Fuji's Secret Weapon: X-M5

[@WesKriesel]

What do you want to see tested on this camera? Leave a comment and let me know! #1 for most is the autofocus. Then image quality? What are your priorities - battery life? Video quality - like can you even shoot with a camera this light without stabilization?

[@DaveNgo-007]

Great vid, very informative. I’m curious about the portability as I plan it to be an everyday carry camera. How does it fit and look like in regular pockets? Does it fit with the kit lens and the 27mm pancake lens?

[@WesKriesel]

@@DaveNgo-007 Great question - I've made a note of these questions on the spreadsheet here: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1a-SDAro6YFnUWRA9yCboql4MkjYBYD5riuL9bKptJmw/edit?usp=sharing And will answer in the next video and give you a shout out.

[@SamTaylors]

Great video - thanks for sharing. Please when you test the autofocus do it with a fast aperture lens, not just the kit zoom.

[@JerredZ]

Nice man! Love the energy you have in this video - and I can't wait to see more photos from you with this camera!

[@WesKriesel]

Thank you, Jerred!! More photos coming!

[@nickscott8488]

I have it. It's fantastic.

[@WesKriesel]

Glad to hear you’re loving the XM5! It really does seem like a fantastic piece of gear!

[@JakeChambersOy]

You probably know what many want to see tested... We are hyped AF to see the results!

[@WesKriesel]

By AF do you mean.....autofocus!?! 😀

[@JakeChambersOy]

​@@WesKriesel 🤘🏼😂👌🏼

[@MeIsShep]

@@WesKriesel please 🙏🙏

[@GodwinIsaac]

can't wait to get mine 😍

[@WesKriesel]

Excellent! Thank you for watching! Let me know how you like it!

[@rzajc]

Check out the burst afc with eye tracking with focus priority. Also check if single point or wide makes a difference

[@WesKriesel]

Will do - I've added your comment to the list here and will give you a shoutout in the next video: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1a-SDAro6YFnUWRA9yCboql4MkjYBYD5riuL9bKptJmw/edit?usp=sharing

[@nandysullivan3005]

Can u test eye tracking both video and photo? Appreciate man

[@WesKriesel]

Yes - I've added to my list. I'll give you a shoutout in the the video- Thank you for contributing! docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1a-SDAro6YFnUWRA9yCboql4MkjYBYD5riuL9bKptJmw/edit?usp=sharing

[@nandysullivan3005]

@@WesKriesel Thank you so much for including me in your list and for the shoutout! I really appreciate the support and am glad to be a part of this. Excited to see the video - keep up the great work!

[@itsr7studio]

Excited to see your next XM5 video! I am curious to see stills tests in different lighting environments and see how much of a difference not having IBIS makes. I would like something compact like this or the rumored Ricoh GRiv. Had the Sony RX100iv, which traveled thousands of miles with me while globetrotting. I’m a cyclist and dog pawrent, so I like compact form and am a sucker for beautiful color science. Waiting to see what comes out in 2025: the XM5 in all black looks sleek, and the XE5 with a viewfinder also seems tempting! What a time to be spoiled with so many choices 😊

[@WesKriesel]

Thanks for the excitement! The XM5 really does have a lot going for it-I'll be sure to cover stills in various lighting and how it handles without IBIS. Totally get the compact appeal, especially as a cyclist and dog parent! 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for gear!"

[@photographybypetercharles9939]

I'm dumping my ZV-E10 for this camera. I won't get into a rant about the Sony, just saying that the Sony isn't half the camera. I'll be using the PZ kit lens for vacations etc., but I'm really looking forward to putting my Voigtländer 27mm f2 Ultron on this little puppy. Here's my question and it's relevant to the "no EVF" issue. I got rid of my GRIII even though I loved the camera, simply because the fixed screen and no EVF made consistent composition difficult. A fully articulating screen solves that problem for me. However, in full sun we have to crank up the screen brightness. The ZV-E10 and GRIII both have ittsy-bittsy batteries that are quickly drained with screen brightness on max. How is the screen in full sun with the screen brightness on max and then how long does the battery last?

[@WesKriesel]

Thank you for the comment. I can tell you from yesterday's shoot - I was pleasantly surprised about screen brightness - very usable in bright sunlight; on the first outing, in bright daylight, I thought. I've added your question - which is a great one about the battery w cranked up screen brightness - to the spreadsheet here, will test and give you a shoutout in the next video: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1a-SDAro6YFnUWRA9yCboql4MkjYBYD5riuL9bKptJmw/edit?usp=sharing

[@photographybypetercharles9939]

@@WesKriesel Thanks, good to know about the screen brightness as that's one area where Fujifilm could have gone cheap. I understand why they would go with the NP-W126S battery, both from a cost and size aspect. We'll see if there's a significant hit to the battery life or did Fujifilm come up with some power saving tricks.

