Big test Fujifilm X-T50 PRICE: £1299 FUJIFILM-X.COM The new Fujifilm X-T50 boasts the latest 40.2-megapixel X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor in an IBIS-equipped body and is the brand’s first camera with a Film Simulation dial. Will Cheung takes it for a spin
found in the top-of-the-line X-T5, X-H2 and X100IV compact. The X-T50’s other first is the dedicated Film Simulation dial – a feature not seen on any Fujifilm camera to date – so it is genuinely new and unique. It gives direct access to the brand’s popular Film Simulation modes, of which there are 20 in this camera including its most recent arrival, Reala Ace. More on this innovative feature soon, but first let’s cover off other aspects of the camera’s design and body layout. Despite its rich list of features, which includes a five-axis in-body image stabiliser with 7EV benefit, the X-T50 is very compact. Partner it with the XF27mm f/2.8 pancake lens, and it’s not too much bigger than Fujifilm’s headline-making compact: the X100VI. The rounded body, protruding thumb grip and ergonomic design mean getting a good grip and adjusting key features is a breeze. The short body did mean my third and fourth fingers sat under the body, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Having the on/off collar around the base of the threaded shutter button means readying the camera for action is fast, simple and can be done with one hand. Two command dials – found at the front and rear of the body – make adjusting settings simple; both are push-in, therefore more features can be altered. The auto/shutter speed dial has no lock, so it is possible to inadvertently find yourself on a fast shutter speed, while around its base is a lever which takes you into fully auto mode for point-and-shoot simplicity. The final two controls on the top-plate right-side are the exposure compensation dial and a near-flush unmarked function button. As there
WORDS & IMAGES BY WILL CHEUNG
FUJIFILM, LIKE OTHER brands, has models at various price points with feature sets aimed at different users. Its line-up of double-digit X-T models was conceived to entice a broad range of users looking for a great user experience, pro-level results and entry into Fujifilm’s ecosystem without breaking the bank. The X-T50 comes in black, silver and a very attractive charcoal grey with a body price of £1299. Two kit options are also on offer: the X-T50 with the XC15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ at £1399 – or with Fujifilm’s new standard zoom, the XF16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 R LM WR at £1649. The camera also boasts a couple of notable firsts. Namely, that it’s the first Fujifilm double-digit X-T model to feature its X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor – a back-side illuminated unit providing 40.2 megapixels of resolution. This is the same sensor, coupled with the X-Processor 5, “THE X-T50 COMES IN BLACK, SILVER AND A VERY ATTRACTIVE CHARCOAL GREY”
ON THE WATER From a 29-frame burst with the X-T50 set to shoot at 8fps. Exposure of 1/550sec at f/6.4 and ISO 400
26 Photography News | Issue 116
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