The Fujifilm X-E5 is almost my ideal rangefinder system camera

Introduction

Fujifilm’s near single-handed revival of the retro-styled rangefinder continues unabated. After the fixed-lens X100VI took over TikTok and the GFX100RF minimised medium format like nothing else, it’s now time for the X-E5 to enter the spotlight. It’s obvious where this mirrorless camera draws its influences from, with specs and styling closely aligned with the X100VI – except here you can swap out the lens, arguably making it more versatile.

It’s quite the step up from the now-retired X-E4, with in-body image stabilisation, a much higher pixel count, and faster image processor. Fan favourite film simulations now take pride of place on the top plate, too. Prices have taken a big jump from the previous generation as a result: at $1699/£1299 body-only (or $1899/£1549 with a 23mm kit lens), the X-E5 has pushed a lot further into premium territory.

Is there enough here to earn a place in your camera bag over the Fujifilm X100VI, which seems to be perennially on back order?

Design & handling: an icon reimagined

The retro look has been Fuji’s mainstay for years at this point, and the firm knows better than to mess with a good thing. The X-E5 is another compact rangefinder-style camera, with a chunky metal top plate, corner viewfinder above the LCD screen at the rear, and a grip that’s just big enough to support larger telephoto zoom lenses.

Fuji will sell you an X-E5 in anodised black; it’s arguably the smart choice if you’ll be swapping glass on the regular, as most X-mount lenses are also black – but my silver review unit and its matching pancake lens are simply gorgeous. The combo feels substantial in your hand, given its size, but not so heavy you won’t want to use it with the supplied shoulder strap. The rope-like texture is just as much of a throwback as the camera itself.

Using machined aluminium for the top plate adds a touch of luxury you didn’t quite get on the older X-E models (which had a coated finish), and the black leatherette body is nice and grippy. I do wish Fuji had given this camera some level of water and dust protection, though; you get it on the X100VI, and most similarly-priced interchangeable lens rivals.

Overall look and size aside, the X-E5 isn’t just a repeat of the X100VI. The top plate misses out on that camera’s excellent lift-and-twist dual ISO/shutter speed dial (which is apparently ruinously expensive to produce), sticking instead with separate shutter speed and exposure compensation dials. You can set the customisable front or rear dial to handle ISO if you like. The standout addition is the film simulation dial, with a delightfully analogue viewing window showing which you’ve got selected.

I appreciate Fuji bringing the customisable front control lever across from the X100VI; tilting the lever left or right an toggle digital cropping, while pressing it in changes the view mode. It’s all very slick, and means you can adjust almost every aspect of your shot without having to take your eye away from the EVF.

Features & battery life: view to a thrill

You don’t get an optical or hybrid viewfinder here, like you do on the X100VI; it’s purely electronic, and seemingly uses the same 0.62x-magnification OLED panel as the last few X-E models. It’s beginning to feel a little behind the times compared to rivals with larger, higher resolution EVFs. It’s bright and colourful enough for composition, at least.

I also like that it has a new stripped-back Classic Display mode, which mimics a 70s-era film camera with red LED-style text. It’s largely free from icons, with just a needle graph at the side tipping up or down to indicate exposure compensation. I used it pretty much exclusively, and hope it makes its way to Fuji’s other cameras through firmware updates.

The 3in rear monitor will feel familiar to Fuji veterans, with vertical tilt for high- and low-angle snapping and a 180-degree position for selfies and vlogging (as long as you don’t have a microphone mounted on the hot shoe). Again, the resolution isn’t the greatest among similarly-priced rivals, but you’ll only really notice when trying to focus with a manual lens.

All the connectivity is found beneath a flap on the left side of the camera, with USB-C, micro-HDMI and a 3.5mm microphone input. As the screen doesn’t flip out you don’t have to worry about cables getting in the way. The single SDXC card slot sits inside the battery compartment at the bottom of the camera.

