The Fujifilm X-M5 is an entry-level camera with a 26 Megapixel APSC sensor. Announced in October 2024 and available in silver or black, it becomes the most affordable camera in the current X series, not to mention their smallest and lightest with interchangeable lenses, and as such it’s essentially the successor to both the original X-M1 and later X-A models.

I spent some time with a pre-production sample and everything I know so far is in the video below, but if you prefer to read the written highlights, keep scrolling!

The X-M5 measures 112x67x38mm and weighs 355g with battery, making it roughly similar to the original X-M1, and like that body dispenses with a viewfinder to save money and weight. 

There may be a hotshoe but since there’s no optional EVF accessory, composition is entirely with the 3in touchscreen, sporting 1.04 million dots – so it’s not the most detailed panel around, but fine for the purpose. This side-hinged screen can flip out and twist up and down for comfortable framing at high or low angles, as well as forward to face you or back on itself for protection.

For an entry-level body, the top surface has more controls than you’d expect, and I really like how it looks. You’ll find two dials flanking the flash hotshoe with satisfying symmetry. On the right alongside a threaded shutter release and movie record button is the main mode dial. Along with the usual PASM, Auto and Movie options, the dial inherits the dedicated VLOG position of the X-S20, more about which in a moment.

On the left is the dedicated Film Simulation dial first seen on the X-T50, which allows you to quickly explore and select different profiles. The X-M5 is equipped with the latest selection of 20 Film Sims including Reala ACE, with the dial letting you directly select eight of them. 

Meanwhile a menu allows you to choose which filter you’d prefer for the Acros position, as well as programming the three additional custom FS positions. You can assign any of the full range of Film Sims to these, including Pro Negative, Eterna, standard Monochrome and Sepia.

Like the X-T50, the dial can’t be customised to any other function, and its location on the X-M5 also rules-out a popup flash, but I’m still fond of the way it encourages you to explore one of the best aspects of Fujifilm’s system, and I think it’s appropriate on an entry-level body like this.

It’s also worth noting that despite its position in the range, the X-M5 is equipped with not one but two control dials, a clickable finger dial on the front of the grip and a thumb dial perched on the top in the lower right corner. These allow you to easily adjust exposure settings, although the rear dial felt a little spongey for my liking and lacked the positivity of the front dial.

Eagle-eyed Fujifilm-fans may notice three microphone holes on the top surface, one on either side of the logo and a third towards the rear. These allow some control over direction, with four modes to focus on sound coming from the front, from the rear, from both front and back, or all around including the sides.

You can adjust these settings from the new user interface in the VLOG mode, updated over the X-S20 to present more options. It’s designed for touch control, although there’s also a joystick to navigate many options.

In the lower left corner, there’s the background defocus mode which opens the aperture to maximuse a shallow depth of field. Next is Product Priority which focuses on the closest subject even if there’s a person behind it. Ideal for when you’re presenting something to camera.

Next is direct access to high speed video recording for slow motion, then the self-timer, and at the end a new timer for recording tall 9:16 video for mobile, with options for 15, 30 or 60 seconds, or unlimited. Meanwhile in the upper right is the Portrait Enhancer, revived from much older Fujifilm cameras, which can smooth blemishes and reduce redness with three levels. It’s available for both photo and video.

Also notice the zoom icon lets you adjust the focal length of motorised lenses like the XC 15-45 kit zoom using the touchscreen interface. The slider has two speeds and you can see it ramping smoothly.

Moving onto ports, Fujifilm’s moved most of them to the right hand grip side. The lower flap opens to reveal USB C and Micro HDMI, the former also allowing the X-M5 to work as a standard USB webcam. In a new feature, you can also directly connect the X-M5 to a phone over USB for fast file transfer using the X App.

Above you’ll find a 3.5mm headphone jack, eliminating the need for the usual USB C audio adapter. It’s a classy addition at this price-point. Meanwhile a 3.5mm microphone input can be found on the rear of the camera, above the screen. This means it won’t get in the way of the screen flipping-out.

