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Category: Motorcycles, Transport
Tags: Royal Enfield, Bobber, Retro
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Tags: Knife, Titanium, Everyday Carry, Kickstarter, Crowdfunding
The Fujifilm X-M5 is the company's latest APS-C mirrorless camera and comes in as the lowest-end entry in its current lineup. It uses the company's last-generation 26MP X-Trans sensor, the same one found in cameras like the X-T4 and X-100V, but comes equipped with its latest processor, giving it access to Fujifilm's AI-powered subject detection autofocus.
Key features:The X-M5 is available in silver at a body-only price of $799. A black version is coming in April 2025. Fujifilm is also selling a kit with the X-M5 and its XC15-45mmF3.5-5.6 OIS PZ lens for $899. Optically, it's not our favorite lens, but its size and price make it an obvious pairing with this camera.
Buy now:
$899 w/ 15-45 at Amazon.com$799 at Adorama$799 at B&H Photo Index:The X-M5 is a return to a relatively old form factor, as the last time we saw a camera with the X-M label was the X-M1 from 2013, the third camera to feature the then-new X-mount, though the X-A series carried on until much more recently. It's broadly made up of parts we've seen before, put together with a few new tricks.
A tiny designThe X-M5 is very lightweight and compact – even with the power zoom kit lens attached, it comes in under 500g (17.6oz) and is small enough to fit in a small bag or jacket pockets. Anyone who buys one will be hard-pressed to come up with an excuse not to take it with them when they leave the house.
It also helps that, subjectively, it's a very good-looking camera; Fujifilm's retro aesthetic with modern functionality continues to serve it well. More on that later.
The camera also features the film simulation dial found on the X-T50, which lets users play around with Fujifilm's color profiles to get the look they want without requiring them to dive into the menu. It may seem like a small thing given that Film Simulations have long been one of Fujifilm's main selling points, but putting them front and center like this strongly encourages people to experiment with them, even if they're averse to spending too much time in the menus.
4K LP videoThe Fujifilm X-M5 has 4K and 1080p 'Long Play' modes that crop in on the sensor, letting you record for longer before the camera overheats. The 4K LP mode has a 1.18x crop and is available in 23.98p, 24p, 25p, and 30p. The FHD LP mode, meanwhile, is only available in 50p and 60p and comes with a 1.29x crop. The company says you can record for over an hour at 4K when using the LP mode in temperatures of 25°C (77°F) and around 20 minutes at 40°C (104°F).
The X-M5 also has two new low-bitrate options, letting you capture footage at 25Mbps and 8Mbps. This lets you sacrifice image quality for small file sizes in scenarios when you want to get footage out quickly and will only be using it on social media, where it'll already be heavily compressed.
If you want to shoot with heavier codecs, the X-M5 is compatible with Fujifilm's optional cooling fan, which can help extend record times without using the LP modes and the cropping and loss of quality that come with them.
Three-microphone systemFujifilm has added an extra microphone to the camera to help distinguish between the audio you're trying to capture and ambient noise. Its UI lets you select whether you want it to let everything in, focus on audio from in front of the camera, behind the camera, or both. The last option could be useful if you're filming someone and talking to them from behind the camera.
The company also says the camera has improved wind reduction and added a new "Steady-State noise reduction" mode meant to make constant noises like air conditioners less noticeable.
If you'd rather plug in an external microphone, the X-M5 has cleverly placed the 3.5mm mic jack on the back of the camera, so the plug and cable won't block the screen when you're vlogging with it. The jack's cover is connected to the camera's body, so you don't have to keep track of a tiny piece of rubber when you're on the go.
Updated vlogging UIVlog mode isn't entirely new to Fujifilm's lineup: it appeared on the X-S20 as well, but the company has updated it for the X-M5, making it even easier to control the most important settings via the touchscreen.
Vlog mode has its own UI separate from the standard video recording interface. When you've selected Vlog on the control dial, the camera puts relatively large buttons on the touchscreen that allow you to control focus, access playback mode and start and stop recording.
The vlog mode UI has a clean layout with easy-to-press buttons for the most important functions.There's also a menu button that brings up controls for other settings, letting you control eye autofocus, electronic image stabilization, 'Portrait Enhancer' mode, background defocus mode, product priority mode, and more without flipping the camera around.
Pressing the Menu button gives you access to most of the options you'd need to control while vlogging. From left to right:
Top: Shooting mode, focus mode, image stabilization mode, Face/Eye Detection setting, Portrait enhancer
Bottom: Background defocus mode, Product priority mode, high-speed recording, self-timer, 9:16 short movie mode
While you'll still have to use the physical buttons on the back of the camera to change things like which codec, bitrate, or resolution you're recording in, vlog mode does a good job of putting most of the controls you'll need on the touchscreen without being overwhelming to newcomers.
9:16 short video modeThe camera also gains a 9:16 short video mode, which records vertical video by taking a 1080 x 1920 crop from the middle of the frame, rather than requiring you to physically turn the camera into portrait orientation. When you're shooting in this mode, the display will show you the full 16:9 image but darkens the frame outside what's being recorded. You can choose whether you want your clip to be 15, 30, or 60 seconds long.
