I actually got the XM-5 about a month before it was available in the US (I was living in Shanghai at the time). It's really good for what I use it for. I already have an X-T5 for photo duty, but this little XM-5 has been regulated for video duty. It has a different enough use-base that I don't feel my two cameras step on each other's toes. The lack of EVF? Doesn't matter for video in my opinion. The film simulation dial would honestly suck for photography, but for video? Yeah that makes sense. The lower sized battery doesn't bother so much since I'm likely using the X-M5 indoors, which also makes the lack of IBIS not a big deal since I'll use it locked off on a tripod most of the time. Don't need a flash on my X-M5 since I have a key light setup already. Yes it feels lighter compared to my X-T5, but I really don't mind that. All in all I feel it's a great tool. It replaced my old Sony ZV-1 and is a BIG improvement in comparison. Touch screen is usable, and I can use my existing Fuji glass.
I still think people are overlooking the market this camera was made for and that is the stationary vloggers who setup their cameras and talk to their subscribers. They don't need ibis, a flash, or a viewfinder either. They get 6.2k open gate, AI subject detection autofocus (finally) and 20 different colors to scroll through and choose from. Tweak a few settings here and there and they can create their own unique look. On top of all that they can also use the camera to take outstanding still images. What this camera can do at this price is really a great deal. For under the price of a Sony ZVE1 body you can get into the Fuji system and have a camera, a good quality lens or two, microphone, lights, and a gimbal. Basically a complete vlogging setup.
Putting an IBIS lens on a camera that small kinda defeats the whole point of having it, price and portability. Plus as someone who has an XE4 and never uses it for all the the limits you mentioned and more, Its a pass for me. The biggest issue is all the settings are buried in the menus and i miss all my muscle memory from the XT5. I wanted to love it and I just don't. If you spring for ibis on a lens, just spring for a camera that costs a few hundred more and has body stabe and actual buttons. Also, Fujifim - if a setting is greyed out, it would save everyone a ton of time if you put a little info button that would tell you which one it is. Great vid as always Chris!
As always, Chris, an excellent and very useful video. You really have touched on just about every point a prospective buyer/user would need to know. But as I was watching you I suddenly realised that there is another reason I enjoy your work so much and that is the actual quality of your uploads. I don't know what you use to film with, or your settings but on my screen here at home the colour range, focus, intensity of the colours, especially the blacks, stands head and shoulders above most other channels. So, thank you for great content and for making it so easy, and such a pleasure, to watch.
I got one 2 days ago coming from a Canon Rebel T7, so far I love it and since it’s just a hobby I don’t see myself needing anything more powerful. No EVF is definitely one of its downsides but I’m getting used to it
I love my x-m5. I did have it slip out of my hand once, luckily I was using a strap. 😊 No evr is a pain, but so far the lcd is fine. As far as battery life, I have my camera settings for maximum use(lcd=+5, boost mode etc.) I have 2 extra batteries, so far this has been enough. All my exposure controls are on top, Aperture ring, ISO = front dial, SS = back dial. So far I have worked around the quirks of this camera, it is a GREAT companion to my X-T5!!!
I have the X-M5. Overall I love this camera. Only thing I don’t like is the film simulation dial. It easily changes in the bag so every time I need to quickly take it out and shoot, I always need to make sure that I’m on the film simulation I want. I really wanted a locking mechanism for that dial. But other than that? You’ll get the latest processor, the latest auto focus algorithm, and all the latest film simulations, I also think this is a bargain for what it offers.
Love my X-M5 paired with the small-rig grip and cold shoe thumb grip and wrist strap. I see a notable difference between my IBIS on my X-S20 and X-T5, but I know the limitations, definitely need IS on a lens to help! I am excited to take it on my travels because of the descrete size paired with the DJI P3 will be great.
Man I thought the lack of EVF and silly film dial was bad enough, then I learn it’s PASM based! Really hope Fuji don’t keep down this road.. e-x5 where are you..?
All are very good points. Also, as I have learned with my XT-30 (as compared to my XT-4,) having a battery compartment and SD slot co-located in the base of the camera is awkward. It makes it more difficult to remove the SD card. Some may disagree, but I promised myself that I would never buy a camera that did this-so the XM-5 is a non-starter for me.
Just got mine this week! I already have an xt30 which I’m still keeping. I plan to use the xm5 more for street and travel. I put on a 23mm f2 on it and its a small beast of a camera.. The lack of EVF doesnt bother me since I rarely use the EVF in my XT30.. Still learning all the dials though since the PASM is different from what’s in my XT30.. Im still on the fence with the size. I have small hands and its still a tad bit uncomfortable. I already picked up an L plate + thumb grip for it!