Under the camera you’ll find the combined battery and memory card compartment, with the X-M5 powered by the NP-W126S pack that’s charged in-camera over USB. Fujifilm quotes 440 photos in ECO mode. Alongside is an SD card slot, rated at UHS 1 speed, but while it’s not the fastest it’ll still accommodate respectable video and burst speeds which I’ll talk about in a moment

Moving onto the image and video quality, the X-M5 pairs the older 26 Megapixel X-Trans 4 sensor with the latest X-Processor V, so while I can’t yet test the photo, video or autofocus performance on my pre-production firmware, I’d expect it to be essentially identical to the X-S20 in those respects – see my X-S20 review for examples.

Like most cameras at this price point, there’s no sensor-shift IBIS, but the XC 15-45 kit zoom has optical stabilisation and the camera also offers digital stabilisation for movies.

Delving into the photo quality menus reveals the usual options for this sensor and processor combination, with a variety of aspect ratios and reduced resolutions, the choice of three RAW compression options, along with access to the full 20 Film SIMs if the dedicated dial is set to C.

The latest image processor means you’re getting subject detection with options for animals, birds, cars, bikes, aeroplanes and trains, along with an auto option in the Auto exposure mode; as before I wish this was also available in other exposure modes.

Despite its size and price, Fujifilm’s resisted making the X-M5 an entirely electronic camera, so you’ll still find all the mechanical and electronic shutter options in there. The top burst speeds are 8fps in mechanical or 20 in electronic both at the full resolution, with a boosted 30fps option with a 1.25x crop. Fujifilm reckons the buffer can grab 173 JPEGs in an 8fps burst.

In terms of video, you’re getting the usual 1080 and 4k options in 16:9 or wider DCi shapes. 4k is available uncropped up to 30p, or up to 60p with a 1.18x crop. Meanwhile the high speed menu lets you film 1080 video up to 240p for a ten times slowdown on 24p projects.

Gratifyingly for the price, there’s also a 6.2k open gate mode which records the full sensor height for greater reframing flexibility. Fujifilm and Panasonic have really embraced open gate, and here on the X-M5, there’s also a new 9:16 portrait option which exploits the full height while greying out the sides as a preview. This means you can film 1080 portrait-shaped clips while still holding the camera comfortably.

You may also notice LP options for 1080 and 4k which incur a crop to allow longer recording times before over-heating. I’m pleased to see mounting options behind the screen for the optional cooling fan to extend recording times under hot conditions. Both nice options for a small camera.

I was also pleased to see the choice of bit rates expanded to include new lower options of 25 and even 8Mbit/s to generate smaller files that are quicker to transfer to your phone. There’s still higher rates up to 200Mbit/s for the best quality though.

Fujifilm X-M5 thoughts so far

Until I get to test a final production sample, that’s everything I know so far. My first impressions are certainly positive, and while there’s no viewfinder or flash, the X-M5 still packs a lot into its compact body, especially considering it’s the most affordable in the series. Perhaps the biggest surprise is how good the top panel looks for an entry-level camera with the symmetrical control dials lending it a classy appearance you’d expect from higher-end models.

And while much of the new feature-set is designed to appeal to video content creators, there’s still plenty for photographers too, and coupled with a pancake prime lens you’ve got a cheaper alternative to the X100 series. If you must have a viewfinder though, consider the X-T30 II, still selling for around 100 more, albeit without many of the new video features.

Of course to be a compelling option for video creators, the X-M5 will need to match the autofocus, stabilisation and audio of Sony, Canon and DJI’s options, and I look forward to seeing how it performs in practice.

Just before leaving you, some quick lens news with Fujifilm also announcing the XF 16-55 f2.8 Mark II. It’s comfortably smaller at 78x95mm and roughly two thirds the weight at 410g vs 655g. In your hands it’s certainly become a more practical option for their smaller bodies, and you’re also getting a declickable aperture ring. It costs around $1200 or pounds.

There’s also the new XF 500mm f5.6 LM OIS R, a super-telephoto costing around $3000 or pounds, weighing a reasonable 1.3kg and compatible with both 1.4 and 2x teleconverters.