fuji xt5 for travel photography

The Good, The Bad, and the Caveat of the Fujifilm X-T5

When Fujifilm released the X-T5 on November 25, 2022, I was one of the first in the queue as I wanted to experience a high-megapixel APS-C sensor. This was simply not GAS, as I had only months earlier purchased an X-T4, which was comfortably doing everything I needed. However, 40 megapixels for landscapes in such a compact and stylish design, I simply needed to see what it could do and more to the point, could do what I needed for my photography. Fast-forward 429 days later, has it been able to do everything?

Cameras can do almost anything these days, and yet we are drawn for whatever reason to certain manufacturers. This could be because of the lens choice, the format, the resolution, the familiarity, the list goes on. Ultimately, we settle down and see past all the bells and whistles and concentrate on the tool, in this case, a camera, and does it do everything we need for our photography?

I won't focus on the specs of the camera, as you can read more about them here  along with some insightful reviews on X-mount lenses from  Ondřej Vachek  and Pete Coco's long-term review of the XT-5 here . I'll simply provide my opinion on the camera for the type of work I do, which is mainly landscape photography.

Performance and Handling

For landscape photography, fast focus is not a requirement in most situations, but returning sharp images is; however, the camera with my lens kit was able to do that better than I had thought. This was expected, yet naively I didn't expect it to be as good as it was. It performed better than the previous X-T3 and X-T4, not only in image quality but also in post-production where I could extract more detail and, of course, crop in when I wanted without losing too much pixel information, yet still provide a very pleasant outcome and file size for various uses.

All that aside, if you are considering purchasing or upgrading to an X-T5, the lenses you already have will still perform better with the new sensor, so I wouldn't worry about having to purchase from the recommended list. You'll know what lenses you need for your photography, and they will work great. However, for myself, I found that the 10-24mm, my favorite lens, performed better on the X-T4 and X-T3, so I sold it within a few months of purchasing the X-T5. It still produced great images on the X-T5 and is still a fantastic lens, but I felt something was missing, or I was expecting more with the new sensor; either way, I no longer own it.

A small selection of images that were captured with the Fujifilm XT-5 using various lenses over the past year.

The Fujifilm X-T5 is more than capable of landscape photography, but after testing the GFX, I'm now questioning whether this should be my main camera for landscapes. If I purchased the GFX, would that make me a better photographer? No, that's certainly not the case, and I am well aware of that. Have I made a bad choice for my landscape photography in the X-T5? Again, no, as it's more than capable. I've just been spoiled by the GFX.

Final Thoughts

With a 40-megapixel sensor, the Fujifilm X-T5 is a camera to be reckoned with in the APS-C arena, and so it should be. It's pocketable in a lot of cases and produces lovely JPEGs straight from the camera, great for posting straight to social media via the X-app if that's your prerogative. As a travel and street camera, it's discreet and lightweight, and you can rely on the image quality you get from it, that is, of course, if you get the settings correct. If you don't, you only have yourself to blame.

I've traveled up through the X-T range and am admittedly a Fuji fan; however, if it doesn't do the job it was purchased for, I'd quickly move it on as was the case for the X-T1 and X-T2 as they didn't hit the mark, in my opinion. Eight years later, from the X-T1, with the release of the X-T5, everything has come together, and Fuji has now created a 40-megapixel APS-C with features curated from the past 8 years of development.

There are many others out there, including the Sony a6700 , the Canon EOS R7 , the Nikon Z30 , and, of course, the Fujifilm X-H2 , to name a few, so it's not as if you are left without a choice in what to purchase. You simply have to decide what ecosystem to invest in for your own photographic needs.

The Fujifilm X-T5 is an excellent camera for nearly every type of photography, but especially for travel and street photography due to its size and capability. It's a great landscape camera, and again, due to its size and quality of images, I've hiked mountains with the camera and a couple of lenses, and with its size-to-weight ratio, I wouldn't even have known they were there.

I am glad I upgraded from the X-T4 to this because of the sensor and my photography as it's proved itself. Would I recommend anyone else upgrade? A wholehearted yes, but that's a question only you can answer as you know what you need for your photography, and a camera is simply the tool that enables you to practice it. If you are considering upgrading and purchasing, all the details can be found  here.

Gary McIntyre is a landscape photographer and digital artist based on the west coast of Scotland. As well as running photography workshops in the Glencoe region, providing online editing workshops, Gary also teaches photography and image editing at Ayrshire college.

Good article, thanks for sharing. As someone who's Fuji journey has gone XT3 - 50S - 50S2 - XT5 I wanted to add my 2p worth. Yes, the GFX has mind boggling resolution and I really miss my 50S2 for that reason. However, I don't miss the weight of that camera plus a couple of lenses plus filters in my backpack. Seriously, that camera was writing cheques my body was struggling to cash. Do I miss the GFX? Yes. Do I regret shifting to XT5? No.

I really do love my XT5, but I yeah have been spoiled by the GFX for landscapes. However, you are correct about the cost both in weight and lenses but the images are so sweet! Thanks for commenting!

Thanks for sharing. And, as someone who switched to Fuji from Canon back in 2013 with my first Fuji camera being the X-E1, then X-E2, X-T1, X-T2 and then finally, the camera I had been waiting for, the X-T5. For me the upgrade from the X-T2 was a no brainer (IBIS + 40mp + subject tracking). And, I too put one on hold at the local camera store in town, and picked mine up on Nov 27, 2022. I had a full complement of lenses including the kit lens, XF 10-24, XF16-80mmF4 R OIS as well as the 55-200mm. All good lenses on my X-T2, but not all were as good on the X-T5. Although, unlike you, I kept the 10-24mm for wide angle landscape shots. I find it to provide excellent images on my X-T5. I only wish is was weather resistant. Lately, I've been into bird and animal photography since purchasing the XF 100-400mm lens for my X-T5. And, that, by itself and with either the 1.4x or even 2x extender is an amazing combo with the X-T5. I'm a big fan. I'm a little afraid to try the GFX 100 II for fear I'd want to trade in all my X gear for a GFX system. I'll just stick with the X-T5 for now unless I win the lotto of course ;)

Thanks for reading! Plenty of lenses to move onto the XT5 then. I did struggle with the 10-24mm on the XT5, which performed great on the XT3 & 4. It would be good if they refined the glass of the 10-24mm for the XT5 sensor. I hope you win then as you'll love the GFX :)

Autofocus has always been and will always be the Achilles' heel of Fuji, even on the GFX people complain about the same slow autofocus.

I've only used it for landscapes really, where fast autofocus isn't a necessity but am aware of this for other types of photography.

Vik, that has not been my experience at all with the X-T5. In fact, if I use subject detection, I've had great success in capturing some amazing images of birds in flight with my XF 100-400mm lens. I just need to remember to set my shutter speed around 1/2000s and let the Auto ISO take over (I always shoot in aperture priority). here is a shot I took at a local park of a Great White Egret launching itself up to its nest (had the 1.4x extender on the lens).

Excellent images and well written.

Comparison for the sake of comparison rarely reveals anything positive.

Z30 doesn't count IMO.

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Hi Gary, it was great to hear your perspective as a fellow landscape photographer.

What did/would you replace the 10-24mm with?

Have you heard any plans from Fuji to redesign this lens to bring it up to spec for the 40mp sensor? Thanks!

Fujifilm X-T5 Review: In Search of a Perfect Travel Camera

The Fujifilm X-T5 review is my attempt to give you feedback after shooting with the camera for 5 months.

It is not a technical review but rather a personal experience of how the X-T5 model affected my photography.

The X-T5 is a stepping stone in my search for a perfect camera for my travel photography. We all understand there is no such thing as a “perfect camera,” but the X-T5 is getting close for a type of photography I do. It took me 15 years, 3 camera brands , and a dozen camera models to get to the point where I do not have major annoyances in my camera.

I switched from Sony to Fujifilm five years ago, getting an X-T2 model. I put together a detailed article outlining my reasoning for the switching and my first impressions of Fujifilm X-T2 in particular and the Fujifilm ecosystem in general. Fujifilm vs Sony became one of the most popular articles on my website, and even today, it attracts a lot of attention.

X-T2 was and still is a very capable digital camera but as with any camera, it had some shortcomings. And with the X-T5, Fujifilm addressed almost all of them.

Please note I upgraded to X-T5 from X-T2, and even though I have experience shooting with X-T3 and E-X3, in my Fuji X-T5 review, I mainly compare it to the camera I used the most, X-T2.

Table of Contents

Design and Ergonomics

Fujifilm X-T2’s distinctive retro design was one of the reasons I embraced the X-T series five years ago. It offered manual controls, compact size, and unprecedented power over customizations. It checked most of the boxes for my travel photography.

I liked X-T2 so much that it prevented me from upgrading to the Fuji X-T4 model. Over two generations, the X-T series became bulkier and heavier, starting to resemble full-frame models. I was not too excited about the direction the Fuji X-T line was progressing. 

In 2020 when I decided not to go for X-T4, I even entertained the idea of looking for my next camera from another brand.

I guess I was not the only one who voiced dissatisfaction, and Fujifilm noticed it and corrected its course.

And when I realized that Fujifilm decided to go to the original roots with the X-T5, I knew immediately that I would stay with Fujifilm.

The Fujifilm X-T5 is comparable to the size of X-T2. But they made it a bit deeper to accommodate IBIS and a bigger battery. According to the specs, it is only 50 grams heavier, even with the much bigger battery. It also has a slightly more pronounced grip.

I have no complaints about the ergonomics, but X-T5 feels different in my hand. I guess 5 years of muscle memories would let me notice even a tiny change.

AF ON and AEL Buttons

Another small change in body design that positively impacted my photography was the redesign and repositioning of AF-L and AF-L buttons. I understand that the buttons were redesigned and repositioned already on X-T4, but since I skipped it, it is a new experience for me.

Let me explain.

I use the Back Button Focus and Auto Exposure Lock with pretty much every shot I take.

First, I point the camera toward the scene I intend to capture and lock the exposure by pressing the AEL button. Next, I activate the histogram inside the EVF by pressing the button in front of the camera and use the exposure compensation to adjust the exposure, making it as bright as possible without clipping the highlights. The technique also is known as ETTR (exposure to the right).

When I am done with the exposure, I take care of focus. I used the hyperfocal distance focusing technique to maximize the depth of field of my landscape photos. I point the single focus point at hyperfocal distance and press AF-L (AF ON on X-T5) to lock the focus. 

In the final step, I recompose and press the shutter.

It might sound very cumbersome, but it takes me only a little time with practice. But it allows me to take properly exposed and sharp photos with 99% accuracy.

On X-T2, the buttons are tiny. Plus, the AF-L button is positioned in such an awkward place that I never used it. I had to program the Rear Command Dial to lock the focus on the press and use it instead of the AF-L button.

On X-T5, the AF On and AEL buttons are more prominent, tactile, and positioned in the right places to use when looking through the EVF.

Back to the Future with LCD

A long time ago, when shooting with Canon, I realized that I not only have no use for articulated screens but also despise them. As you can imagine that I am delighted that X-T5 went back to the old and proven 3-way tilt rear screen design.

To summarize, there are no dramatic changes in design and ergonomics in X-T5, but all of them are welcome. I could not spot any negatives so far.

Image Quality

When I learned that Fujifilm X-T5 would be equipped with a 40MP sensor, I was initially very skeptical.

After shooting for so long with APS-C cameras, I was convinced that 24-26MP sensors were a sweet spot for crop sensor cameras. A higher megapixel count would not benefit but might even jeopardize image quality.

My concern was that tiny pixels of the 40MP sensor would negatively impact the dynamic range and increase the noise level through the entire ISO range.

Plus, I was not too excited to deal with bigger RAW files.

But once again, Fujifilm proved me wrong. The new X-T5 40MP sensor is a giant leap forward compared to older 24MP and 26MP Fujifilm sensors.

Sharpness and Details

I switched from Sony to Fuji mainly because of the unprecedented image quality and the high level of detail that Fujifilm X-Trans sensors produce. I was shocked that photos taken with X-T2 were sharp and even usable at 100% magnification.

Since I did not expect much from the new 40MP sensor, I hoped to get at least the same level of image quality comparable to X-T2. To my surprise, the new X-T5 sensor exceeded all my expectations.

The new sensor produces much cleaner, sharper images with exceptional levels of detail. The RAW images taken at ISO 125 are usable even at 200% magnification. 

It is unbelievable.

I love the new 40MP X-Trans sensor.

Dynamic Range

I cannot accurately measure the new sensor’s true dynamic range, but what I have is experience dealing with digital images as a professional graphic designer and photographer. Plus, I process RAW photos daily.

Based on my observation, the dynamic range of the X-T5 sensor is on par with the X-T2 when shooting at ISO 200 and up. But X-T5 produces a wider dynamic range when shooting at a base ISO of 125. Since X-T2 has no native ISO lower than 200, it is probably not a fair comparison.

