At first glance the mid-range rangefinder-style mirrorless Fujifilm XE5 that was launched in 2025 and the XE4 from 2021 look quite similar, but there are some important differences between them in terms of features, design and perhaps most importantly, price.

So we're bringing you this in-depth Fujifilm X-E5 vs Fujifilm X-E4 head-to-head comparison to help you choose between these two mirrorless cameras.

You can also read our detailed Fujifilm X-E5 review and Fujifilm X-E4 review to find out exactly what we think of both cameras.

Sensor

The image sensor used in the X-E4 is now the previous generation 26.1 megapixel, APS-C sized, X-Trans 4 BSI CMOS sensor.

The new X-E5 ups the ante considerably to the latest generation 40.2 megapixel sensor, offering much greater resolution.

It actually uses exactly the same X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor as the more expensive X-H2 and X-T5 cameras, with HR standing for High Resolution.

This is a BSI (back-side illuminated) sensor design that has much more of a focus on detail and resolution than out-and-out speed. 

It also allows the XE5 to record 6K video, surpassing the XE4 which can only record up to 4K video.

Processor

The XE5 benefits from using the latest X-Processor 5 processor, as also employed in the flagship models, whereas the X-E4 uses the previous X-Processor 4 processor.

This primarily means that the XE5 is able to offer more sophisticated auto-focusing, HEIF format support, and additional 6K video codecs than the XE4.

ISO Speed

The native sensitivity range of the X-E4 is ISO 160 to ISO 12,800, which can be expanded to ISO 80 to ISO 51,200.

The sensor inside the X-E5 has an improved light-efficient pixel structure that begins the native ISO range at 125, which can then be extended down to ISO 64 and up to ISO 25,600 / 51,200.

Film Simulations

When it was released the X-E4 added two new film simulations that the previous X-E3 didn't have - Classic Neg, which is ideal for street photography, and ETERNA Bleach Bypass which faithfully simulates the film processing technique of the same name, bringing the total available to 18.

The new X-E5 now has a dedicated Film Simulation dial on the top-plate, just like on the X-T50 and X-M5, which provides quick access to selected simulations, a custom mode plus three user modes. There are 20 film simulations in total on the X-E5 including Reala Ace.

Video

The older XE4 only supports a highest quality rate of DCI 4K/30p with no crop, recorded in 4:2:0 8-bit internally onto an SD card and 4:2:2 10-bit via the micro-HDMI port onto an external recorder.

The XE5 offers a highest quality rate of 6.2K/30p with a modest 1.23x crop recorded in 4:2:2 10-bit internally and also supports up to DCI 4K/60p recording with a 1.17x crop factor.

Both can shoot Full HD 1080p/240p high-speed video mode, which makes them capable of capturing a fast-moving subject in slow motion up to 10x, and both support bit-rates up to 200Mbps.

The X-E5 offers the latest F-Log 2 profile with up to 14+ stops of dynamic range, whereas the X-E4 only has the F-Log profile with 11+ stops of dynamic range.

The newer model offers up to 60min recording time at room temperature as standard, versus 30 mins on the XE4.

Combined with a compatible HDMI recording device from Atomos or Blackmagic Design, 12-bit RAW video output from the X-E5 and X-E4 can be recorded as Apple ProRes RAW or Blackmagic RAW.

Both models support the Long GOP and All Intra compression formats, digital image stabiliser, IS Mode Boost, different Main menu and Quick menu systems for stills and video modes, and 3.5mm MIC and headphone sockets.

The X-E5 also features a digital zoom function that uses the camera's 40.2MP sensor to deliver up to 2x of digital zoom with little to no loss in resolution, when recording video in 4K.

Autofocus

The new X-E5 has exactly the same hybrid autofocus system with phase detection and and contrast detections points as the X-E4.

In the Single point AF mode there are up to 425 selectable AF points arranged in a 25x17 grid. Alternatively, the camera can be set to 117 points in a 13x9 grid, and the size of the points can also be varied.

In addition to Single point AF, there’s Zone AF which allows the AF points to be selected in 3x3, 5x5 or 7x7 groups, and Wide/Tracking AF.

The key difference is that only the X-E5 can automatically detect animals, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, airplanes, trains, insects and drones, thanks to the latest X-Processor 5's AI deep learning capabilities.

Thanks to its 40 megapixel sensor, the XE5 also offers a greater number of PDAF points (3.3 million) than the XE4 (2.16 million).

Fujifilm have also further improved the auto-focus algorithm, claiming that the AF system is 3x faster on the X-E5 than on the X-E4, and also with better eye/face detection than the older model.