9:16 short video mode shows you the entire preview, which could help if you want to move the camera while recording.The resulting videos will be small and quick to transfer to your phone for posting; by default the camera records them at an 8Mbps bitrate, though you can bump this up to 25Mbps. These bitrates, new for the X-M5, are also available across the camera's other video modes as well. File sizes will vary depending on what you're filming, but you can expect 60 second second clips shot at 8Mbps to usually be under 100 megabytes, or under 250MB if you shoot at 25Mbps.
The 15, 30 and 60-second record limits are upper boundaries, but you can stop recording before you hit the time limit; it's easy to imagine a worse version of this mode locking up your camera until the timer hits zero. If you want to record for longer than 60 seconds, you'll have to dig into the menus to switch to the 9:16 resolution mode, which also gives you control over codec and bitrate.
USB-to-smartphone transferFujiifilm also says you'll be able to use XApp transfer files from the X-M5 to your phone using a USB cable, which should be appreciably faster and more reliable than Wi-Fi. That's especially true given that the camera only supports an older Wi-Fi standard, not the faster 5Ghz standard.
In our tests, transferring a two-minute 4K video took around 28 seconds using a USB 4 cable and 11 minutes and 14 seconds using the camera's built-in Wi-Fi, so if you're someone who wants to capture something and post it right away, you'll definitely want to keep a cable within reach. That may be slightly annoying if you have an older iPhone, as you'll need a slightly more specialized USB-C to Lightning cable, but that should be less of a problem in the future as more and more people upgrade to phones with USB-C.
How it comparesThe X-M5 is far from the first small interchangeable lens camera pitched as a hybrid vlogging and photography tool.
This time, Fujifilm is using size, price, and convenience to make its offering more appealing to people who are used to shooting on their phones. While it's certainly bigger than a modern smartphone, it costs about as much as buying the latest iPhone outright, even with the kit lens, and its litany of vlogging features should make it easier to get professional-looking video.
Fujifilm's also leaning on design; it's a safe bet that many creators know what its cameras look like now, ever since the X100V went viral. From its film simulation dial to the mic jack that's apparently inspired by the look of tiny viewfinders on vintage cameras, the X-M5's design screams, "this is a camera you want to be seen with."
Fujifilm X-M5 Sony ZV-E10 II Sony a6100 Canon EOS R50 Fujifilm X-T30 II MSRP $799, $899 with 15-45mm $999, $1099 w/ 16-50mm OSS II $750, $850 w/ 16-50mm $679, $799 with 18-45mm $899, $999 with 15-45mm Pixel count 26 MP 26 MP 24 MP 24 MP 26 MP Mech shutter Yes No Yes Yes Yes Top plate command dials 2 1 1 1 2 Max burst rate8 fps (mechanical)
30 fps (e-shutter)
11 fps 11 fps12 fps
15 fps (elec)
8 fps (mechanical)
30 fps (e-shutter)
Rear screen 1.04M-dot fully articulated 1.04M dots fully articulated 921K dots tilting 1.62M dots fully articulated 1.04M dot fully articulated EVF No No 1.44M dots, 0.71x magnification 2.36M dots, 0.59x magnification 2.36M dots, 0.62x magnification Video capabilitiesThe Sony ZV-E10 II is the most similar competitor to the X-M5. It, too, features a three-capsule microphone (though it comes with a handy wind cover for it), has background defocus and product showcase modes, and a microphone and headphone jack. It's arguably even more focused on video, with 10-bit internal recording and 4K/60p recording – though that focus comes at a cost for photography, as it lacks an EVF, just like the X-M5. Fujifilm's offering does at least include a mechanical shutter. Sony's autofocus tracking is also substantially stickier, especially in video.
Sony's a6100 can't quite match the X-M5's video specs, given its lack of a headphone port, 8-bit video, and crop in 4K/30p mode. However, its EVF will make it more enticing to people who want photography capabilities first and video second.
It's much the same story with the Fujifilm X-T30 II and the Canon EOS R50, though the latter distinguishes itself by being notably cheaper than the rest of the cameras in this lineup and by having the nicest display.
Body and handlingThe X-M5 is a very compact camera; compared to the Sony ZV-E10 II, it feels smaller than the minor differences in its dimensions would suggest. Part of that can likely be chalked up to its much shallower grip, but what's there is confidence-inspiring, especially when using the relatively small lenses that most people will likely pair with this camera.
While the camera is almost entirely plastic, it doesn't feel especially cheap. There are no creaks or squeaks when you're using it, the buttons are satisfyingly clicky, and the dials and hinges are reassuringly stiff.
Another nice touch is the inclusion of two top-plate command dials, which let you easily adjust your exposure settings without having to change your grip on the camera or switch to using the touchscreen. Of course, the target audience of vloggers and beginners may not be in the habit of manually adjusting exposure parameters, but it offers those users some room to grow.
You need good aim to hit the Q button.The Q button is less ideal. It's recessed and on the top of the camera rather than the back, which makes it a little difficult to access, especially when you're trying to change settings quickly. Also not helping matters are its small size and the fact that it's nestled between two large dials.
Given how many video features the camera has, it's also a bit disappointing that the slower UHS-I SD card slot is in the battery compartment on the bottom, which could make it difficult if you have a tripod plate installed. It's understandable why it isn't on the sides, which are mostly taken up by the headphone jack, USB-C port and micro-HDMI connecter, but it'll likely be a friction point for some users.
