Introduction

Ease of Use

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.

Physically, the new XE5 sports a classic rangefinder style design that's outwardly very similar to the popular X100-series  fixed-lens cameras, just with an electronic viewfinder and an interchangeable lens rather than a hybrid electronic/optical viewfinder and a fixed lens.

Compared to its predecessor, the three-year-old X-E4, both cameras again look like classic rangefinders from yesteryear, and both look nigh on identical at first glance - but a closer look reveals some important differences.

It now has a 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.

The X-E5 take a similar design approach to the X-T5 with three dials on the top-plate, but one of them is the brand new dedicated Film Simulation dial which replaces the drive mode dial.

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.

Obviously it's appeal will vary depending on whether or not you use any of the extensive selection of film simulations, but if you dothe new dial is a great addition, albeit one that makes accessing the ISO speed slightly slower.

The Fujifilm XE5 is very well-built, with little movement in its chassis and a top plate that has been carefully molded with extreme precision from anodised aluminium that gives the camera a classy look and substantial feel.

It has exactly the same 2.36M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder with 0.62x magnification, maximum 100fps refresh rate and a built-in eye sensor as the X-E4.

The Classic Display mode is a brand new addition for the EVF only. It displays just the exposure mode, exposure settings and battery indicator in red along the bottom and a rudimentary exposure compensation scale on the right, providing a very pared-back, retro view.

Perhaps more useful to more users is the Surround View mode, activated via the Front Control Lever. When activated it displays a semi-transparent or outlined area outside the image which makes it easier to see subjects as they are about to enter the frame, much like the OVF on the X100.

It also shares 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.

The image sensor used in the X-E5 is also the one found in the X-T50, X-T5, X100 VI and X-H2 models, and they also share the same X-Processor 5 image processor, which means that you'll get exactly the same image quality from each camera.

The XE5 has a 40.2 megapixel X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor, with HR standing for High Resolution. This is a BSI (back-side illuminated) sensor design that is more focused on detail and resolution than out-and-out speed.

It has a base sensitivity of ISO 125, which can be expanded down to ISO 64 and up to ISO 51,200.

Sadly, despite having the same image sensor and processor, the new X-E5 does not feature the special Pixel Shift Multi-Shot mode from the X-T5 which delivers 160 megapixel images for the ultimate quality when detail really matters.

The X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor enables the XE5 to record 6K video, surpassing the previous generation X-E4 which could only record up to 4K video.

It essentially provides the same video features and performance as the more expensive X-T5, offering a highest video quality rate of 6.2K/30p with a modest 1.23x crop, recorded in 4:2:2 10-bit internally. It also supports up to DCI 4K/60p recording without applying any crop and can record 1080/240p slow-motion footage.

The latest F-Log 2 profile with up to 14+ stops of dynamic range is available, and combined with a compatible HDMI recording device from Atomos or Blackmagic Design, 12-bit RAW video output can be recorded as Apple ProRes RAW or Blackmagic RAW.

There is a clever 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.

The other key area where the X-E5 again matches its pricier siblings is autofocus performance.

It has exactly the same hybrid autofocus system with phase detection and and contrast detections points as the more expensive X-T5.

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.

Thanks to the 40 megapixel sensor, it offers a large number of PDAF points (3.3 million) and can focus down to an incredible -7EV in low-light.

It can automatically detect animals, birds, cars, bikes, planes and trains thanks to the X-Processor 5's AI deep learning capabilities.

The XE5 is no slouch when it comes to burst shooting, being capable of shooting at up to 20fps when using the electronic shutter with a 1.29x crop applied.

Just like its predecessor, it offers 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.

Note that unlike the X-T5, there is no external dial for moving between the bracketing, burst, multiple exposure, advanced and panorama functions. Instead you have to press the shared Delete/Drive button on the rear of the camera and use the on-screen menu to choose between the various options, which is a lot less convenient.

The XE5 offers an impressive fastest shutter speed of 1/180000 sec for the electronic shutter, which allows you 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.

IBIS is included on the X-E5 for the very first time on an X-E series camera, so it features the 5-axis in-body image stabilisation (IBIS) that delivers up to 7 stops of in-body image stabilisation that's also found on the X-T5. This is a key upgrade if you're looking to step-up from the older X-E4 which doesn't have IBIS.

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.

The X-E4 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. Thankfully it now supports faster UHS-II cards.

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.

The X-E5 is smaller and lighter than the flagship X-T5 camera, but in keeping with its mid-range status it's not weather-proof unlike its big brother, something that's important to note if you're trying to decide between the two.

Image Quality

All of the sample images in this review were taken using the 40.2 megapixel Fine JPEG setting, which gives an average image size of around 18Mb.

The Fujifilm X-E5 produced images of outstanding quality. It records noise-free JPEG images from ISO 64 up to ISO 3200, with a little noise at ISO 6400 and more visible noise at the faster settings of ISO 12800 and 25600 (ISO 51200 is best avoided), an amazing performance for a camera with a 40 megapixel APS-C sensor. The RAW files were also excellent, exhibiting more noise than their JPEG counterparts but still producing very usable images from ISO 64-6400.

The Dynamic Range and HDR settings subtly improve detail in the shadows and highlights, while the extensive range of Film Simulation modes hark back to a bygone era, and the Advanced Filters allow you to have a little fun with your images in-camera.

Noise

There are 11 full ISO settings available on the Fujifilm X-E5 for JPEGs and RAW files - ISO 125 is the base sensitivity and it can be extended down to ISO 64 and up to ISO 25600/51200. Here are some 100% crops which show the noise levels for each ISO setting.

