 shooter here. Besides the better EVF on the X-T5, the LCD is also higher res and the IBIS sounds at least different. Just a minor detail but the X-E5 says 7 stops in the center, 6 on the periphery. Where the X-T5 just says 7 stops. To me it comes down to size and if you need/want the smaller size. I'm curious to get the X-E5 in hand when its available for looking at. For me, I would be a little concerned that its too small for my big clumsy hands. I had the SmallRig grip on my X-T5, big improvement over none, but found the Haoge a little bigger and better for me. But with the X-E5 focus on small size, it seems a little wacky to then make it bigger. I'll be interested in your comparison between them if you go through with the X-E5 order.
gdanmitchell wrote:
Unless you are certain that only the smallest of the Fujifilm ILC bodies will do or you are (inexplicably) passionate about some particular feature on the XE5,d the XT5 is a better choice in most cases.
The XE5 seems like a fine camera, but its price is the same as the XT5! The XT5 gets you the newer, higher capacity batter, two card slots, full manual controls, and a more comfortable carry.
There are several mint used X-T5’s at great prices to choose from on FM which come with an extra battery or grips. Average from $400 to $200 less than the X-E5. Even could have bought a second one today.
swldstn wrote:
In Sony, my main full frame system I actually own and use both styles of their DSLR style and their range finder style bodies and originally was after Fuji’s range finder style but even their DSLR style with the right lens is lighter than Sony’s range finder since that is a full frame camera (at least the one I own).
In Fuji I only see two pancake lenses, the XF 23/2.8 and XF 27/2.8 which are only 4mm apart in focal length.
There is the Voigtländer 18f2.8, a manual lens, but very good. And there are the small Fujicrons. Sony only has the 20f2.8 APS-C as pancake. But I think one can count the 24/40/50 trio for FF as "quasi" pancakes.
I briefly got some hands on time with an X-T5 recently and was not super impressed with the fit and finish. The silver paint looked and felt a bit cheap and I did not love the overall handling experience. From the early reviews, it seems like the body and annodization (paint?) of the X-E5 is a step up in this regard, despite not being weather sealed while the X-T5 ostensibly is. I am also personally more drawn to the form factor of the X-E5, but I value weight and compactness more highly than basically any other factors, so YMMV here.
Ultimately, I think I'd still probably chase an X100 over either, but if you're committed to an ILC, I think you should think first and foremost about the user experience you're after. The X-E5 with 23 2.8 is right at my threshold between "I can just toss this in a bag and go" and "I need to specifically accommodate a camera, so why not just bring my FF body?" If you can tolerate being price gouged, I think the X-E5 is the more compelling buy. I have my name on a list for the body + lens kit, and may begrudgingly pay the $1899 in August. There are just so few things like it on the market right now.
swldstn wrote:
In Fuji I only see two pancake lenses, the XF 23/2.8 and XF 27/2.8 which are only 4mm apart in focal length.
Many people regard the 18mm f/2 as being a pancake lens, though it isn’t quite as small as the other two. The so-called “Fujicrons” are also pretty small, though not actually pancakes: 23mm, 35mm, and 50mm f/2. There are some other small lenses, too, such as a 16mm prime. For a 50mm f/1.4 equivalent, the old 35mm f/1.4 is pretty compact.
They all work on th XE5 and XT5 and every other APS-C Fujifilm ILC.
SGinNorcal wrote:
I'm curious to get the X-E5 in hand when its available for looking at. For me, I would be a little concerned that its too small for my big clumsy hands.
This is one of those very subjective issues where the specific difference (body size) will point one way for some users and the opposite way for others. I do not currently own an XE body, though I used to and I have used at least three different versions of this model. In my view the XT5 is a more comfortable body to hold and use, especially if you will carry it soured in your hands and/or if you use larger lenses. On the other hand, if you are looking for a very small body and plan to use it mostly with smaller lenses — perhaps because you travel with the camera and/or want something less obtrusive you might think tht the small XE size is a real plus.
gaopa wrote:
I have and enjoy my Fuji X-T5, but would like to add an X-E5; however, the X-E5 is grossly overpriced in the USA, IMHO.
That’s exactly the problem. If the XE5 were still at the old price point relative to other Fujifilm models, the low coast for such a competent camera would make it really attractive for a lot of buyers. But when it costs the same as the XT5 — which is a better camera with more features — the value proposition of the XE5 ends up being really only its somewhat smaller size.
nightnight wrote:
I briefly got some hands on time with an X-T5 recently and was not super impressed with the fit and finish. The silver paint looked and felt a bit cheap and I did not love the overall handling experience. From the early reviews, it seems like the body and annodization (paint?) of the X-E5 is a step up in this regard…
Of course almost none of us has any actual experience with the XE5 at this point, but my impression is that while the body is claimed to be a bit better compared to previous XE models and that its design has been tweaked to appear more like the X100vi — a fine thing.