Thanks! To me the X-M5 is an amazing camera for beginners and amateur photographers, it's gorgeous, has a fantastic sensor, shoots high quality videos and is overall fun to use and small and light and cheap. Is it good enough and the most practical camera for professionals? I don't think so but I would have loved to have such a camera 18 years ago before I became a professional photographer. Have a good one!
It looks like my X-T30 but with the PASM dial. Extraordinary for travel and family pictures, but not for professional work. I'm using the X-H2S for that.
Chris, I admire you for many reasons especially your subtle way of saying this camera is a piece of shat! PASM? Color profiles? No flash? No Ibis? Garbage on so many levels! I still love Fuji but not the bloodline of Japan that don't care what we (Americans) think especially the auto focus issues and other stuff of recent cameras. I think they love when we plead or recommend suggestions. Just my opinion. Glad you're venturing outside of Fuji with your videos!
I am impressed by the value, but I want a viewfinder, and especially an optical viewfinder. If I can afford it, I will get the XPro4 if it ever comes out.
Ooh I'm so disappointed in the battery situation. You know what I'd love to use this camera with? A Pocket Dispo lens. It's a nice compact camera like the x100 but you can't add toy lenses to the x100. This would be a fun camera to use some lenses that have wild flaring and chromatic aberration for some really retro shots
All the cons, but at this price point with the new Processor, I use cameras on tripods and gimbals and if either needed to be replaced... I'd seriously consider these (I teach film classes to young people)
This is going to seem like an odd question, but: if you shake the X-M5, does it make any noise? I ask because I’ve recently started wanting to make some in-car driving videos, with a camera rigidly mounted to the interior; I tried using my X-H2S for this, but it rattles like hell (and as far as I can tell, the noise is coming from inside the body… maybe something to do with the IBIS assembly?). Been wondering if the X-M5 might be better suited, given that it has fewer moving parts internally.
I was interested in this camera and seriously considered it, until I realized the only thing that would, and stop me: no EVF. I just can't. At least I don't think... :)
If it was named SPAM instead of PASM would you like it better 😂? Great video Chris. The XM5 is not for me but i could see it being useful as a compact backup camera for someone with an xt5 that wanted to film themselves and needed a Flippy screen.
I really wanted it to be my vacation camera but lack of IBIS killed that idea. If Fuji had at least ONE stabilized prime it would be a different story. Heck, even their new "better kit" XF 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 has no OIS because "all new bodies have IBIS". Come on Fuji. We are dying to give you some money, help us out.
As an experienced reviewer, it is misleading to quote the CIPA rating for battery life when we know that this spec typically grossly underestimates the actual battery life in real life use. You should know better and point this out the viewers.
Too many absent things for me. Will wait for the X-E5, hopefully more compact than the last one. I don't know why Fuji has such a problem shrinking things down. Micro 4/3 is not that much smaller than APS-C and Panasonic has done amazingly small with it while not cutting out feaures like the old GM5. If Sony can put an EVF inside a popup there is not an excuse for it to be absent in any Fuji camera.
Thanks for this, you have just confirmed my decision not to buy one. I will wait for the XPRO4 to be available, that is IF I manage to live that long... My deal breaker was the Film Sim dial and the lack of an eyepiece. Still it is a very good camera, just not the one for me.
I actually got the XM-5 about a month before it was available in the US (I was living in Shanghai at the time). It's really good for what I use it for. I already have an X-T5 for photo duty, but this little XM-5 has been regulated for video duty. It has a different enough use-base that I don't feel my two cameras step on each other's toes. The lack of EVF? Doesn't matter for video in my opinion. The film simulation dial would honestly suck for photography, but for video? Yeah that makes sense. The lower sized battery doesn't bother so much since I'm likely using the X-M5 indoors, which also makes the lack of IBIS not a big deal since I'll use it locked off on a tripod most of the time. Don't need a flash on my X-M5 since I have a key light setup already. Yes it feels lighter compared to my X-T5, but I really don't mind that. All in all I feel it's a great tool. It replaced my old Sony ZV-1 and is a BIG improvement in comparison. Touch screen is usable, and I can use my existing Fuji glass.
would you recommend an xm5 as a first camera? (with the kit lense)
I still think people are overlooking the market this camera was made for and that is the stationary vloggers who setup their cameras and talk to their subscribers. They don't need ibis, a flash, or a viewfinder either. They get 6.2k open gate, AI subject detection autofocus (finally) and 20 different colors to scroll through and choose from. Tweak a few settings here and there and they can create their own unique look. On top of all that they can also use the camera to take outstanding still images. What this camera can do at this price is really a great deal. For under the price of a Sony ZVE1 body you can get into the Fuji system and have a camera, a good quality lens or two, microphone, lights, and a gimbal. Basically a complete vlogging setup.
