Fujifilm X-T5

Fujifilm’s traditionally styled 40MP model is a sensational camera for enthusiast photographers. Andy Westlake puts it through its paces

Few cameras have captured photographers’ imaginations quite like Fujifilm’s premium X-T models. Ever since the original X-T1 appeared back in 2014, they’ve found favour due to their compact size, robust weather-sealed construction, and traditional analogue control dials. Latest in the range is the X-T5, which uses the same 40MP image sensor as the recent X-H2. But while that model was aimed at hybrid shooters equally interested in both stills and video, the X-T5 is focused primarily on the needs of stills photographers.

 

Compared to its predecessor, the 26.2MP X-T4, the new model is a considerable upgrade. Along with the boost in resolution, it gains subject detection autofocus – 2022’s must-have feature – and 6K video recording at 30fps, albeit with a 1.23x crop. This comes inside a slimmed-down body that’s similar in size to the original X-T1, and which sports a 3-way tilting, rather than fully articulated, screen. Compared to the X-H2, the X-T5 lacks 8K video recording and has a shallower buffer for continuous shooting. But it’s smaller and less expensive, at £1,699 vs £1,899.

It’s impossible to ignore that the camera market has shifted dramatically over the past few years, with full-frame mirrorless becoming the dominant format. So the question is whether the X-T5 still offers enough to compete with the larger sensor format. To cut a long story short, the answer is an overwhelming yes; in fact, it’s a brilliant camera that offers remarkable value for money and deserves to be on any serious photographer’s wishlist.

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