Fuji's BEST X-T YET - A One Year REVIEW 

That tennis shot at 8:50 looks funny. :D

Great assessment of the X-T5. I purchased one a few weeks ago to update my X-T2, loads of nice improvements - still love my X-T2 though! Similar to your experience, I ended up with my own "recipe" that captures the colors the way my eyes see them and typically use that one with little extra post processing needed. All-in-all very happy with the X-T5, makes me want to get out and take more shots!

Coming from the T2 and T3, the T5 returned to that feel and so far have been loving the battery life and new AF. Raw files are easy to work with, just as the T3 was.

im flat broke but having had good DSLR's previously (over ten years ago) I just couldn't resist this brilliant camera, and BOY it does'nt disappoint its lifted my outlook already

Great video. It’s good to get the perspective of a serious user, not just a reviewer. After watching review after review trying to decide if that camera is for me, yours finally made my mind up. So it’s bye bye ancient and well worn Nikon DSLR and hello shiny new X-T5.

Great video Kirk, thank you! This is my first Fujifilm camera after a couple of Nikons and a Sony a6000. I bought the a6700 as an “upgrade” but didn’t enjoy shooting with it. I looked around and landed on the X-T5 (returned the a6700) and couldn’t be happier. I love this camera! Also love the availability of affordable, high quality lenses. Gotta say, I’m still dialing in the autofocus in all situations, but I’m getting there.

I'm getting my XT5 in a month or so, excited! 😁 Thank you for the informative video and fuji recipe tip!

Kirk great job. I am not 100% positive, but the lighting setup in your room seems much improved so you were looking good. I appreciate your (honest) feedback on the XT5. Sad to hear the $125 grip extension didn't do it for you - but then you just saved me $125 so thanks. Perhaps Fuji could have developed a screw-on grip that was similar to the old battery grips in form if not in function. I agree with your whole review, but I'd personally skewer Fuji way, way harder for the design choices, the feature deletes, and the build quality downgrade - all for the same high price. Fuji in effect took their bestselling line, lowered the quality, and raised the cost. I find that truly perplexing and a big step backwards. Equally perplexing was ripping the soul out of the XH line, which IMO should have had a shutter/iso dial and clickable dials instead of a redundant OLED screen. Hence I don't see myself investing in the 5th gen anytime soon, if at all. Also I just want to share, from one XT3 user to another, that my use of the grip is not just about big lenses (and I own a few) - it is about big heavy flashes that live on my camera pretty much half the time or almost all the time if I'm indoors. A necessary practice if you really want high quality photos in "low light" situations (I don't care what size sensor you have or what ISO we're talking about). The grip is simply a must for the XT3 if you want to be comfortable while trying to do serious photography. For that reason alone the XT5 could never replace my XT3 as a "photography centric" camera. If the XT6 continues the trend, I have to give some serious thought as to whether I can stand using a "video centric" XH camera, or if I'll just have to switch systems entirely. IMO the charm of the XT3 is its ability to be dressed down for portable/hobby shooting or, fully kitted, "dressed up" for serious even or other work. Fuji's sensors are really excellent performers overall, but as a side rant, they're up to 3 sensor combinations, but those combinations are now pushing people toward bodies they may not want or compromises they might not have otherwise made. One thing that I think helped carry the brand up to this point was their very interesting decisions to put the same killer sensor in all the cameras - and let the buyer choose the ergonomics/features they wanted. I'd have personally preferred Fuji to just do the stacked 26mp sensor this gen - but with superior (not somewhat inferior) ISO performance and dynamic range compared to the past. Maybe next time.

Good video! Thanks. "One of the best Fujifilm X-T cameras made" I concur and might even say one of the best cameras made. I've only had mine a short while. I've owned Leica, Nikon and other Fujifilms and I am very impressed with this little gem.

Thanks for the review Kirk. I agree. I like all the changes Fuji made to take this back to a photocentric camera. It’s producing terrific images for me, and the size of the kit when traveling and shooting landscapes, is great. It was fun working with you on Cape Ann. We had a gorgeous day. I recognize some of your images from that outing. I might have learned something more from some post processing with you, but we’ll save that for another time. Thanks again for the review and for sharing Cape Ann with me! Geoff

I agree Kirk, the X-T5 is the most complete iteration of the X Series. I love how quiet the shutter is and the resolution can punch it out with everybody else’s big boys! 40 mega pixels on an APS-C sensor has the pixel density of a 60 mega pixel sensor, resulting in razor sharp details. I’m thrilled that they brought back the more conventional LCD panel and auto focus is much improved. I now am shooting the X-T5 backed up by a pair of the fantastic original X-T1’s. Another great video Kirk, keep them coming!

