Fujifilm is planning to unveil the Fujifilm X-T5 next month, and the mid-range all-rounder has the potential to be the most stunning camera of the year.
The source of this speculation is, as always, the reliable Fuji Rumors (opens in a new tab) with the site claiming that Fujifilm "will announce the Fujifilm X-T5 in November" and that the camera will also be launched in the same month. There is a degree of certainty about these claims that has rarely been misplaced.
So why is the X-T5 the greatest camera launch of the year? After all, we''ve seen some fantastic new arrivals since January, and two of them have been the Canon EOS R7 and Canon EOS R10 for stills, and the Panasonic Lumix GH6 and Sony FX30 for video, and it''s already been a massive ten months for an industry that is engulfed by supply chain concerns.
The great potential of the X-T5 is that, of all the major launches this year, it might be the best inexpensive sweet spot for photographers. Given that there haven''t yet been any significant specs leaks for the X-T5, the word "could" is doing a lot of heavy lifting in that sentence. However, when you look at the models that the X-T will likely borrow its talents, the promise is very evident.
The current Fujifilm X-T4 continues to climb high in our guide to the best cameras for photography. When it was launched in 2020, our review stated that "no other camera in this class matches the X-T4''s low-light performance or resolved detail." The Canon EOS R7 would now claim that the X-T4 is still worth the $1,699 / 1,549 / AU$2,999 price tag.
The X-T5 will likely make significant modifications, including a new sensor. According to Fuji Rumors (opens in new tab), this will not be the''stacked'' APS-C chip in the X-H2S, but rather the 40MP one that''s inside the X-H2. That''s good news; we''re finishing our testing of the X-H2, and (spoiler alert) it sets a new standard for APS-C sensors.
The X-T5 will be similar to the X-H2, which costs $1,999 / 1,899 / AU$3,399 (body-only)? It appears the main differences will be in the controls and the X-T5''s more professional-leaning system. Instead of the X-H2''s ''PASM'' (Program, Auto, Shutter, Manual) approach, the X-H2 is expected to adopt Fujfilm''s retro dials
In a few key areas, the mid-range X-T5 will certainly be less pro-leaning than the X-H2. Expect dual SD card slots rather than the faster and pricier CFexpress, plus a lower grip, an inferior electronic viewfinder (perhaps the 3.68 million dot one in the X-T4), limited video recording times, and no optional battery grip. All of these things should theoretically get the X-T5 in the ballpark of the X-T
This combination of features would not make the Fujifilm X-T5 so unique. However, its distinctive look will likely be the variety of high-quality glass that''s available from Fujifilm and, increasingly, third-party companies...
The glass is greener
Considering the right camera should always be a look at the system''s lenses to see if they''re the perfect match for what you like to shoot. Sony continues to offer the finest glass for full-frame cameras, and Fujifilm is now entering a top position for APS-C cameras.
There is certainly no shortage of lenses available for the X-mount, but there''s a gap at the longer end for some telephoto primes like an XF300mm f/4, XF400mm f/4, or an XF500mm f/5.6. Even if Fuji claims (opens in new tab) that 20 existing lenses can extract the "maximum benefit" from the extra detail, the X-mount may be a lot less.
Several of the X-series'' key primes, including the XF23mm f/1.4 R LM WR and XF33mm f/1.4 R LM WR, have been updated. More important, the X-mount has now been opened up to allow third-party manufacturers to fill in some of the gaps, or offer cheaper alternatives to Fuji''s own cameras. Viltrox, for example, recently launched an excellent XF13mm f/1.4 lens for astropho
The Fujifilm X-T5 might be able to claim an advantage over one of its closest competitors, the Canon EOS R7. The EOS R7 is an excellent autofocus feature that the X-T5 may not compete in in, making it one of the best wildlife photography cameras available for its price. However, it is also hampered by a lack of native lenses, along with Canon''s decision to keep its RF mount closed to third-party manufacturers.
Even if the X-T5 is still a capable, stills-focused workhorse, and this year, Sony is hesitant to develop a mid-range mirrorless camera for photographers.
As always, the proof will be in the works, and there are several strategies Fujifilm may take to remove mediocrity from the jaws of greatness with the X-T5. However, if you''re looking for a new camera, November might end the year with an unexpectedly loud bang.