JPEG	RAW
ISO 64	ISO 64
ISO 125	ISO 125
ISO 200	ISO 200
ISO 400	ISO 400
ISO 800	ISO 800
ISO 1600	ISO 1600
ISO 3200	ISO 3200
ISO 6400	ISO 6400
ISO 12800	ISO 12800
ISO 25600	ISO 25600
ISO 51200	ISO 51200

File Quality

The Fujifilm X-E5 has 2 different image quality settings available, with Fine being the highest quality option. Here are some 100% crops which show the quality of the various options, with the file size shown in brackets.

Fine (18Mb) (100% Crop)	Normal (9.1Mb) (100% Crop)
RAW (85.5Mb) (100% Crop)

Dynamic Range

The Fujifilm X-E5 has three dynamic range settings - 100% (on by default), 200%, and 400% - and an Auto setting if you want to let the camera take control. 

These settings gradually increase the amount of detail visible in the shadow and highlight areas, with the side-effect of more noise appearing in the image. Note that you can't actually turn this feature off. All three settings are available from ISO 500 upwards.

100%

200%

400%

HDR

The Fujifilm X-E5 has a High Dynamic Range mode with five different settings - AUTO, 200%, 400%, 800%, 800%+. The camera takes three shots with different exposures, changing the shutter speed for each one, and then combining them in-camera.

Off

Auto

200%

400%

800%

800+%

Film Simulations

The Fujifilm X-E5 offers 20 different film simulation modes to help replicate the look of your favourite film stock from the past.

Provia / Standard

Velvia / Vivid

Astia / Soft

Classic Chrome

Reala Ace

Pro Neg. Hi

Pro Neg. Standard

Classic Neg.

Nostalgic Neg.

Eterna / Cinema

Eterna Bleach Bypass

Acros

Monochrome

Sepia

Advanced Filters

The Fujifilm X-E5 offers 13 different creative filter effects which are found in the Drive menu.

Toy Camera

Miniature

Pop Color

High-Key

Low-Key

Dynamic Tone

Soft Focus

Partial Color (Red)

Partial Color (Orange)

Partial Color (Yellow)

Partial Color (Green)

Partial Color (Blue)

Partial Color (Purple)

Multiple Exposure

The Fujifilm X-E5's Multiple Exposure mode combines up to 9 different images together in-camera to create one composite image, with four different ways of combining them - Additive, Average, Bright, Dark.

Sample Images

This is a selection of sample images from the Fujifilm X-E5 camera, which were all taken using the 40.2 megapixel Fine JPEG setting. The thumbnails below link to the full-sized versions, which have not been altered in any way.

Sample RAW Images

The Fujifilm X-E5 enables users to capture RAW and JPEG format files. We've provided some Fujifilm RAW (RAF) samples for you to download (thumbnail images shown below are not 100% representative).

Sample Movies & Video

Product Images

Conclusion

The X-E5 marks the welcome return to a more enthusiast-friendly design that harks back to the original X-E camera, rather than the more pared-back approach of its direct predecessor.

When paired with the equally new XF 23mm F2.8 R WR prime lens, it's also very obviously an interchangeable lens version of the immensely popular X100-series camera.

Coupled with the inclusion of latest generation 40 megapixel sensor, processor, AI-driven AF system, 6K video and the important addition of IBIS, it's clear that this is the most capable X-E series camera to date.

There are also a couple of innovations on the X-E5 that sweeten the deal further. The new Film Simulation dial is a first for the X-E series that provides quick access to the extensive selection of film simulation, albeit one that makes accessing the ISO speed slightly slower, while the Front Control Lever adds five more ways to customise the camera.

We also quite liked the Surround View mode and to a lesser extent the retro Classic Display mode, although the inclusion of a dedicated button for Bluetooth on the bottom of the camera left us rather baffled.

Compared to the X-T5 step-up model, the X-E5 has a number of limitations that you should be aware of. It's not weather-proof, the LCD screen has more limited 2-axis movement, the electronic viewfinder is lower in both resolution and magnification, there's no 160 megapixel Pixel Shift Multi-Shot mode, continuous shooting is much slower when using the mechanical shutter, battery life is reduced, there's only one memory card slot housed more inconveniently in the battery compartment, and there's no optional hand-grip accessory option.

On the plus side, it offers similar classic retro styling and control layout to the X-T5 whilst being both much smaller and lighter, and it has both the handy new Film Simulation dial and the faux self-timer switch that's been borrowed directly from the X-100 series.

The similarly priced X-T50 does have a pop-up flash unit that some people will find useful, a higher resolution LCD screen and a more conventional DSLR-like design with the EVF in the centre rather than on the far-left, but otherwise its very similar indeed to the X-E5.

The Fujifilm X-E5 is priced at £1299 / $1699 body only or £1549 / $1899 with the new XF 23mm F2.8 R WR prime lens. In the UK this logically puts it on a par with the X-T50, but in the US it currently costs the same as the X-T5 (at least until/if the price of that camera rises).

If you've ever wanted an X100 camera with interchangeable lenses, the new X-E5 paired with the 23mm kit lens is the closest thing to it, at least until the X-Pro4 is released...

Ratings (out of 5)
Design	4.5
Features	4.5
Ease-of-use	4
Image quality	5
Value for money	4

Main Rivals

Listed below are some of the rivals of the Fujifilm X-E5.

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