While the dedicated ILE camera market may be slowing, the specs sure aren’t.
Case in point: the new Fujifilm X-M5.
For just $799.95 USD you get a whopping bunch of power in a compact camera body that carries all the hallmark Fujifilm design qualities — which is to say, it’s built like a tank, and will likely provide outstanding performance for the money if it’s anything close to the famed Japanese company’s previous models.
Fujifilm X-M5: Key Specs
Here are just some of the notable highlights:
- 26MP APS-C X-Trans Sensor CMOS 4
- 355 grams / 13 ounces (the lightest X-Series camera available today)
- Dedicated film simulation dial with 20 modes (interesting choice, making it suitable for those who want quick looks without a lot of post production coloring work)
- Fully articulating LCD
- 6K 30p 4:2:2 10-bit video (what more could you want for YouTube, content creation, etc.?)
Great Value for Vloggers and Content Creators
Oh, and let’s, again not forget that price of only $800 — as of today one of the most affordable APS-C vlogging cameras on the market. And since the body uses the standard, and well regarded, Fujifilm X-mount you can tap into the vast well of lenses available on that system — including a new 500mm telephoto lens Fujifilm has just released for outdoor and wildlife enthusiasts.
There are some tradeoffs. For this price point you can’t expect everything, though it does deliver a lot.
Limitations to Be Aware Of
For one thing, there’s no IBIS (in-body image stabilization). That means it won’t be so great for those who want steady handheld shots. This can be mitigated somewhat by using a lens with optical stabilization. But other camera bodies with in-body IBIS will provide that much more ability to stabilize shots that some Vloggers and YouTubers will want.
Also, in terms of storage there’s nothing fancy to report. So don’t expect super high-speed CFexpress cards or anything of the sort. Instead, you’ll find a good old fashioned SD card. On the upside, it does everything you need for capturing up to 4K/60 video and they’re easily available and quite cheap these days. All-in-all I think this one’s not a big deal, especially for the intended use cases, which don’t involve professional film productions for instance.
Fujifilm Raises the Bar for Price/Performance for Content Creation
Regardless of whether this camera is right for you and your projects it’s hard to deny the price-performance value. By my estimation, this is a knockout for the money.
You get 4K/60 10-bit 4:2:2 video, with, if you want, Fujifilm’s beloved film looks available with the twist of a dial. And it can shoot up to 6K should you need the extra resolution for re-framing shots, or working with effects in post.
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Plus, it gets you into the Fujifilm system for a reasonable price, and opens up a lot of doors for various glass options. Existing Fuji users may be interested in the X-M5 as a B-cam. Its compact size might make for a nice option for crash cams, gimbals and tight quarters.
All said in done, the Fujifilm X-M5 has me slightly incredulous: yes, the smartphone camera continues to improve, but so too apparently does the dedicated YouTube and content creation camera. Fujifilm made sure of that with this new X-series model.
FAQ
Is the Fujifilm X-M5 good for vlogging?
Yes, it offers 6K 30p video, 20 film simulation modes, and a fully articulating screen—making it ideal for YouTubers and vloggers.
Does the Fujifilm X-M5 have in-body stabilization (IBIS)?
No, it relies on lenses with optical stabilization, which might be a drawback for some vloggers.
