Here, FWIW, are my first impressions having handled one in store for the first time.
The body feels suprisingly solid and weighty, which must be due to the machined aluminium top plate. The grip is small, firm and the texture feels fairly smooth, not grippy, so i wouldn't want to use it with zooms or large primes. I expect handholding for long periods would be uncomfortable. The fujicrons and pancakes will be the ideal lenses to pair with it. I think a wrist strap or neck strap, and possibly thumb grip would make a big difference.
The retro display in the evf works surprisingly well in terms of making all the critical information easy to read. On the other hand, the evf size and excessive contrast is a major disappointment, for what was supposed to be an upgrade in terms of overall build. It didn't seem any better than my X-E2. The evf seems small and overly contrasty making it difficult to see details in the shadows. It may be possible to adjust this. I didn't spend long with it.
In practice it is not much smaller than the X-T5, which seems far better value at the moment.
Geoff D F wrote:
Here, FWIW, are my first impressions having handled one in store for the first time.
The body feels suprisingly solid and weighty, which must be due to the machined aluminium top plate. The grip is small, firm and the texture feels fairly smooth, not grippy, so i wouldn't want to use it with zooms or large primes. I expect handholding for long periods would be uncomfortable. The fujicrons and pancakes will be the ideal lenses to pair with it. I think a wrist strap or neck strap, and possibly thumb grip would make a big difference.
The retro display in the evf works surprisingly well in terms of making all the critical information easy to read. On the other hand, the evf size and excessive contrast is a major disappointment, for what was supposed to be an upgrade in terms of overall build. It didn't seem any better than my X-E2. The evf seems small and overly contrasty making it difficult to see details in the shadows. It may be possible to adjust this. I didn't spend long with it.
In practice it is not much smaller than the X-T5, which seems far better value at the moment.
I have yet to get my hands on the XE5, though I’ve used all of the previous xE models in one way or another. (One was my main Fujifilm camera a dozen years ago, I had a chance to try out a later model. I’ve been able to use my wife’s copies of the two models prior to the XE5.)
I think that “solid and weighty” feeling is really and is at least in part due to the fact that some much stuff is built into such a compact package. My experience with the other models suggests that your comments about handling are on track: this is a camera primarily for smaller lenses (though you could use larger ones in some cases) and it is likely to be uncomfortable in the head for long periods. (That’s an issue for me with all of these rather small cameras, including my XT5, since I tend to carry them in had with a wrist strap for long periods —it can become uncomfortable.) I definitely think a wrist strap is valuable for long carries, or a neck strap if that is your thing.
I’m not surprised at your comments about the display. The XE models have typically had smaller displays of somewhat less quality. That may or may not be an issue, depending on expectations. I can see how it would bother some users, though I never expect to see things perfectly in a viewfinder — it is more of a way to see general composition and states of action than an accurate display of color and luminosity.
Your comment about the XT5 resonates for me. The XE models are clearly smaller, but the XT5 is also still quite small, especially if you put the same lenses on it that you would use on the XE5. There used to be a much larger cost differential, and I think that was important to many XE buyers. But with the doubling of the XE5 price over the XE4, the difference is now pretty small, and quite a few folks might be better off with the XT5.
It seems many XE5 users add the grip base and thumb lever - I know I would... I’d be curious to see side by side images of the XE5 with them next to an XT5 for better visualization. 🤷🏼
Jack Flesher wrote:
It seems many XE5 users add the grip base and thumb lever - I know I would... I’d be curious to see side by side images of the XE5 with them next to an XT5 for better visualization. 🤷🏼
I’ve been baffled by those who choose a particular camera because they need the smallest camera body…
… and who then add grips and cases that make the camera about the same size as a camera that has a grip!
I think there’s a place in the world for the XE5, and I think it is a pretty interesting camera. But for those who need to make it feel more like the XT5 by adding grips… maybe the XT5 would be the right choice instead?
I used to not say that since the large price differential pointed a lot of buyers to the fine little XE bodies. But now the price difference is quite small. (For a while the two camera cos the same! Though Fujifilm subsequently raised the price of the XT5 by a few hundred dollars.)