Hi Kirk, I purchased just two days ago my XT-5 and I all ready like it...

The 70-300mm lens is my favourite. It’s the lens I have almost glued to my x-t5.

Nice video as usual. You might want to try Astia. There is more shadow detail than in Classic Chrome and the color saturation is between Provia and Velvia.

Last one is key. When you are shooting outside, street or travel, you don’t have the time for changing from person to animal to bird… and decisive moments don’t wait for you!

Nice one Kirk. There is something in the menu to make sure you re-centre the focus point with one push. As for formatting I use the menu, it takes seconds. Great camera and it was an improvement from the XT3, never bothered with the XT4 because of the flippy screen. 40mp is good, as you said you can crop and get great results, and IBIS is superb.

I have noticed that when using AF tracking with face detection, the X-T5 often loses focus when shooting soccer when there are multiple athletes in the frame. The focus then starts jumping around from one face to another, no matter what AF preset i use. Maybe it would be better to turn off face detection. Anyway, this is something that works much better with my Canon R6 and R7.

The X-T5 is great. I added the firmware to improve its autofocus then took out the 33mm f1.4 lens on it today ... and it was focusing like a dream.

As a work around I put my subjects under C1-7 of the X-H2 for swift changing and thanks you so much for the content!

Agree with basically all the points in the video. My main digital camera is an XT4, and the battery life is amazing. I do have the grip, but only really need it for long-term vertical shooting or if I'm recording over half an hour of high quality video. I wish Fuji made a simplified grip for the XT5, even if it was just a vertical grip with a shutter button and no space for extra batteries. I'm one of the few people who prefers the flip around screen (I just don't like seeing a screen when I shoot most of the time, since I use my EVF like an SLR OVF with natural live preview enabled), but the tilting rear LCD is optimized for street photography and photojournalism. If I could slap the XT5 sensor into my camera, it would be pretty perfect for how I use it.

It took a while getting use to a camera sans the BG, however I am getting use to a bottomless rig, though still a bit awkward with the 150-600 attached. The first few weeks, getting use to the AF not being quite up to snuff compared to my X-T3, but with the firmware updates, it is rocketing my keepers into the stratosphere and as I shoot a lot of aviation (air shows) and other fast-paced events, I am impressed. I love the 40MP sensor and when the 150-600 attached can't pull the subject in, I can do a serious crop in post and still get usable and saleable results. I was skeptical and a bit annoyed at first, but the ‘5’ has won my heart.

I loved my xt3….but really glad i updated. The bird tracking works great!

Thanks Kirk. I can tell you that you were one of my inspirations for getting the XT5 and like you, I've been happy with it from day 1. I still have my XT3 and pretty much use it as my "tripod camera" (which is fairly often) since it doesn't have the in-camera IS.

I do a lot of video work with my X-T4 and love having the battery grip for more power and more stabilizing weight. Can’t figure out why Fuji decided against offering a batt grip for the X-T5.

Agree with your overall judgement Kirk. I started out with an xt20 a few years back, then used an xt-4 and really liked that camera. However in my view the Xt-5 provides a more significant overall improvement in image quality, and not just some more megapixels to crop from. Would like to hear some other opinions on this. Cheers and thanks for the video.

Good assessment. On AF, having had a XT3 and a XT4, I find my XT5 with FW2.0 is excellent in the AF department. As for animal/eye/train/etc detection - never use it, marketing hype, I set AF-C and wide-tracking, which I find more reliable, if reliable is defined as more keepers. Anyway, enjoying my XT5.

Best XT since the original

Hey Kirk, thanks for the tip. I'll try classic chrome +2 color. Editing raw is about as fun as doing my tax return (to me anyway). There's a pleasure and challenge in shooting images very close to how you want them to be.

I am a bit old fashioned and the lack of battery grip is a dealbreaker for me 😊

I’m on the fence. Makes no sense for me to keep two cameras but I’m having a hard time to let go my xpro3 for the xt5. It’s mainly emotional because I can see the advantages of the new sensor, ibis and battery life. Focus for me never was a deal. I just wish the top dials were not plastic but aluminum like the xpro3.

I really miss the lack of a grip also, makes handling bigger lens easier and vertical shooting convenient.