But if I had to summarize, the X-T5 produces a wider dynamic range at the base ISO.

And since most of my photos are taken at base ISO, it is a massive positive for my photography.

New RAW Compression Option

Fuji X-T2 has two RAW compression options: Uncompressed and Lossless Compressed. The Uncompressed file size is around 50MB; add Lossless Compressed is about 28MB.

After analyzing both versions, I could not see the difference in quality, even at 800% magnification. I did not see the reason to use uncompressed RAWs, and for 5 years, I’ve been shooting with the Lossless Compressed option.

Now, Fujifilm added another compressed option. Next to the Uncompressed and Lossless Compressed, we have a Compressed selection.

The new compressed option produces the following file sizes:

• Uncompressed – 87MB
• Lossless Compressed – around 45MB
• Compressed – around 29MB

As before, I am sticking to the Lossless Compressed option. But I would not hesitate to use the Compressed option if I am pressed on space on the memory card because it still produces outstanding RAW images.

Noise and Low Light Performance

Since I take most photos at base ISO, low light performance is not critical for my photography. Most of my high-ISO images are family photos.

But what I can say about low light performance based on my observations is it is on par with my old X-T2.

But the level of digital noise is different.

Across the entire ISO range, X-T5 produces much less digital noise. In general, the RAW images taken with X-T5 are cleaner.

It is especially noticeable at lower ISO. 

When you have underexposed areas in the shadows and try to recover them in Lightroom, you get some level of digital noise, even at base ISO. The X-T5 is different. You get little or no nose at lower ISO (125-400) even after aggressive shadow recovery.

When you shoot at high ISO (1600-3200) you can see image degradation but with a much lower digital noise level. And when you combine X-T5 high ISO photos with AI Denoise noise reduction in Lightroom, you end up with extremely clean and sharp photos with a high level of detail.

My conclusion is new X-T5 sensor handles digital noise differently in a very positive way.

IBIS (In Body Image Stabilization)

IBIS is another aspect of photography I change my opinion drastically about.

In the past, I took most of my travel photos using tripods. And I did not feel the need for IBIS in my photography. My position was that IBIS makes the camera bulkier, more expensive, and less reliable, with minimal benefits for my style of photography.

What changed my mind was the effectiveness of Fujifilm lens stabilization. I realized that my 2 main lenses (Fuji 10-24mm and 18-135mm) allowed me to take sharp photos at a much lower shutter speed. 

To change my old habits, I intentionally started leaving my tripods at home, trying to learn to take better handheld images. The whole experience liberated me, allowing me to be more creative with the composition. I did not have to carry a full-size tripod everywhere, especially during long and demanding hikes.

Now with the X-T5, I can take my handheld journey even further because of the effectiveness of its IBIS. I do not think it is effective up to 7 stops, as Fujifilm claims, but if I had to estimate, it is rock solid up to at least 5.

When shooting with X-T2, I extensively used the Auto ISO feature, trying not to go below 1/80s of shutter speed with my handled landscape photos.

Now shooting with X-T5, I hardly use Auto ISO at all. I set my ISO dial to 125 and feel comfortable shooting at wide angles up to 1/6s. It is liberating.

I plan to continue reducing tripod use and concentrate on handheld techniques. I realized that if I want to blur water in my landscapes, it is easier and faster to take two shots at different shutter speeds handheld and combine them in Photoshop later than setting up the tripod.

To summarize, the IBIS (in-body image stabilization) in X-T5 is scary effective and no longer a useless feature for my photography.

Battery Life

For me, the biggest shortcoming of switching to mirrorless systems was poor battery life. X-T2 was not an exception. Over the years, I have learned many tricks for extending the battery life in my mirrorless cameras and remembering to charge and bring at least 3 batteries during my travels.

I remember during my trip to Utah, after an hour of hiking, I realized I had left spare batteries in the car. I had to hike back. 

Now with the X-T5, it feels like I am back in my old DSLR days. I stick one battery in the camera, which is good for at least a day. I average from 580 shots to 600 shots per charge.

The only negative here is the camera does not come with a charger. You need to spend another $100 for a spare battery and charger.

Wireless Connectivity

I consider the Fujifilm Remote App the weakest point of the entire Fujifilm ecosystem. It is understandable since Fuji is not a software company.

I was so excited when I switched from Sony to Fujifilm to finally be able to geotag all my photos at the time of capture. But I realized later that X-T2 would tag all the images with the same coordinates of the location where you activated the app. Whether you walk for 5km or drive for 100km, you will get the same geotagging as the original location. 

The implementation of geotagging in X-T2 was utterly useless.

Now with the latest remote app in combination with X-T5, the geotagging works flawlessly. Finally, I can enjoy automatic geotagging without even thinking about it.

When I import new photos into Lightroom and jump to the Map module, all images are automatically mapped to the right locations.

Geotagging is an important feature for my photography. Now I can pinpoint the exact location of my travel photos without wasting any time.

Besides geotagging, I do not use other features of the Fujifilm Remote App.

Autofocus Accuracy

Fujifilm has been lagging behind Sony and Canon concerning Autofocus system performance and accuracy for years. The new X-T5 was supposed to reduce the gap. But I am not the right person to give you an expert assessment of X-T5 autofocus improvements. In most cases, I shoot static scenes, manually selecting a point to focus on.

But even I can see the substantial progress.

One of my favorite lenses is Fujifilm 35mm f1.4 . It is one of the oldest Fuji lenses. I like it for the distinct images it produces, but it has an outdated focusing system. The focusing motor is very noisy and slow and tends to hunt constantly, trying to focus in low-light conditions.

Now when attached to X-T5, the lens acts differently. It is much faster to focus and snappier, even in poor conditions.

Video Performance

Unfortunately, I have no feedback for you concerning video capture specs and performance.

I use X-T5 exclusively for photography purposes. I never even once switch the camera to video mode.

During my travels, I use GoPro as a video camera. Separating video and photo tasks makes the process faster with fewer complications.

Lenses and Accessories

The lens I use most often is Fujinon 10-24mm . It is an outstanding wide-angle lens with excellent image quality, well-built, and effective image stabilization.

My second most used lens is Fujinon 18-135mm. Even though I like it, I was looking for alternatives because of its shortcomings:

• It is big and heavy
• 18mm is not wide enough at the wide end
• When it is hanging on the leash behind my back, the front element tens to extend under its weight 

I wanted to test it against the Fujinon 16-80mm for a long time, but I never had a chance to do it.

This time I decided to go for it. Instead of buying an X-T5 body only, I got the kit, getting the camera and 16-80mm lens together.

I had time to test 16-80mm for 5 months, and I can see it is on par in image quality with 18-135mm. I decided to sell 18-135mm and keep the 16-80mm. It is smaller and lighter; 16 mm on the wide end is much more useful than 18mm, and I am willing to lose 50mm at the long end.

Many fellow photographers suggest I get 16-55mm f2.8 to replace 18-135mm , but it would not work for me. The 16-55mm is big and heavy and does not have image stabilization. Plus, I do not need an f2.8 aperture since I take most of my photos in the range of f8-f11.

If I had to choose only one accessory for my Fuji X-T5, it would be the thumb grip.

Even though the Fujifilm X-T5 has a compact body, it is not lightweight. It weighs 557g . But since it does not have a deep greep, it feels unbalanced. And it takes unnecessary effort to handle it.

The thumb grip fixes the issues by distributing the weight between four fingers and the thumb. For me, it is a game changer concerning ergonomics. 

Quick Release Plate

Since I am a hybrid photographer shooting handheld and on a tripod, I needed a quick-release plate to make it comfortable to carry the camera on a leash and mount it on a tripod in seconds.

It took me probably a year to find the universal universal quick-release plate that I liked, and it happened to be the cheapest I tried.

Unfortunately, you can not get it from Amazon or B&H, but it is still available on AliExpress. It cost only $10.

The Negatives of Fujifilm X-T5

I do not see too many issues in X-T5 that negatively affect my photography.

• Probably the biggest shortcoming that separates X-T5 from being a truly professional camera is a shallow buffer. If your photography depends on continuous shooting, you probably need to consider the Fujifilm X-H2 and X-H2s.
• The camera does not come with a dedicated charger. But you can still charge the battery inside the cameras.
• There is no battery grip available for X-T5
• The X-T5 is made in China. I guess Fujifilm had to move manufacturing from Japan to stay competitive. But it allowed them to keep the same price of the T-X series for 7 years.

Fujifilm X-T5 Review | Conclusion

My first impression was that the Fujifilm X-T5 model was not a revolutionary update but rather incremental. But after shooting with it for 5 months, I think it is more than a boring refresh.

Fujifilm improved image quality by introducing a new high-resolution sensor unique to APS-C cameras. 

Fujifilm managed to improve IBIS, making it more effective and compact.

Fujifilm reduced the camera size compared to the previous model (X-T4).

Combining the new sensor and processor allowed the camera to use more sophisticated auto-focus algorithms. And with such a modern and powerful duo, there is plenty of room for autofocus improvements through firmware updates.

From my perspective, the Fujifilm X-T5 is the ideal travel camera. It is durable, weather-sealed with professional-level features, and produces outstanding images.

And honestly, I am struggling to come up with my wishlist for the next XT model. 

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Fujifilm X-T5 Long Term Review: 12 Months of Pure Joy

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After six years of the X-T2, I was due an upgrade and what a worthwhile upgrade the Fujifilm X-T5 was. I’m here after 12 months of use to share my Fujifilm X-T5 long term review.

Well, here we are then. An entire year has now passed since upgrading my Fujifilm X-T2 to the Fujifilm X-T5 and, personally, it’s been an incredible year which I’ve luckily been able to document with quite possibly the best camera that has ever been made.

I know I promised a review of the Fujifilm X-T5 in my posts last year but, for some reason, I just couldn’t bring myself to write a short article about first impressions. I’m quite glad that I’ve waited the full year to pull this post together as I’m more confident that you will take something from it. My Fujifilm X-T5 long term review will cover my thoughts from 12 months of putting the camera through its paces in every aspect of the type of photography I do.

The Fujifilm X-T5 has documented a year of firsts. My daughter’s first Christmas and her first family holiday abroad . My first press trips to Lithuana and Sicily. It’s also documented a failed attempt at the 365 challenge, a wedding at Runa Farm and many, many aspects of day to day life.

FUJIFILM X-T5 LONG TERM REVIEW

After six years of the Fujifilm X-T2, a camera that made me fall in love with photography all over again, I felt that it was time for an upgrade primarily for faster autofocus and access to some of the newer film simulations. Jumping from the X-T2 through three iterations of the X-T series, I was hopeful that this camera would be on another level to what I had been used to. It’s safe to say that I was blown away by the Fujifilm X-T5 and fell head over heels pretty quickly. As the year has progressed, the Fujifilm X-T5 has been ever present in my life. Despite a small blip with the pressure of the 365 project, I remain ever so smitten with this camera and I honestly think that it’s the best camera for me and my style of photography.

Before we dive in, whilst regular readers of the blog will know by now, if you’re a first time reader I apologise in advance that you’re not really going to get too much detail around the specs and details but more of a ‘real world’ experience. I’m just a regular guy working a 9-5 job who loves photography and just documenting my life. I’m not a pro by any stretch of the imagination but I rely on my camera for my travel blogging and for the odd wedding too. My camera is an extension of me, I want to enjoy taking it everywhere.

MY FAVOURITE FEATURES OF THE FUJIFILM X-T5

IN-BODY IMAGE STABILISATION (IBIS)

One of my most sought-after features for a camera and probably my favourite feature of the X-T5. The Fujifilm X-T5 features a 5-axis in-body image stabilisation of up to 7 stops! 7 stops is insane. In the real world, this really helps in low light environments – I can quite happily shoot at a shutter speed of 1/8 maybe even less and still get razor sharp images. I know that I can also shoot images of people at 1/30 and still come away with sharp photos! The IBIS in the Fujifilm X-T5 will immediately help you create better quality images when the light starts to fade. A tripod is no longer a necessity.

IMAGE QUALITY / JPEG COLOURS

Since 2018, I’ve almost exclusively shot JPEGs with the Fujifilm X-T2 thanks to the unrivalled colours that come baked into the images straight from the camera. Fujifilm JPEG recipes are so good that whole communities are built on the idea that you no longer need to shoot RAW (I still shoot RAW for weddings mind!). I was keen to access some of the newer film simulations particularly Classic Neg and Nostalgic Neg. I’ve been blown away by the Fujifilm X-T5’s colours and dynamic range. I feel that my ‘style’ has matured and developed thanks to the new recipes that I’ve been able to create – my Classic Neg recipe is definitely ‘me’. For all of my new recipes, here’s my post setting them all out!

In terms of image quality, it’s exceptional. Whether you’re printing, viewing on social media or, as I’ve been doing recently, displaying my photos as artwork on the Samsung Frame TV, the quality of the images is so so good. I’ve been super happy with the obvious increase in quality and I’ve received so many more compliments on my photography over the last year than ever before. That must be down to the change in camera right?