The camera doesn't have a D-pad. You can set focus with the touchscreen or joystick, and use swipes on the touchscreen to bring up menus of your choosing.The camera also gives you plenty of room for customization via the four 'C' settings on the mode selector dial. For example, you could set C1 up to use eye detection, C2 to be another subject detection mode, and C3 to be standard autofocus, letting you easily switch between them without ever touching the menu. You can also choose whether each custom slot will be a photo or video mode.
On the opposite side of the spectrum is the Auto mode, which gives the camera almost full control, while letting you make a few modifications to its choices if you see fit. it's a good inclusion for beginners new to the world of dedicated cameras, and doesn't restrict you from shooting Raw, in case you want to also learn how to make substantial edits to your photos.
The camera also has a likely less useful 'Filter' mode, which engages the camera's selectable Instagram-style filters to change the colors and add various effects such as vignetting. Anyone wanting to play around with the look of their image should probably reach for the Film Simulation dial instead, as its adjustments to your image's color and tone are generally more subtle and pleasing.
The mode dial also lets you switch the camera into video mode and vlog mode, which are two separate beasts. We've already covered the vlog-specific UI, but it's also worth noting that vlog mode and movie mode have separate settings, letting you quickly switch between entirely different modes of shooting.
BatteryThe X-M5 uses Fujifilm's 8.7 Wh NP-W126s battery, which has been around since the days of the original X-M1 and persists in modern cameras like the X-T50 – Fujifilm's higher-end, physically larger cameras have moved on to a new, higher-capacity model. It's rated to last around 330 shots or 440 if you're using eco mode. That'll likely be good for a day or so of shooting or a weekend of sporadic photography, though it's far from one of the best batteries in its class.
The camera has a USB-C port, which it can charge with even while in use.
Image QualityOur test scene is designed to simulate a variety of textures, colors, and detail types you'll encounter in the real world. It also has two illumination modes, full even light and low directional light, to see the effect of different lighting conditions.
Image ComparisonThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Click here to open it in a new browser window / tab.Looking at the Raws produced by the X-M5, it produces relatively detailed images, though most of its competitors capture slightly more detail despite having similar-resolution sensors. Some of that is likely because Adobe Camera Raw doesn't get the best from Fujifilm's proprietary 'X-Trans' color filter design, which helps prevent some of the false color that some of its competitors produce in areas of fine detail.
At higher ISOs, it tends to produce slightly less noise than its competitors, though by the top of the range, it has roughly the same level of noise.
As for its JPEG performance, the X-M5's sharpening at base ISO isn't quite as strong as Sony's or Canon's when it comes to making fine details pop. That trend continues into higher ISOs, where its noise reduction does a decent job at smoothing out noise but can't quite keep the finer details that its competitors can.
ColorsThe Velvia Film Simulation can be a bit heavy-handed for some people's tastes, but others like it.
Out of Camera JPEG
ISO 160 | 1/2700 sec | F2.8 | Fujifilm XF 27mmF2.8
One of the X-M5's main features is its 'Film Simulation' dial, which lets you quickly change the color mode for your JPEGs. The standard profile produces Fujifilm's typically pleasing colors, but if you want a more noticeably retro aesthetic, profiles like Classic Chrome or Nostaglic Negative are right at your fingertips.
Image Comparison SliderThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Please open this article's permalink in a browser to view this content. Dynamic RangeThe X-M5's dynamic range performance is similar to that of its competitors, which means it will handle most scenarios with bright lights and darker shadows reasonably well. However, you'll need to either adjust your exposure and work on the Raw files or use one of the camera's DR modes to get the most out of it.
It has Fujifilm's Dynamic Range modes that give you the option of capturing one or two extra stops of highlight information in high-contrast scenes. This can require an exposure reduction in bright scenes, which increases the noisiness of the image but provides a relatively simple way to get an out-of-camera JPEG without blown-out highlights.
ISO Invariance | Exposure Latitude
AutofocusThe X-M5's autofocus system is similar to the ones found on Fujifilm's higher-end cameras, such as the X-T50. It lets you choose anything from a fine AF point up to selecting the whole image area, which lets the camera select a subject. In continuous AF mode, there's also a 'Tracking' option that follows whatever is under the AF target when you half-press the shutter. You can use the joystick or the touchscreen to select a focus point.
It has AI-derived subject recognition, letting it recognize human faces / eyes, animals, birds, cars, motorcycles / bikes, airplanes and trains while taking pictures or videos.
The human settings are separate from the other subject detection modes, so switching between them can be a slight hassle since they're two separate menu items rather than humans being listed as one of the subject types.
Face and eye detection settings are in a separate menu.The subject recognition system works with the different focus point selection modes. For example, if you use a single point and have the camera set to recognize birds, it'll look for any birds around your chosen point. In our testing, the camera wasn't overly aggressive in focusing on a recognized subject; if we had facial recognition on and a human was somewhere in the frame, we could still focus on something else without the X-M5 fighting to focus on the face.
The X-M5 performed well in our basic autofocus test, which involves putting a single AF point on a subject and having the subject approach the camera at a consistent speed. A few photos throughout our three runs came out soft, but it got focus right on the vast majority.
Our autofocus tracking test is more complicated and requires the camera to follow a subject that's moving around the frame and approaching at a variable speed. Using basic tracking with no subject detection, the X-M5 struggled; it would consistently lose track of the subject the second or third time it slowed down and couldn't pick it back up.
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Switching to face detection yielded far better results, as the X-M5 was able to keep its focus point on the subject throughout the entire run. However, while the camera managed to keep track of the correct subject, it wasn't able to assess and respond to the changes in approach speed, meaning a handful of shots focused at the wrong distance.