Jack Flesher wrote:
It seems many XE5 users add the grip base and thumb lever - I know I would... I’d be curious to see side by side images of the XE5 with them next to an XT5 for better visualization. 🤷🏼
When I saw the X-E5 in store it was next to an X-T5. It was surprising how similar they were in size. While the X-T5 is bigger, I would put them in the same size class.
There was an ad or something over the picture so difficult for me to see it all. But… It appears they’re going to be a lot closer with a grip and thumb lever added to the XE5.
Jack Flesher wrote:
There was an ad or something over the picture so difficult for me to see it all. But… It appears they’re going to be a lot closer with a grip and thumb lever added to the XE5.
A fair bit of the X-T5's extra height comes from the viewfinder pentaprism, which houses a much bigger evf. The extra thickness comes from the grip and evf eyecup. All of this makes for a better handling and viewing experience. I'm not going to deny the X-E5 looks great and would pair well with small lenses. The real downer for me was the evf, which seems out of place in this price and build class. Other's mileage may vary.
If you are really looking to save weight and size, I would think the lenses will be more important. There is a big difference between the Fujicrons and pancakes vs the f1.4 lenses and zooms like the 15-45mm vs the 18-55mm.
Jack Flesher wrote:
There was an ad or something over the picture so difficult for me to see it all. But… It appears they’re going to be a lot closer with a grip and thumb lever added to the XE5.
Hmm, I don't see anything that interferes with the comparison. Anyway, I got the SmallRig grip primarily for the Arca mount, but I don't keep it on the camera. It doesn't add much size or weight. I was looking for a rangefinder style camera, so the X-E5 works well. If I didn't have a couple of Canon cameras, I would have probably opted for the X-T5 (or X-S20). As with most things, it comes down to meeting a personal requirement.
I like the X-E5. It’s turning into an all time favorite.
The EVF isn’t a favorite but works well enough. I like the modularity. I can run it with the grips with my larger lenses or bare bones with the 23 2.8 for the size and look. If you compare the size of T5 and E5 from say a GFX perspective they are very similar. If you live with only the two there is a difference. My 2c.
But they are still both quite small, and the differences aren't all that great — and they diminish further if one adds a grip to the XE5 (The biggest size differences are, I think, the bigger eyecup, the larger grip to house the higher-capacity battery, and that faux pentaprism hump.)
The nice thing about the XT30/50 and XE's is that they can be X100 sized for carry but you can accessorize them to be assignment shooters or to facilitate bigger lenses. If you just want it in EDC mode you strip everything off and slap on a pancake. Want to do a portrait session? Bolt up a grip and put that fat 90mm on it. It's versatile.
That said I find the Xpro and XT cameras to be the perfect size and they still have things I like like top mounted shutter buttons and trim contours. As soon as a camera because L-shaped with a built-in grip I find it hard to pull them in/out of a bag and since most of them have protruding EVF's they are not comfortable to wear strapped on.
ottokbre wrote:
The nice thing about the XT30/50 and XE's is that they can be X100 sized for carry but you can accessorize them to be assignment shooters or to facilitate bigger lenses. If you just want it in EDC mode you strip everything off and slap on a pancake. Want to do a portrait session? Bolt up a grip and put that fat 90mm on it. It's versatile.
That said I find the Xpro and XT cameras to be the perfect size and they still have things I like like top mounted shutter buttons and trim contours. As soon as a camera because L-shaped with a built-in grip I find it hard to pull them in/out of a bag and since most of them have protruding EVF's they are not comfortable to wear strapped onthe. ...Show more →
I think that is a fair point about the potential versatility of hte XE bodies — starting with a minimal body and then upsizing as needed. (I had a similar thought about the older XPro bodies — their versatility was exceptional, as you could stick a small prime on it for street photography or you could put a telephoto zoom or a big macro on the thing.)
My earlier point about adding stuff to the small XE to make it larger was in the context of people who don’t really make that switch — those who buy the small camera because it is small and then add the grip and the case and the other stuff and just leave it on there. For them, in that they want the greater size, simply starting with a larger camera would make more sense.
My personal approach is more like that in your second paragraph — I shoot the XT5, with its more expansive feature set and greater comfort, and for me it is plenty small for street and travel photography.
gdanmitchell wrote:
I think that is a fair point about the potential versatility of hte XE bodies — starting with a minimal body and then upsizing as needed. (I had a similar thought about the older XPro bodies — their versatility was exceptional, as you could stick a small prime on it for street photography or you could put a telephoto zoom or a big macro on the thing.)