AUTOFOCUS / FACE & EYE DETECTION

It was to be expected that I would notice a huge leap in autofocus performance when upgrading so I’m pleased to say that I wasn’t disappointed in the slightest. Even in high contrast lighting, I found that the autofocus on some of my older lenses like the Fujifilm 35mm f/1.4 has markedly improved. For example, I have been able to capture in-focus and sharp photos of my daughter running around using continuous focus. The focus speed on the newer lenses, such as the Fujifilm 18mm f/1.4 , is instantaneous. Lightning fast.

TACTILE DIALS

As soon as I held the Fujifilm X-T5 in my hands, I could tell the difference between it and the X-T2 most notably on the tactile ‘clicks’ on all of the dials and buttons. The ‘clicks’ just feel good . To be honest, I don’t use the dials that often (I’m an aperture priority kind of guy) but when I fancy experimenting (eg panning shots) or need quick access to my settings (eg switching to flash photography), it’s nice to feel that the changes I’m making on the dials are going to be accurate.

Sticking with the ‘feel’ of the camera, I love the heavier weight of the Fujifilm X-T5 and bigger grip which just fits my hand so much better than the X-T2. Going back to the X-T2 now feels wrong. It feels as though it would just slip out of my hand. The Fujifilm X-T5 isn’t too heavy, you can still easily carry it all day long (lens dependent), and the bigger grip means that I can handhold the camera as I wander. I don’t always like to rely solely on my Peak Design straps; I quite like the free feeling. Either way, the Fujifilm X-T5’s ergonomics are such that this really feels like a proper camera.

BATTERY LIFE

The Fujifilm X-T5 utilises the newer NP-W235 battery and, as long as you’re using the official battery, you’re unlikely to struggle with the power that it can deliver. My type of heavy shooting is say a week-long press trip where you’re taking several thousand images and I probably would have to charge every other day or so. I lasted a full day, up until the evening do, shooting a wedding with just one battery. I do have another official battery for emergencies and I now have the dual charger as the USB charging option isn’t for me.

MY FUJIFILM X-T5 NEGATIVES

LOW LIGHT / HIGH ISO

The first sort of ‘negative’ or slight disappointment that I have with the Fujifilm X-T5 is that, similar to X-T2, photos shot in low light / high ISO are still not great in my opinion especially when involving people. With the base ISO of 125 being a better starting point and with IBIS, hand-held shots in low light can be excellent yet add in high ISO (often when trying to use faster shutter speeds) and the noise can be unbearable at times. In my view, people just don’t look as good in low light / high ISO scenarios so it can be challenging in dark venues for example when shooting weddings. Thankfully though there’s no return to the waxy skin tones of the X-T2!

SILVER PAINT

I’ve now seen consistently that reviewers have had concerns about the build quality of the Fujifilm X-T5. Seeing as I came from the X-T2, the X-T5 feels much more expensive but one thing I did notice is that the silver paint is coming off in so many places already. This is really disappointing given the price point we are talking about for this camera. After 12 months, the paintwork has come off in more places than across my X-T2 (although it is black I guess) which has been battered through ten months of travelling and six years of use.

MISSING PHOTOMETRY DIAL

This is one I’ve mentioned before. On the X-T2, and perhaps even every version since, there was a dial under the shutter speed that you could easily and swiftly flick to change between photometry settings. Photometry is quite important in being able to drastically alter the lighting of a scene so often I would switch between Center Weighted and Spot depending on what look I was after. That dial has been removed on the X-T5 for a simple dial that switches between Photo and Video. For me, it is entirely redundant as I don’t really do any kind of videography. It is possible to assign one of the buttons to bring up the photometry options but I’ve just stuck to Center Weighted for the last year.

CUSTOM SETTING SLOTS

Ok so you’ll have to bear with me on this one. Many people will see the Custom Modes feature as a huge positive especially those that shoot different styles of photography but, for me, I would rather see a return to the seven ( here’s how you get an eighth… ) slots purely for JPEG recipes. Essentially, you can completely change how the entire software on the camera is setup between the different custom setting slots. So in theory you could have everything set up for wedding photography, street photography, portraits, motorsport, wildlife photography all in the different custom setting slots. I know that this feature has been carried over from the X-H series but it seems a bit overkill for me; I would still rather flick between different JPEG recipes.

THE BEST LENSES WITH THE FUJIFILM X-T5

When the X-T5 first came out, Fujifilm released a ‘Lens Compatibility’ chart setting out which lenses were essentially optimised to work with the 40MP sensor; those that could resolve the full 40MP (at least that’s my understanding). To be honest, I didn’t take much notice of the chart as there aren’t many situations that I would ultimately end up requiring all of those pixels. If one of my lenses was capable of only producing images of 33MP then that didn’t really bother me.

From the get go, I noticed absolutely nothing wrong or any issues in the images created with the lenses that are unable to fully resolve 40MP. Nothing whatsoever.

The Fujifilm 35mm f/1.4 therefore remains my favourite lens and, when combined with the faster autofocus speed of the X-T5 (yes it really does make a noticeable difference), it produces exceptionally high quality images. The 35mm f/1.4 lens comes with me at all times and I know for certain that it won’t let me down.

The other lenses from my own personal collection that I have found work really well with the X-T5 are the Fujifilm 18mm f/1.4 (this lens is ultra sharp with instantaenous autofocus) and, surprisingly, the Fujifilm 56mm f/1.2 . The X-T5 has reinvigorated the 56mm f/1.2 and turned it into a lens that can at least compete in terms of autofocus speed. I’ve found that I now get more ‘keepers’ from the lens especially when shooting weddings and any focus issues I have experienced are certainly user error – that f/1.2 focus plane is still miniscule. I also recently purchased the Fujifilm 18-55mm f/2.8-4 which I must say seems to work perfectly with the X-T5; it’s nice and light meaning that you can wander all day long and the combination of lens and body image stabilization really helps with using slow shutter speeds at night – perfect for travel and street photography.

There are of course many lenses that work well with the Fujifilm X-T5 and many of those remain on my list of ‘to try/buy’. At the top of that list are both the Fujifilm 27mm f/2.8 and the Fujifilm 50-140mm f/2.8. I’ll keep trying to find a reason to buy those…

MY TOP IMAGES FROM THE PAST 12 MONTHS

It’s all well and good me sat here typing about my thoughts and feelings towards the Fujifilm X-T5 but we all want to see real life examples of what can be produced by the camera. So, for this section, I won’t ramble on, I’ll just pick out a selection of what I think my top images are from the past 12 months (as well as the other images in this post). I hope you like them as much as I do!

As you can tell from this post, I’m over the moon with the decision to upgrade from my Fujifilm X-T2 to the X-T5. Honestly, the differences between the two cameras are night and day which is entirely expected given the technological advances made since the X-T2 was released. The X-T5 really hasn’t missed a beat over the last year and has enabled me to produce some of my favourite (and in my view best) images so far.

For me, I look forward to continue to document my life with the Fujifilm X-T5 over the coming years and, for now at least, there’s unlikely to be anything that will tempt me to change cameras! Maybe I’ll even buy the black version for good measure.

Whether you’re looking to upgrade from another of Fujifilm’s cameras or jump into the Fujifilm system, I’m almost certain you won’t be disappointed with the Fujifilm X-T5. Of course, if you have the X-T4 or another of Fujifilm’s top offerings, the differences may not be that noticeable to make it worth your while but, again, that’s personal preference.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my Fujifilm X-T5 long term review and, if you want to chat cameras or have any thoughts, feel free to leave a comment below.

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FUJIFILM X-T5 FUJIFILM 18MM F/1.4 FUJIFILM 23MM F/1.4 FUJIFILM 35MM F/1.4 FUJIFILM 50MM F/2 FUJIFILM 50-140MM F/2.8 PEAK DESIGN STRAPS

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13 thoughts on “Fujifilm X-T5 Long Term Review: 12 Months of Pure Joy”

These photos are really beautiful mate. Lovely work 👌

Thanks Adam, really appreciate it!

What film simulation do you normally use? I’d love to know! Especially those landscape photos of the city, those are lovely

Thank you! Mostly all of my photos over the last year with the X-T5 have been taken with my Classic Negative recipe here

I will at some point update my X-T3 to an X-T5, perhaps soon after the X-T6 is announced and upgraders dump their X-T5s.

That’s a very good idea!

Many thanks for the review, and especially the way it moves past the overly-technical stuff in favour of what we all need to know: how do the images look and how does the camera feel to use? Moving the metering dial really does seem a retrograde step (maybe they asked a focus group!), as the X-T series top plate has always been a major attraction of the camera. I’m still using an X-T2 with 56mm and 35mm, so it’s particularly exciting that these stellar lenses seem to get a new lease of life. Neither the X-T3 nor 4 persuaded me to move on from what I’ve been using for years now. But this really is food for thought… 🙂

Great review! Really useful insights on the Fujifilm X-T5. Thanks for sharing your experiences

Thank you so much! Really glad you’ve enjoyed it!

I haven’t been shooting much over the past few years and still have an XT2! I’m probably going to get an XT5 one day soon so I appreciate what you have to say about this. Thanks.

Thanks Cathy, glad you enjoyed the post. If you do get the X-T5, you will love it!

Just want to say thanks for this article. Exactly what I was looking for: fresh thoughts not just stale specs. Hope you’re still enjoying the camera!

Thank you, really appreciate that!

Loving the camera, still using it constantly

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Best Lenses for the Fujifilm X-T5 in 2024

Wondering which lenses pair best with the Fujifilm X-T5's 40MP sensor? Here's a list of our current favorites for getting the most out of your new camera.

Camera Gear Guides | Fujifilm Lens Guides | Lens Guides | By Stephan Jukic | Last Updated: June 10, 2024

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This is a guide to the best lenses for the Fujifilm X-T5 mirrorless camera.

With 40 glorious megapixels to play with, you need to be attaching the right glass to your X-T5.

I’ve been shooting with Fuji X-Series cameras for years now, and these are the lenses for the Fuji X-T5 I recommend.

Great everyday walk-around lens for the X-T5. Versatile zoom range, weather-proof build and excellent optical performance.

Fortunately, you can’t really go wrong with any Fujifilm XF lens – they’re all  that good.

(If you own the X-T4 and some lenses , remember that they should all work admirably with the X-T5 too.)

However, if you’re keen to find which lens works particularly well with a Fuji X-T5 body, keep reading.

Table of Contents

What are the Best Lenses for Fujifilm X-T5 in 2024?

Fujifilm xf 16-55mm f/2.8 r lm wr | best walk-around zoom for x-t5.

Image: Bhagi Siva

• Maximum image quality for a zoom lens
• Highly versatile focal length
• Superbly quiet autofocus
• Rugged, weather-resistant design
• Good low-temperature performance
• Creates great Bokeh
• Somewhat heavy for a walk-around lens (655g)
• Somewhat expensive
• No internal image stabilization

Fujifilm’s XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR may be on the bulky and heavy side, but it’s one fantastically versatile zoom lens with excellent focal length.

During testing, I found this to be the best lens for XT5 owners who want a variety of ‘looks’ in their shots. 16-55mm is from wide-angle to portrait, after all.

This little beast is ideal for photographers who want to step out into the field or go for a studio shoot while being sure of what they’ll need.

The XF 16-55mm achieves this by being capable of excellent sharpness at multiple focal lengths and thus makes you feel almost as if you’re carrying around several different prime lenses in one.

What’s more, the XF 16-55mm delivers truly superb image quality across the board right out to f8. We can’t stress this enough. It’s truly a razor-sharp piece of optical technology.

Fujifilm XF 16-55mm sample image: Simone Raso

Fuji invested heavily in the XF 16-55 mm design and the photo quality it produces showcases that effort.

It can even be used for reasonably decent macro photography, which is impressive for a Fuji wide-angle zoom lens.

Other excellent aspects of the Fuji XF 16-55mm include its whisper-quiet AF motor and the f/2.8 maximum aperture, making it great for low light.

This makes the XF 16-55mm a perfect match for your X-T5’s lightning-fast auto-focus capabilities. Certainly a must-have among the Fujifilm X-T5 lenses.

• Fujifilm XF 16-55mm lens review

Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R | Best Portrait Lens for X-T5

• Superb, robustly metallic build quality
• Responsive manual focus ring
• Very good image quality, even wide open
• Wonderful bokeh
• Image quality less than ideal at the edges
• Somewhat slow AF motor performance
• A bit expensive

Here is the best lens for Fuji XT5 when it comes to portrait photography.

For professional portrait photographers working in a studio setting, the Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R is a sturdy, robust and optically superb portrait lens.

No guide to the best lenses for Fuji XT5 owners should miss this beauty, most notably for that bokehlicious maximum aperture.

While its AF system is slightly on the slow side compared to certain other Fuji lenses (such as the Fujinon 90mm F2), the Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R still operates more than adequately for most portrait shooting needs.