At this point, it's clear that Fujifilm's tracking system is a fair bit behind the offerings of competitors like Nikon, Canon, and Sony, both in terms of the stickiness of general AF tracking and in terms of judging subject distance and keeping the subject in focus. While testing the X-M5, we also encountered a few situations where it would hunt back and forth for focus before eventually settling on the subject. This was more prevalent in low-light situations but would occasionally happen in daylight.
VideoThe X-M5 has a range of video modes, including UHD and DCI 4K at up to 60fps, 1080p at up to 240fps, and a 6240 x 4160 '6K' open-gate mode that lets you shoot full-sensor video at up to 30fps that can be cropped later, allowing a horizontal and vertical crop from the same footage, for instance.
Several video modes on the X-M5 require the camera to crop in, making the frame tighter, and turning on electronic image stabilization adds a further crop on top of those, though the amount will depend on your resolution and framerate. The UI makes it clear whenever you're shooting with a crop.
You don't have to change to video-appropriate settings when you switch modesThe camera also keeps your photo and movie settings largely separate; the white balance, exposure settings, and subject detection mode you pick in photo modes won't carry over to video mode, so you don't have to worry about quickly changing to a video-appropriate shutter speed every time you switch between modes. By default, the Film Simulation dial setting will carry over between photo and video modes, though you can prevent that by turning on Movie Optimized Control, an on-screen interface that lets you control your color mode and other video settings using the touchscreen when in video mode.
Despite being an entry-level camera, the X-M5 has several advanced video features. Open-gate video could be counted among them, since it generally needs to be edited before you can share it, which Fujifilm doesn't let you do within its app. You can also shoot in F-Log if you want flexibility to adjust color and contrast in post, and the camera supports 1/48 and 1/96 shutter speeds, which are perfect matches for shooting at 24fps. You can also use its autofocus illuminator as a front tally light to make clear when you're recording, and it even supports Tascam's XLR adapter for connecting professional-grade microphones, along with support for recording four-channel audio.
Video Performance Image ComparisonThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Click here to open it in a new browser window / tab.The X-M5's 4K video is relatively detailed, even managing to be just about as clean as other cameras' 'HQ' modes, which downsample their 4K video from higher-resolution capture, often at the cost of higher heat output or cropping.
Shooting above 30fps in 4K will result in some loss in quality, though switching to 4K LP mode doesn't seem to impact much, beyond the crop. Using the lower-bitrate modes can introduce some artifacts and loss of detail, but given that it's intended for social media that likely would've happened anyways after your file goes through a site's compression algorithm.
Rolling shutterIf you shoot fast-moving subjects with the X-M5 or move the camera quickly, there's a good chance you'll run into issues with rolling shutter, where the video gets a jello-like skewing effect.
Shooting mode Crop Rolling shutter rate 6K open-gate Full-width (3:2) 24ms 4K/24p Full-width (16:9) 21ms 4K/60p 1.18x 16ms 4K/24p LP 1.18x 16ms 1080p/24p Full-width (16:9) 13msGenerally, we'd consider 24ms of rolling shutter to be somewhat poor and 21ms to be at the very limit of what we'd consider acceptable. Fujifilm says its digital image stabilization helps correct rolling shutter, and our tests showed that it appeared to be applying some compensation, it also uses a smaller portion of the sensor, which helps further reduce rolling shutter a little.
OverheatingThe X-M5's relatively compact form factor makes it seem like it'd overheat easily, and the included LP modes imply that Fujifilm was at least worried enough about it that it wanted to include a workaround for shooting in extreme conditions. However, you may not have to worry about it much in everyday use, especially if you're mainly shooting indoors or in the shade; we tested the camera by shooting its full 4K UHD mode – not the cropped LP mode – and were able to get over an hour over continuous recording in ambient temperatures of around 24°C (76°F).
Vlogging FeaturesThe X-M5 has a Vlog setting on its mode dial, which gives you access to the special vlogging UI. To illustrate how it performs as a vlogging camera, we've produced a short vlog with it.
ConclusionBy Mitchell Clark
Pros ConsIf you're looking for a camera to take pictures and videos for social media, the X-M5 is, at the very least, worth your consideration. The Film Simulation dial makes it exceedingly easy to control Fujifilm's famous color modes, so you can pick the right one for your post, and the camera's design makes it relatively easy to control basic photo settings once you've got the hang of it.
That design is also attractive, which is important if you're going to be carrying it around all day and if people are potentially going to be taking pictures of you while you're holding it. Thankfully, it's not much of a chore to take it with you since it's relatively compact and lightweight, depending on what lens you have attached.
Of course, it doesn't matter how easy it is to tote a camera around if it doesn't actually outperform your phone when it comes to taking pictures. Thankfully, the X-M5's image quality is good enough to justify its place, and its surprisingly capable video modes make it relatively easy to get professional-looking results.
The big downside is its autofocusThe big downside – the one that earns it a Silver award instead of a Gold – is its autofocus. On a camera like this, you want it to be simple, effective and reliable, and it doesn't always nail all those points in the way its competitors can. While its subject detection works well, it can struggle to predict where to focus, an issue you might struggle to work around if you're not familiar with techniques like pre-focusing or zone focusing.