[@amermeleitor]

I would say just wait. Rumors say that the XE5 will be launched first half of 2025 (most probably first quarter of 2025). The XE4 is small, lightweight and have EVF, so the XE5 could be the same but with the new video improvements

[@WesKriesel]

@@amermeleitor Good consideration! I really enjoyed the X-E4. That's the first Fuji camera I used to shoot video with film recipe looks, and loved the results!

[@grahamniven]

If you can also get a hold of a Nikon Z50ii and do AF comparison tests, that might be interesting. Also, does the X-M5 have USB-C PD charging? If it does how long to charge to 80% from 20%

[@WesKriesel]

Thank you - I've added that to the spreadsheet here - I'll give you a shoutout in the next video: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1a-SDAro6YFnUWRA9yCboql4MkjYBYD5riuL9bKptJmw/edit?usp=sharing

[@MrAntpre]

How long can you record video without overheating or without the battery doing ?

[@WesKriesel]

Great question - I'll put this in the next video. I've added your question to the spreadsheet here docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1a-SDAro6YFnUWRA9yCboql4MkjYBYD5riuL9bKptJmw/edit?usp=sharing and will give you a shoutout.

[@bimalkajishiwakoti]

Would you be able to talk about the battery life and how long it would last while filming each of the modes i.e. 6K Open Gate and 4K 24fps and how many pictures? Can we also use it with a cable plugged in to it through a ppwer cord. Would be great if you could get some sample clips in the video 😀 Thank you

[@WesKriesel]

Fantastic - great questions. I've added them to the spreadsheet and will give you a shoutout in the video. docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1a-SDAro6YFnUWRA9yCboql4MkjYBYD5riuL9bKptJmw/edit?usp=sharing

[@scottbeisner6783]

Would love to see how well auto focus works with the lens firmware version 1.12 they just released on 11/15 for the 15-45 kit lens.

[@WesKriesel]

Great point! It’d be interesting to see how the new lens firmware 1.12 improves autofocus with the 15-45 kit lens-could make the XM5 even more versatile!

[@dan.knows.photography]

Does it continue fujis excellent tree AF?

[@WesKriesel]

Ha ha! So far today tests have very promising! Bike tracking was amazing , and car tracking seems solid. Next video will have more on the AF performance!

[@dan.knows.photography]

@WesKriesel the false positives the big issue with face/eye AF

[@JakeChambersOy]

​@@WesKriesel when you say tracking, I hope you are talking about the actual images being in focus after taking them. The tracking part is not the issue and has been fine most of the time on my X-T5. But then you see the out of focus photos...

[@WesKriesel]

@@JakeChambersOy Right - it's all about the result - it doesn't matter where the little green box shows up if that's not what's in focus at the end! So far, from a trip out today, I'd say it was performing as expected. I did notice that it would, on car tracking, select a car farther away from the camera when shooting cars coming toward me - but I've yet to dive into the files, so right now, it's unclear. I'll know very soon - this will be in the next video!

[@jjchockey]

Fuji needs a 16-50 pancake like Nikon came out with. Would make this a perfect replacement to Lumix M43

[@WesKriesel]

That would be great! Especially if they coudl create a miracle lens with an aperture like F/2 or better.

[@NewsInAction]

Test the 1080p 240fps slow motion, and see if it overheats and the quality of the footage, same goes for 6k overheating time

[@WesKriesel]

Thanks for the contribution! I've added that to the list over here and will give you a shoutout in the video: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1a-SDAro6YFnUWRA9yCboql4MkjYBYD5riuL9bKptJmw/edit?usp=sharing

[@pdcorlis]

If there is a camera that could make me set down my iPhone and own a serious camera again (sold all my Sony gear) this is probably it. BTW - interested in the performance of that 16-55 kit lens…

[@WesKriesel]

I had the 14-55 lens on it out shooting this morning. I'll post samples soon and talk about the lens in a video.

[@ZeitouniJad]

I think fuji put a lot of effort to bring the price,size and weight down. I think it did a great job with the XM5 , the already proven combo sensor/processor is a killer for video and photos alike. I'll be downgrading from XH2s , the form factor is just perfect for everyday use.

[@WesKriesel]

Totally agree-the XM5 strikes a great balance of price, size, and performance. That sensor/processor combo is hard to beat, and the form factor makes it perfect for everyday shooting!

