Fujifilm X-E5 Hands-On Review: Compact Powerhouse with Film Simulation Magic
The Fujifilm X-E5 is incredibly popular both in Korea and internationally, so much so that it's causing open runs. Despite its small size and lightweight design, it houses Fujifilm's latest image sensor and processor, delivering excellent image and video quality.
Since it uses the same image sensor and processor as the Fuji X100VI and Fuji X-T50 II, it provides nearly identical photo and video results.
The key difference is that the Fujifilm X-E5 offers interchangeable lenses.
I had the opportunity to experience the Fujifilm X-E5 firsthand, thanks to a generous 2-hour loan from the owner of 'Digital Changsin,' an authorized Fujifilm dealer in the Namdaemun camera market.
The camera's dimensions are 124.9 x 72.9 x 39.1mm, and it weighs 445g. It's 58g heavier than the Fuji X-T50 II due to the use of aluminum on the top and bottom. This gives it a premium feel, avoiding the sensation of a plastic camera and instead offering a solid metal frame. The size is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.
There's a timer lever on the front, but it's not actually a timer lever. Instead, it functions as a function button. You can trigger up to five functions by flicking it briefly, holding it down, or flicking it for a longer duration.
Its thickness is 39.1mm, making it quite slim. The top features a film simulation dial, and to the right of the hot shoe, there are shutter speed and exposure dials.
Pressing the shutter button evokes the feel of a rangefinder film camera, which is excellent. The shutter sound and feel are also very satisfying, almost bringing back memories of film cameras.
Instead of a dedicated shooting mode dial, the aperture and shutter speed dials have an 'A' setting. This allows you to set shutter priority or aperture priority mode. Setting both to 'A' puts the camera in P mode.
The EVF is a 0.39-inch OLED with a resolution of 2.36 million dots. The EVF resolution is a bit lower than the X100VI. However, I didn't find the resolution lacking during use, and my eyes quickly adjusted.
Shooting information and the AF point are displayed at the bottom. I read in the news today that the Leica M11-V will be the first Leica M series camera to use an EVF instead of an OVF.
The Fujifilm X-E5 features a 180-degree tilting screen.
I knew it had a 3-inch tilting touch TFT LCD, but I didn't realize it tilted up. The reason is that tilting screens usually don't have an EVF.
Looking from the side, it uses a similar mechanism to the Sony A6000 series, where the screen moves back and then up. This type of tilt-up is a bit slower. You have to pull it back a bit before lifting it. Although it's a bit inconvenient, the fact that it tilts up is a great bonus. It's very useful for selfies and self-video recording.
This rear LCD style has its pros and cons. Canon's swivel LCD is great for video recording, but it's inconvenient for high and low angle shots because you have to bend it in two stages. Tilt LCDs are better for high and low angle shooting. However, the 180-degree tilt-up compensates for the disadvantage of not being able to take self-portraits.
There's a Q button on the far right, which is a quick button that lets you quickly access other functions. It is also customizable.
Film simulation, which is a strength and advantage of Fujifilm
The best part of Fujifilm cameras is undoubtedly film simulation. It's like a filter function, but it's not just any filter. It digitalizes Fujifilm's colors and allows you to use them like filters.
The Fujifilm X-E5 even has a dedicated film simulation dial. Until now, you had to apply it via the touch screen, but now it has a dial. However, since you can't fit all 21 film simulations on the dial, only about 11 are included. The rest, FS1~3, can be assigned to your desired simulations like function keys.
You can check which color film types are available on the film simulation site.
It's not just a simple filter, but there are differences in saturation, hue, shadow, and highlight expression. Fujifilm cameras are popular these days because of these unique colors.
What if you still don't find the color you want? Then press the MENU button, press I.Q, and you can create your own colors using grain effect, color chrome effect, and tone curve. This is called a film recipe. This is the charm and strength of Fuji cameras.
They've included features that are important to consumers and made it possible for consumers to create them directly if they don't exist.
This allows you to research and focus more on photo colors, take pictures, and create and find the colors you want. This is a really powerful attraction.
X-E5's AF Speed and Convenience
All products have their advantages and disadvantages. Fujifilm's AF is slower than Canon's and Sony's. So, it's better for everyday recording, landscapes, streets, portraits, etc., which are subjects that I can control, rather than cameras for athletes or wild animals that move quickly.
But it's not super slow, and Canon and Sony cameras are so fast that it's relatively slow. If you use it, you won't be stressed out by the AF.
I can adjust the size of the AF area and specify the position with the joystick button on the back.
You can adjust the size from pin point to the entire area with the wheel dial.
You can also capture the area vertically like this. I've seen this method on Olympus cameras, and Fuji uses a similar method.
This is great for taking photos or videos. Interestingly, it has a feature that recognizes the face, head, and even torso of a person, making it easier to focus on people.
When I shined it on a person passing by, it accurately captured the head wearing a hat.
Recommended Lens XF23mmF2.8 R WR
The perfect partner for a small camera is a pancake prime lens. Also, a 35mm focal length is perfect because it's an all-rounder. There is such a lens.
It's the XF23mmF2.8 R WR prime lens that came with the X-E5. It's small, lightweight, and the aperture turns smoothly.
XF23mmF2.8 R WR / f2.8
XF23mmF2.8 R WR / f16
Although it's a crop mirrorless, its out-of-focus capabilities are great.
This is a photo taken at f2.8, and it has a slightly swirling bokeh.
The charm of 40.2 million high resolution
The photo size is 7728 x 5152 with a 40.2 million high-resolution camera. The capacity is about 23MB, which is less than I thought. The good thing about high resolution is that it's convenient for digital zoom.
I zoomed in on the upper right corner of the photo above.
It looks neat and clean.
This time, I zoomed in on the center.
You can see Bukhan Mountain behind Bukak Mountain in the distance. There was a lot of moisture that day, so there was a haze, but if it had been a dry day, it would have been clearer.
Fujifilm X-E5 with no noise even at high ISO
Photos taken with a smartphone or camera during the day with plenty of light are similar. However, there is a big difference when shooting indoors or at night in low-light environments.
I took the X-E5 and shot indoors. I shot the mannequin on the right and then zoomed in.
ISO 6400
ISO 12800
There is no noise at all up to ISO 6400, and even when I raise it to ISO 12800, the noise is not very noticeable. It's amazing. I heard that Fujifilm's image sensor is good, so there is less noise even in low light, but when I actually saw it, there was really little noise.
ISO 6400
It shows strengths in indoor and night shooting.
1/3 second
5-axis IBIS is also attractive. Because of the 40.2 million high resolution, the image stabilization must be powerful. But even if I don't have a tripod, the photo doesn't shake even when I take it at 1/3 second. Image stabilization is very good.
There's no video button?
I will introduce the video side in the next episode. But I couldn't find the video button for a long time, so I asked customer service.
There is no separate video button, and you have to press the DRIVE/DELETE button on the back and scroll down to select the video at the bottom.
It's a bit inconvenient to switch to video, but they say this is the concept of this camera. Looking at this, I get the feeling that although both photos and videos are good, I should focus more on photos.
Fujifilm X-E5 Sample Video (No Post-Correction)
The Fujifilm X-E5 is a daily camera that combines performance and portability. In particular, it's great to be able to use film simulation colors. You can also create your own colors with film recipes. The best thing about carrying it around was the color, followed by the portability. It's so small and light that I think I'll always carry it around.
The design is also good, making it attractive. However, there is no video conversion button, and you have to press it twice to convert, but I quickly got used to it. The low-light, low-noise performance is also good, and the image stabilization is powerful.
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