There are other quibbles, too. At this price point, most of its peers have a viewfinder, which some people will miss, and transferring photos to your phone can take a while which is unfortunate given that this camera is so focused on creators and social media.
Despite those complaints, the X-M5 can still be a joy to use after you've learned to work with it, and it has enough capabilities to grow with you as a photographer. While there are other sub-$1,000 cameras worth considering, it's an easy camera to recommend to those looking for what it offers.
ScoringScoring is relative only to the other cameras in the same category. Click here to learn about what these numbers mean.
Fujifilm X-M5Category: Entry Level Interchangeable Lens Camera / DSLRBuild qualityErgonomics & handlingFeaturesMetering & focus accuracyImage quality (raw)Image quality (jpeg)Low light / high ISO performanceViewfinder / screen ratingOpticsPerformanceMovie / video modeConnectivityValuePoorExcellentConclusionThe X-M5 nails most of the basics for taking photos and videos, especially for beginners.Good forBeginner photographers and fans of the 'GramNot so good forShooting fast-moving subjects or in bright light84%Overall scoreRegularScoreCompareWidget({"mainElementId":"scoringWidget","mainProduct":"fujifilm_xm5","scoringSchema":{"id":"SLRs","variables":[{"id":"BuildQuality"},{"id":"ErgonomicsAndHandling"},{"id":"Features"},{"id":"MeteringAndFocusAccuracy"},{"id":"QualityRaw"},{"id":"QualityJpeg"},{"id":"LowLightHighISO"},{"id":"ViewfinderScreenRating"},{"id":"Optics"},{"id":"Performance"},{"id":"Movie"},{"id":"Connectivity"},{"id":"Value"}],"categories":[{"id":"EntryLevel","label":"Entry Level Interchangeable Lens Camera / DSLR","shortLabel":"Entry Level"},{"id":"MidRange","label":"Mid Range Interchangeable Lens Camera / DSLR","shortLabel":"Mid Level"},{"id":"EntryLevelFullFrame","label":"Entry Level Full Frame Camera","shortLabel":"Entry Level Full Frame"},{"id":"MidRangeFullFrame","label":"Mid Range Full Frame Camera","shortLabel":"Mid Range Full Frame"},{"id":"SemiProfessional","label":"Semi-professional Interchangeable Lens Camera / DSLR","shortLabel":"Semi-professional"},{"id":"SemiProfessionalFullFrame","label":"Semi-professional Full Frame Camera","shortLabel":"Semi-professional Full Frame"},{"id":"Professional","label":" Professional Interchangeable Lens Camera / DSLR","shortLabel":"Professional"},{"id":"LargeSensorCompactEntry","label":"Entry Level Large Sensor Compact Camera","shortLabel":"Entry Level Large Sensor Compact"},{"id":"LargeSensorCompactEnthusiast","label":"Enthusiast Large Sensor Compact Camera","shortLabel":"Enthusiast Large Sensor Compact"},{"id":"VideoCamera","label":"Video Camera","shortLabel":"Video Camera"}]},"helpText":"Choose one or more cameras from the drop-down menu, then roll your mouse over the names to see how their scores compare to the camera on review."}) Compared to its peersThe Sony ZV-E10 II is a video camera that can also take pictures, whereas the X-M5 is a stills camera that can also do video. Sony's vlogging camera has a large record button front-and-center, a zoom toggle for powered lenses around its shutter button, and comes standard with a windscreen for its capsule microphone. Meanwhile, the X-M5 has a mechanical shutter and twin top-plate control dials. The Sony will have more reliable autofocus tracking, though it can't detect as many subjects as Fujifilm's system – vehicles are a notable absence. Its design is also much more utilitarian and not as pocketable.
Sony's a6100, meanwhile, is decent for photos with its inclusion of a mechanical shutter and an EVF. Its video modes are no match for the X-M5's, though – it can't shoot the easy-to-edit 10-bit video, doesn't have a headphone port and has a substantial crop when shooting anything above 4K 24p. It also has a tilting screen instead of a fully articulating one, making it worse for vlogging.
Fujifilm's X-T30 II is designed around photography fundamentals. It has an EVF, built-in flash and dedicated dials for exposure compensation, shutter speed, and drive mode, though not for Film Simulations. Its video specs aren't as capable, and its battery likely won't last as long, though its biggest weakness compared to the X-M5 is its older processor, which doesn't support the AI-derived subject detection modes. It does still support face and eye detection for humans, but that's it.
The Canon EOS R50 fares very similarly upon comparison; it, too, has an EVF and pop-up flash, but is larger and only has a single control dial. Its video also can't quite live up to the standard of the X-M5's, as it can't shoot 4K 60p at all, and while the APS-C lens selection for RF mount has improved since we originally reviewed the EOS R50, it's still substantially better on Fujifilm's system.
While the Nikon Z50 II hadn't been announced when we initially reviewed the X-M5, it's an obvious competitor – it, too, has a focus on color modes, with Nikon adding a direct control for them to the body. While we haven't fully tested the Z50 II, we expect its autofocus performance to be a cut above Fujifilm's, though there are substantially more APS-C-appropriate lenses available for X-mount compared to Z-mount.
Buy now:
$899 w/ 15-45 at Amazon.com$799 at Adorama$799 at B&H Photo Sample Gallery Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Click here to open it in a new browser window / tab. Pre-Production Sample Gallery Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Click here to open it in a new browser window / tab.The Fujifilm X-M5 is the company's latest APS-C mirrorless camera and comes in as the lowest-end entry in its current lineup. It uses the company's last-generation 26MP X-Trans sensor, the same one found in cameras like the X-T4 and X-100V, but comes equipped with its latest processor, giving it access to Fujifilm's AI-powered subject detection autofocus.
