FUJIFILM X-E5 REEL TALENT
SPECIAL
Classic Chrome and Eterna giving images a cinematic finish without needing grading. If you do want more flexibility, F-Log2 holds up impressively in post. Whether you’re capturing TikToks, behind-the-scenes vlogs, travel reels or great stills, the X-E5 has the tools to help you nail the look. It’s not perfect, largely due to its retro-style handling. But for content creators who need one camera that does it all – and looks good doing it – the X-E5 will be a compelling choice. “You won’t find a PASM dial – or even a dedicated video record switch”
solves the issue. The AF might not be flawless, but it’s more than good enough for everyday use, especially for solo creators. There are some limitations, such as the lack of a headphone jack, though a USB-C adapter helps with monitoring. The camera’s battery life is reasonable, while the dual USB and micro HDMI ports make for straightforward rigging and live streaming. But most importantly, image quality is excellent. Fujifilm’s colour science is a standout feature, with settings like
it’s all about and this is excellent, with low noise and smooth tones. To see video samples, go to the review section on promoviemaker.net . What makes it shine for creators is the combination of decent video and stills, especially in a compact camera with solid stabilisation. The five-axis IBIS system works together with lens-based OIS and optional digital stabilisation to create smooth handheld footage. The body itself has received an upgrade in build and handling from the X-E4, as well as a major price hike. It feels more premium than its predecessor, with a proper grip, aluminium top-plate and tactile, retro-style dials, including the new Film Simulation selector. You won’t find a PASM dial – or even a dedicated video record switch – which may be frustrating, but this camera rewards those who like to go old school with dials. However, these are traditional stills camera controls – not cinema camera ones. While it’s OK for shooting photos, for video it’s much more of a hindrance. Also a pain for video is the tilt-and-flip screen. This makes framing yourself for vlogging or getting overhead shots easy, but it doesn’t swivel at all. The EVF is bright and clear though, even if the resolution isn’t class-leading. Autofocus is snappy and intelligent in stills mode, with face and subject detection that works well for people and animals. In video mode, it occasionally lags when pulling focus at wide apertures, but switching to manual
CANDID CAMERA Its compact size and low-key looks make the X-E5 ideal for taking stealthy street shots (above), while retro dials give it an old-school feel (top right)
THE VERDICT
HOW IT RATES Features: 8 A great sensor and impressive IBIS, but video spec and handling is limited Performance: 9 Excellent quality for stills and video, with lots of detail, despite APS-C sensor Handling: 7 Retro controls put style over function, especially for video, and no swivel screen Value for money: 8 You’re paying a little extra for the retro style and build quality A stylish and small camera with great imaging performance but not ideal for serious video Pros: Performance, retro looks, image quality, IBIS, Film Simulations Cons: No weather sealing, uses old battery, low-res EVF/LCD PRO MOVIEMAKER OVERALL RATING: 8/10
Fujifilm’s winning formula is to use its 40-megapixel sensor and processor combination in lots of different bodies, so buyers can choose the form factor and ergonomics that best suit them. If you’re looking for something portable, fun to use and nice to look at, the fully retro-style X-E5 is a good bet. It’s like the X100, but even more useful for serious stills and video work, as you can change lenses. But if you’re more interested in the video capabilities and handling at the expense of style and a bit of bulk, there are better options from the Fujifilm range. They might not be as stealthy or look as cool, but you might be better served by other cameras that use the same sensor tech, such as the X-H2 or X-T5. It’s nice to have a choice, and Fujifilm gives you that.
More information
fujifilm-x.com
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