Fujifilm X-T5: Review

It’s been almost a year since I picked up the Fujifilm X-T5, and honestly, I’m still not over it. This camera feels like it was made for me and what I do: a mix of travel, street, and landscape photography. It’s compact, stylish, and has become a tool I rely on to document everything I see. But let’s get one thing straight, this isn’t a review packed with specs or tech talk. I’m here to tell you what it’s like using the X-T5 in the real world, and why, for me, it’s been an incredible piece of gear.

Oh, and I bought this camera with my own money. So, if there’s one thing you can count on, it’s that what I’m about to say is entirely based on my experience.

Build Quality: Rugged but Real

The X-T5 feels good. It’s got that solid, well-built feel without being a weighty burden. For long days of shooting, it’s just the right balance, no aches or tired wrists. The dials are satisfying to turn , and the buttons have a nice click to them. So yeah, it feels great to shoot with.

I don’t baby my gear. After nearly a year of real use (a.k.a. getting tossed in my bag, shooting in all kinds of weather, and rough street sessions), there’s some paint wear around the edges. Am I bothered by it? Nah. Cameras are tools, not collectibles, and this one’s taken the beating like a champ.

The weather sealing helps keep the elements out of the cameras electronics. This is something that is hard to test, but I’ve had this camera out while it was heavily raining, i’ve been on beaches while the sand was blasting it and it’s held up in heavy humidity. Something that killed my last camera was salt getting inside from using it near the ocean so much. Let’s see how this one goes.

Retro Vibes with Modern Punch

The X-T5’s design is one of its biggest draws for me. I’m not someone who enjoys drawing attention while shooting, so the fact that this camera looks like a vintage film setup? Perfect. People think I’m just wandering around with an old film camera, not snapping digital shots like a ‘pro’.

Despite the retro vibes, though, this thing performs like a modern beast. Despite its smaller form, the X-T5 brings the performance of modern X-series cameras, similar to the X-H2 and X-H2S, while retaining its sleek, classic look.

Controls: Vintage Style Meets Speed

Let’s talk about those iconic Fujifilm dials. Yeah, they’re fun and tactile, and for a lot of people, that’s part of the charm. But, confession time: I’m not one to fuss with retro controls. I prefer speed, so I mainly use the front and rear wheels to control shutter speed and ISO. It’s just quicker. If you’re using lenses without aperture rings, it’s easy to set the aperture with the front wheel too. For me, it’s about efficiency, and the X-T5 gives me both vintage aesthetics and quick control when I need it.

Ergonomics: A Perfect Fit

The X-T5 is small, no denying that. If you’re used to bigger cameras or have large hands, it might feel a bit cramped. For me, though? It’s a perfect fit. I’ve got smaller hands, so I never feel like it’s too small or hard to handle. In fact, the compact size is a huge advantage when I’m out shooting for hours on end.

That said, if you pair it with some of Fujifilm’s larger lenses, the balance can feel a little off. But for my style, minimalist, street-ready, it’s perfect. Once you put a smaller prime lens on like Fujis f2 range, the camera is an absolute joy to use.

The Tilt Screen: My Low-Angle Hero

If there’s one feature that’s become a real game-changer for me, it’s the tilt screen. I didn’t think I’d love it this much, but now I can’t live without it. For those low-angle shots, especially in street photography, being able to tilt the screen out and compose without crouching or squatting is killer feature. The fact that the tilt is horizontal and vertical! i’m in heaven. For landscape photography, wide angle vertical shots, hot damn.. so good!

Now, if you’re someone who vlogs or shoots video of yourself, you might prefer a flip-out screen. But for photography needs, the tilt screen is all one needs, and it’s been a key feature I’ve grown to depend on.

Usability:

The X-T5 gives me exactly what I need when it comes to usability. Seven custom modes are a lifesaver when I need to switch settings on the fly, especially when I’m bouncing between focus modes or quick adjustments. It makes my shooting process smoother and faster.

The IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) is another win, particularly for handheld shots in low light. I’ve been able to push my shutter speeds down to 1/5 and still get sharp images, something I never would’ve attempted before. For video, the IBIS makes a noticeable difference too, with less jittery footage.

And I’ve got to mention the battery life, long photo walks, 8-hour days of shooting, and this thing keeps going. No complaints there.

the X-T5’s EVF is something else—a bright, sharp, 120 fps viewfinder that makes composing shots a joy. When you place your eye up to the viewfinder it does a great job blocking out light, especially on a bright day.

Image Quality:

This is where the X-T5 really shines. The 40MP sensor delivers on all fronts. Whether it’s sharpness, cropping flexibility, or handling low light, it’s got me covered. The extra megapixels give me so much room to crop without worrying about losing detail, and the dynamic range, especially for an APS-C sensor, still amazes me. Something that I don’t see mentioned and it surprised me when I started using Fuji cameras—is even at high ISO ranges, the digital noise is a lot more pleasing than other brands. It gets less of that colour banding and looks more like film grain.

To put it simply this camera produces incredible images. Coupled with one of Fujis selling points, being able to shoot with Film Simulations—which are their custom ‘looks’ and straight to JPEG. It can produce stellar results straight out of camera, if you don’t want to edit RAW photos.

Video Performance:

The X-T5 handles video well, with 6.2K at 30fps and 4K at 60fps. That’s more than enough for what I need. It also supports F-Log2 for extended dynamic range, which is great if you’re serious about color grading. But like I mentioned earlier the lack of a flip-out screen is a drawback if you’re filming yourself. Also, the dual SD cards can slow things down when writing high-res video. It’s not a dealbreaker, but something to keep in mind if video is your primary focus.

Autofocus:

Autofocus is solid and tracks well, even in low light, which is where I’ve found previous Fujifilm models to struggle. For most situations, it’s reliable. That said, when shooting fast-moving subjects in continuous focus mode, it sometimes latches onto the wrong thing for a shot or two. Don’t get me wrong for most things autofocus is solid but still not quite on par with other brands that specialise in autofocus like Sony. For street/travel photography or general use, it’s more than enough.

Should You Get It?

Here’s the bottom line: the Fujifilm X-T5 is hands-down one of the best cameras out there for photographers, especially if you’re into travel, street, or documentary work. It’s compact, stylish, and easy to use. And the image quality? Just wow. There is something indescribable about the look from a Fuji Camera, the only word that comes to mind is Cinematic. If you’re not focused on video-heavy projects and don’t need high-end video features, the X-T5 should be on your radar.

The X-T5 is considered one of Fujifilm’s premium models, offering features like a high-resolution EVF and screen, weather sealing, dual card slots, faster processors, and more. Naturally, it commands a higher price compared to some of Fuji’s more entry-level cameras, like the X-S20 or X-T30 II. However, as of this writing, Fujifilm’s current lineup is a bit of a pricing mess, especially on the entry-level side. For instance, the recently released X-T50, which is intended to be a smaller, less "pro" version of the X-T5, is currently priced higher than the X-T5 itself. Additionally, many lower-end Fujis are only a few hundred dollars cheaper than higher-end models like the X-T5 or its closest sibling, the X-H2. So, if price is your deciding factor, I don’t have an easy answer other than to suggest buying used.

This is a camera that makes you want to get out there and shoot. It’s not just a tool, it’s a creative companion. If you’re considering a switch to Fujifilm or thinking about upgrading, trust me—this camera will inspire you to create.