Key features:The X-M5 is available in silver at a body-only price of $799. A black version is coming in April 2025. Fujifilm is also selling a kit with the X-M5 and its XC15-45mmF3.5-5.6 OIS PZ lens for $899. Optically, it's not our favorite lens, but its size and price make it an obvious pairing with this camera.
Buy now:
$999 at Amazon.com Index:The X-M5 is a return to a relatively old form factor, as the last time we saw a camera with the X-M label was the X-M1 from 2013, the third camera to feature the then-new X-mount, though the X-A series carried on until much more recently. It's broadly made up of parts we've seen before, put together with a few new tricks.
A tiny designThe X-M5 is very lightweight and compact – even with the power zoom kit lens attached, it comes in under 500g (17.6oz) and is small enough to fit in a small bag or jacket pockets. Anyone who buys one will be hard-pressed to come up with an excuse not to take it with them when they leave the house.
It also helps that, subjectively, it's a very good-looking camera; Fujifilm's retro aesthetic with modern functionality continues to serve it well. More on that later.
The camera also features the film simulation dial found on the X-T50, which lets users play around with Fujifilm's color profiles to get the look they want without requiring them to dive into the menu. It may seem like a small thing given that Film Simulations have long been one of Fujifilm's main selling points, but putting them front and center like this strongly encourages people to experiment with them, even if they're averse to spending too much time in the menus.
4K LP videoThe Fujifilm X-M5 has 4K and 1080p 'Long Play' modes that crop in on the sensor, letting you record for longer before the camera overheats. The 4K LP mode has a 1.18x crop and is available in 23.98p, 24p, 25p, and 30p. The FHD LP mode, meanwhile, is only available in 50p and 60p and comes with a 1.29x crop. The company says you can record for over an hour at 4K when using the LP mode in temperatures of 25°C (77°F) and around 20 minutes at 40°C (104°F).
The X-M5 also has two new low-bitrate options, letting you capture footage at 25Mbps and 8Mbps. This lets you sacrifice image quality for small file sizes in scenarios when you want to get footage out quickly and will only be using it on social media, where it'll already be heavily compressed.
If you want to shoot with heavier codecs, the X-M5 is compatible with Fujifilm's optional cooling fan, which can help extend record times without using the LP modes and the cropping and loss of quality that come with them.
Three-microphone systemFujifilm has added an extra microphone to the camera to help distinguish between the audio you're trying to capture and ambient noise. Its UI lets you select whether you want it to let everything in, focus on audio from in front of the camera, behind the camera, or both. The last option could be useful if you're filming someone and talking to them from behind the camera.
The company also says the camera has improved wind reduction and added a new "Steady-State noise reduction" mode meant to make constant noises like air conditioners less noticeable.
If you'd rather plug in an external microphone, the X-M5 has cleverly placed the 3.5mm mic jack on the back of the camera, so the plug and cable won't block the screen when you're vlogging with it. The jack's cover is connected to the camera's body, so you don't have to keep track of a tiny piece of rubber when you're on the go.
Updated vlogging UIVlog mode isn't entirely new to Fujifilm's lineup: it appeared on the X-S20 as well, but the company has updated it for the X-M5, making it even easier to control the most important settings via the touchscreen.
Vlog mode has its own UI separate from the standard video recording interface. When you've selected Vlog on the control dial, the camera puts relatively large buttons on the touchscreen that allow you to control focus, access playback mode and start and stop recording.
The vlog mode UI has a clean layout with easy-to-press buttons for the most important functions.There's also a menu button that brings up controls for other settings, letting you control eye autofocus, electronic image stabilization, 'Portrait Enhancer' mode, background defocus mode, product priority mode, and more without flipping the camera around.
Pressing the Menu button gives you access to most of the options you'd need to control while vlogging. From left to right:
Top: Shooting mode, focus mode, image stabilization mode, Face/Eye Detection setting, Portrait enhancer
Bottom: Background defocus mode, Product priority mode, high-speed recording, self-timer, 9:16 short movie mode
While you'll still have to use the physical buttons on the back of the camera to change things like which codec, bitrate, or resolution you're recording in, vlog mode does a good job of putting most of the controls you'll need on the touchscreen without being overwhelming to newcomers.
9:16 short video modeThe camera also gains a 9:16 short video mode, which records vertical video by taking a 1080 x 1920 crop from the middle of the frame, rather than requiring you to physically turn the camera into portrait orientation. When you're shooting in this mode, the display will show you the full 16:9 image but darkens the frame outside what's being recorded. You can choose whether you want your clip to be 15, 30, or 60 seconds long.
9:16 short video mode shows you the entire preview, which could help if you want to move the camera while recording.The resulting videos will be small and quick to transfer to your phone for posting; by default the camera records them at an 8Mbps bitrate, though you can bump this up to 25Mbps. These bitrates, new for the X-M5, are also available across the camera's other video modes as well. File sizes will vary depending on what you're filming, but you can expect 60 second second clips shot at 8Mbps to usually be under 100 megabytes, or under 250MB if you shoot at 25Mbps.