Burst Shooting

The X-E4 was something of a speed demon when it was released in 2021, so much so that it actually still out-performs the new X-E5 in terms of out-and-out speed.

It can shoot at 20fps when using the electronic shutter without any crop, or 30fps with a 1.25x crop applied.

The XE5 can only shoot at up to 20fps when using the electronic shutter, and that's with a 1.29x crop applied.

Both models offer the same 8fps continuous shooting speed when using the mechanical shutter.

The XE5 does have a much larger buffer than the X-E4 for every burst shooting mode, though, especially when shooting JPEGs.

Shutter Speeds

The new XE5 improves the fastest shutter speed for the electronic shutter by 2.5 stops, from 1/32000 sec on the XE4 to 1/180000 sec.

This allows users to leave the aperture wide open in very bright conditions such as a sunny beach or a ski slope, or to capture a split-second motion.

The fastest mechanical shutter speed on both is 1/4000 sec.

Body and Design

The new X-E5 marks a return to the more enthusiast-friendly design of earlier X-E models and a move away from the more pared-back, simplified layout of the previous X-E4.

It now has the previously mentioned Film Simulation dial on the top plate and also sees the welcome return of dual command dials on the front and rear, unlike the XE4 which only had a single command dial. The M/C/S focus mode switch also makes a welcome return, as does a small bulge-like handgrip .

The customisable self-timer switch from the X100 series makes its debut on the front of the X-E5, the diopter control is now flush with the side of the body, and a tiny new Bluetooth button has been rather inexplicably added to the bottom of the camera.

Despite the welcome addition of IBIS, the X-E5 isn't too much heavier than the previous model. It weighs 445g with a battery and memory card fitted or 396g without, versus 364g and 315g for the X-E4, lending it a certain heft that the XE4 lacked.

IBIS

The older X-E4 doesn't have IBIS at all, instead relying on the OIS stabilisation offered by the attached lens (if it has any).

The new X-E5 does feature 5-axis in-body image stabilisation, supporting up to a maximum of 7 stops of compensation in the centre and 6 stops at the edges, making it the joint-best of any current Fujifilm camera in the range.

Viewfinder

Both models share exactly the same 2.36M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder with 0.62x magnification, maximum 100fps refresh rate and a built-in eye sensor.

LCD Screen

Both cameras have the same 3.0 inch, 1.04 million dot LCD monitor that can be tilted forwards by 180-degrees, which makes it ideal for vlogging and taking selfies, but can't be tilted out to the side.

Memory Cards

Both models only have a single memory card slot, rather than dual card slots, located next to the battery in a shared compartment on the bottom of the camera, which is much less convenient, especially when the camera is mounted on a tripod.

The X-E4 only supports slower UHS-I speed cards, whereas the new XE5 additionally supports faster UHS-II cards.

Battery Life

The Fujifilm X-E5 uses exactly the same NP-W126S battery as the X-E4,

On the X-E4 this provides a a CIPA-rated battery life of up to 460 shots in Normal mode on a single charge when using the LCD screen.

The X-E5 can't match that performance despite using the same battery, offering up to 310 frames or 400 in Economy mode on a single charge.

Both cameras can also be powered and charged via the USB-C connection, which is useful if you're out and about and have a compatible power-bank to plug the camera into.

Webcam

You can use a USB-Type C cable to connect the X-E5 to a computer to use it as a webcam without having to use any software, unlike the X-E4 which has to use the Fujifilm X Webcam app.

Price

In the UK, the Fujifilm X-E4 was initially priced at £799 body only or £949 with the XF 27mm F2.8 R WR prime lens. In the US, it cost $849 body only or $1049 with the kit lens.

Fast forward four years and it's clear that the new X-E5 is being positioned as a much more premium product, as well as being affected by trade wars.

In the UK it's priced at £1299 body only or £1549 with the new XF 23mm F2.8 R WR prime lens, which is about the same as the similarly specced X-T50.

The situation is even worse in the US, where the X-E5 is currently priced at $1699 body only or $1899 with the new kit lens, putting it on par with the more premium X-T5 model.

Conclusion

The new Fujifilm X-E5 marks a return to the more enhusiast friendly design of earlier X-E models whilst adding the lastest generation sensor, processor, auto-focus, video performance and IBIS.

It's clearly a better camera than its rather watered-down predecessor, but on the other hand the greatly increased asking price means that it's being effectively aimed at an entirely different audience to the XE4.

So what do you think? Would you choose the newer, pricier X-E5 or the older, cheaper X-E4, and why? Leave a comment below!

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