Nice video! I also use the wire rope for remote shooting and it's the same one I used on the Nikon FE 30 years ago! I like Classic chrome (fujiweekly is great for playing with simulations) and I also like to reproduce the colors as they are in reality and I found that the new Nostalgic Negative film is perhaps more faithful as colors. A very lived testimony thank you!

I am a photo 'enthusist' and would love to upgrade from my XT3 but am afraid of the rabbit hole. I edit with Capture One on an older PC and I'm not sure how it would handle the larger files. Not to mention the additional costs of larger mem cards, extra battery, battery charger, vertical grip, etc. And, only one of my lenses is on the 'list'.

I just bought an xt2 for less than 500 and its pretty darn good. I can only imagine how good the 5 is

First off, great shots and work (as usual), secondly, thank you for the first hand honest review of an XT I've been considering. (Not so sure I'm willing to sacrifice my XH-1 just yet haha. I'd have to though to justify the cost) The XT5 appeals to me primarily because of the form factor (I have small hands and loved the XT2-)and the ibis. Like you, I could live without 40mp though; sure it's nice to have for blown up prints/cropping, but most of the time I'd choose to shoot 20mp for file storage/workflow so in this case you are actually stepping "down" from the advantage of the Xh-!'s 24 sensor. Decisions, decisions. haha. Also, I have an X1 for casual shooting and like the robust nature of the H1 for vintage glass. :-) Peace and thanks again Mr. W.

Fuji has automatic subject detection in the slightly newer X-S20, which has the same processor as the X-T5. I'm hoping we'll get that before too long in a firmware update.

Hi Kirk, i bought the XT5 with the 16-80f4 lens. Loving it so far. I also have the old 18-55 f2.8-4.0, i might trade that in for a prime lens for street.

Thank you for your videos! They are so nicely made. I've used this camera since December. This camera is so good! I would say that I had a few issues when shooting fast moving objects (the camera wouldn't have enough buffer space and the viewfinder would glitch), but those were on rare and tough occasions (probably the x-h2s could work better for those cases). I don't like the grip, but on the other hand it works fine with smaller lenses. I actually do like the 40 mp, when I print some images it's nice to see how much details this sensor captures.

I really enjoy this camera as well--it's my first Fuji coming from Canon so it's quite a change (BTW I'm not enamored with the 40MP sensor either.) I'm tempted to find a 2nd xt5 to use and keep at the office but may settle for the x-t4 for that one since I just photograph machinery at work. BTW, this video is making me want the 70-300mm & That's bad 😏

Kirk, good review and I also upgraded from the XT3 to the XT5 and love it, wondering if you haven't found any issues with the 16-80 not being able to fully resolve that full 40mp sensor?

I hate not having a lock in the exposure compensation dial. I cant count the shots I have taken quickly only find the dial was bumped and is out of whack. I also wish it had auto subject detection but at least make the eye/subject detect on the same function. I'd be happy just tapping a custom button to scroll through the options instead of having to go into the q menu.

perhaps i am the only person, the exposure compensation dial is very loose. i accidently turn it by put the camera in and take it of my cam bag. often. and regognize it late.

I really don’t need the large files most of the time so I set it for the medium size. Also my 2021 or is it 2022 Photoshop Elements won’t process the raw files so I use the Dng converter. I won’t mind buying a newer elements if I knew it worked with the xt5 raw files. I’ve been a Fujifilm X series user for years.

I wish there was a battery grip option as well, for me it's to small.

I sold my Fujis and bought the Zf. Sorry X-T5! You had a good run, but FF is a different league.

Since the release i'm extensively using X-T3 for my personal work. Shutter broke after 203k shots just a few weeks ago and was repaired for 350 euro in France. For a few days while waiting for diagnostics report, I was thinking about X-T5... I mean, 350 euro for such an old camera felt like a huge mistake. It was tough to decide! Sure, X-T5 is great for those, who have no other camera on hands like X-T3/4 or X-Pro3, maybe... but for now i've found absolutely no reason to upgrade. I'm mostly shooting on the streets during the day. Since the shutter is brand new, I decided to shoot for a couple of years with the X-T3! I look forward for an X-T7!

Yeah, I have enough camera's also but I really had to get the Nikon D3x. But that is it. No more camera purchase.... Oh wait, there is a Nikon D700 for sale in mint condition with a very low shuttercount. Ok here we go again😅😅😅😅😅😅

Hi Sir, whats the white balance settings you use aside from color+2? ty

Got to say I've been on the fence about the XT5 for a long time. It's just completely over the top for my needs. The improved battery life is perhaps the biggest draw for me.

can the old xf 16 1.4 match with the xt5's 40mp resolution? ty