My earlier point about adding stuff to the small XE to make it larger was in the context of people who don’t really make that switch — those who buy the small camera because it is small and then add the grip and the case and the other stuff and just leave it on there. For them, in that they want the greater size, simply starting with a larger camera would make more sense.
My personal approach is more like that in your second paragraph — I shoot the XT5, with its more expansive feature set and greater comfort, and for me it is plenty small for street and travel photography.
The other side of this is, with the XE5 for those of us that would leave the grip and thumb lever on most of the time (me), is we have the option to make it a lot smaller on the random occasions we’d want to. The cost is EVF, battery and cards. I am leaning toward that tradeoff, but the dual battery issue remains the larger hurdle…
Jack Flesher wrote:
The other side of this is, with the XE5 for those of us that would leave the grip and thumb lever on most of the time (me), is we have the option to make it a lot smaller on the random occasions we’d want to. The cost is EVF, battery and cards. I am leaning toward that tradeoff, but the dual battery issue remains the larger hurdle…
Yes, in the end all gear choices involve a whole bunch of trade-offs: cost, size, interface, battery capacity, holding comfort, and more.
When I write that I prefer the XT5 set of trade-offs, rather than expecting that eve one else will agree. (Though, really, they should!) It is more about sharing my reasons for that preference. At the same time, I’ve used other XE models in the past and think that the concept is a great one for many users. (My wife has the XE4 and is currently waffling on whether or not to moe to the XE5.)
For my part, I like the more substantial grip, the greater battery capacity, the more complete manual controls, and the dual card slots. For me, those are worth the slightly larger size. On the other hand, the XE5 is an intriguing and competent camera that seems just right for a lot of users.
gdanmitchell wrote:
Yes, in the end all gear choices involve a whole bunch of trade-offs: cost, size, interface, battery capacity, holding comfort, and more.
When I write that I prefer the XT5 set of trade-offs, rather than expecting that eve one else will agree. (Though, really, they should!) It is more about sharing my reasons for that preference. At the same time, I’ve used other XE models in the past and think that the concept is a great one for many users. (My wife has the XE4 and is currently waffling on whether or not to moe to the XE5.)
For my part, I like the more substantial grip, the greater battery capacity, the more complete manual controls, and the dual card slots. For me, those are worth the slightly larger size. On the other hand, the XE5 is an intriguing and competent camera that seems just right for a lot of users....Show more →
On the other hand, the X-T50 is more capable than the X-E5 by virtue of the onboard flash which can be useful in some situations. The X-E5 is really a case of form over function. I admit I'm tempted by the styling of the X-E5, but that really is the selling point compared to other Fuji offerings.
Geoff D F wrote:
On the other hand, the X-T50 is more capable than the X-E5 by virtue of the onboard flash which can be useful in some situations. The X-E5 is really a case of form over function. I admit I'm tempted by the styling of the X-E5, but that really is the selling point compared to other Fuji offerings.
I think that’s a viable option, too, especially now that Fujifilm has taken away the huge price advantage that used to account for a lot of the interest in the XE line.
Geoff D F wrote:
On the other hand, the X-T50 is more capable than the X-E5 by virtue of the onboard flash which can be useful in some situations. The X-E5 is really a case of form over function. I admit I'm tempted by the styling of the X-E5, but that really is the selling point compared to other Fuji offerings.
You make a very good point re the XT50 -- it's probably the premier under-sung hero of the Fuji X line, having a lot of on-board imaging tech for the price.
There is a good bit of form versus function with the X-E5, no question. But I disagree that adding a grip makes it equal to the X-T50/X-T5. Yes, it adds to the front of the camera, but who cares? It doesn't make the grip stick out further than even my Viltrox 28mm f/3.5. I'd be happier with a big, chunky grip on the front. I even added the SmallRig grip to my X-T5, which I sold for the X-E5.
I've been enjoying the size of the X-E5 and even though I thought I wasn't going to use the film sim dial I actually ended up using it more than I thought. I mainly use these with my smaller lenses since it is front heavy with long lenses on it.
I don't have any grip on it. I just use a PD strap. I don't have big hands so I suggest handling it first before pulling the trigger.
