When looking for a smaller camera than the X100 (for travel and hiking), locking yourself into Fuji is an easy mistake to make. I did this for years, only looking at whatever system I was currently married to.
The Ricoh GR is such an amazing travel+hiking camera. It actually fits in a real pocket, has a great sensor (i've got the 2013 version), a great lens, and great controls. I love the output from it.
The XE5 gives such minimal size "savings" compared to an X100IV, if any at all after factoring lenses. The sensor and look from the files will be the same, only changes will be due to different lenses on it. The EVF is a downgrade if anything, since it doesn't give the option of using OVF.
The XE4 would be a smaller option than either, but financially it doesn't make any sense, and it's still a downgrade in a few departments, depending on your priorities.
Honestly, the only Fuji I would consider as a smaller alternative/backup to an X100IV right now is the XM5. Sure, it's plastic and lacks a viewfinder of any sort, but it's TINY and has great AF, and it's <$1000 if you can find it in stock.
Still, the only things it brings to the fight over a GR would be-
1) Better AF (by a lightyear)
2) Better video (by a lightyear)
3) Interchangeable lenses (if that matters)
.RRJ wrote:
I'm considering making the switch to the X-E5, as the form factor is slightly smaller and I can use 10mm/18mm/27mm/40mm pancake lenses for travel or packing light rather than being locked in. I think the only thing that really gives me pause is the leaf shutter + built in ND filter which I do really like.
Anyone else considering the same? I also dont know that I'd actually be able to get a X-E5 though, looking at the current market for the x100vi or x-m5...
Are you talking about subbing in the XE5 for the X100VI or the XT4?
I think you'll find the XE5 to be a lot smaller in hand than the XT4.
The biggest advantage of the X100VI, in my opinion, is that most of the lens is built into the camera, and that's what makes it truly compact. Its biggest disadvantage is also that -- the lenses are not interchangeable.
Objectively this is what I should own, you're 100% correct.
I have an X-M1, I bought it because it was cheap (at the time) and I have wondered if the X-M5 would be better suited for travel with 2 or 3 small lenses. Maybe I'm splitting hairs instead of just getting the Ricoh.
.RRJ wrote:
Objectively this is what I should own, you're 100% correct.
I have an X-M1, I bought it because it was cheap (at the time) and I have wondered if the X-M5 would be better suited for travel with 2 or 3 small lenses. Maybe I'm splitting hairs instead of just getting the Ricoh.
In the day, when people would ask me what camera to buy, I'd ask them what they wanted to photograph. Almost all said they wanted to emulate Ansel or something like that. They all insisted that they wanted an ILC. They bought Pentax K1000's with a 50mm lens and NEVER bought another lens.
I'm happy with the single lens on the X100VI. I looked at the XE-5, appealing, but I really do not want to start into another system and buy lenses and accessories. I have a full Sony A7RV system with too many lenses, all quite wonderful but also large and heavy. I do a lot of landscape photography and love the 61MP sensor.
I bought an Fujifilm X100 years ago, can't recall precisely which model, but sold it and got a Sony RX100 because it had a zoom lens. I still have it but almost never use it. The Fujifilm X100VI will likely serve well as my "carry around" camera when I'm not on a specifically photographic expedition. With 40MP, it's got plenty of detail.
Were I a Fuji system person, eg, with XT's, the XE-5 might seem appealing as another body but I sold my XT-2 years ago when I got a sudden case of megapixel lust and bought a Sony A7RIII.
My point is that different people have different use cases for any camera. The choices we have these days are simply amazing. Everyone should be able to have what they want so long as they're not taking funds from more important things (or is there anything more important than another camera?) I tell my wonderfully supportive spouse that this hobby is cheaper than a boat (?) and safer than an airplane. Best to all.
It's tough decision.
XE-5 size with pancake lenses are appealing, but in my experience changing lens constantly at travelling is tiresome. If you go out 18mm sometime, other time prefer 23mm tighter view, and some occasions just grab a small 33mm lens then X-E5 has obvious advantage. If you are going with several primes I'm suggesting a X-T5 or X-T50 with a zoom lens.
X100VI advantage is the superior lens in same size package as XE-5 with 23 f2.8.
I'm selling my X100V after getting the X-E5. I was planning to sell my X-E4 but I think I'm keeping that. I hardly ever want to shoot in 35mm focal length, but it's either too narrow or too wide for me. So, in reality the X100V just sits in a drawer.
