Fujifilm X-T5 One Year Follow Up Review
A long term review of the Fujifilm X-T5
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It’s been just over a year since I picked up the Fujifilm X-T5. When I first bought it, I brought it with me on a two-week trip to Portugal as my only camera for both photo and video. After that trip, I shared a first-impressions video comparing it to the X-T3, which had been my daily carry for almost four years.
Now, after a full year of daily use, I want to share more developed thoughts on the X-T5, and more specifically, whether I still feel this is one of the best hybrid cameras on the market.
Ergonomics & Build Quality
Ergonomically, the X-T5 is excellent. It feels great in the hand, it’s comfortable to carry all day, and the control layout is very intuitive. Coming from the X-T3, it honestly felt like picking up an extension of the same camera.
My two favorite things about the layout are:
The physical exposure triangle controls. These dials help me connect to the photography process in a way that menus or DSLR-style controls never did.
The stills/movie mode switch. As a hybrid shooter bouncing between photo and video, this has been game-changing. I can react quickly and switch seamlessly from snapping photos to grabbing b-roll.
The camera feels fun and simple without sacrificing utility.
That said, the build quality shows some trade-offs compared to the X-T3. The X-T5 feels a bit more plasticky, almost toy-like. Some of the dials get sticky if dust works its way underneath, and in humid or rainy conditions I’ve noticed this with the on/off switch in particular. The rear screen also feels a little fragile… more so than previous Fujifilm cameras I’ve used.
It hasn’t broken, and I’ve absolutely beaten this camera up (I even bought it used), but compared to the tank-like build of the X-T3, I notice the difference. Not a deal breaker, but something worth noting.
Image Quality
This is where the X-T5 shines.
At night, it handles higher ISOs much better than the X-T3. The 40-megapixel resolution also gives you a ton of cropping flexibility. On the X-T3, I found the usable ISO range topped out around 3200–4000 before the files fell apart. On the X-T5, I regularly shoot at ISO 6400 without hesitation — and I’ve even pushed it higher when needed.
Another huge change is IBIS (in-body image stabilization). The X-T3 had none, while the X-T5 offers up to 7 stops. I can handhold comfortably at shutter speeds as low as 1/15 of a second — sometimes even slower. Combined with better high-ISO performance and tools like Lightroom’s updated Denoise, I’ve been able to capture night shots that just weren’t possible with the X-T3.
For me, this has been one of the most exciting aspects of owning the X-T5. It opened up a new part of the photography “game board,” and I’ve taken full advantage of it photographing New York at night this past year.
Hybrid Photo & Video
I wouldn’t call the X-T5 a video-focused camera, but video quality here is still excellent. It supports multiple frame rates, bit rates, codecs, and resolutions up to 6.2K.
For my style, mostly travel, documentary, and YouTube, 4K HQ, 10-bit, 24fps has been perfect.
The real hybrid magic comes from the design. The stills/movie dial makes using photo and video simultaneously seamless. Combine that with a magnetic ND filter, and I can switch from shooting photos to recording video in seconds. That speed means I can capture both stills and a video sequence before the moment passes.
Reliability & Long-Term Use
After a year, I’ve had zero reliability issues internally. The processor is still fast, playback is smooth, and lag is rare. Aside from the minor build quality quirks, I’ve never felt nervous about relying on this camera.
In fact, out of all the cameras I’ve used this year, the X-T5 is still the one I trust the most. It’s remained my everyday carry, and the fact that it’s held up through daily use, travel, and heavy shooting says a lot about its durability overall.
Conclusion
After a year with the Fujifilm X-T5, I can confidently say it’s my favorite camera I’ve ever owned. The X-T3 will always have a special place in my heart, but the X-T5 is still one of the best hybrid photo and video options on the market right now.
If I can only take one camera out the door, this is the one I’m choosing nine times out of ten.
I do hope that in a future X-T6, Fujifilm brings back a more premium, tank-like build, maybe a bit heavier with sturdier materials. But overall, the X-T5 has made both photography and video easier and more enjoyable for me.
And at the end of the day, that’s what really matters: the camera you use should inspire you and never limit your creativity.
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