Fujifilm X-M5 review: The camera that made me feel something again

India Today

a day ago

It's been years since I've used a proper DSLR or a digital camera for day-to-day shooting. As someone whose job involves testing smartphones, it's easy to see why most people don't bother with standalone cameras anymore. There are devices like the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and the Vivo X200 series, all of which are touted as camera-first flagships. Today's phones can shoot crisp, vibrant images in all kinds of lighting, and editing tools are just a tap away – thanks to AI. But using the Fujifilm X-M5 reminded me of something I had forgotten – why photography used to feel like an experience, not just a utility.advertisementThis camera made me pause. It made me frame my shots with intention. It brought back memories from the early 2010s, when everyone wanted to own a DSLR. I was in college then, and while we were still taking blurry photos on our BlackBerry phones or the rare HTC One, there was always that one friend who'd bring their DSLR to every event. We'd beg them for the pictures afterward, so we could upload them as our new Facebook DPs. Back then, cameras weren't just tools – they were social currency.Now, it's all megapixels and AI blur. And yet, in a strange way, physical cameras have become nostalgic, even if they're still cutting-edge. I recently travelled to Kazakhstan with my husband and took along a 10-year-old Kodak disposable camera with a physical reel. I'm yet to develop those images, but just using that old film camera was a reminder of how far photography – and I – have come.
So, stepping into the world of the Fujifilm X-M5 felt oddly familiar.
The 15-45 mm lens is the default lens that comes with the camera, unless you only want to buy the body, which is also an option
Compact and lightweight designLet's start with how it looks and feels. I used the black variant, which has a charming and classical aesthetic. It also comes in a retro black and silver option. The body is compact and lightweight, which makes it easy to carry around, especially while travelling. I recently travelled with it to Kerala, and it is so easy to just put around your neck using a lanyard or carry it in a purse or a backpack. The review unit I used came with the XF 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens. The full set costs Rs 87,999 while the body alone retails for Rs 77,999.In terms of design, the X-M5 is thoughtful. The top film simulation dial is especially helpful for beginners or casual users like me, making it easy to switch between 20 different colour profiles including Classic Chrome, Nostalgic Neg, and Velvia/Vivid. You don't need to dig through menus to experiment – you just turn the dial.advertisementOne of the features I appreciated most was how easily the camera connected to my phone via an app called Fujifilm X. You can transfer photos in real time, which is incredibly convenient if you're shooting for social media or need a quick preview. This ease of use, combined with the camera's compact size, made it easy to carry around without feeling weighed down by gear.
The camera has a convenient joystick control
Thoughtful features and impressive picture qualityFor still photography, the 26.1-megapixel sensor paired with the X-processor 5 delivers clean, sharp images. Whether you are shooting landscapes or portraits, the clarity and sharpness are genuinely satisfying – even more so when you notice how well the camera handles higher ISO levels. I found that noise was surprisingly well-controlled, which makes a real difference when you're shooting indoors or in low light.advertisementOf course, what truly gives the X-M5 its character is Fujifilm's much-loved Film Simulation dial. It's placed right on top of the camera and is incredibly intuitive to use. You can switch between colour profiles on the fly, which makes it easier to experiment and get creative.Dynamic range on the X-M5 also holds up well in trickier lighting conditions. Bright skies and shadowy corners can trip up many entry-level cameras, but this one manages a respectable balance – though a bit of input is still needed on your end. You can tweak the exposure or shoot in RAW to fix things in post, but Fujifilm also includes handy Dynamic Range (DR) modes. These help preserve highlights in high-contrast scenes by capturing an extra stop or two of detail. You might need to slightly underexpose in those cases, which can introduce a touch of noise, but honestly, the trade-off is often worth it for a usable JPEG straight out of the camera.
I found that the camera does not support a 100 MB/s SD card. I used a 200 MB/s one, which worked fine.
advertisementI especially liked how responsive the shutter was – maybe not as snappy as a smartphone, but still quick enough to capture fleeting moments without lag. Manual controls are intuitively laid out, with no need to share dials or hunt through digital overlays. Even with its small form factor, the X-M5 includes a joystick for autofocus and dedicated mic and headphone jacks – rare at this price point.As a video camera, the X-M5 punches well above its weight. It supports 6.2K open-gate 10-bit internal recording, which is pretty much unheard of at this price. It's ideal for content creators looking to experiment with cinematic formats. However, autofocus during video is a bit of a let-down. I noticed the camera would occasionally drift out of focus, especially when the subject moved quickly. You can tweak the settings to improve this, but it's not flawless – and that could be frustrating if you're planning to use it primarily for video.Battery life is decent. In normal mode, you can shoot around 300-400 stills, and close to a 100 minutes of Full HD video. For a camera this size, that's more than enough to get through a day of casual shooting or vlogging.advertisementWhere the X-M5 shines is in bridging the gap between beginner and enthusiast. It's not overwhelming to use, yet it gives you enough room to grow. And for someone like me – who appreciates good imagery but isn't trying to be a full-time photographer – it hits the sweet spot.Click on any photo below to access all the camera samplesShould you buy it?That said, would I buy it? As someone who constantly has access to top-tier smartphone cameras, I'd still probably reach for my phone 8 out of 10 times. But if you're looking for something that lets you experiment more deeply with Pro settings or produce high-quality video without splurging on gear twice the price, the X-M5 is worth serious consideration.If you want a hybrid shooter that leans more toward video, this camera is hard to beat under Rs 90,000. If you want a great entry-level stills camera and don't need advanced video features, there are other options you could explore. And yes, some flagship smartphones now come dangerously close in terms of image quality – but none will make you feel like you're really taking a photograph the way the X-M5 does. Because sometimes, it's not just about capturing the moment. It's about remembering what it felt like to frame it.- Ends