- In the US, the X-E5 is twice costing the price of X-E4 when it was launched in 2021
- X-E5 offers a number of improvements over its predecessor
- X-E4 stays in sale if you can find it
It is reasonable to say that the official disclosure of Fujifilm X-E5 has caused some founding among fans of the brand. From $ 1,699 / £ 1,299 Only this compact mirror-free camera is much more expensive than its predecessor, Fujifilm X-E4, which costs only $ 850 / £ 799 when it arrived in 2021.
I have to admit that it seems to be a hefty sum to pay for a camera without weather sealing and a dated, minuscule is looking for. But like someone who reviews cameras day in, day out, I think Fujifilm X-E5 represents pretty good value for the money-in the least on paper.
I haven’t actually got my hands on a Fujifilm X-E5 review test yet (it’s coming, so keep an eye on an in-depth review here very soon), but even far from it is clear that this camera is more expensive than X-E4 for very sound reasons. And Techradar’s camera editor Tim Coleman has his own roof after a three-day trip with the camera ahead of the launch-see his X-E5 first thoughts.
First, the specifications and features offered in Fujifilm’s new camera surpass, far from X-E4. To select the most obvious two upgrades: X-E5 is built around a new-gen 40.2MP X-Trans CMOS 5 hours Return-billed sensor, offering almost twice the resolution of the X-E4S 26.1MP sensor; And it now comes with a five-axis sensor-change image stabilization in the body (IBIS).
These improvements, especially IBIS, should result in major improvements in image details and sharpness, especially for handheld shooting. It can now also record 6.2K video, while the X-E4 peaked at 4K.
The X-E5 is also the first camera in the XE series to come with a top plate with all metal. Established from a single block of aluminum, I’m sure this will make the X-E5 feel harder and more luxurious than its predecessor. Yes, it is not technically weather-sealed-as I admit is a bit of a disappointment, especially as Fujifilm sells the camera in a set with a new XF23mm f/2.8 pancake lens, which is weather resistant.
I would also say that the little one is really able to have used an update. Incredibly, it actually seems to be the same 0.39 inches, 2.36 million dot one as seen on the very first XE series camera, Fujifilm X-E1 launched 13 years ago. It is functional, yes – but as a photographer who very much prefers to compose shots with my eye pressed up against a search instead of looking at a screen, the bigger, brighter and spreads the viewfinder, the better.
The LCD screen also seems to be a downward adjustment from other recent models-it is a device of 1.04 m dot rather than the 1.84 m-dot utir list of the X-T50 and X100VI.
When we talk about the price of X-E5, especially in the United States, we must also recognize the impact of the Trump administration’s tariffs, which has led to a situation where non-American producers will naturally raise the prices of their products. It’s no secret that the X-E5 costs $ 200 more than it would otherwise have.
Even the disposal of this customs confusion has also bitten hard since 2021-so it really is not so surprising to see X-E5 priced this way.
Finally, it seems that Fujifilm is set to keep the X-E4 in its current X-Series-Line-Up if you can find it in stock, which means the company still allows consumer to pick up an affordable mirror-free range of Rangefinder-style camera if that’s what they need. While the X-E4 is definitely not without its disadvantages, it is still a very service replaceable lens camera. Right now it has a more advanced, better constructed siblings for anyone who wants it.
Disagree with me and still thinks the X-E5 is too expensive compared to its predecessor? Feel free to sound in the comments below – but remember to check back soon for a full and final review of Fujifilm’s latest release.
