Fujifilm X-T5 review – the value in tradition and an in-depth comparison with the X-H2

By now, Fujifilm would have completed the announcement of their newest trio of higher-end camera bodies, the top tier X-H2S (My review here), the X-H2, which shares the same 40.2MP X-Trans CMOS V sensor as the X-T5 which frankly, is the camera that in my opinion the key to Fujifilm’s presence with its fan-base.

Despite not the most powerful and feature packed, the X-T5 will be ‘the‘ camera for the imaging-centric Fujifilm users and let me explain further why.

tl:dr

Unfortunately, the differences between the X-H2 and X-T5 are not as simple as the top plate dial design and the way the LCD screen articulates, and this review elaborates on them.

Fujifilm has done a really great job in differentiating the two cameras. For the imaging-centric user, the X-T5 will likely be your choice, while the X-H2 is more geared towards video, and of course, the X-H2S is the one for those who want it all.

Finally, clarity in the hierarchy.

The X-Trans IV generation of X-mount bodies easily totaled 8 or more, ranging from the entry-level X-T30 II, which was like the X-T30 with firmware updates, the petite yet powerful X-S10 introduced PASM dials, the for professionals X-T4, the ‘luxury’ and hardly updated X-Pro3 and the pretty petite X-E4, all without a single body from the X-H series, which was supposed to be their lead camera in the X-Trans III era with the X-H1 the first to sport IBIS.

Some models were easy to understand, for example, the X-E4. Removing IBIS and the costly X-Pro’s hybrid EVF/OVF with compactization as the priority to drive down costs for maximum affordability, this camera quickly became a hit with the targeted market.

After Fujifilm worked hard to kill off a few camera series from the X-M, X-double digit, X-A single and double digits, and the X-T triple-digits, Kaizen was also left to an early demise. It was frustrating for some, for example, the X-Pro3 owner who had paid top-tier dollars to find only no performance updates and the X-S10 super-ceding its performance at half the price with the same X-Trans IV sensor.

And thus, with the X-Trans V sensor series, the release of the X-H2S, X-H2, and X-T5 was a welcome evolution and clearer differentiation that Fujifilm users, including me, looked forward to, and I am full of hope Fujifilm will take good advantage of this clean slate.

The X-H2S, X-H2 and X-T5 starts a clean slate in camera differentiation that I am confident Fujifilm will take advantage of.

Fortunately, unlike what most believe, the X-T5 and X-H2 do not just differ in the top dials design and LCD articulation, but actually across the imaging, video and physical design aspects.

In-depth comparison of the X-T5 versus the X-H2

At the heart of the camera, the X-T5 runs the exact same X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor as the X-H2, with HR referring to High-resolution; in fact, both models come with the 160MP Pixel Shift Multi-Shot mode and the same native sensitivity range of ISO 125 to ISO 12,800, which can be expanded down to ISO 64 and up to ISO 51,200 but of course, there will be differences and let’s start looking at them.

In effect, I would like to emphasize that the 40MP X-Trans V sensor is excellent by all Fujifilm standards and a big step ahead of X-trans IV in not just detail rendition. As a casual user, 26MP makes me happy, but more detail isn’t that bad of an idea so long as noise and dynamic range aren’t too adversely affected.

*I have no idea why a photographer will use 200% crop, but yeap, for those who wish to study a leaf at the stomata level, here you go.

The reason why X-H2S is not really mentioned here is simply that the X-H2S model is easy to consider. If you want the best Fujifilm X-mount can offer and is a hybrid imaging and video user, that is the model you pick.

Video capabilities

The X-H2 offers the highest quality rate of 8K/30p with no crop recorded in 4:2:2 10-bit internally for approximately 160 minutes. The X-T5 will not even record in 8K, topping out at 6.2K/30p with a decent 1.23x crop recorded in 4:2:2 10-bit internally.

Both cameras support up to DCI 4K/60p recording with no cropping, and both can shoot 1080/240p slow-motion footage with the new F-Log 2 profile with up to 14 stops of dynamic range. Combined with a compatible HDMI recording device from Atomos or Blackmagic Design, 12-bit RAW video output from both cameras can be recorded as Apple ProRes RAW or Blackmagic RAW.

The X-H2 has a much larger buffer which increases the maximum available affect bit rate for video compared to the X-T5, which is also probably because the X-H2 has CFexpress B support and the X-T5 has two UHS-II SD card slots.

Lastly, we cannot attach any external cooling fan to the X-T5, and there is no full-size HDMI or 3.5mm headphone socket on the X-T5 either.

Auto-focus, Imaging capabilities.

The X-H2 and X-T5 have extremely similar auto-focus capabilities, utilizing the same hybrid autofocus system with phase detection and contrast detection points. Both will automatically detect animals, birds, cars, bikes, planes, and trains thanks to the X-Processor 5’s AI deep learning capabilities.

However, while both max out at 20 FPS (electronic shutter) in crop mode, the X-H2 has an advantage due to its larger internal buffer, recording up to 1000+ JPEGs or 400 RAW files at 20 FPS. At the same time, the X-T5 can only manage comparatively lesser 119+ JPEGs or 19 RAW files before the continuous shooting rate starts to lag.

Physical differences

First, the X-T5 has a very good 3.68M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder with a 0.8x magnification and 100fps refresh rate. Still, the X-H2 has a more powerful 5.76M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder with a larger 0.80x magnification and a faster 120fps refresh rate.

*X-T5’s EVF magnification updated to 0.8x on 20 Nov 2022. Thank you, Rey for pointing out my mistake.

The way the LCD screen articulates is also a huge difference, with the X-T5 coming in with the traditional tilt + flip-out LCD screen. At the same time, the X-H2 sports a more video-oriented flip-out design. However, another huge difference is that the X-T5 returns to the Fujifilm traditional top plate dial design, unlike the X-H2’s more PASM-oriented design.

Lastly, there is no optional battery grip for the X-T5, unlike the X-H2 and X-H2S, but otherwise, the whole setup design-wise is very similar to the X-T4 but improved where it matters.

Conclusion

Beyond skin deep, the new Fujifilm X-T5 retains the classic retro styling, and the traditional control layout of its XT4 processor is updated with the same 5th-generation sensor and processor used by the X-H2, and is truly a real update over the X-T4 for the imaging-centric Fujifilm users.

While it is a fact that video capabilities pale in comparison to the X-H2 and X-H2S, the fact is that the X-T5 is differentiated clearly such that it seeks to do its best for the user who is keen on imaging with video production as an after-thought and such, I really must applaud Fujifilm for managing to walk out of the confusion into now three clearly differentiated models.

Now, when is the X-Pro4 I am waiting for coming?

Thank you for reading.

Disclaimers:

1. The Fujifilm X-T5 is a kind loan for review from Fujifilm Asia Pacific and running pre-production firmware. My personal copies are the XF56mm ƒ1.2 R WR and XF23mm ƒ1.4 R LM WR.
2. All product photos and samples shared were photographed by me. I believe any reviewer with pride should produce their own product photos.
3. I do not do affiliate purchase links to keep me neutral. I write as a passion and a hobby, and I appreciate that photography brands are kind enough to respect and work with me.
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