For me, the main drawback of the X-E5 is that it's not weather sealed, while the X100V can be. I honestly don't know why they didn't add a few gaskets here and there to weather seal it.
johnvanr wrote:
I'm selling my X100V after getting the X-E5. I was planning to sell my X-E4 but I think I'm keeping that. I hardly ever want to shoot in 35mm focal length, but it's either too narrow or too wide for me. So, in reality the X100V just sits in a drawer.
For me, the main drawback of the X-E5 is that it's not weather sealed, while the X100V can be. I honestly don't know why they didn't add a few gaskets here and there to weather seal it.
Agreed - its such a nice solid camera - it just feels like it could survive anything - but not weather (I wouldn't have minded spending a bit more - but maybe FujiFilm thought they had reached the limit of what people would be willing to pay)
johnvanr wrote:
I'm selling my X100V after getting the X-E5. I was planning to sell my X-E4 but I think I'm keeping that. I hardly ever want to shoot in 35mm focal length, but it's either too narrow or too wide for me. So, in reality the X100V just sits in a drawer.
For me, the main drawback of the X-E5 is that it's not weather sealed, while the X100V can be. I honestly don't know why they didn't add a few gaskets here and there to weather seal it.
I'm curious -- Why are you keeping the X-E4 after buying the X-E5? As a backup? I got an E5 and will be selling my E4 (which I still think is a fine camera, BTW).
TENOG wrote:
I'm curious -- Why are you keeping the X-E4 after buying the X-E5? As a backup? I got an E5 and will be selling my E4 (which I still think is a fine camera, BTW).
Because I like to use two (almost) identical cameras sometimes. So, in this case, I’d put a wide angle on the 5 and a 56mm on the 4. Haven’t done this yet with the Fuji’s but it’s more practical for me than keeping the X100V alongside the 5. Might still sell the 4 later.
I sold my X100VI (and XPro2) for an XE5. Happy so far.
Dislikes:
* No ND filter
* Losing one stop of light versus my X100VI
* No ISO dial
* The knurling on the rings is much less pronounced, which is not going to be fun in winter.
* STILL no XPan ratio in-camera!
Likes:
* The configurable front rocker is a sneaky way to put five additional buttons on the camera
* The FS1-3 settings are great for recipes (this is what led me to sell my XPro2 and X100VI)
* I can change lenses!
* It’s tiny!
* The viewfinder crop mode seems to work well with AF-C (limited testing so far)
* The IBIS works very well at 1:2 with the 60/2.4
* The mechanical shutter is pretty quiet
My next project is a challenge to myself to live SOOC-only, and the X-E5 is the best Fuji yet for this kind of shooting.
CKrueger wrote:
I sold my X100VI (and XPro2) for an XE5. Happy so far.
Dislikes:
* The knurling on the rings is much less pronounced, which is not going to be fun in winter.
Its strange that there are significant differences between the X100VI and X-E5 controls.
Other examples :
- moving the play button (easy enough to get used to when you switch cameras but annoying when you have both)
- the on/off shutter button - I really like the way the X100VI on/off button operates but the X-E5 is more difficult to turn if you are prone to sore fingers in winter.
The play button I got caught out a couple times by, but figured I’d get used to pretty quickly. I shoot Z, X, GFX, and L, so I’m pretty quick at acquiring muscle memory these days.
I agree on the On/Off, too. It doesn’t stick out past the front of the camera. On the one hand, that’s nice so I don’t flip it accidentally. On the other hand, you have to dig your finger in to hit it, and it’s very reminiscent of my Sony RX100, so this past weekend I turned the camera off a couple times when trying to zoom my 18-120.
I have a feeling the Play and AF buttons are going to be difficult with gloves, too. On the plus side, we can still add a domed shutter button, the lever should be easy with gloves, the nub stick is great with gloves, and Fuji’s glove-unfriendly d-pad is missing.
The X-E5 will certainly be incompatible with mittens, but the only cameras I’ve ever used that work well with heavy mittens are full-size Nikons and Canons. Probably not a huge deal, as the X-E5 isn’t going to be a great sub-zero camera anyway.
I used to have an X100F, but using an xh2 for birding and q (1st gen 116) for street now. Personally, I prefer the X100 series over the XE since I won't change any lens if I decide to go into this small body.
My X-E5 paired with the small Viltrox 25mm f1.7 has been stellar. Light and compact.
This is my fun body for around the house, family events/gatherings, and take to dinners.
