FUJIFILM launches X-M5 mirrorless camera and new X-Series lenses

The FUJIFILM X-M5 is an interesting looking new entry-level hybrid mirrorless that offers 6.2K shooting for well under $1000.

The new $799 Fujifilm X-M5 is equipped with the back-illuminated 26.1-megapixel X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor and the X-Processor 5 high-speed image processing engine. 

It supports 6.2K/30P 4:2:2 10-bit in-camera SD card recording, along with 4K/60P and 1080/240P options, ensuring high-quality footage across various resolutions. To enhance flexibility in file management, it intros two new bit rate options—8Mbps and 25Mbps—allowing for quicker transfers to external devices like smartphones.

It also introduces a user-friendly "Vlog mode," enabling intuitive adjustments to shooting conditions via the touch screen LCD. With improved icon placement and quantity, the goal is that video recording becomes even more straightforward for new users. A new 9:16 short movie mode makes for easy vertical video capture.

Powerful digital image stabilization effectively minimizes both minor camera shake and larger movements, while for the first time in Fujifilm’s digital camera lineup, the X-M5 includes three built-in microphones. This allows users to select from four microphone directivity options: surround, front, back, or front & back. Additionally, the camera introduces a steady-state noise reduction function that effectively reduces persistent background noise, such as annoying air conditioning units.

The camera’s equipped with Face / Eye AF, while subject detection AF developed using deep learning technology enables AI detection of the usual list of animals, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, airplanes, trains, insects, and drones. Fujifilm says the latest AF predictive algorithm provides high tracking performance for moving subjects and high precision AF in low-contrast environments.

The X-M5 weighs approximately 355g and measures approximately 111.9mm in width, 66.6mm in height, and 38.0mm in depth (12.52 oz and 4.41 x 2.62 x 1.5 inch).

One nifty little feature is a dial is located on the top surface for switching between “Film Simulation” modes, which allows users to deploy up to 20 different color tone expressions as if they were changing photographic films. Combined with the AUTO mode on the mode dial, even first-time digital camera users can easily enjoy some richly colored image creation.

Pre-orders are open now.

FUJINON Lens XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR II

The XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR II is a large-aperture standard zoom lens capable of shooting with a maximum aperture of F2.8 across the entire zoom range from a wide angle of 16mm (equivalent to 24mm in 35mm film format) to a medium telephoto distance of 55mm (equivalent to 84mm in 35mm film format). It is suitable for a wide range of still image shooting genres, such as nature and landscape photography with its high descriptive performance, and portraiture with its smooth and ‘beautiful bokeh’. 

It’s lightweight at 410g (14.5 oz) and has some decent video-oriented functionality. When the Aperture Click Switch is set to CLICK, the amount of aperture movement can be intuitively grasped, making it suitable for still image shooting. When the switch is set to OFF, the brightness changes when adjusting the aperture become smoother, allowing you to shoot videos comfortably. It also suppresses angle-of-view variation (breathing) during focusing.

Pre-orders are open now for $1199.

FUJINON Lens XF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR

The $2999 XF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR is a bit more of a specialist super-telephoto prime lens capable of shooting in the super-telephoto 500mm (equivalent to 762mm in 35mm format) range at an open aperture of F5.6 and featuring what the company says is the highest optical performance of the XF lens. In addition, taking advantage of the APS-C format, which provides a 1.5 times larger image in the 35mm format equivalent, the lens is compact and lightweight, weighing only 1335g (47 oz).

Its focal length can be extended by combining it with teleconverters. The FUJINON Teleconverter XF1.4X TC WR provides a maximum focal length equivalent to 700mm (equivalent to 1067mm in 35mm format), and the FUJINON Teleconverter XF2.0X TC WR provides a maximum focal length equivalent to 1000mm (equivalent to 1524mm in 35mm format). In addition, a powerful 5.5-step optical image stabilization mechanism has been realized by improving the detection accuracy of camera shake and optimizing the mechanism design.