Whatever slowness its AF system does include is more than compensated for by the Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R’s excellent image quality and large maximum aperture.

Your portrait shots will look fantastically sharp when captured with this impressive chunk of Fuji glass.

Specifically, the Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R is a precisely corrected lens and produces minimal to zero haloing, chromatic aberration and very minor distortion.

It creates some wickedly beautiful bokeh at f/1.2. With the 56mm focal length, your backgrounds will turn to mush, making for some truly striking face shots.

On a final note, it’s hard not to love the robust build quality of the Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R.

This is one precise, solid lens that almost feels like something made for a film camera (but with perfectly modern specs.)

• Best lenses for Fujifilm X-H2

Fujifilm XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR | Best Mid-Range Zoom for X-T5

Image: Greg Cromie

• Extremely versatile for a telephoto zoom lens
• Highly effective optical image stabilization
• Solid, weather and dust-resistant build
• Smoothly responsive zoom functionality
• Quite heavy and bulky at 2.2 lbs (0.99 kg)
• Slightly expensive

Looking for the best lens for Fujifilm XT5 in terms of midrange zoom? look no further.

The Fujifilm XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR has attracted rave reviews from happy users of all kinds, and with good reason.

This is just one fantastic telephoto lens across the full range of its expansive focal length.

Fujifilm XT5 lenses shouldn’t all be exotic primes, after all – long-range zooms like this one can really open up the opportunities to getting shots you’d otherwise have missed.

Fuji has given the XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR an extremely solid build that lets you use it comfortably in the field despite its bulky size and weight. It’s also highly weather-resistant.

Fuji 50-140mm sample image: Greg Cromie

In terms of focal range, this 50-140mm lens delivers the same magnification through your viewfinder as a 70-200mm would on a full-frame camera.

Despite being a huge lens, it fits the X-T5 nicely and delivers superb zoom control in the process.

Its optical image stabilization is also perfectly up to the job of handling shoots with the Fujifilm XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR.

The only hesitation may be the price – it’s certainly an investment and probably not the first lens for the X-T5 to buy unless you have the budget.

However, if you’re using the Fujifilm X-T5 and want a solid medium-long-range zoom lens, this is the one you’ll want to add to your arsenal.

• Fujifilm 50-140mm f/2.8 lens review

Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 | Best Budget Prime for X-T5

• Very affordably priced Fuji lens
• Extremely light, compact and tough
• Versatile and great with low light
• Great for subtle street photography
• The focus motor can be noisy
• Tiny lens cap, easy to lose

This tiny powerhouse is one of the best lenses for XT5!

The extremely compact Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 weighs in at just 2.75 ounces, unsurprisingly, since it’s less than an inch thick and just 2.4 inches wide.

During my tests, I decided that it’s the best lens for XT5 owners who want to keep the entire setup as small, lightweight and unobtrusive as possible.

Despite its diminutive specs, the Fujinon XF 27mm f/2.8 performs admirably and is handy for certain specific contexts with Fujifilm cameras .

Most notably, this pancake lens is fantastic for street photography, mainly because it’s just so unobtrusive, even less so than an average kit lens.

Another aspect of the ultra-compact 27mm is that although not a wide-angle lens, it provides a suitably wide viewing angle due to its 27mm FOV.

This lets you capture surprisingly broad shots without having to step back too far. Again, this is definitely useful for street photography and architecture shots.

Finally, the Fujinon XF 27mm f/2.8 is reasonably well-built and, due to its lightness, not a lens that you’re likely to easily damage. It’s also very affordable.

Pairing it with the Fujifilm X-T5 will make your camera feel like it’s completely lens-less, which is obviously great for all day shooting or remaining inconspicuous on the street.

It’s also one of the best lenses for Fujifilm X-E4 cameras due to its compactness.

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR |Best Fast Prime for Fuji X-T5

Image: John Platt

• Combines both portability and performance as a prime lens
• Exceptionally fast internal AF mechanism
• Light-weight construction, but tough
• Highly weather and dust-resistant
• Superb optical performance
• While not crazy expensive, it’s hardly cheap

Fujifilm’s XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR is a fast prime lens with virtually no flaws.

For one thing, the Fujinon XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR delivers wickedly sharp picture quality with minimal or no notable chromatic aberration.

On top of this, it will help your X-T5 deliver the best possible colors it can – don’t be tempted by the 23mm f/2 version   – it’s also a great lens, but the optics are far superior on this f/1.4 variant.

Fuji 23mm f/1.4 sample image: John Platt

As a general wide-angle prime lens, the Fujinon XF 23mm offers a 35mm equivalent focal length for the APS-C cameras it’s built for. I love using this lens on my X-Pro 3 .

This lens’s specs make it an ideal choice for so many different uses, from street photography to wedding and event shooting.

It’s also great for documentary photographers in the field and photojournalists. Further boosting its versatility is the rugged build of the XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR.

This is a solid weather and dust-resistant lens that has been built to withstand plenty of moisture and dirty settings.

In general, it’s practically a must-have lens for your Fujifilm X-T5 camera or any other Fuji shooter with similar specs.

• Fujifilm 23mm f/1.4 lens review

Fujifilm XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR | Best Telephoto Prime for Fuji X-T5

• Excellent image quality from center to edge
• Very sharp shots at all aperture settings
• Precise, firm aperture ring design
• Good weight for its size
• Uneven focus speed

Like the rest of the best Fuji X lenses for the X-T5 we’re describing here, the Fujifilm XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR is unsurprisingly excellent.

This telephoto delivers superb image sharpness right across its aperture spectrum right from center to edge. It does, however, require a bit of careful handling with its AF.

Specifically, while the focus speed in the XF 90mm is usually lightning fast, it can sometimes slip into focusing on the wrong subject or slipping up in contrast detection mode and slowing down a shot.

Fuji 90mm f/2 sample image: Niko Villegas

The depth of field of the Fujifilm XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR lets the lens deliver good background separation even at shooting distances of 20 feet.

It also facilitates great color saturation and crisp overall image quality.

With a focal length of 137mm equivalent in APS-C cameras from Fuji, the Fujifilm XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR is a powerful and flexible choice for a telephoto prime lens.

Overall, it’s a well-built, weather-sealed lens that should give you little trouble if you’re using it in the field, even with inclement weather swirling or splashing around you.

• Fuji 90mm f/2 lens review

Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR | Best Wide Angle Zoom for Fuji X-T5

Image: Matt Murray

• Weather-sealed in 11 points
• Capable of low-temp work down to -10 Celsius
• Quick, precise AF
• Low distortion even at 8mm
• Excellent image quality
• Very wide-angle shooting
• Large and heavy
• No filter attachment

Fuji’s XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR is an X format lens with lots to offer photographers who want wonderfully crisp, vibrant wide-angle photos of landscapes and architecture. It’s also great for portrait shooting.

Another strong quality of this lens is the quality of the images it produces. They’re crisp, sharp and fairly easy to capture, thanks to a very fast AF motor.

Fuji XF 8-16mm sample image: Matt Murray

Despite the XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR’s wide-angle shooting specs, it features four aspherical elements inside its body to suppress distortions and excessive curvature of field.

Six extra-low dispersion elements inside the XF 8-16mm’s body help it deliver exceptionally high clarity and color accuracy.

On the negative side, the XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR is a rather hefty and slightly clunky lens to work with, though if you need a truly strong wide-angle zoom, it’s a fine choice and worth its high price.

• Fuji 8-16mm f/2.8 lens review

Fujifilm XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR | Best Long-Range Zoom for Fuji X-T5

• Extremely well-built lens
• Extremely sharp image quality
• Uniform sharpness from edge to edge
• Image stabilization
• Fast AF for its size and bulkiness
• Decently priced
• Very large and heavy (it’s a 400mm telephoto after all)
• Some AF weaknesses in low light

Fuji’s XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR is a hefty beast of a lens that weighs in at close to 5 lbs, but it’s a 400mm telephoto lens, so you can hardly expect less.

With that said, this is one superb long-range telephoto optic that delivers remarkably crisp, sharp photos with great color rendering making it perfect for shooting landscapes.

The Fujinon XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR is also solid in terms of its AF performance, except if you’re shooting at the extremes of its range in low light. In this case, the AF gets a bit indecisive and slow.

With all of the above said, the options become rather limited when it comes to lenses with this model’s range of focal length and zoom.

If you own a high-performance APS-C camera like the X-T5 and need something that will let you crisply capture birds from half a kilometer away, the Fujinon XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR is a superb option.

• What’s the best Fuji lens for landscape photography?

Honorable Mentions (Other Great Lenses for Fujifilm X-T5)

Fujinon xf 10-24mm f/4 r.

• Good AF performance
• Great sharpness
• Reasonably priced
• Very, very versatile
• Weather-sealed
• Sharpness could be better at the extremes
• Some optical distortion
• Might be too large for some uses

While called a telephoto zoom lens, the Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR is really a great all-purpose option that you can use for nearly any shooting need.

This lens weighs just 440g (1 lb) and is compact enough to let you use it fairly unobtrusively.

With the Fujifilm XF f/4 R OIS WR, you get a 16-80mm zoom range (24-120mm equivalent) that’s very flexible for diverse shoots and offers great telephoto capabilities at 80mm.

The Fujinon XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR is also ideal as a field tool specifically because of its versatility, letting you replace multiple lenses at different focal lengths with one single optic.

It also delivers decent low-light performance despite its f/4 aperture, strong AF and reasonably strong image stabilization.

It’s a bit large for discreet photography and easy hauling in the field, but it compensates nicely with its truly exceptional versatility and is incredibly popular among Fujifilm lenses.

• Fuji 10-24mm lens review

Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f/ 4 R OIS WR

• Very accurate AF
• High-quality optical image stabilization
• Constant max f/4 aperture for consistency
• Good for shallow depth of field techniques
• No weather sealing
• Some optical distortion and vignetting
• Curiously loose lens mount

Fuji’s Fujinon XF 10-24mm f/4 R is another solid wide-angle zoom lens from the manufacturer, but it’s not quite as robustly built as the Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR we listed above.

For one thing, this lens doesn’t have weather sealing, which could be a deal-breaker for some users who need this in their Fujifilm lenses.

Secondly, its image quality, though very sharp at the center and generally good, does suffer from some vignetting and optical distortion.

XF 16-80mm f/4 | 16mm | 1/125 SS | ISO 500 | f/4 | Sample image: Jens Burger

With the above details in mind, the Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR offers a very flexible zoom range for all kinds of travel photography situations without switching optics on the fly.

Furthermore, the Fujifilm XF 8-16mm has a decent AF that quietly and precisely does its job while you focus on shooting and composition. Its internal image stabilization also helps here by being sturdy and precise.

The price of the Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR also isn’t too bad considering this lens’s specs.

Overall, except for the lack of weather sealing, we really recommend this optic for its impressive image quality.

• Fuji 16-80mm lens review

Zeiss Touit 50mm f/2.8 Macro | Best Macro Lens

• Very versatile lens
• Macro shots look great
• Shoots street scenes wonderfully
• Light and reasonably sized
• AF could be faster
• No real weather sealing

The thing to really like about this Zeiss Touit lens for Fuji cameras is that it’s versatile enough to be great for both deep-detail macro photography and for things like portraiture.

Its life-size 1:1 max magnification ratio and minimum focus distance of just 5.9” or 14cm make it useful for very close-up shots.

On the other hand, the Zeiss Touit 50mm f/2.8 Macro also comes with a floating element system for consistent image quality across its focal range.

The DC autofocus motor in the Zeiss Touit 50mm f/2.8 Macro is also very well-made, being both quiet and precise.

Other very likable things about this Zeiss Touit macro lens are its light weight and reasonable size.

These, combined with its portrait and telephoto capabilities, make it a surprisingly good lens for certain types of street photography too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Fuji lens is the sharpest?

If we had to pick any lens among the ones listed above as the sharpest, it would probably be the Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR, but that’s a difficult call to make.

In reality, pretty much all of the lenses we’ve covered here offer very good to excellent sharpness. It’s why they’re all so highly rated.

What lenses work with the Fuji XT5?

All Fujifilm X Series lenses are designed to be compatible with the XF format of the Fujifilm X-T5 camera.

Also, keep in mind that any Fujifilm XF-format lens will work with the Fuji X-T5. In fact, many will work exceptionally well because of the camera’s 40MP sensor.

Do I have to use a lens that will resolve the full 40MP or can I use other Fujifilm XT lenses?

Nope. As long as you’re using an XF format lens with your Fujifilm X-T5 camera, it will work well with it even if it’s not designed to resolve the full 40MP of the X-T5’s sensor.

Some lenses will resolve only 30MP, or maybe 33, but they’ll all work better than if used with, for example, a 26MP Fuji shooter like that of the X-T4.

Final Words

I sincerely hope you enjoyed my guide to the best lenses for Fujifilm XT5 users.

If you own a Fujifilm X-T5 camera, what you have in your hands is one superbly good piece of shooting technology that absolutely can create professional photos for nearly any context.

