The Fujifilm X-E5 proves familiar isn't always a bad thing
Despite the fact that I've used almost every Fuji out there, this was my first time playing around with any of the X-E line of cameras. The X-E5 is a gorgeous, petite, and classy-looking camera with sharp lines throughout the body, and with buttons and an occasional concave edge for some extra flair and a distinctive look. It is ever-so-slightly shorter and thicker than the X100VI, but weighs about the same when paired with one of Fujifilm's pancake lenses. It is hard to keep your eyes and hands off of it. Over the last few weeks using the camera, I've had a lot of people asking me about it. Two even assumed it might be a Leica.
The camera build feels incredibly solid. The dials and the buttons are very clicky; even the side door just feels right. The hinges on the flip screen are sturdy, and it can flip all the way around for some vlogging, too. All those little details matter and make the camera feel premium, but unfortunately this camera is not weather sealed (something you'd also expect for this price).
The big new feature for the X-E is the dedicated film simulation dial. We've seen other Fujis adding these, but this was my first time using it. I rarely shift between film simulations since I have a few of my own, which I stick to 99 percent of the time. But the dial does make saving these sims easier, and encouraged me to experiment with different looks a lot more than before.
When it comes to video, you get 6.2k up to 30fps and 1080p up to 240fps. The X-E5 can also film in F-Log and F-Log 2 color spaces, so there is plenty of latitude for post-processing, which will match well with other Fujifilm cameras. And there's HLG HDR too. The rolling shutter isn't the greatest, although it's far from bad. But the X-E5 shouldn't be your primary video camera for two big reasons: the video mode takes a toll on this battery, and I've had it overheat after 13 minutes of continuous filming.
As stated earlier, this Fuji is equipped with the same sensor we've seen for a few years now. It is a 40MP BSI CMOS 5 sensor and it is capable of making some great images. It has been my favorite Fuji sensor since the CMOS III. The photos are sharp, with plenty of detail, and the noise levels are well managed. Anything above 2000 ISO will slowly start to break down and look mushy and soft. This is where the 7-stop IBIS comes in and helps you to keep that shutter open for a bit longer, therefore lowering your ISO too.
I brought this camera with me on a trip to Mexico along with a handful of lenses. The X-E5 proved to be a brilliant travel camera. I loved having the option to stick to my pancake 27mm for an ultra-compact setup or bring the all-rounder 16-55mm zoom lens for some versatility on a long day out.
But despite how much I loved my time with the X-E5, all of the recent Fujifilm cameras are becoming too similar to each other when it comes to performance. Some of those cameras excel in some way, but the X-E5 doesn't have anything unique going for it. It is a classic jack of all trades. And that's not a bad thing.
But once you start looking at the prices, you might have some second thoughts. When the X-E4 came out it was $850 and was seen as a hidden gem in the lineup. At $1,700, it starts to become a harder sell. However, if you do pick this one, be assured you're picking a brilliant and gorgeous camera. It might no longer be a hidden gem, but it's still a gem.
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