This is Fuji’s latest camera that’s small in body and big in megapixels: the X-E5. Think of it as an X100VI with interchangeable lenses.
TLDR
Fujifilm’s X-E5 lands in August at $2699 (US $1699.95) for the body, or $3049 bundled with the new XF 23mm F2.8 R WR lens.
Expect 40 megapixels, IBIS, an EVF, film simulation dial – and iconic retro lines.
Pre-orders are open now, and Australian deliveries will begin from the end of August.
Weeks out from the launch of its whacky X Half camera, Fujifilm has cooked up another slice of nostalgia for rangefinder lovers who also expect autofocus that nails the shot.
The X-E5 is the latest addition to the X series, arriving this August for $2699 in Australia, while Americans pay US $1699.95 (about 50 Aussie bucks less than our price).
It borrows the 40 megapixel X-Trans sensor, tilting touchscreen and in-body stabilisation from the blockbuster X100VI and X-T5, then wraps them in even straighter lines carved from a single top plate.
Battery life hovers near 460 frames, Fujifilm says, enough for an afternoon of roaming before a recharge.
The shell is slightly larger than the outgoing X-E4 and roughly the weight of a loaded burrito.
Specifically, the X-E5 measures in at 124.9mm wide x 72.9mm tall x 39.1mm deep, and weighs 445g (including the SD card and battery). This makes it a touch bigger than the X100VI, and about 14g heavier.
A five-way front lever flips between shortcuts such as Surround View, letting you see beyond square or vertical crops.
Up top, a newly added film-simulation dial peers through a tiny window that recalls vintage frame counters. Six crowd favourites come pre-set, and you can park three custom recipes for instant Kodachrome glow.
The EVF’s Classic Display Mode adds red digital read-outs, white frame lines and a needle light meter that could have stepped out of a Pentax K1000.
Weather sealing remains on the wish list, so be sure to dodge rain, but at least the new lens is weather resistant.
Are you keen?
The price is a big ask, but the body appears willing…
I’m really drawn to it, but that price is really something. I mean, it’s going to sell out regardless – Fujifilm is damn good at powering demand, making the most of the online influence sphere, etc – but damn.
I have an A7CR, which is an incredible camera, so the X-E5 fairly irrelevant for the likes of me. Really I think the only thing I’m drawn to with Fuji is their exceptional little lenses. The affordable 35mm F2, the classic 35mm F1.4, the newer 33mm F1.4… so desirable for a compact EDC setup.
But, no, I mustn’t. I’m happy with my A7CR and 50mm G F2.5 – I’m not exactly living without quality results!
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