Hi Chris. Thanks for sharing.
Putting an IBIS lens on a camera that small kinda defeats the whole point of having it, price and portability. Plus as someone who has an XE4 and never uses it for all the the limits you mentioned and more, Its a pass for me. The biggest issue is all the settings are buried in the menus and i miss all my muscle memory from the XT5. I wanted to love it and I just don't. If you spring for ibis on a lens, just spring for a camera that costs a few hundred more and has body stabe and actual buttons.
Also, Fujifim - if a setting is greyed out, it would save everyone a ton of time if you put a little info button that would tell you which one it is.
Great vid as always Chris!
As always, Chris, an excellent and very useful video. You really have touched on just about every point a prospective buyer/user would need to know. But as I was watching you I suddenly realised that there is another reason I enjoy your work so much and that is the actual quality of your uploads. I don't know what you use to film with, or your settings but on my screen here at home the colour range, focus, intensity of the colours, especially the blacks, stands head and shoulders above most other channels. So, thank you for great content and for making it so easy, and such a pleasure, to watch.
I got one 2 days ago coming from a Canon Rebel T7, so far I love it and since it’s just a hobby I don’t see myself needing anything more powerful. No EVF is definitely one of its downsides but I’m getting used to it
Please more XM-5 videos! Love the channel and old Fuji explaining videos as the xm-5 is my first Fuji!
A great review, as always.
Great review - and you're right about the lens size. Paired mine with the XF-50mm f/1.0 - glad I got a cage to increase the grip!
Thanks for sharing, welcome back pal.
Would love to have one of these to go along with my X-T5 and X-E1!
Great video Chris! Except for the flash, these are all deal-breakers for me. Will stay with my X-T4. Thank you so much for sharing!
Wow! I was just looking at getting camera and was looking for opinions from youtubers lol! Thank you!
I love my x-m5. I did have it slip out of my hand once, luckily I was using a strap. 😊 No evr is a pain, but so far the lcd is fine. As far as battery life, I have my camera settings for maximum use(lcd=+5, boost mode etc.) I have 2 extra batteries, so far this has been enough. All my exposure controls are on top, Aperture ring, ISO = front dial, SS = back dial. So far I have worked around the quirks of this camera, it is a GREAT companion to my X-T5!!!
Amazing tiny little camera. Love it.
Never understood the PASM system and was so happy to have dials on my xt5. 😊
I have the X-M5. Overall I love this camera. Only thing I don’t like is the film simulation dial. It easily changes in the bag so every time I need to quickly take it out and shoot, I always need to make sure that I’m on the film simulation I want. I really wanted a locking mechanism for that dial.
But other than that? You’ll get the latest processor, the latest auto focus algorithm, and all the latest film simulations, I also think this is a bargain for what it offers.
@4:01 Ive watched many XM5 videos and I don’t remember any mentioning the UHS-1 card slot.
Love my X-M5 paired with the small-rig grip and cold shoe thumb grip and wrist strap. I see a notable difference between my IBIS on my X-S20 and X-T5, but I know the limitations, definitely need IS on a lens to help! I am excited to take it on my travels because of the descrete size paired with the DJI P3 will be great.
Too late, I already bought one! Thankfully it's great.
Man I thought the lack of EVF and silly film dial was bad enough, then I learn it’s PASM based! Really hope Fuji don’t keep down this road.. e-x5 where are you..?
All are very good points. Also, as I have learned with my XT-30 (as compared to my XT-4,) having a battery compartment and SD slot co-located in the base of the camera is awkward. It makes it more difficult to remove the SD card.
Some may disagree, but I promised myself that I would never buy a camera that did this-so the XM-5 is a non-starter for me.
I plan to buy the X-M5. I need it for my open-air activities, e.g. ski touring, cross country skiing…
While I love my x-m5, be careful, this is not weather resistant!😮
Just got mine this week! I already have an xt30 which I’m still keeping. I plan to use the xm5 more for street and travel. I put on a 23mm f2 on it and its a small beast of a camera.. The lack of EVF doesnt bother me since I rarely use the EVF in my XT30.. Still learning all the dials though since the PASM is different from what’s in my XT30.. Im still on the fence with the size. I have small hands and its still a tad bit uncomfortable. I already picked up an L plate + thumb grip for it!