Because of this, you want to give it the best Fuji lenses for its sensor resolution.

Which ones you obtain will depend on the kind of shooting you most like to do, but the ones we’ve ranked above are the best in their categories for exactly this kind of camera.

Yes, they can get expensive, but any one or two or more of the lenses ranked above will let you take your Fujifilm X-T5 shooting to new levels and contexts.

Stephan Jukic is a technology and photography journalist and experimental photographer who spends his time living in both Canada and Mexico. He loves cross-cultural street photo exploration and creating fine art photo compositions.

The 16-80 is weather sealed hence the WR designation. Please correct this as it’s definitely going to put some people off. Its an excellent lens on the X-T5 and is fully weather sealed.

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Best Fuji Lenses for Stunning Travel Photos (In 2024)

Trying to pick a lens to buy can be a super daunting task. I remember when I finally decided to upgrade from the kit lens that camera with my camera, and I had to do SO MUCH GOOGLING. How can you possibly decide what lens is best for you? It came with learning a ton of terminology I had never grappled with before: Aperture. Focal length. IQ (Image Quality).

There is a sea of choice and as beginners looking for information it’s hard to know what’s going to be best.

There there is the fact that lenses are expensive .

The last thing you want to have happen is that you buy a lens and then you don’t like it! 😱

I personally own and have purchased all the lenses in this guide (except one I borrowed 😁), so I can provide you with lots of sample images taken with each lens to help your decision-making process!

Read on for a guide on picking a Fujifilm lens for travel , including information on how to choose a lens based on the kind of pictures you want to capture, and my top pick if you have to pick just ONE lens .

This post was originally published in January 2019, and has been updated for Summer 2024 with the latest additions to Fujifilm’s lens lineup.

What makes a great lens for travel?

I have a few main criteria when picking lenses for travel. Any lens needs to match at least 2 of the following three criteria:

• Lightweight – You don’t want to have shoulder pain from carrying a ton of gear by hauling heavy gear around for long hours while traveling.
• Versatile – You’ll find no ultra-specialty lenses in this guide, only meant for one thing. Every lens needs to help me in a couple different ways.
• Necessary – Whether I absolutely need to pack the lens because I’ll be in a special situation, like shooting wildlife.

Hence, all of the lenses I include here are at least two of these things, and hopefully they are more like all three!

Why did I pick Fujifilm?

Back in the day when I started looking for a camera, a friend of mine who majored in Film in college unequivocally recommended that I start my photography journey with Fujifilm .

A big part of the draw is that Fujifilm focuses on mirrorless cameras , which are smaller and more light-weight than bulky DSLRs. When I know that my images will end up on this blog, rather than a billboard, I don’t need the difference between the 24 megapixels of the $1,000 Fujifilm X-T2 and the 30 megapixels of the $3,000 Canon 5D Mark IV.

I will keep my extra $2,000, thanks!

And in turn, I have a camera that’s light enough to pop in my day bag without me noticing the weight.

That can be a huge benefit when you’re traveling, because the last thing you want to do is leave your camera in your room because it’s too heavy and you don’t want it to weigh you down.

Best Fuji Lens For Travel Photography

As I said before, I personally own or have extensively used all of these Fujifilm lenses. So you know you’re getting recommendations based on my experience!

If you have any questions about them , please LEAVE A COMMENT! I am more than happy to help you pick the lens that is going to meet your individual needs and help you capture the kind of photos you dream about 😄

Legend WR - Weather resistant (can withstand rain and below freezing temperatures). OIS - Optical image stabilization (helpful with zoom lenses to avoid blurry photos). ★ - My all-time favorite lens!

1. Fujinon XF 16mm f1.4

This is one lens that I always bring with me when traveling. A wide-angle lens is a super necessary part of the traveler’s arsenal. If you aren’t familiar with wide-angle lenses, it essentially means that you can fit more in to the picture than with a typical lens. This can be great, but it also means sometimes you need to get really close to something in order to use this lens and get the framing that you want.

Use this lens for: Landscapes, tight indoor spaces, low light photography, astrophotography, architecture.

The reason I think a wide angle lens is necessary for every traveler is because these kinds of situations are the ones we encounter a lot.

• Want to get that beautiful mountain landscape? Wide angle.
• Want to photograph that impressive church or parliament building? Wide angle.
• Want to capture people in the context of an landscape, instagram-style? Wide. Angle!
• “Follow me” style portraits? If that’s what you want, you need a wide angle!

There are a lot of shots you just miss if you don’t bring a wide angle lens.

What makes this lens special This lens can focus very closely and has a very wide aperture. What it means is you can get bokeh (blurry background) from a wide angle lens by getting close, which is not a very common thing at all. The wide aperture also makes it a great candidate for night photos, I’ve used it to take plenty of photos of stars and northern lights!

My best tip for using a wide-angle lens is GET CLOSER any time you are using it and you are not shooting a landscape!

If you’re still not sure, you can read my detailed Fujifilm 16mm f1.4 review for more sample images and an in-depth look at this lens.

Alternatives: Fuji’s other wide-angle lenses

Prime lenses : These lenses don’t zoom, but are often lighter and more compact than their zoomable counterparts. Fuji is known for its primes, and you can save hundreds of dollars if you don’t really need the f1.4 aperture and can sacrifice a little sharpness.

• 16mm f2.8 WR – Very affordable alternative to the 16mm f1.4 which was just released last year (in 2019). Weather resistant, compact, and has consistently great reviews .
• 14mm f2.8 – Has a wider angle but is not weather resistant. A good option for astrophotography or taking pictures of the northern lights.
• 18mm f2.8 – Affordable and compact wide angle lens, but not weather resistant.

Zoom lenses : Fuji has a number of wide to mid-range zoom lenses. There are a few besides these, but these are the most modern and/or the ones with the best quality. You can find them at an entire range of price points as well.

• 16-55mm f2.8 WR – Considered the highest quality wide-to-midrange zoom in Fujifilm’s lineup. Weather resistant, though a little bit on the heavy side. With the the latest Fujifilm camera bodies you can even bundle this lens as your kit lens for a steal.
• 10-24mm f4 – Possibly the best lens for landscape photographers. Super versatile because it’s a zoom, but only f4 which is not really enough for low light. It does have optical image stabilization (OIS), which will help with handheld shots.
• 16-80mm f4 WR – Fuji’s newest zoom offering (as of January 2020). Reviews for this lens are, however, mixed at best. Many are waiting for firmware updates to see if some of the key focus issues are resolved. Has optical image stabilization (OIS).

The reason I chose the 16mm f1.4 over these lenses is I wanted to be able to take low light photos , for example photos of the northern lights or stars. But, still have the flexibility of a lens that isn’t “ultra wide”. Any of these cameras can also take low-light photos, but you’ll need to hold the shutter open for longer, which could mean the stars have moved. Plus, since it’s weather resistant, I can use it in rain, snow, and winter which is important for me!

Check current price for Fuji's 16mm f1.4 on Amazon

2. Fujinon XF 35mm f1.4

I’ve owned this lens for a couple years now, I’ve added new lenses to my kit in the mean time, but none of them really displaced the 35mm lens as being my favorite lens I own .

It’s not just me – a lot of people say that the 35mm f1.4 lens by Fujifilm is the standard by which all other lenses should be judged. It’s super sharp, has gorgeous bokeh, and the image quality is just really, really beautiful. You can take a picture of garbage with this lens and it will look like magic. Seriously.

Use this lens for Everything! This is my all-time favorite lens.

The first big trip I took this lens on was Japan, where I was still using a super low-end camera that didn’t even have a viewfinder – meaning, I was composing all my photos by looking at the LCD screen. Even with the low-end camera body (and the very sad fact that I did not shoot in RAW :sad:), I captured so many beautiful photos in Japan.

The fact that these photos look so good is a testament to the fact that the lens matters more than the camera when it comes to getting great shots. Yes, having both is best, especially in extreme conditions (low light or fast-moving subjects) but in 90% of travel scenarios, the lens is what is responsible for the beautiful image.

Now, this lens is one of the oldest lenses that Fuji makes. So you need to be aware that it has some drawbacks – it is slower and louder to focus than more modern lenses. It’s simply a fact that technology has progressed since this lens came out.

For me, even with those two facts, I love the images created by this lens so much that I don’t mind. It normally doesn’t affect me at all, but you should be aware that more modern “versions” of this lens like the Fujinon XF 35mm f2 have greatly improved on these issues. That said, I take the f1.4 over the f2 any day!

Alternatives The Fujinon XF 35mm f2 is a very good alternative to this lens. It’s fast to focus, compact, weather sealed, and costs about $200 less. The question for you is whether you are really looking for that extra magic from the original lens – something only you can decide!

Check current price for Fuji's 35mm f1.4 on Amazon

3. Fujinon XF 23mm f2 WR

I originally bought this lens for an upcoming trip to Iceland during the winter, because I knew that I needed to have more than one weather-resistant lens. I already owned the 16mm lens, but I needed something that would be useful for everything in between.

This lens has a couple of key benefits: it focuses really fast and quietly (meaning, great for snapshots but also video), it’s very lightweight, and of course it is weather resistant so you can feel safe using it in rain and snow.

Use this lens for Just about everything!

Here you can see the snow is falling everywhere and I am basically unconcerned about using this camera in very low temperatures. Officially, Fujifilm’s weather resistant cameras and lenses operate as low as -10°C / 14°F. I’m not sure if I’ve gone lower than this before, but with the wind and cold it would not surprise me (especially when I was out photographing northern lights, brrrr!)

The two most classic focal lengths are the 23mm and the 35mm on a crop sensor. That’s because these lengths are very versatile – in fact, 23mm is considered to be the same as the human eye, making the photos feel natural in what they contain.

The fact that the Fujifilm 23mm XF f2 lens has a maximum aperture of f/2 means that it’s much lighter than anything at f1.4, just because it takes a lot more glass to accomplish wider apertures. That said, f2 is perfectly good for a lot of low light photography. Check out this slightly longer exposure of the parliament building in Budapest.

Alternatives The main alternative is the 23mm f1.4 lens, which is an absolutely gorgeous lens. If you are looking for a lens that is a little bit wide angle but can still do very low-light, it is a great option. Unfortunately that lens is not weather resistant, so you can’t take it everywhere you can take the 23mm f2.

Check current price for Fuji's 23mm f2 on Amazon

4. Fujinon XF 50-140mm f2.8 WR LM OIS + 2x Teleconverter

I’m not going to lie, this lens is a bit of a beast. It’s larger than my head (though that’s not to say I have a particularly large head). That said, I’m not a big girl, and I had no trouble wielding this lens while I was on safari to take wildlife photos. Yes, the lens is heavier than any of Fujifilm’s prime lenses, but there are photos you can’t capture without it . Cropping a photo can only get you so far. If you’re going somewhere in nature where you think you’ll see some animals, I can’t recommend anything more than to bring a powerful zoom lens with you.

Use this lens for: Wildlife, safari, nature, portraits

This photo shows BOTH the 50-140mm attached, as well as the 2x teleconverter. Without the teleconverter, it would be about 2 1/2 inches shorter.

How does a teleconverter work? A teleconverter is basically like a smaller lens that you attach to an existing lens. It’s going to allow that lens to zoom in further, but it also reduces the amount of light getting into the lens. For example, if you attach a 2x teleconverter to the 50-140mm f2.8 lens, the lens will have the reach of 100-280mm f5.6. This is a great way to be able to zoom in twice as much as you could before, but do be aware, teleconverters are expensive and basically cost as much as a smaller lens themselves!

Did you know? Zoom lenses with a longer focal length (meaning, bigger number of “mm”) are often used to take portraits? This is because they provide the face with nice proportions, and compress the background to better isolate the subject!

As you can imagine with these photos above and below, I could’ve never captured them on a different lens. But they are somehow magical in their own right, and totally worth it.

Alternatives: Fuji’s other telephoto lenses

• 100-400mm f4 is the main alternative if you’re specifically looking to shoot wildlife . The real question here is whether you want something portable or you care about getting CLOSE. For mega, mega close photos, you’re going to need the 100-400mm lens. But if you are looking for a flexible middle ground, stick with the 50-140mm.
• 55-200mm f3.5-f4.8 is probably considered the best bang-for-your-buck zoom from Fuji. Pros: Affordable, great range, great image quality, comparatively lightweight. Cons: Not weather resistant, not as wide aperture, cannot be extended with a teleconverter. It has consistently stellar reviews on Amazon and around the web despite those tradeoffs.

Check current price for Fuji's 50-140mm f2.8 on Amazon

5. Fujinon XF 27mm f2.8

Did you know that tiny lenses like this are often called pancake lenses ? Because they are flat and compact like a pancake! If you’re looking for a lens to put on your camera to bring your camera with you anywhere, this would be a great lens for that. It’s so light it feels like nothing around your neck.

Use this lens for: Street photography, sharp landscapes, keeping a low profile

But my most prominent usage of this lens is when I want to keep a low profile, and not look like I have a thousand dollars hanging from my neck. Or, I want to be able to zip up my camera under my jacket without it being too noticeable.

For example, I went to Rio de Janeiro , which is unfortunately famous for petty theft against tourists. But at least with this lens and a light jacket, I could snap some photos without looking too much like a walking target the whole time. The bigger challenge was how much I was sweating while wearing a jacket in Rio 😂

Photo taken in Rio de Janeiro on Copacabana Beach

Besides just for places where you don’t want to flash a huge camera and lens setup, it can sometimes just be nice to pack light and not worry too much about switching lenses. If I need to take just one lens, it’s probably either this one or my favorite lens (described at the bottom of this post!).

Alternatives The 27mm is not the only Fuji pancake lens available, you can also pick up the 18mm f2.8 .

Both can be good options, it just depends on whether you want to have a wide-angle lens or a more neutral focal length. Given I already own the 16mm, adding the 18mm would be too similar. I also own the Fuji kit lens which starts at 18mm, so it would be too much repetition all around.

Check current price for Fuji's 27mm f2.8 on Amazon

Compatible Fujifilm X-Series Cameras

You can choose any X-mount compatible camera. I personally use and love the Fujifilm X-T2 , which comes with me absolutely everywhere. But the Fujifilm X-T30 (linked below) has the same image quality, just slightly less performance and is not weather-resistant (which maybe you don’t really need, it depends on where you’ll travel!).

The important thing is to invest in lenses because new cameras are released every year, but lenses stand the test of time and will serve you for many years to come.

Plus, lens quality affects your photos more than the camera in the vast majority of cases. Of course, a high end lens on a cheap camera is like putting a sports car motor in a Buick, but we’ve all got to upgrade gradually so it’s totally fine!

You don’t have to spend all your money at once, just start small and pick a camera and a lens that is going to give you the photos you want. You can always upgrade over the years 😄

The latest version of the Fujifilm X-series flagship cameras

Same quality as the X-T2 but without weather resistance.

The camera I use. Still excellent and can be found at good prices.

TIP – Fuji is about to release the Fujifilm X-T4 . Unless you need the in-body stabilization or new flip-out LCD screen, you can get the same sensor in the Fujifilm X-T3 at a significant savings!

Lenses recommended in this post

As I said at the beginning of the post, these are all lenses that I have bought with my own money or (in one case) borrowed and traveled with extensively. If you have any questions , please feel free to leave me a comment and I’ll do my best to help you determine which lens is going to help you capture the travel photos you want!

Landscapes, architecture, astrophotography.

General purpose, classic, sharp, the gold standard.

Landscapes, street photography, low profile.

General purpose, versatile, everyday lens that's weather-resistent

Wildlife, safari, portraits, zoom

Extend zoom ability of the 50-140mm lens.

More Fujifilm accessories

Lenses are probably the most important piece of your arsenal when it comes to producing beautiful images. But there are also lots of other useful Fujifilm accessories that will help you capture images you can’t get without them! Keep reading this post for accessories to add to your travel photography kit .

In my 5+ years shooting with Fuji cameras, these are the best Fujifilm accessories that can help you boost your image quality and create stunning photos.

About the author

Hi there! I'm Monica, an American expat living in Germany for over six years and using every opportunity to explore the world from my homebase in Berlin. My goal is to capture my memories in photos and posts that show how easy it is to start from scratch and travel the world by working abroad.

Follow along on Instagram , Twitter , Bloglovin , & Facebook .

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These Specs Make the Fujifilm X-T5 Great for Landscape Photography

• March 6, 2023
• News , Reviews

Tips for Landscape Photography, Using the Fujifilm X-T5

  by Reza Malayeri  

Full disclosure : This article was brought to you by Adorama. Adorama did not pay FujiRumors to publish this article. But, as usual on FR, this article contains affiliate links.

The Fujifilm X-T5 is the culmination of five generations of evolution in Fuji’s X-Series lineup of mirrorless cameras. Released in November 2022 — nearly a decade after the release of the original X-T1 — the X-T5 features a revolutionary 40-megapixel X-Trans 5 HR sensor, X-Processor 5 AI image processing, and a more compact version of the beloved classic X-Series camera body. This makes it an optimal choice for landscape photography.

Weighing in at just 557 grams, the Fujifilm X-T5 is a lightweight powerhouse. The combination of the smaller size, weight, and high resolution 40-megapixel sensor is a joy to use and travel with. I’ve been enjoying the convenience of shooting landscape photography with such a compact setup. I can pack the X-T5 and several Fujifilm lenses into a small backpack to create stunning high-resolution images.

Fujifilm X-T5 for Landscape Photography

Higher Resolution and Increased Dynamic Range

Fujifilm has included several improvements to the X-T5 which make it an amazing camera for landscape photography. The all-new 5th generation X-Trans 5 HR CMOS sensor features an enhanced image processing algorithm that boosts resolution, without compromising signal to noise ratio. In addition to its enhanced image processing algorithm, the X-T5 also features an improved pixel structure, which allows light to be captured more efficiently. This also enables a lower base ISO value of 125. The combination of these two technologies offers increased dynamic range and higher resolution, both of which are highly desired features for landscape photographers.  

X-Trans Pixel Structure without an Optical Low-Pass Filter

The design of the pixel structure on the Fujifilm X-Trans sensors is ideal for landscape photography. This is because the red, blue, and green pixels are placed on every single vertical and horizontal line of the sensor. This allows the X-T5 to interpolate colors more accurately.  

The green pixel in particular is placed in all of the diagonal lines of the sensor, which is in-contrast to how a traditional Bayer Filter array works on non-X-Trans sensors. The Bayer Filter array found in most conventional cameras can only place two of the three RGB pixels per each line of the sensor, which doesn’t allow the green pixel to exist diagonally. This causes a form of image quality degradation called moirè and requires the use of an optical low-pass filter. This can decrease the sharpness and color accuracy of your landscape photos.

Improved IBIS

The X-T5 introduces an improved in-body image stabilization system with seven stops of camera shake reduction. This is an improvement from the 6.5 stops that was available on the X-T4 . It is an essential feature for landscape photographers who want to shoot in low-light, or without a tripod.  

There are many situations where carrying a tripod isn’t practical, or not even allowed. Having an excellent IBIS system comes in handy during times when you must venture out without your tripod. You can get sharp images without worrying about micro-jitters from your hands.  

Shooting landscape images in low light is also a great use of a good IBIS system like the one in the X-T5. With seven stops of camera shake reduction, I can capture photos with slower shutter speeds. This allows me to gather more light and use lower ISO values to reduce noise.  

160 Megapixel Pixel-Shift Mode

The IBIS system and high-resolution sensor of the X-T5 combine to create stunning ultra high resolution Pixel-Shift images. For the times when you need to capture significantly higher-resolution images, the X-T5’s IBIS shifts its imaging sensor by half a pixel between 20 successive frames. This ensures that your final image has the same information in every red, green, and blue pixel, and creates a 160-megapixel final image that has no false colors visible.

Making the most of this feature requires that you shoot scenes with little to no movement, as the IBIS is shifting between each frame that it captures. Any movement in the scene will result in motion artifacts in the final image. You’ll also need to use Fuji’s Pixel Shift combiner software to stitch your final image together in post.

Weather-Resistant Body with Analog Top Dials

Shooting landscape photography means I’m often in situations where the weather can quickly change. I can’t afford to head out with a camera or lens that can’t be subjected to the elements. The X-T5 allows me to shoot in any weather. It has 56 weather-sealed points throughout its rugged body. It’s dust and moisture resistant and can be used in temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit.

Another convenient feature of the X-T5 for landscape photography is its analog top dials. The dials not only give classic film camera vibe, but it also makes it fast and easy to adjust settings. I can quickly change the ISO, shutter speed and aperture, without needing to dig through menus.

Settings on the Fujifilm X-T5

Shooting landscape photography with the X-T5 is a joy. It has an amazing 40-megapixel high-resolution sensor that is optimized for maximum sharpness and color accuracy. There’s no optical low-pass filter. The improved pixel structure of the sensor captures light more efficiently. All of this combines to create the ideal conditions to capture amazing landscape photos.  

My goal when shooting landscape photography is to always try and keep my ISO settings as low as possible. This allows me to maximize the dynamic range of the sensor, while simultaneously reducing the signal to noise ratio to its lowest value. The X-T5 has a native ISO value of 125, which is what I always try to keep my ISO.

I’m able to stay at base ISO by shooting on a tripod most of the time. Using a tripod allows me to lower my shutter speed way more than I could while holding the camera in my hands. It also captures more light in the process.  

Lenses for the Fujifilm X-T5

With the increased resolution of the Fujifilm X-T5 comes a higher optical resolving power requirement. 40 megapixels is a lot of resolution, and not all lenses are capable of resolving that many pixels completely. That’s not to say that you can’t use older lenses with the X-T5, but it does mean that the older lenses won’t capture landscape images with the maximum fidelity possible.

Here is a list of XF lenses that have the optical resolving power to keep up with the 40 megapixel sensor of the X-T5:

• Fujifilm XF 16mm f/2.8 R WR Lens
• Fujifilm XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR Prime Lens
• Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR Lens
• Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR Lens
• Fujinon XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR Lens  
• Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR Lens
• Fujifilm XF 35mm f/2 R WR Lens
• Fujifilm XF 50mm f/1.0 R WR Lens
• Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR Lens
• Fujifilm XF 80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro Lens
• Fujifilm XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR Lens
• Fujifilm XF 200mm f/2 R LM OIS WR Lens
• Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR Lens
• Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR Lens
• Fujifilm XF 18-120mm f/4 LM PZ WR Lens
• Fujifilm XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR Lens
• Fujinon XF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 R LM OIS WR Lens
• Fujifilm XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR Lens
• Fujifilm XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR Lens

Who Should Buy the Fujifilm X-T5 Camera?

The Fujifilm X-T5 is an amazing camera that is built with a photography-first focus. Unlike the X-T4 — which was designed to appeal to hybrid-shooters — the X-T5 has gone back to the roots of the X-Series lineup. It has a compelling set of features that are tailored to photo enthusiasts first.

Fujifilm has made design choices that emphasize the target user for the X-T5. This includes the change from the X-T4’s flip-forward screen, back to the three-way tilting screen from the X-T3. The tilt-screen is much more suited for photography, as it puts the composition of your images in line with your lens’ field-of-view — ideal for vertical shooting.  

Having a 40-megapixel sensor is another design choice by Fujifilm that makes the X-T5 an ideal choice for photo enthusiasts. I personally love using the extra resolution headroom for re-framing of my compositions in post. But that’s not the only reason why it’s useful for landscape photographers. Having a high-resolution sensor like the one in the X-T5 means you don’t need to worry about having enough reach with your lens, or being slightly off with your composition. You can comfortably “zoom” your shots by cropping in post and still have plenty of resolution remaining in your final image.

With all that said, photography is not the only thing that the X-T5 can be used for. It has an impressive set of features for video as well. It offers up to 6.2K/30P 4:2:2 10-bit internal video recordings and impressive subject-detection AI-powered autofocus. Hybrid shooters can still enjoy the impressive video specs on the X-T5, as it also features Fuji’s all-new F-Log 2 picture profile. It can even output RAW video via HDMI.

The X-T5 can capture nearly everything you may want to shoot with it — from landscape photography, to portraits, wildlife, and even cinematography. The AI-based subject-detection autofocus can track everything from humans, to birds, animals, airplanes, and trains.

Creators will enjoy beautifully detailed images, true-to-life colors, and that classic Fujifilm user experience. The X-T5 inspires creativity through its usability, performance, size, features, and filmic picture profiles. Punching way above its weight class, it’s a compelling choice for current Fujifilm shooters who want to upgrade, and for photographers who’ve always wanted to try a Fujifilm camera.  

All photos courtesy of Reza Malayeri

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Fujifilm X-T50 vs X-T5

Is the new Fujifilm X-T50 just as good as the X-T5 but smaller? Our Fujifilm X-T50 vs X-T5 head to head finds out

2. Autofocus

4. stabilization, 5. continuous shooting, 6. size and weight, 7. film simulations, 8. exposure dials, 9. displays, 10. storage.

• Conclusions

The Fujifilm X-T50 is a very welcome addition to the Fujifilm camera range. For a while it looked as if the X-T30 II might have been the last in a line of compact DSLR-style Fujifilms with old-style retro controls, but the X-T50 puts this sub-range back on the map.

For context, the double-digit X-T cameras have always been the more compact and portable smaller siblings of the flagship single-digital X-T range, and that carries through into the current models, so that while the Fujifilm X-T5 is a high-end, high-powered classically designed camera for enthusiasts and professionals, the Fujifilm X-T50 is a smaller, lighter and cheaper alternative for those who want to spend a little less and travel a little lighter.

Neither camera has much to prove. They are both immediately among the best Fujifilm cameras to buy right now, clearly among the best mirrorless cameras all-round and, thanks to their 6K video capability, amongst the best cameras for filmmaking , at least for vloggers and enthusiasts.

What's more, at first glance, the X-T50 seems to offer everything the X-T5 does, right down to its 40MP X-Trans sensor, 6K video and in-body stabilization. Are they really that similar? Our in-depth Fujifilm X-T50 vs X-T5 comparison reveals more differences than might first be apparent. 

Fujifilm X-T50 vs X-T5 in 2024

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• Fujifilm X-T50: 40.2MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS 5 HR, X Processor 5 • Fujifilm X-T5: 40.2MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS 5 HR, X Processor 5

The sensor is the first thing most people look at when comparing cameras, and here there’s nothing at all to choose between these two cameras. Both use the same 40MP X-Trans sensor with Fujifilm's latest and most powerful X Processor 5 processing system. You might expect the smaller, lighter and cheaper X-T50 to be at a disadvantage here, but it’s not. There is one difference. The X-T5 supports Fujifilm’s Multi Shot Pixel Shift mode to capture 160MP high res images. The X-T50 does not have this feature – though to be fair, with 40MP on tap already, and a relatively small number of lenses able to properly exploit even this native resolution, this might not be a high priority for many users.

• Fujifilm X-T50: Hybrid AF with subject detection (animals, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, airplanes, trains, insects, and drones), 13x9/25x17 areas • Fujifilm X-T5: Hybrid AF with subject detection (animals, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, airplanes, trains, insects, and drones), 13x9/25x17 areas

There’s no difference in the autofocus systems, either. Both cameras have the same hybrid contrast/phase detect AF system with single point, zone and wide-area AF, with single shot and continuous subject tracking AF together with automatic subject detection.

• Fujifilm X-T50: 6.2K 30p, 4K/C4K 30p 4:2:2 10-bit, 4K/C4K 60p, F-Log/F-Log2, multiple crop factors depending on settings • Fujifilm X-T5: 6.2K 30p, 4K/C4K 30p 4:2:2 10-bit, 4K/C4K 60p, F-Log/F-Log2, multiple crop factors depending on settings

So surely the larger camera will have an advantage for video, at least? In fact there’s no difference here, either, with both the X-T50 and X-T5 capable of 6K capture and 4K at up to 60p, and with Fujifilm’s F-Log and F-Log2 profiles included. In both cases, the high-resolution sensor brings its own complications, since it’s not straightforward to capture 4K video with what is essentially an 8K sensor, so there are some quite complicated permutations of image crops and sampling methods to navigate. Anyone serious about videography will be better off with the Fujifilm X-H2 or X-H2s. The X-T5 remains a pretty effective video tool, however, and the X-T50 is too.

• Fujifilm X-T50: 5-axis IBIS, 7 stops compensation • Fujifilm X-T5: 5-axis IBIS, 7 stops compensation

IBIS used to be the big differentiator in the Fujifilm range. The X-H and X-S series cameras and the X-T4/X-T5 have it, but the smaller double-digit X-T cameras never did. Until now. Fujifilm has done a remarkable job in squeezing an IBIS mechanism into the X-T50 body, and especially given that it has the same 7-stop shake compensation capability as the bigger X-T5.

• Fujifilm X-T50: 5fps mechanical (1000+ raw or JPEG), up to 20fps electronic shutter (with 1.29x crop) (168 JPEG, 66 compressed raw) • Fujifilm X-T5: 15fps mechanical (39 raw or 119 JPEG), up to 20fps electronic shutter (with 1.29x crop) (168 JPEG, 72 compressed raw)

Right now, we’re struggling to find any differences at all in the capabilities of the X-T50 and X-T5, though the larger camera does have an advantage for continuous shooting. Both cameras can capture bursts of action at up to 20fps using their electronic shutters, but switching to a conventional mechanical shutter reveals a big difference – here, the X-T50 slows to just 5fps, while the X-T5 can maintain an impressive 15fps.

Though not for long. The X-T5 may be faster in these circumstances, but it’s no sports camera, as evidenced by its limited buffer capacity. At 20fps with the electronic shutter, both cameras will fill their buffers in just a few seconds. The X-T50 appears to offer much better endurance in its mechanical shutter mode, but remember that this is a much slower 5fps.

In fact, in electronic shutter mode, these cameras are pretty evenly matched for both speed and buffer capacity. So far, it may look as if we haven’t found a single reason to choose the X-T5 over the X-T50? There are several, as it happens, but they are almost all physical rather than technical differences. Most go in the X-T5’s favor, but some are advantages for the X-T50.

• Fujifilm X-T50: 123.8 x 84 x 48.8mm, 438g body only • Fujifilm X-T5: 129.5 x 91 x 63.8mm, 557g body only

It’s clear from the figures that the X-T50 is a significantly smaller and lighter camera than the X-T5 – though this comparison could be a little misleading. That’s because the X-T5 itself is by no means a large camera, nor a heavy one. The X-T50 is smaller and lighter, but by the time you’ve added anything but the lightest of lenses, the difference may all but vanish – and you may actually prefer the bigger, more solid feel of the X-T5. The X-T5 is also weather-sealed at 56 different points, where the X-T50 has no official weather-sealing features at all – so the larger camera may prove much more resilient in harsh conditions.

• Fujifilm X-T50: 20, set via a physical dial on the top plate • Fujifilm X-T5: 19, set via the menus

If you’re a fan of Fujifilm Film Simulations, then you’ll love the X-T50. It adds a new Reala ACE simulation to take the total number up to 20, but that’s not the big news. For the first time, Fujifilm has added a dedicated Film Simulation dial to the camera, housed on the left side of the top plate, where the ISO dial would be on the X-T5. This makes these Film Simulations far more accessible and will encourage and enthral fans of Fujifilm’s film looks.

• Fujifilm X-T50: Shutter speed, EV compensation, aperture (lens dependent) • Fujifilm X-T5: Shutter speed, EV compensation, ISO, aperture (lens dependent)

Anyone who loves the hands-on external exposure dials of Fujifilm cameras will lean towards the X-T5 because this has a physical ISO dial, while on the X-T50 you have to change ISO in the menus or set up one of the custom buttons. For anyone used to setting ISO via a digital interface anyway, this might seem like a small point, but once you’ve used an external ISO dial it’s hard to go back.

• Fujifilm X-T50: EVF 2.36m dot OLED, 100% coverage, 0.62x magnification, rear screen 3-inch 1.84m dot tilting touchscreen • Fujifilm X-T5: EVF 3.69m dot OLED, 100% coverage, 0.8x magnification, rear screen 3-inch 1.84m dot tilt/side-tilt touchscreen

The Fujifilm X-T5 does have a better viewing system. It has a better EVF with more resolution and greater magnification, and while the rear touchscreen display is the same size and resolution on both cameras, the X-T50 offers a simple tilt mechanism, while the X-T5 adds a side-pivot for low angle shots with the camera held vertically.

• Fujifilm X-T50: 1x SD UHS II • Fujifilm X-T5: 2x SD UHS II

Both cameras are UHS II compatible, so neither has a speed advantage –  but the X-T5 does have key operational advantages. The first is that it has two card slots not one, which offers professional users much greater security on a shoot or additional overflow capacity. The second is that the cards are accessed through a door on the side of the body on the X-T5, while on the X-T50 the card slot is alongside the battery in the base of the camera, which never feels as good a solution.

• Fujifilm X-T50: NP-W126S, 305 shots • Fujifilm X-T5: NP-W235, 580 shots

Talking of power, this is another major plus point for the X-T5. It has a larger NP-W235 battery which offers almost twice the capacity, in numbers of shots, of the X-T50. That’s both impressive and extremely useful, especially on longer shoots where battery swapping and charging can become a nuisance.

Fujifilm X-T50 vs X-T5: conclusions

• Fujifilm X-T50: $1,399 / £1,299 • Fujifilm X-T5: $1,699 / £1,449

The Fujifilm X-T50 and X-T5 are technically all but identical, but physically they are very different. The X-T50 has the advantage of being smaller and lighter, while the X-T5 has solidity and weather-sealing. The X-T50 is all about creativity and simplicity, while the X-T5 is more of a hands-on workhorse. Novices and vloggers might prefer the style of the X-T50, but enthusiasts and experts are more likely to be swayed by the many physical advantages of the X-T5.

There’s not even a huge difference in price. In the US the X-T50 is around $300 cheaper, but in the UK the difference is only around £150 at the  time of writing. At those prices, it does feel as if the X-T5 is giving you more for your money.

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Rod is an independent photography journalist and editor, and a long-standing Digital Camera World contributor, having previously worked as DCW's Group Reviews editor. Before that he has been technique editor on N-Photo, Head of Testing for the photography division and Camera Channel editor on TechRadar, as well as contributing to many other publications. He has been writing about photography technique, photo editing and digital cameras since they first appeared, and before that began his career writing about film photography. He has used and reviewed practically every interchangeable lens camera launched in the past 20 years, from entry-level DSLRs to medium format cameras, together with lenses, tripods, gimbals, light meters, camera bags and more. Rod has his own camera gear blog at fotovolo.com but also writes about photo-editing applications and techniques at lifeafterphotoshop.com

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• Compact Travel
• Table of Contents
• Best Camera
• Best Mid-Range
• Best Budget
• Best Vlogging
• Best Large Sensor

Notable Mentions

Recent updates, all reviews, the 5 best compact cameras for travel - spring 2024 reviews.

Point-and-shoot cameras are a natural choice for travel thanks to their compact sizes and built-in zoom lenses, making it a breeze to capture all your memories abroad without having to lug around a bulky kit with multiple lenses. While smartphone cameras have continued to improve, and they're usually the camera you've already got on you, some point-and-shoots offer improved image quality with larger sensors than the ones typically found in phones, while others offer longer zoom ranges that you simply can't get with the physically limited lenses on your smartphone.

We've bought and tested over 100 cameras in our lab, and below, you'll find the best point-and-shoot cameras for travel that we recommend. If you don't mind carrying a larger kit with interchangeable lenses, check out our picks for the  best mirrorless cameras for travel . If you want to capture beautiful images of destination vistas, you might also want to check out our  best cameras for landscape photography . Alternatively, if you're less interested in snapping places and more interested in the people that populate them, see our picks for the  best street photography cameras .

Best Compact Camera For Travel

It ain't cheap, but the Sony RX100 VII is the best compact travel camera we've tested. Sony has perfected the formula for compact zoom cameras with its RX100 series. This latest model features a stacked 1-inch sensor that delivers blazing-fast burst rates and great image quality for its class, along with a pop-up viewfinder and flash, a large tilting screen, and a zoom lens—all packed into an incredibly portable camera.

While it doesn't have the widest zoom range on this list, its 24–200mm full-frame equivalent focal length still gives you a fair amount of range, offering some flexibility for framing and composition. The camera also has a highly effective autofocus system, ensuring your subjects stay in focus, even in busier settings. That said, like most compact cameras, it has a pretty short battery life, though you can always pack a spare battery or portable power bank to charge it on the go.

See our review

Best Mid-Range Compact Camera For Travel

If you want to save money, the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III is a great mid-range option. Like other Canon cameras, its user interface is highly intuitive. It has a comfortable finger grip and thumb rest, and the tilt-out screen can flip up for selfies or vlogs. Plus, it features a 1-inch stacked sensor and quick 16 fps burst shooting.

The built-in lens has a fairly versatile 24–100mm equivalent focal length, which is a shorter zoom range than the Sony RX100 VII but still wide enough to give you some flexibility with framing. That said, its autofocus system isn't quite as reliable. Otherwise, this camera has plenty to offer for travelers who want something compact and comfortable to shoot with.

Best Budget Compact Camera For Travel

The Canon PowerShot SX740 is one of the best point-and-shoot cameras to get if you're on a tighter budget. It uses a smaller sensor than the more premium options above, so there's a slight trade-off in image quality. On the upside, its built-in lens has a 40x optical zoom range, giving you a remarkably wide focal length range of 24–960mm. Though it doesn't have a viewfinder, the camera's tilt screen can flip up for selfies or waist-level shots, and it's incredibly portable.

Of course, the most cost-effective choice if your budget is really tight is to simply use your smartphone! Most smartphone cameras these days feature pretty impressive processing to compensate for their smaller sensors, which means you can still get great results despite some hardware limitations. The best part is that you've likely already got a smartphone on you, so it won't cost you anything extra or take up more space in your luggage. Still, if you want the shooting experience of a dedicated point-and-shoot camera, the PowerShot SX740 has quite a bit of value for its price.

Best Compact Vlogging Camera For Travel

While the previous picks are more photography-oriented, travel vloggers should take note of the Sony ZV-1, the best point-and-shoot camera for travel vlogging. Though it doesn't have a viewfinder, it's the only option on this list to feature a fully articulated screen, making it easy to monitor yourself while recording or to take the odd selfie. On top of that, it has vlogging-specific features like a detachable windscreen to reduce ambient noise when recording outside.

The Sony ZV-1 II has since replaced it and features a wider-angle lens that's a good fit for walk-and-talk vlogs. However, the newer model doesn't have optical stabilization, and its digital stabilization feature crops in some of that wider field of view. For those reasons, the original ZV-1 is still our top pick here, especially since you can get it for cheaper. It checks all the boxes for a compact, all-in-one travel vlogging camera.

Best Large Sensor Compact Camera For Travel

The RICOH GR III is a fantastic option if image quality is your top priority. While you'll still get great images from 1-inch sensor cameras like the Sony RX100 VII or the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III , the RICOH boasts a larger APS-C sensor that delivers excellent image quality and better noise handling in low light. Its sleek, minimalist design makes it the most pocketable camera on this list, too, so you can bring it with you wherever your travels take you.

Of course, this isn't the travel camera for everyone. If you want the flexibility to zoom in on farther subjects or you like to shoot video on the side, you're out of luck here since the camera has a fixed 28mm equivalent focal length and has poor video capabilities. If 28mm is too wide for you, you can opt for the RICOH GR IIIx instead, which has a 40mm equivalent lens. Both of these also come in HDF variants, with a 'Highlight Diffusion Filter' in place of an ND filter for softer highlights. Whichever model you go for, the GR III is one of the best options if you want something super portable that doesn't compromise on image quality.

• Fujifilm X100V: The Fujifilm X100V is a beautifully designed point-and-shoot with an APS-C sensor. Unlike the RICOH GR III, it has a hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder and a tilting screen, making it more versatile. However, it isn't as compact as other options here, and the manufacturer has since replaced it with the in-demand Fujifilm X100VI. See our review
• Panasonic LUMIX ZS80: The Panasonic LUMIX ZS80 is one of the best budget options you can get, offering a ton of value for its price, and unlike the Canon PowerShot SX740, it even has a viewfinder. However, it's been discontinued and is harder to find. See our review

Jun 04, 2024: We replaced the Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II with the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III as the mid-range pick because it has better availability. We also added mention of the HDF variant of the RICOH GR III.

Apr 10, 2024: We brushed up some of the text throughout the article for clarity and added a mention of the Fujifilm X100VI to ensure the article is up to date with the current market.

Mar 14, 2024: We've reviewed the article to ensure the text and recommendations are up to date.

Feb 14, 2024: Moved the Panasonic LUMIX ZS80 to the Notable Mentions because it's been discontinued and is hard to find in stock, and replaced it with the Canon PowerShot SX740 as the main budget pick.

Dec 18, 2023: Reviewed accuracy of picks with no change to recommendations.

Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best compact cameras for most people to buy for travel, according to their needs. We factor in the price, feedback from our visitors, and availability (no cameras that are difficult to find or almost out of stock in the U.S.).

If you would like to choose for yourself, here's the list of all our compact fixed-lens camera reviews. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There is no single perfect camera. Personal taste, preference, and shooting habits will matter more in your selection.

Fujifilm X-S20 vs Fujifilm X-T5 - Which is Better?

Latest reviews.

Although they look quite different and occupy different price-points, the Fujifilm XS20 and XT5 actually share a lot of similarities when it comes to their key specifications and features, so much so that savvy buyers may be wondering if the newer model offers everything that they need coupled with the chance to save quite a lot of money

So we're bringing you this in-depth Fujifilm X-S20 vs Fujifilm X-T5 head-to-head comparison to help you choose between the two.

You can also read our detailed Fujifilm X-S20 review and Fujifilm X-T5 review to find out exactly what we think of both cameras.

The image sensor used in the new X-S20 is the 26 megapixel, APS-C sized, X-Trans 4 BSI CMOS sensor, which is also used by the X-Pro3 and X-T4 cameras.

The X-T5 ups the ante considerably to a 40.2 megapixel sensor, offering much greater resolution.

It actually uses exactly the same X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor as the more expensive X-H2 camera, with HR standing for High Resolution.

This is a BSI (back-side illuminated) sensor design that has much more of a focus on detail and resolution than out-and-out speed.

Both cameras benefit from using the latest X-Processor 5 processor, as also used in the flagship X-H2 and X-H2S models.

This primarily means that the XS20 is able to offer the same sophisticated auto-focusing and additional 6K video codecs which the XT5 also supports.

Pixel Shift Multi-shot

The X-T5 is the first ever X-T series Fuji camera to feature the special Pixel Shift Multi-Shot mode, which delivers 160 megapixel images for the ultimate quality when detail really matters.

Previously only seen on the company's GFX-branded medium-format cameras and on the recently introduced X-H2, in the Pixel Shift Multi-Shot mode the camera records 20 frames, shifting the sensor by 0.5 pixels between each frame.

The resulting images are automatically combined into one DNG RAW file, which can then be output to a desired file format using suitable RAW processing software.

The X-S20 does not offer this feature at all.

The native sensitivity range of the XS20 is ISO 160 to ISO 12,800, which can be expanded to ISO 80 to ISO 51,200.

The X-T5 has a slightly lower base sensitivity of ISO 125, which can be expanded down to ISO 64 and up to ISO 51,200.

Both cameras offer a highest quality rate of 6.2K/30p with a modest 1.23x crop recorded in 4:2:2 10-bit internally.

Both of them also support up to DCI 4K/60p recording but the X-S20 does so with a 1.17x crop factor, whereas the X-T5 doesn't apply any crop to its 4K/60p footage.

They can both can shoot 1080/240p slow-motion footage and they offer the very latest F-Log 2 profile with up to 14+ stops of dynamic range.

Combined with a compatible HDMI recording device from Atomos or Blackmagic Design, 12-bit RAW video output from the X-S20 and X-T5 can be recorded as Apple ProRes RAW or Blackmagic RAW.

The X-T5 features a digital zoom function that uses the camera's 40.2MP sensor to deliver up to 2x of digital zoom with little to no loss in resolution, when recording video in 4K. The X-S20 does not support this function.

A new Vlog shooting mode has been introduced on the X-S20 for Vlog production. Set the Shooting Mode dial on the top of the XS20 to “Vlog” to quickly change key camera settings with a touch of a button for video self-portraits. It also enables the equally new Product Priority auto-focus mode and Background Defocus option. The X-T5 does not currently support these functions.

Both models have the Long GOP and All Intra compression formats, F-Log profile, digital image stabiliser which works in conjunction with the in-camera and lens-based systems, IS Mode Boost, different Main menu and Quick menu systems for stills and video modes, and 3.5mm MIC and headphone sockets.

The new X-20 has exactly the same hybrid autofocus system with phase detection and and contrast detections points as the more expensive X-T5.

In the Single point AF mode there are up to 425 selectable AF points arranged in a 25x17 grid. Alternatively, the camera can be set to 117 points in a 13x9 grid, and the size of the points can also be varied.

In addition to Single point AF, there’s Zone AF which allows the AF points to be selected in 3x3, 5x5 or 7x7 groups, and Wide/Tracking AF.

Both cameras can automatically detect animals, birds, cars, bikes, planes and trains thanks to the X-Processor 5's AI deep learning capabilities, a feature that no Fujifilm camera other than the XH2S and X-H2 have had before.

Thanks to its 40 megapixel sensor, the XT5 does offer a greater number of PDAF points (3.3 million) than the XS20 (2.16 million).

The XS20 has a new AUTO Subject Detection function which automatically detects and tracks a subject while keeping it in focus when taking stills and recording video.

Burst Shooting

The X-T5 supports a 15fps continuous shooting speed when using the mechanical shutter.

The XS20 can't match that, offering a still respectable 8fps continuous shooting speed with the mechanical shutter.

If you switch to the electronic shutter, the XT5 can shoot at up to 20fps, with a 1.29x crop applied.

The X-S20 can actually shoot at 30fps when using the electronic shutter, with a 1.25x crop applied.

Note that the 20fps and 10fps rates have no crop applied, so it actually outperforms the X-T5 in this regard.

Body and Design

The design of the body and controls is by far the main difference between the XS20 and the XT5.

The new X-S20 is much smaller and lighter than its big brother, and purposely has a much simpler interface in order to try and make it more appealing to less experienced users.

If you've ever considered a Fujifilm camera but been put of by its plethora of manual controls - something that a lot of people love with a passion - then the new XS20 will certainly be more up your street.

Instead of the ISO dial, Shutter Speed dial and Exposure Compensation dial found on top of the X-T5, there's just a customisable Function dial on the left and shooting mode dial on the right of the top of the XS20.

And the rear of the X-S20 is slightly simpler too, with the X-T5's D-pad completely disappearing in favour of a more touchscreen reliant interface.

This reduction in the complexity of the controls means that the XS20 is much smaller and lighter than the X-T5.

Despite this, the X-S20 still has an appealingly large handgrip that makes the camera secure to hold even one-handed.

It's also very well-built considering that it costs substantially less than the X-T5.

An added bonus for some people is the inclusion of a built-in pop-up flash, something that the more pro-oriented XT5 doesn't have.

The only main concession to the more aggressive price-point from a build quality point of view is the complete lack of any weather-sealing - if this is a must-have feature, then you'll need to step-up to the X-T5.

The XS20 is the latest Fujifilm camera to feature 5-axis in-body image stabilisation (IBIS).

Both the X-S20 and the X-T5 support up to a maximum of 7 stops of compensation, making them the joint-best of any current Fujifilm camera with the X-H2 and X-H2S.

The XT5 has a very good 3.68M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder with 0.80x magnification, 100fps refresh rate and a built-in eye sensor, but the EVF on the XT5 offers slightly higher magnification.

The X-S20 uses a lower-quality 2.36M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder with 0.62x magnification, 100fps refresh rate and a built-in eye sensor.

One of the biggest differences between these two cameras is the action of the 1.84M-dot LCD screen.

Fujifilm uses a 3-way tilting LCD on the new X-T5, rather than the more versatile vari-angle screen on the X-S20, saying that it better matches the more stills-focused nature of the higher-end model.

On the XS20, you can flip out the screen to the side, rotate it forwards for easier operation when pointing the camera at yourself, and fold it flat against the back of the camera to stop it from getting scratched.

Memory Cards

Perhaps unsurprisingly given the smaller, more compact size of the X-S20, it only has a single memory card slot, rather than the X-T5's dual card slots.

What's more, on the XS20 the memory card slot is next to the battery in a shared compartment on the bottom of the camera, whereas on the X-T5 the memory cards are housed behind a lockable door on the side of the camera.

So the location of the memory card on the XS20 is much less convenient, especially when the camera is mounted on a tripod, and the single memory card slot is less flexible and offers less peace of mind than the dual slots on the XT5.

Battery Life

Both models use exactly the same NP-W235 battery, with Fujifilm are claiming that the XT5 offers 740 shot battery life in economy mode and the X-S20 up to 800 shots on a single charge.

Both cameras can also be powered and charged via a USB-C connection, which is useful if you're out and about and have a compatible power-bank to plug the camera into.

You can use a USB-Type C cable to connect the X-S20 to a computer to use it as a webcam without having to use any software, unlike the X-T5 which has to use the Fujifilm X Webcam app.

The Fujifilm X-T5 is priced at £1,699 / $1,799 body-only in the UK and USA respectively.

The Fujifilm X-S20 costs £1,249 body only, £1,399 with the XC 15-45mm lens, or £1,599 with the XF 18-55mm lens, so it's substantially less than the X-T5.

The new Fujifilm X-S20 improves on the first-generation X-S10 in a number of significant ways, narrowing the gap to the more expensive X-T5 in the process.

They may look quite different, but at heart the new XS20 and the XT5 are pretty similar in terms of their feature-set, so much so that for a lot of users the XS20 will more than meet their needs.

So what do you think? Would you choose the cheaper X-S20 or the more expensive X-T5? Leave a comment below!

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** Weekly Fuji X-Series Photo-Sharing Thread June 8-14, 2024-THREAD 2!**

Hello, everyone, and, as I always say, thanks for making contributions to this worthwhile endeavor. And you filled up thread number 1!!!! Congrats!

This weekly thread serves as a place for members who own Fuji gear to share recent work …… specifically, with their Fuji X APS-C cameras. To re-emphasize….it's just fine for owners to post images made with their “other” cameras, but the idea is to allow owners with Fuji X APS-C cameras to compare notes, tips, and any other helpful hints.

To contribute your image, please respond to the original thread. Please, in your message, include a title to reflect what you wish to convey. Consider making it somewhat entertaining… it may add some “spice.” In addition to uploading/embedding your image, please tell us a little about the image if you wish. It is helpful to some of us who are less traveled to talk about the location of your photo if possible. If you can provide details such as camera, settings, and processing, that would be great for people reviewing the images.

If you wish C&C (comments/critique) please indicate that in your post. In this thread it should not be assumed everyone wants C&C. However, if you want specific feedback (composition, exposure, subject, etc.), don’t hesitate to mention it. It may be helpful to respondents what your needs may be.

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