Fujifilm’s X100VI offers plenty of attractive photography features on top of coming in a compact travel-friendly package, making it an extremely popular model among many users. Problem is, it’s fixed lens, making it a lot less versatile. The Fujifilm X-E5 is, basically, an interchangeable lens version of that popular camera.
It’s not exactly a 1:1 copy of the X100VI. The new mirrorless camera has straighter, cleaner lines along the top plate, for instance, while offering a more pronounced and contoured grip. They do look very similar, though, with the new camera adoption the X100 line’s vintage aesthetic. Even more importantly, it does share a lot of specs with the frequently sold out fixed lens model.
The Fujifilm X-E5 houses the outfit’s 40.2MP X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor, along with updated image processing algorithms that, the outfit claims, an deliver high resolution while maintaining a high signal to noise ratio. It also boasts an improved pixel structure that allows light to be recorded more efficiently, allowing it to offer ISO 125 as native sensitivity. The electronic shutter, meanwhile, supports a maximum speed of 1/180,000 second, while a new in-body stabilization system and upgraded gyro sensor allows it to provide seven stops of stabilization near the center of the frame and six stops toward the periphery.
Naturally, it comes with the outfit’s AI-based autofocus algorithms for easy tracking of various subjects, along with subject detection for people, animals, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, airplanes, trains, insects, and drones. The camera, by the way, comes with a new Film Simulation dial that makes it easier to choose among its preloaded analog simulation filters, complete with the option to create and save your own recipes via three programmable slots in the dial. While this is, primarily, a photography camera, it does have some pretty capable video chops, having the ability to capture 6.2K video at 30 fps, 4K footage at 60 fps, and 1080p video at 240 fps.
The Fujifilm X-E5 can be bundled with lens that mimics the compact optics that comes fixed onto the X100VI. Called the XF23mm f2.8 R WR, the lens is constructed from eight elements arranged into six groups that include two aspherical lenses. It features an aperture range of f/2.8 through f/16, while using a full-group focusing system that’s powered by a direct current motor integrated into the lens, which enables high-speed autofocus. A built-in ring out front enables manual focusing for those who like dialing in this own framing. The lens is dust- and moisture resistant, by the way, so you can see use it in light rain and high-dust environments.
The camera comes with a new 2.36-million dot electronic viewfinder that offers two usage modes: Classic, which simplifies the interface to an old-school optical viewfinder; and Surround View, which displays one of three items (black, semi-transparent, or outline) outside of your set aspect ratio. A control lever in front of the camera lets you quickly switch between those three Surround View settings. It also has a tilting rear LCD that can flip up to face the other direction, making it viable as a selfie camera.
The Fujifilm X-E5 comes out in August, priced at $1,699.95.