The 15, 30 and 60-second record limits are upper boundaries, but you can stop recording before you hit the time limit; it's easy to imagine a worse version of this mode locking up your camera until the timer hits zero. If you want to record for longer than 60 seconds, you'll have to dig into the menus to switch to the 9:16 resolution mode, which also gives you control over codec and bitrate.
USB-to-smartphone transferFujiifilm also says you'll be able to use XApp transfer files from the X-M5 to your phone using a USB cable, which should be appreciably faster and more reliable than Wi-Fi. That's especially true given that the camera only supports an older Wi-Fi standard, not the faster 5Ghz standard.
In our tests, transferring a two-minute 4K video took around 28 seconds using a USB 4 cable and 11 minutes and 14 seconds using the camera's built-in Wi-Fi, so if you're someone who wants to capture something and post it right away, you'll definitely want to keep a cable within reach. That may be slightly annoying if you have an older iPhone, as you'll need a slightly more specialized USB-C to Lightning cable, but that should be less of a problem in the future as more and more people upgrade to phones with USB-C.
How it comparesThe X-M5 is far from the first small interchangeable lens camera pitched as a hybrid vlogging and photography tool.
This time, Fujifilm is using size, price, and convenience to make its offering more appealing to people who are used to shooting on their phones. While it's certainly bigger than a modern smartphone, it costs about as much as buying the latest iPhone outright, even with the kit lens, and its litany of vlogging features should make it easier to get professional-looking video.
Fujifilm's also leaning on design; it's a safe bet that many creators know what its cameras look like now, ever since the X100V went viral. From its film simulation dial to the mic jack that's apparently inspired by the look of tiny viewfinders on vintage cameras, the X-M5's design screams, "this is a camera you want to be seen with."
Fujifilm X-M5 Sony ZV-E10 II Sony a6100 Canon EOS R50 Fujifilm X-T30 II MSRP $799, $899 with 15-45mm $999, $1099 w/ 16-50mm OSS II $750, $850 w/ 16-50mm $679, $799 with 18-45mm $899, $999 with 15-45mm Pixel count 26 MP 26 MP 24 MP 24 MP 26 MP Mech shutter Yes No Yes Yes Yes Top plate command dials 2 1 1 1 2 Max burst rate8 fps (mechanical)
30 fps (e-shutter)
11 fps 11 fps12 fps
15 fps (elec)
8 fps (mechanical)
30 fps (e-shutter)
Rear screen 1.04M-dot fully articulated 1.04M dots fully articulated 921K dots tilting 1.62M dots fully articulated 1.04M dot fully articulated EVF No No 1.44M dots, 0.71x magnification 2.36M dots, 0.59x magnification 2.36M dots, 0.62x magnification Video capabilitiesThe Sony ZV-E10 II is the most similar competitor to the X-M5. It, too, features a three-capsule microphone (though it comes with a handy wind cover for it), has background defocus and product showcase modes, and a microphone and headphone jack. It's arguably even more focused on video, with 10-bit internal recording and 4K/60p recording – though that focus comes at a cost for photography, as it lacks an EVF, just like the X-M5. Fujifilm's offering does at least include a mechanical shutter. Sony's autofocus tracking is also substantially stickier, especially in video.
Sony's a6100 can't quite match the X-M5's video specs, given its lack of a headphone port, 8-bit video, and crop in 4K/30p mode. However, its EVF will make it more enticing to people who want photography capabilities first and video second.
It's much the same story with the Fujifilm X-T30 II and the Canon EOS R50, though the latter distinguishes itself by being notably cheaper than the rest of the cameras in this lineup and by having the nicest display.
Body and handlingThe X-M5 is a very compact camera; compared to the Sony ZV-E10 II, it feels smaller than the minor differences in its dimensions would suggest. Part of that can likely be chalked up to its much shallower grip, but what's there is confidence-inspiring, especially when using the relatively small lenses that most people will likely pair with this camera.
While the camera is almost entirely plastic, it doesn't feel especially cheap. There are no creaks or squeaks when you're using it, the buttons are satisfyingly clicky, and the dials and hinges are reassuringly stiff.
Another nice touch is the inclusion of two top-plate command dials, which let you easily adjust your exposure settings without having to change your grip on the camera or switch to using the touchscreen. Of course, the target audience of vloggers and beginners may not be in the habit of manually adjusting exposure parameters, but it offers those users some room to grow.
You need good aim to hit the Q button.The Q button is less ideal. It's recessed and on the top of the camera rather than the back, which makes it a little difficult to access, especially when you're trying to change settings quickly. Also not helping matters are its small size and the fact that it's nestled between two large dials.
Given how many video features the camera has, it's also a bit disappointing that the slower UHS-I SD card slot is in the battery compartment on the bottom, which could make it difficult if you have a tripod plate installed. It's understandable why it isn't on the sides, which are mostly taken up by the headphone jack, USB-C port and micro-HDMI connecter, but it'll likely be a friction point for some users.
The camera doesn't have a D-pad. You can set focus with the touchscreen or joystick, and use swipes on the touchscreen to bring up menus of your choosing.The camera also gives you plenty of room for customization via the four 'C' settings on the mode selector dial. For example, you could set C1 up to use eye detection, C2 to be another subject detection mode, and C3 to be standard autofocus, letting you easily switch between them without ever touching the menu. You can also choose whether each custom slot will be a photo or video mode.
