News: Fujifilm X-M5

After a week of rumors, Monday 14 October 2024 set as the date by Fujifilm for the X-Summit, and an announcement about some firmware updates, we now know about the Fujifilm X-M5.

The X-M5 is the smallest Fujifilm X body. Without viewfinder, but a tilt screen, it is geared towards “creators” — think of it as a video camera. It presents as the inexpensive video body in the Fujifilm X lineup, a market cornered mostly by Sony, Panasonic and Canon. The Panasonic S9 is a prime example albeit at a much higher price point.

The X-M5 doesn’t have IBIS (In Body Image Stabilizer), however it has electronic stabilization for video, a system which dampen the camera motion shake at the price of a 1.33 crop. With 26.1 megapixels, it uses the older X-Trans 4 image sensor, albeit with the 5th generation X-processor. It uses the NP-W126S batteries (that’s the smaller ones as found on the X-Pro and earlier X-T), has a mic and headphone jacks, and HDMI Micro.

On the controls, I’m just skeptical of the film simulation dial. Why a dedicated dial for this? I just hope it can be reconfigured to something more useful.

The camera comes either body only or with a kit lens XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ, the most compact zoom lens in the line. The OIS helps with the lack of IBIS. And two colours: silver or black, the latter being for April 2025.

The MSRP for the X-M5 is to be €899 / £799 body only. Add 100 in either currency for the XC 15-45 zoom in kit. Canadian price is CAD1079 body only, and CAD1199 with the 15-45.

DPReview has a review already

Other announcements today included the XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II zoom lens, an update to the previous model, and the XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR telephoto lens.

Fujifilm GFX 50R, GFX 100 and f/1.0 lens

Also at Photokina, Fujifilm announced a new camera in their GFX series: the GFX 50R. The GFX 50R is to the GFX 50S what the X-E1 was to the X-Pro1: a more compact version of the 50 megapixel medium format mirrorless, in what they call a “rangefinder style” body (it is not a rangefinder camera). The GFX 50R also has a dual SD card slot. Available in November (2018) for US$4,500. DPReview has the details.

And to double it up, the announcement included news of the development of the GFX 100, a 100 Megapixel successor of the GFX 50S, to be released sometime in 2019, featuring phase detect auto-focus and in-body image stabilisation, as well as 4K video ! But will they solve the problems with such a large sensor? The price is speculated to be around US$10,000.

Hohenzollern bridge, Cologne, Germany.

One more thing. According to The Verge, Fujifilm showed a XF 33mm f/1.0 R lens. F ONE POINT ZERO ! Coming in 2020.

(Updated 2018/09/26: added links to specifications)

Fujifilm X-T3, third of its name

And third time is a charm. Just yesterday Canon announced their fullframe mirrorless, Fujifilm just announced the third iteration of the Fujifilm X-T series, the X-T3. This is not a revolution in Fujifilm’s lineup: it is not a switch to fullframe as they do not have to do that, but an improvement.

I bought a Fujifilm X-Pro1 in 2012, pre-ordering it. This was the first generation camera of the series with all its quirks, and back then there was only 3 prime lenses. The X-series lineup is very compelling with many excellent quality and reasonably priced lenses, all in a relatively compact package, thanks to the APS-C sensor size.

Fujifilm X-Pro1 camera
My X-Pro1 setup in February 2017

I haven’t had the chance to see the X-T3 yet. This is based on spec and reviews.

What does the X-T3 brings to the table? It replaces the now 2 years old X-T2, with a wide range of improvements: a newer sensor up to 26Megapixels and a faster processing unit, with faster autofocus. An improved EVF with a faster refresh rate and higher resolution.

New video capabilities make this camera a good contender in the movie camera segment, with native 10bits 4:2:0 internal recording (sadly in HEVC H265), and 4:2:2 on an external recorder. The headphone jack no longer require the battery pack. 4K 30fps no longer crop, only the 60fps is cropped x1.18. The Eterna film simulation found in the X-H1 has been added as well. Sadly the flip out screen found on the X-T100 isn’t part of the upgrade. Fujfilm, pretty please!

Another interesting feature is the sports shooting mode where the captured image is cropped x1.25 allowing the viewfinder can show the outside of the frame, with a burst rate of 30fps.

Hit

  • Added Eterna film profile
  • 1080p at 120fps, 4K in 30fps full frame and 60fps in x1.17 crop
  • new video recording capabilities
  • Mic and headphone jack
  • Two card slots

Miss

  • No flip out screen, unlike the X-T100
  • No in body stabilisation

A welcome update, I’m now holding off to get the X-T3, mainly motivated with my foray into moving pictures.

Cinema5D X-T3 review.

Fujifilm news: X-E3, new lenses, 4K firmware update

Fujifilm announced the X-E3. An upgrade to the X-E2S. The control get the same update like touch screen, AF joystick, AF touchpad, 24MP. It will also have 4K video (hello Canon!) like the rest of the X-series. Price will be ~USD$900, ~USD$1300 with the 18-55 OIS.

The lens roadmap was updated, with a 80mm f2.8 OIS WR Macro with 1:1 magnification for November 2017, and later a 8-16mm f2.8 WR ultra-wide zoom and a 200mm f2 OIS WR, the later being compatible with the teleconverters.

Fujifilm also announced firmware updates for the other models (X-Pro2, X-T2 X100F, X-T20) to be released in November / December 2017. The X-Pro2 is getting 4K video with this firmware upgrade.

I think I’m no longer hung on my upgrade path, taking video into consideration. It will be Fuji X.

Fujifilm lens roadmap

Fujifilm has unveiled their current lens roadmap. While the lineup is already pretty much comprehensive, a few additions are scheduled for this year, notably a 80mm f/2.8 Macro prime lens, and two X-Mount cinema lens.

2018 will see some ultra-wide and telephoto primes.

Fuji new “body cap” lens

(Petapixel) Fuji’s New XM-FL is an X-Mount Body Cap Lens with Built-In Photo Filters:

Fujifilm has announced a strange new lens over in Japan. It’s called the XM-FL, and it’s a 24mm f/8 body cap-style pancake lens that features built-in photo filters that can be accessed by turning a dial on the side.

Very light, totally “dumb” (ie no electronics), for ~$100, can make for interesting experiments on your Fuji X.

From Fujifilm Japan (in Japanese)

Similar in principle to the Olympus body cap lens in 2013.

Fuji X round up

Zack Arias take on the Fuji X-T1: Yep. It’s A Fuji (archived from the original).

Conclusion… I have zero regrets about selling all of my Canon gear and going Fuji. Zero regrets.

I have to admit, I’m not a pro like him, ie I don’t shoot for a living (also I’m less talented), but since I have my X-Pro1 I haven’t used the Canon much nor even lusted on any piece of gear for it.

Last week I have had my hands shortly on the X-T1 and the EVF is absolutely so much better than the X-Pro1. Non-withstanding the other advantages. If only I could try it longer.

Also don’t miss his Mystical Marrakech video (on YouTube) that he did for Fuji: