Fujifilm X-M5

[...] I love my X-M5 - I watched some of your first vids about it before I bought it over a year ago and just love it. I don't do as much video as you do, but for pocket friendly photography, this camera is really hard to beat. You are, as usual, spot on with your criticisms of this camera. But you're also correct in how they balance with the price, size and ability of this fantastic camera! [...]

XM5, it does not have a physical dedicated on/off button it has a multipurpose where function is determined by how long you hold down the button. [...] Second the sensor on the XM5 is known to be flaky. [...]

And everyone got mad at OpenBSD for refusing to develop bluetooth. [...] I always wondered how people could justify the growth of the bluetooth headphone market in such a way.. Everyone seems to use bluetooth headphones exclusively (in Sweden at least), I’m guilty of buying into it too (I own both Airpods Pro’s and the affected Sony WH1000-XM5) but part of me has always known that bluetooth is just hacks on hacks… I allowed myself to be persuaded due to popularity. [...] I was also trying to debug bluetooth “glitching audio” issues and tried to figure out signal strength as the first troubleshooting step: I discovered that people don’t even expose signal strength anymore… the introspection into what’s happening extends literally nowhere, including not showing signal strength… truly, the whole thing is cursed and I’m shocked it works for the masses the way it does.. can you imagine not displaying wifi signal strength?

The mic of my XM5 picks up background chatter pretty much, making them difficult to use in calls in the office. [...] As for general noise, it is better, but I am annoyed that an ambient-like mode turns on during calls, negating much of the ANC for me.

I’ve been thoroughly enjoying my X-M5 and took it to Japan during my vacation. [...] The size of the camera was perfect for discreet photography. I agree with your argument on design choices, but I still think it offers great value for the money.

[...] The X-M5 is a fantastic small camera that takes amazing photos! For video, which is what I bought it for, a gimbal is a must to get smooth footage. [...]

I love the X-M5, it replaced my X-A1 (with a 18mm F2 prime) that I've used for street photography for ages. I use it next to my X-T5, that combo is just the bees knees. Switching between film simulations with a fixed button is awesome IMHO, because I love a bit of over saturated colors (depending on the subject) or B/W.

This camera definitely punches far above its weight! I switched from the Canon R6 to the XM5 no regrets no complaints it’s my favorite camera and I plan on rigging this one out to really get the most out of it Only complaint is no IBIS however it didn’t deter me from buying it at all

I just bit the bullet and bought the XM5 two weeks ago, and I'm 100% glad I did. Its such a workhorse for its price and size. The L shaped handgrip is a must have if you bought this camera tbh.

[...] I have a question a bit unrelated to Xm5. I am looking to buy my first camera and I am really digging the Xe5. [...] I am looking to get a camera that is compact that can replace my smartphone completely. [...] If not, can you suggest me a different camera?

[...] The X-M5 is definitely polarizing, because I either see people loving it or absolutely hating it. I've only ever shot with "good smartphone cameras", so this will be my first real camera and I'm really excited! I know some friends that own bigger cameras and they rarely ever use them and they gave me the tip to buy one that's significantly smaller, so I'd actually use it. Nothing beats the X-M5 in form factor, I guess. [...] "The best camera is the one you actually use" and I'm just really drawn to the X-M5. [...] Do you use a screen protector for the LCD? [...]

Hey Bray ! That’s a great video, I usually use my iphone 15 pro for my travel videos and photos, i want to buy something strong and sturdy with some character, i have been confused between the xm5 and the x100vi. The experience of shooting is very important to me, being my first camera purchase, where I’d be spending a lot of time learning about photography and videography, what would you recommend?

Got an X-M5 late April 2025, after a Canon camera conked out while on a shoot. Got to 20K+ now on my shutter count, and I'm enjoying every time I use the X-M5. [...] - average to good autofocus, no IBIS, no viewfinder), but the camera's fun parts (ex. - size, weight, general ergonomics, PASM dial, 6.2K HD recording, vari-angle touchscreen) generally outweigh the frustrating bits. [...]

I think the Fuji XM5 is a new concept of camera and user experience, that is based on the old Blackmagic Cinema Camera concept like the BPMPCC v1 "The cheapest but the most powerful film & video camera on the market for content creators really on a budget". And it's nice to see this kind of concept today for this new generation, like the last generation who had the chance to have their own one "a camera like BMPCC v1, to growth with"; where it wasn't a perfect camera but by any means, but good enough (if not a legend) to work with for your smallest budget stuff!! [...] "Even the BPMCC v1 was $500 dollars more expensive than the Fuji XM5 when it was released, in it's time" But the "good things" for Fujifilm, people who buy a Fuji XM5 and test the Fuji voodoo mystic (F-log2, 10-bit, B-Raw-on Fuji, F-log1, Fuji Color, Fuji D.R and other), can easily go straight for a Fuji XH2S after for more serious stuff, after decided for a more serious career on video, film, or content creator. Its this regard, the Fuji XM5 is not only the best but the fair step 🪜 to start in.

I bought the X-M5 specifically for a compact street photography and EDC camera where my Canon R6 Mark II would be impractical. So far, when I get the exposure right, the photos have been great. [...] This allows me to share photos much quicker. [...] So far the X-M5 is doing the task I bought it for.

I really like the x-m5, i wanted to buy one for my gf but it’s absolutely sold out everywhere, so i settled on the xt-50, which coincidentally now has a lower price and when bought with a lens discounted another 200. It’s actually as small as i’d go. The lens becomes the main obstruction to pocket the camera, not the body.

If I had the money for a dedicated film camera, I would get the X-M5, and I also always recommend this camera for people that want to start out.

Tbh people who buy and regret xm5 usually never owned a camera in the first place or dont know what they want. for such price there is no better camera on the market. [...] If you add 40mp newest proceccor and ibis it will make the whole point of xm5 entry camera useless much less affordable. if someone buys xm5 and expects xh2s performance then well i have some bad news lol

[...] I’m currently looking for a used Fujifilm X-M5 and I have two questions. First, what’s your opinion on shutter count when buying a used X-M5, or in general when buying a used camera? [...] Second, I’m coming from an iPhone and mainly want to use the camera for travel and holidays. If you could recommend just two budget lenses for the X-M5, which two would you choose? [...]

People underestimate the engineering marvel that this camera packs in such a tiny body - there's quite literally nothing in the market that compares in this form factor - 6K open gate, 12-bit ProRes RAW and BRAW over HDMI, 4:2:2 10-bit, 4K DCI with a rolling shutter of 16ms and 6K OG at roughly 25ms? [...] Unfortunately, people also think that they can just buy a camera based on cinematic footage they saw on YT and it'll effortlessly produce the same out of the box with zero consideration to lighting, WB, settings, etc. I own several fantastic cameras, proper cinema cameras like the RED Komodo X, C70, C400 and "pro-sumer" grade like the S1II, ZR, R6V. I still went out to by this camera - the portability is unmatched, much less with these features, and if you understand lighting and grading, this is an absolutely amazing tool.

[...] I got the X-T20 a cpl of years back, and things were very solid. I then got the X-T30 III a cpl of weeks back, and it felt like it was a TEMU replacement. [...] I think Fuji is going the wrong way cheaping out, beeing the only dev of cameras taking aps-c seriously (well, and Sony then).

just wish it had a tilty screen not a flippy screen, i understand why it does, and it makes sense, but i wish they made the xm5 but with a tilty screen... as a fuji film user, one of my biggest issues is your only options for upgrades is from something like a xm5, to a xt5, which are both apsc cameras, then your next jump is all the way up to medium format, i really wish fuji would have a halfway point with full frame

The appeal I see in cameras like this that I don’t hear talked about very much is their use as a small b-cam and/or back up camera in the same system as your a-cam. When I was shooting wildlife I usually had two Gh5s with me, one with a long lens, one with a pancake, and the idea of reducing the wide camera to a much smaller body like the XM5 if I was on Fuji, or the s9 now that I’m on L mount while keeping the same record modes is very appealing to me. [...]

[...] I bought the XM5 a month ago. I used my pixel for pictures and wanted to learn photography as a hobby. [...] The quality is insane for pictures! Battery life sucks even for a hobby, I own 4 batteries. [...]

for me it's the small compact size that made me choose this camera, it's so tiny, and fun to use, I had to give up an evf which is important to me, but the size and weight for me was more important and honestly, you make it work, you adapt how you shoot. [...] Since I got the x-m5 I've not touched my nikon zf which is a great camera, but the size and weight would make the whole shooting experience not fun for me. using the xm5 makes taking photos fun for me again, I just had to adapt :)

I enjoy listening to all the pros and cons of a camera from a professional and technical perspective, and I think it all comes down to the type of user. [...] But in my case, I have two Sony cameras for work: an FX3 and an a6700. I love my cameras, but I chose the XM5 because I also love cycling, and carrying either of those two is just too complicated. [...] With this camera, I’ve found the perfect balance. [...] And for video, I just place the camera on any flat surface, like a bench or sidewalk, or anything at my height, and I can record quality footage. Even talking to someone on camera is as easy as just holding it steadily. [...] As for the price (in my country), I didn’t want an X-S20. Fuji’s IBIS feels like having none at all, and here the X-S20 is around $1,600 USD, while the XM5 is about $1,000. I honestly don’t think the EVF is worth $600. These are cameras for completely different audiences. [...]

[...] I’ve been using Fuji cameras for years now, and their approach to their settings has been getting progressively worse recently. For example, on their older cameras like the XT3, it was possible to make modifications to a preset while shooting that would be preserved so long as you didn’t change to another preset, even if you turned off the camera for a while, but wouldn’t get permanently saved to the preset. [...] Now, on my XH2, turning off the camera, even briefly, clears your session modifications unless you set the camera to store them permanently to the definition of the preset.

I am confused between XM5 and Xt30iii. Given the xm5 is plastic body vs the metal top plate in xt30iii. Does any one has an opinion about how does xm5 feels in hands. I want a camera, and xm5 seems to be a perfect size and but also want something to feel nice in my hands as I have observed it motivates me to go out their and take photos

I love my little X-M5, but what it's for to me is a small camera to carry around when I don't want to lug one of my bigger cameras, especially for travel, and especially when I'm just taking shots for me or for social media and not for work -- though the quality is there for my work, if need be. But you are right in that it is not an optimal experience. Like I have photochromic glasses that go dark in sunlight, and that makes it hard to see the viewscreen--I actually got another pair of regular glasses specifically to wear when I want to use this camera during the day.

I have 7 cameras including sony a7s3 , a6700 , lumix s9 , lumix a1r2 , fuji xt50 xe4 but i use xm5 daily, its with me all the time and the lens i use (dont hate me) it sj image 25mm f1.8. [...] Anyways , the opengate and picture quality .... i found my perfect everyday camera. And by the way xt50 an xe4 autofocus is way waaaay worse then xm5

Almost two years later, I wondered if Fujifilm had brought out a similar camera with an EVF? I would also love that combination

I will try that again. XM5 here and I think I am mostly sad about not having a dedicated on/off that makes it obvious.

[...] When I use my Sony XM5 Bluetooth headphones, the latency is noticeable. Watching videos, the lips don't match the audio. [...]

Solid video! It's not for everyone, but I'm lovin' my x-m5, had it since it released last year. Great as a "B" camera in more professional stuff, but also just a fun personal camera to use as an EDC

I still love my X-M5, and find myself using it more than all my other cameras including my X-T5.

I got the Xm5 about a year ago as my second camera for cooking videos and i love it so much. But now I feel like I shoot so much more fun personal stuff cause it's such an easy carry around camera.

I recently got the X-T50, and I cannot wait for the X-M5 to get cheap in the next 2-3 years to get one. I would love to have something small with a pancake lens to fit in my pocket.

Got the X-M5 for my vacation as an every day carry and I love it SO much! Brought like 13 rolls of film and only shot a single one cause the Fuji was just there and I could instantly share my pictures and don’t meet to wait for them to get developed first and have them look 95% like actual Portra 400.

I love Fuji and i'm sure X-M5 is a good camera but i just prefer to have evf. 🙃🙂

Been thinking about having a mini-GH7 and I figure the Panasonic L10 and X-M5 + 16-80mm are similarly priced. Both are so good as hybrid options so I'm happy I don't have to pick one, but I do gotta pick one lol.

My newest camera. [...] That’s the brand new Fujifilm X-M5, with 26 megapixels and interchangeable lenses in a camera that’s smaller than my phone. [...]

[...] I was considering the XT 30, but too cramped, with too many buttons. Plus the price, even in pitifully painful Canadian dollars is still reasonable. [...]

If the X-M5 had even an add-on viewfinder option I would purchase one. A viewfinder in Perth, Western Australia is a must have given the almost constant very bright sunlight. I'm hanging out for that XE5 - well rather hoping it is actually forthcoming.

I got one w Fujinon 27 mm f2.8 for street photo mainly and I became invisible or not taken seriously, so I can approach to people without problems. And enjoying a lot de film simulations and recipes wo no edit later on PC

I own the XM5 since its release and already did some travels with it.. [...]

Its a Ricoh GRIII killer. I have just bougth X-M5 and bought the TT Artisans 27mm pancake lens as perfect combo. Fuji have a hit on their hands, this will be a future classic.

[...] I have the XM5 headphones, and after a couple of hours, it starts hurting my head. [...] I also have the earbuds of the same generation, and they're much more comfortable, but the noise cancelling is less consistent.

Sony WF-1000XM3,4 had fairly easily replaceable batteries, but they regressed with the latest XM5. iFixedIt covered it here I am still using the XM3 - both the earbud and case batteries are repleacable.

[...] I'm currently using the 16 f2.8 for talking head, but the lack of ibis sucks when vlogging.

I had XT-100, it died and i have two X mount lenses. I just placed my order for the X-M5 and it's arriving this Friday, I am so excited !!