Given it uses the same battery as several other Fuji cameras with this sensor/image processor combo, I wasn’t too surprised by the average 400 shot lifetime. It’ll drain faster if you shoot video or any of the wireless file sharing options, but I still managed entire days of shooting without having to swap cells or recharge at lunchtime.

Performance: find your balance

It doesn’t have a dedicated record button, but video isn’t an afterthought here. The X-E5 can manage 6.2K recording at 30fps, as well as 4K/60, though it has to crop and downsize the sensor to avoid rolling shutter, so resulting clips are just that bit softer than you’ll get elsewhere. Occasional filmmakers will appreciate its inclusion, but full-time creators will be better served by Panasonic or Sony.

The addition of 5-axis in-body image stabilisation is one of the biggest upgrades between the outgoing X-E4 and the X-E5. You get seven stops of stabilisation, which makes all the difference when using the in-camera cropping feature for digital zoom. Shots taken on the move and in low light were crisp and shake-free.

Fuji’s latest image processor also brings AI-assisted tracking autofocus smarts, which quickly recognises animals, birds, cars, planes, trains and bikes as well as human faces. The hybrid phase-contrast detection autofocus system in general is speedy and accurate, though Canon and Sony remain the class leaders.

Burst shooting is a relatively quick 8fps using the mechanical shutter, and 13fps with the electronic one. Sports and wildlife won’t be its forte, but it’s more than fast enough for street photography.

Speaking of shutters, the X-5’s focal plane shutter gives a satisfying mechanical ‘thunk’ when you take a shot; the X100VI’s leaf shutter might be quieter, but it doesn’t feel as nice.

Image quality: throwback thinking

Given it has the same 40.2MP APS-C sensor and X-Processor 5 image processor as the X100VI and X-T5, the X-E5’s image quality was never really in doubt. This camera delivers wonderfully sharp, detailed images with wide dynamic range, with very little noise below ISO 1600 and only minor grain up to ISO6400.

Zoomed shots taken with the 1.4x and 2.0x digital teleconverter hold up brilliantly, and exposure is almost always well-judged. The in-body image stabilisation meant I only thought about reaching for a tripod in the darkest environments.

Fuji’s colour science continues to be absolutely stellar, preserving natural colours and skin tones. Some rivals lean a little more vivid, but I’m a big fan of the more lifelike hues seen here.

The biggest appeal continues to be the extensive range of film simulations, which make for great out-the-camera sharing without the need to edit first. There are multiple retro, muted and analogue aesthetics to pick from, with Classic Chrome and the still fairly new Reala Ace being two of my highlights. Just remember to shoot JPEG+RAW if you want to keep the original colours too.

Fujifilm X-E5 verdict

Stills photographers will surely go ga-ga for the X-E5. Fuji has taken most of what made the X100VI such an icon, then added interchangeable lenses into the mix. It’s a wonderfully versatile compact camera, with ergonomic controls that bring the firm’s film simulations to the fore.

There’s more to it than that, of course. You miss out on a few of the X100VI’s signature features, and its slightly outmoded screens let the side down slightly. Video isn’t a strong point, and it’s a shame not to have weatherproofing. The price hike relative to the X-E4 also makes it a heart over head situation in the US, where tariffs have bitten hard.

But for everyone else, there’s an awful lot to like here. If the thought of going fixed-lens feels a bit prohibitive, the X-E5 is the interchangeable alternative you’ve been waiting for.

Fujifilm X-E5 technical specifications

Sensor	40.2MP X-Trans CMOS 5 HR
Lens mount	Fuji X-mount
ISO range	ISO64-51200 (extended)
Continuous shooting	20fps
Video recording	6.2K/30fps, 4K/60fps, 1080p/240fps
Screen	3in LCD, 1.04m-dot
Viewfinder	0.39in OLED EVF, 2.36m-dot
Storage	SDXC
Connectivity	USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, micro-HDMI, 3.5mm
Dimensions	125x73x39mm, 445g (including battery and memory card)