Fujifilm X-T5 Review (Why I Switched From Sony)
While visiting Japan, I decided to make the switch from the Sony A7IV to the Fujifilm XT-5. I’ve been using this camera for about 6 months, learning the in’s and out’s of the menu system and getting a feel for it. I’ve traveled through Vietnam and many parts of Europe with this camera and will share my thoughts about this camera after using it almost everyday.
Disclaimer: This blog is written by me without any outside influence. I have made the switch from Sony to Fujifilm recently due to personal, travel, and preferential reasons and this is my personal review. As I use the camera more, I will create a more detailed posts.
Aesthetics and Build Quality
There are good and bad qualities here. I really love the way it looks and I think most people do. I originally bought the silver model as it was the only one available at the time. After 7 months of use I really disliked how the silver shined in the sun and stuck out when I was out shooting. Also, the paint was already starting to chip and over time I was concerned it was going to get worse. When the silver wears, the black underneath shows through. The silver is thinly painted and the chipping took away a lot of the visual appeal for me. I traded it in for the black version and I am much happier. It just looks like a regular camera, nothing fancy or eye-catching. I can go out for the day, take pictures, and not worry about having to explain whether it’s film or digital, have the sun glaring down on it, etc.
Moving on to build quality, this is my first Fujifilm camera so I don’t have any others to compare to, but in my opinion, the build quality could be better. I tend to 'baby’ this camera more than my Sony. The body dents, scratches, and chips very easily. Additionally, the dials feel thin, light, and just generally cheaper. With all that said, I have not had any issues with overheating, malfunctioning, corrupted files, or weird quirks. The internal build and operation on the camera has been great.
Ergonomics
A positive for me is that it feels good in my hands and is not too heavy. One reason I really disliked using the Sony was it just felt huge in my hand. The files looked great don’t get me wrong, but I disliked how big and bulky adding lenses were. I never wanted to take it out to shoot. The front grip on the XT-5 is not too big so it fits well it my hand and is comfortable. I wear this camera both with a crossbody strap and a wrist strap. Both work equally well. From a woman’s perspective, the grip would feel fine in most small hands. Also, the camera is very light and portable so if you need a great quality camera that doesn’t feel bulky, this would be a great camera. For travel, the size of this camera is ideal. I feel like I have the option to carry different lenses and not feel strapped on space. The dials on the camera are easy to use and the ISO and shutter have a locking mechanism. The screen is a tilting screen which is ideal for getting various angles and composing easily.
Image Quality
This may be controversial, but I find the image quality on the XT-5 to be very similar to my full-frame camera experiences. My portfolio on this website have files from both Sony and Fuji and I love them both. I’m finding that I like the look that comes out of this camera just as much, if not more. In fact, I prefer a softer photo and this camera gives that softer, warmer feel. If you are concerned about zooming in to each photo and calculating megapixels, resolution, and sharpness, then you may see a difference. But in my humble opinion, this is a 40 MP camera and I feel it gives photos that I am happy with SOOC (straight out of camera). In today’s digital photo world, unless you will be printing onto large canvases or doing advanced client work, this camera will be more than enough. I understood that when I was changing from Sony A7IV to Fujifilm XT-5 I wasn’t necessarily getting a “direct” comparison model. However, I find that the weight on this camera and portability outweighs any minor image quality differences.
Usability
The XT line from Fujifilm feels like a good blend of digital and analog. It’s just enough digital where I can rely on it, but I don’t feel like the camera is doing all the work. I feel like I have to put thought into my aperture, ISO, and shutter as opposed to pointing, shooting, and coming out with a good photo. I really enjoy using this camera because I actually have to think about my settings and adjust through the manual experience of using the dials. Contrary to some, I want the camera to be in my way and I want to have to think about the settings I’m applying. Otherwise, I’m just a button pusher, not a photographer.
The camera has plenty of customization options and they are very easy to use. For example, I have my function settings arranged in a way where with 1 button I can adjust photometry, AF mode, Face Detection, and AUTO ISO. I also created a shortcut button to rotate between 7 different custom settings. The XT-5 allows you to essentially have 14 different custom settings. 7 for photo and 7 for video. If I want to change film simulations, this change is as easy as 1 button push to adjust. Same goes for video. If I want to shoot in manual, auto, or spot metering I can create a custom setting. Once you get the hang of it, it’s extremely easy to use.
The battery life on the XT-5 is great. I can leave the camera on and walk about my day with it only losing half by the end. I keep a spare battery with me during but rarely use it. I also keep the camera on boost performance and there has been no problems. When out shooting, I tend to spend 5-8 hours a day walking around with the camera mostly switched ON and its ability to hold charge is impressive.
Lastly, I am impressed with the IBIS for video. I used to deal with lots of shakiness from the A7IV that needed fixing in post. With handheld video, I rarely need to adjust the stabilization in the XT-5.
Autofocus
So far, I feel the autofocus is in line with the manual/digital blend this camera offers. Please note that my style of shooting is generally slower and shots are thought out. Where I have noticed a difference is in video where the autofocus is not as consistent as the Sony. If you want a true hybrid, I don’t think you will be impressed as it is much slower and overall less accurate. The Sony A6700 may be a better fit. For video on the XT-5, I keep the camera mostly in AF-S and put the AF Mode in Area where there is a small box as the focus point. If there is motion, I will switch the camera to AF-C and use face detection. For a photo focused camera and a slower intentional style of shooting, I feel there is not much to complain about. When you have the camera in continuous tracking autofocus, your chances of getting what you want in focus drop substantially regardless the camera. With that said, the Fujifilm would not be a camera I would pick if I absolutely NEEDED a shot. If I was a wildlife, wedding, or sport photographer I would pick up a different camera.
Summary
To summarize, I think that this is a great camera if you are in need for a light, no-fuss tool. I find the look of the camera, usability, and image quality to be of great value. I believe the build quality could be better, dents and bangs are inevitable, and the autofocus could be better. However, if you are on a tighter budget and want a camera that is small, lightweight, and easy to use this would be a great purchase. The fujifilm files straight out of the camera are easy to work with and edit. If you couldn't be bothered with post-work, the photos straight out of camera are great. The XT-5 is not the most “technically perfect” tool in terms of ability, however I think that highly depends on what you are looking for. I have wanted to take this camera with me everyday regardless if it’s a “shooting” day and I think that speaks volumes to its place in the market.
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