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Writer's pictureOleg Gurev

Fujifilm X-T5 Review: A Year of Photography and Filmmaking

Fujifilm X-T5

After using the Fujifilm X-T5 for over a year, I can confidently say this camera has been a reliable and versatile tool for my work in portrait, landscape, and street photography, as well as videography. Here's a breakdown of my experience with this impressive camera.


Design and Handling


The X-T5 retains Fujifilm’s signature retro design, which I’ve always found to be a pleasure to work with. Its compact and lightweight body makes it easy to carry around, especially for street photography and walking tours, where portability is essential. The dials on the top of the camera give full manual control over key settings like ISO, shutter speed, and exposure, making it intuitive and fast to adjust on the fly.


Image Quality


One of the standout features of the Fujifilm X-T5 is its 40MP APS-C sensor, delivering incredible detail in both portrait and landscape shots. Colors are vibrant but natural, and the dynamic range is excellent, especially when shooting in RAW. Whether I’m capturing wide landscapes or close-up portraits, the level of detail and clarity has always impressed me.


  • Portrait Photography: The X-T5 excels in this area, thanks to its ability to render skin tones beautifully. Paired with prime lenses like the Fujinon 56mm f/1.2, it produces stunning background blur and sharp, crisp subjects. The camera’s eye autofocus is quick and reliable, which is a big advantage during fast-paced portrait sessions.


Fujifilm X-T5 review


  • Landscape Photography: The dynamic range is a huge plus when shooting landscapes. I’ve used the X-T5 in various lighting conditions, from early morning sunrises to bright midday light, and it handles highlights and shadows remarkably well. The detail in wide scenes remains sharp, and Fujifilm’s color science, especially with their film simulations, brings landscapes to life.


Fujifilm X-T5 review


  • Street Photography: Its compact size and quiet shutter make it ideal for street photography. The autofocus is fast, and even in low light, the X-T5 performs well, capturing moments quickly and discreetly. I’ve walked the streets of Antalya with this camera numerous times, and it’s the perfect companion for on-the-go shooting.


Fujifilm X-T5 review

Video Performance


While Fujifilm X-T5 is primarily a photography-first camera, its video capabilities shouldn’t be underestimated. We’ve filmed several walking tours in Antalya with this camera, and the results have been more than satisfactory. It supports 6.2K video, and while I didn’t always push it to the highest resolution, the 4K footage was sharp, detailed, and vibrant.

The in-body image stabilization (IBIS) was extremely useful for handheld shots while walking, reducing shake and producing smooth footage. Autofocus during video is decent, though it’s not as fast as the Canon R6 when it comes to tracking moving subjects.



Film Simulations


One of my favorite aspects of the Fujifilm system is the built-in film simulations. Classic Chrome and Astia are two of my go-to options for both photo and video work. They add a cinematic quality to the shots without needing heavy post-processing. For walking tours, this saved us time as the footage looked great straight out of the camera.


Battery Life


Battery life has been pretty solid for an APS-C camera. A single battery usually lasts for a full day of shooting if I’m focusing on photos. However, during video shoots, especially when recording in 4K, I’d recommend carrying a spare battery to ensure you don’t run out of power during longer sessions.

Room for Improvement


While the X-T5 excels in most areas, there are a couple of minor things that could be improved:

  • Autofocus in Video: Though generally good for photos, the autofocus in video mode can sometimes be slow to catch up, especially in complex scenes with multiple moving elements.

  • Low-Light Performance: While it performs well in low light for an APS-C sensor, full-frame cameras like the Canon R6 still outperform it when it comes to noise handling at higher ISOs.


Final Thoughts


Overall, the Fujifilm X-T5 has been an outstanding camera for both photography and casual videography. Its compact design, excellent image quality, and versatility make it a strong choice for anyone looking for a hybrid camera that can do it all. Whether you're into portraits, landscapes, street photography, or filming vlogs and tours, the X-T5 delivers reliable, high-quality results.

For photographers who appreciate a tactile shooting experience and stunning color science, the X-T5 is a fantastic option.





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