But it isn’t my impression that the fit and finish / build quality is to going to be better than the XT5. While evaluations of this can be pretty subjective, my feeling about the XT5 is that it feels like a tight, well built camera.
Ultimately, I think I'd still probably chase an X100 over either, but if you're committed to an ILC, I think you should think first and foremost about the user experience you're after. The X-E5 with 23 2.8 is right at my threshold between "I can just toss this in a bag and go" and "I need to specifically accommodate a camera, so why not just bring my FF body?" If you can tolerate being price gouged, I think the X-E5 is the more compelling buy. I have my name on a list for the body + lens kit, and may begrudgingly pay the $1899 in August. There are just so few things like it on the market right now. ...Show more →
I think that on purely features and functions basis, the XT5 is clearly the better camera. The XE5 certainly looks like a fine option, and if the price were still as much less as it once was it would be a better choice on the basis of price for a lot of people. Tha se days anre over. I don’t see it as a _better_ choice on the basis of build/design either — just a different one. The place where it could be a preferred choice is when it comes to its smallest-in-class size — it is a great camera for travel and potentially for street photography. (But those are the two things that I use my XT5 for the most…and I would not trade it for the XE5.)
The XT-5 is probably the most perfect camera ever made by Fuji. It's also a steal by today's standard since you can get it cheaper used than the newer bodies like X-T50 and X-E5 and it has better specs.
IMO, the only reason to get the X-E5 is if you adore that rangefinder style and don't mind losing out on bigger EVF, better ergonomics, and more controls.
I recently bought an X-T50 and the first thing I noticed is that the viewfinder is significantly smaller than the one on my (now sold) X-T5. What I really like about it is the Film Sim dial. I'm a JPEG shooter and this is a big selling point for me. I would love to buy the X-E5 someday when it becomes more available.
X-T5 over the X-E5 everyday for me. The X-T5 is really not that big and the specs are better for the same price. Used is even better. As for the film simulation dial it’s not that difficult to hit the q button and rotate the rear wheel.
Joseph. wrote:
The XT-5 is probably the most perfect camera ever made by Fuji. It's also a steal by today's standard since you can get it cheaper used than the newer bodies like X-T50 and X-E5 and it has better specs.
IMO, the only reason to get the X-E5 is if you adore that rangefinder style and don't mind losing out on bigger EVF, better ergonomics, and more controls.
I recently bought an X-T50 and the first thing I noticed is that the viewfinder is significantly smaller than the one on my (now sold) X-T5. What I really like about it is the Film Sim dial. I'm a JPEG shooter and this is a big selling point for me. I would love to buy the X-E5 someday when it becomes more available. ...Show more →
I would like to see the X-T6 replace the ISO dial with the film sim dial then use the shutter speed ISO combo dial from the X100VI.
For a while I owned an X-T3 as well as an X-E3, and eventually sold the X-E3 and kept the X-T3. The size difference was not as significant in practice as it might seem while looking at online comparisons. Also I didn't find X-E3 grip to be very comfortable. X-T3 is overall a much nicer camera.
X-T5 vs X-E5 seems a similar matchup. X-T5 is even smaller than X-T3 and X-E5 is wider than X-E3 so I suspect the real world size difference between X-T5 and X-E5 would be even less. I really don't see any compelling reason to get X-E5 over X-T5.
highdesertmesa wrote:
I would like to see the X-T6 replace the ISO dial with the film sim dial then use the shutter speed ISO combo dial from the X100VI.
Good God, no!
I am OK with the combo ISO/Shutter speeds dial — I liked it on my XPro2. But please don’t put that gimmickly “sim” dial on a serious little camera like the XT.
I am OK with the combo ISO/Shutter speeds dial — I liked it on my XPro2. But please don’t put that gimmickly “sim” dial on a serious little camera like the XT.
I have to agree I would consider this a negative change
I am OK with the combo ISO/Shutter speeds dial — I liked it on my XPro2. But please don’t put that gimmickly “sim” dial on a serious little camera like the XT.
I said that knowing it would get a reaction
How about interchangeable dials that are recognized by the camera automatically? Imagine the insanity of being able to swap out the shutter speed dial for a PASM dial and the firmware automatically changes to accommodate
highdesertmesa wrote:
I said that knowing it would get a reaction
How about interchangeable dials that are recognized by the camera automatically? Imagine the insanity of being able to swap out the shutter speed dial for a PASM dial and the firmware automatically changes to accommodate
Not a fan of a sim dial on X-T6 either but I do think it would be cool to have a dial that could assigned function of whatever the user wants as you describe.