[@Michael-fw5ef]

My $500 Pentax KF has IBIS. There is no excuse for FUJI not to put IBIS on this camera.

[@nandysullivan3005]

It's fuji tho😂

[@WesKriesel]

You are maybe aware of this, but maybe not: To be fair, the Pentax KF weighs in at almost twice the weight. So adding IBIS would impact the X-M5 design. It's so minimal it's hard to grasp - ha, literally and figuratively. You have me intrigued about the Pentax KF now. My first camera was a Pentax - back in the film days. Maybe I need to check it out!

[@WesKriesel]

True. And light!

[@Michael-fw5ef]

@@WesKriesel If Pentax ever goes mirrorless, they will take at least 10 percent of the camera market. Pentax is the best, but their refusal to go mirrorless is their achilles heel.

[@WesKriesel]

@@Michael-fw5ef Yes - I was surprised when I searched for the Pentax KF and saw that it's a DSLR!

[@MarkMark]

Wait… F1.0? Yes, please.

[@WesKriesel]

yes, we'll be testing it out!!! I know it's likely going to make this little camera off balance - but can you imagine the results? We'll see soon!

[@garends225]

Want to know 1) AF-c eye tracking in photo and video 2) how big of a deal is no evf 3) How big of a deal is no IBIS

[@WesKriesel]

Noted! Thanks for watching and commenting! I've added your questions to the spreadsheet and will give you a shoutout in the next video. docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1a-SDAro6YFnUWRA9yCboql4MkjYBYD5riuL9bKptJmw/edit?usp=sharing

[@amermeleitor]

Seems like only Fuji, Sony and Sigma are selling small cameras. More and more seems like my go to mirrorless will be Fuji...

[@WesKriesel]

Thanks for watching and for leaving a comment, first of all. Someone asked me to test the Nikon z50ii, so maybe that's one other small camera to check out. Maybe the Nikon zf too (a bit bigger though)

[@amermeleitor]

@WesKriesel well, I was thinking about a very small cameras. XT30, XE4 as the biggest ones, Sony have the ZVE10 line and Sigma the FP line. I had the Nikon Z50 and Z30 and they are still bigger overall than XT30. The Z50II is bigger, more in line with the Z6-Z7

[@andreuitnijkerk]

Did you have any issues with random restarting. Even while shooting video? Also during photo shooting while zooming. And when changing settings the lens resets. I contacted my retailer and they advised me to return it. But there is no stock anymore so i will not have a new xm5 anytime soon.

[@WesKriesel]

Wow, I'm sorry you've had such trouble! I've added your questions to the spreadsheet here, will test/look for these things, and will give you a shoutout in the next video: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1a-SDAro6YFnUWRA9yCboql4MkjYBYD5riuL9bKptJmw/edit?usp=sharing

[@Zainphotography]

Did you buy this with your money or was it loaned to you?

[@WesKriesel]

@@Zainphotography Fuji sent it on a two week loan for the opportunity to use and review.

[@Teslien]

no pics/clips? and people buying this camera will have a rude awakening when theyre trying to edit 6k footage lol

[@WesKriesel]

Coming in the next video. I was out today shooting. I'll definitely share the video editing experience - at least share my setup. I've had no problem editing 6k open gate from the X-H2s the last two years.

[@Teslien]

@@WesKriesel the camera was marketed to tiktokers and short form. youtube is the only place where 4k short form content is allowed. I get that you might be fine but I find it hard to believe that fuji marketers know the social media workflow. Google says only 30% of the market is using 4k displays, although that is just a random figure no clue if it's credible and I don't think anyone is rocking a 4k smartphone. Not being rude, throwing out a comment to discuss about wanting to study the color reproduction on these cameras.

[@WesKriesel]

Actually follow up comment - I've MOSTLY edited 4k footage from the X-H2s but remember sampling the 6.2k open gate functionality - but honestly, never really used that much. Today I experienced exactly what you are talking about - my MacbookPro struggled to play back the 6k footage in Final Cut Pro. I would not choose 6k settings on the X-M5 based on this performance. Great point.

[@Teslien]

@@WesKriesel yep, that's why internet sentiment shouldn't be prioritized in product design vs actual workflow. advertisers pushing these software constraints will lead to post purchasing regret. the worse feeling for newcomers in the creative field.

[@doplinger1]

Every time I see or hear someone complain about the X-M5 features, I just have to say “…but it’s $800…”. No EVF? Its $800. Cheaper build? It’s $800. Old style battery? It’s $800. No IBIS? It’s $800. If you want those things go pay $2000.