Good to see you
Thank you! 🙏
Another great video A no for me Who are they targeting
Thanks! To me the X-M5 is an amazing camera for beginners and amateur photographers, it's gorgeous, has a fantastic sensor, shoots high quality videos and is overall fun to use and small and light and cheap. Is it good enough and the most practical camera for professionals? I don't think so but I would have loved to have such a camera 18 years ago before I became a professional photographer. Have a good one!
C’est vrai que la molette de simulation de film est totalement inutile
Mais cet appareil associé au 27mm 2,8 est un vrai régal !
Merci pour la vidéo
It looks like my X-T30 but with the PASM dial. Extraordinary for travel and family pictures, but not for professional work. I'm using the X-H2S for that.
I have it and love the small form factor, however I do now wish it has the EVF, now Im contemplating to get the XT50. Is it worth it?
Chris, I admire you for many reasons especially your subtle way of saying this camera is a piece of shat! PASM? Color profiles? No flash? No Ibis? Garbage on so many levels! I still love Fuji but not the bloodline of Japan that don't care what we (Americans) think especially the auto focus issues and other stuff of recent cameras. I think they love when we plead or recommend suggestions. Just my opinion. Glad you're venturing outside of Fuji with your videos!
You are a fool. This camera shoots open gate 6.2k footage for $800. It is an incredible deal. It is not for photographers.
I am impressed by the value, but I want a viewfinder, and especially an optical viewfinder. If I can afford it, I will get the XPro4 if it ever comes out.
Ooh I'm so disappointed in the battery situation.
You know what I'd love to use this camera with? A Pocket Dispo lens.
It's a nice compact camera like the x100 but you can't add toy lenses to the x100.
This would be a fun camera to use some lenses that have wild flaring and chromatic aberration for some really retro shots
All the cons, but at this price point with the new Processor, I use cameras on tripods and gimbals and if either needed to be replaced... I'd seriously consider these (I teach film classes to young people)
This is going to seem like an odd question, but: if you shake the X-M5, does it make any noise?
I ask because I’ve recently started wanting to make some in-car driving videos, with a camera rigidly mounted to the interior; I tried using my X-H2S for this, but it rattles like hell (and as far as I can tell, the noise is coming from inside the body… maybe something to do with the IBIS assembly?). Been wondering if the X-M5 might be better suited, given that it has fewer moving parts internally.
is there a viewfinder that you can recommend that can be fixed to the hotshoe for this?
I’d rather just buy a camera with a viewfinder. Still love my x-t30 (alongside a dslr)
1-2-3-4-5 cups of coffee to use a camera with no IBIS🤣
I was interested in this camera and seriously considered it, until I realized the only thing that would, and stop me: no EVF. I just can't. At least I don't think... :)
Looks like I’ll stick to my xt30 MkII as a compact travel camera for another couple of years😅
If it was named SPAM instead of PASM would you like it better 😂? Great video Chris. The XM5 is not for me but i could see it being useful as a compact backup camera for someone with an xt5 that wanted to film themselves and needed a Flippy screen.
Yes, for sure. I'd add an extra $100 to the price for that one. 😆
I really wanted it to be my vacation camera but lack of IBIS killed that idea. If Fuji had at least ONE stabilized prime it would be a different story. Heck, even their new "better kit" XF 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 has no OIS because "all new bodies have IBIS". Come on Fuji. We are dying to give you some money, help us out.
What is PASM?
true!!!
As an experienced reviewer, it is misleading to quote the CIPA rating for battery life when we know that this spec typically grossly underestimates the actual battery life in real life use. You should know better and point this out the viewers.
well thats why nothing is perfect. I have it for daily :) without evf its hard but i dont really rely on evf most of the time :) so it is fine :)
👍👍👍
I mean a camera for vlogging without IBIS is like a car without wheels. Kinda 🙂
Too many absent things for me. Will wait for the X-E5, hopefully more compact than the last one. I don't know why Fuji has such a problem shrinking things down. Micro 4/3 is not that much smaller than APS-C and Panasonic has done amazingly small with it while not cutting out feaures like the old GM5. If Sony can put an EVF inside a popup there is not an excuse for it to be absent in any Fuji camera.
6:31 My wife tells me that size doesn’t matter 🫢
i think is more worth it xt3 for second hand hahaha
No viewfinder is the really big no-no for me!
Thanks for this, you have just confirmed my decision not to buy one. I will wait for the XPRO4 to be available, that is IF I manage to live that long...
My deal breaker was the Film Sim dial and the lack of an eyepiece. Still it is a very good camera, just not the one for me.
Pass…
No.1 thing to Know before buying any Fuji Camera: The Fuji camera's autofocus is 10 years behind the comepetition.
I think it is time for you to move to those “other” cameras for many of us the Fuji autofocus is more than sufficient