On the opposite side of the spectrum is the Auto mode, which gives the camera almost full control, while letting you make a few modifications to its choices if you see fit. it's a good inclusion for beginners new to the world of dedicated cameras, and doesn't restrict you from shooting Raw, in case you want to also learn how to make substantial edits to your photos.
The camera also has a likely less useful 'Filter' mode, which engages the camera's selectable Instagram-style filters to change the colors and add various effects such as vignetting. Anyone wanting to play around with the look of their image should probably reach for the Film Simulation dial instead, as its adjustments to your image's color and tone are generally more subtle and pleasing.
The mode dial also lets you switch the camera into video mode and vlog mode, which are two separate beasts. We've already covered the vlog-specific UI, but it's also worth noting that vlog mode and movie mode have separate settings, letting you quickly switch between entirely different modes of shooting.
BatteryThe X-M5 uses Fujifilm's 8.7 Wh NP-W126s battery, which has been around since the days of the original X-M1 and persists in modern cameras like the X-T50 – Fujifilm's higher-end, physically larger cameras have moved on to a new, higher-capacity model. It's rated to last around 330 shots or 440 if you're using eco mode. That'll likely be good for a day or so of shooting or a weekend of sporadic photography, though it's far from one of the best batteries in its class.
The camera has a USB-C port, which it can charge with even while in use.
Image QualityOur test scene is designed to simulate a variety of textures, colors, and detail types you'll encounter in the real world. It also has two illumination modes, full even light and low directional light, to see the effect of different lighting conditions.
Image ComparisonThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Click here to open it in a new browser window / tab.Looking at the Raws produced by the X-M5, it produces relatively detailed images, though most of its competitors capture slightly more detail despite having similar-resolution sensors. Some of that is likely because Adobe Camera Raw doesn't get the best from Fujifilm's proprietary 'X-Trans' color filter design, which helps prevent some of the false color that some of its competitors produce in areas of fine detail.
At higher ISOs, it tends to produce slightly less noise than its competitors, though by the top of the range, it has roughly the same level of noise.
As for its JPEG performance, the X-M5's sharpening at base ISO isn't quite as strong as Sony's or Canon's when it comes to making fine details pop. That trend continues into higher ISOs, where its noise reduction does a decent job at smoothing out noise but can't quite keep the finer details that its competitors can.
ColorsThe Velvia Film Simulation can be a bit heavy-handed for some people's tastes, but others like it.
Out of Camera JPEG
ISO 160 | 1/2700 sec | F2.8 | Fujifilm XF 27mmF2.8
One of the X-M5's main features is its 'Film Simulation' dial, which lets you quickly change the color mode for your JPEGs. The standard profile produces Fujifilm's typically pleasing colors, but if you want a more noticeably retro aesthetic, profiles like Classic Chrome or Nostaglic Negative are right at your fingertips.
Image Comparison SliderThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Please open this article's permalink in a browser to view this content. Dynamic RangeThe X-M5's dynamic range performance is similar to that of its competitors, which means it will handle most scenarios with bright lights and darker shadows reasonably well. However, you'll need to either adjust your exposure and work on the Raw files or use one of the camera's DR modes to get the most out of it.
It has Fujifilm's Dynamic Range modes that give you the option of capturing one or two extra stops of highlight information in high-contrast scenes. This can require an exposure reduction in bright scenes, which increases the noisiness of the image but provides a relatively simple way to get an out-of-camera JPEG without blown-out highlights.
ISO Invariance | Exposure Latitude
AutofocusThe X-M5's autofocus system is similar to the ones found on Fujifilm's higher-end cameras, such as the X-T50. It lets you choose anything from a fine AF point up to selecting the whole image area, which lets the camera select a subject. In continuous AF mode, there's also a 'Tracking' option that follows whatever is under the AF target when you half-press the shutter. You can use the joystick or the touchscreen to select a focus point.
It has AI-derived subject recognition, letting it recognize human faces / eyes, animals, birds, cars, motorcycles / bikes, airplanes and trains while taking pictures or videos.
The human settings are separate from the other subject detection modes, so switching between them can be a slight hassle since they're two separate menu items rather than humans being listed as one of the subject types.
Face and eye detection settings are in a separate menu.The subject recognition system works with the different focus point selection modes. For example, if you use a single point and have the camera set to recognize birds, it'll look for any birds around your chosen point. In our testing, the camera wasn't overly aggressive in focusing on a recognized subject; if we had facial recognition on and a human was somewhere in the frame, we could still focus on something else without the X-M5 fighting to focus on the face.
The X-M5 performed well in our basic autofocus test, which involves putting a single AF point on a subject and having the subject approach the camera at a consistent speed. A few photos throughout our three runs came out soft, but it got focus right on the vast majority.
Our autofocus tracking test is more complicated and requires the camera to follow a subject that's moving around the frame and approaching at a variable speed. Using basic tracking with no subject detection, the X-M5 struggled; it would consistently lose track of the subject the second or third time it slowed down and couldn't pick it back up.
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Switching to face detection yielded far better results, as the X-M5 was able to keep its focus point on the subject throughout the entire run. However, while the camera managed to keep track of the correct subject, it wasn't able to assess and respond to the changes in approach speed, meaning a handful of shots focused at the wrong distance.
At this point, it's clear that Fujifilm's tracking system is a fair bit behind the offerings of competitors like Nikon, Canon, and Sony, both in terms of the stickiness of general AF tracking and in terms of judging subject distance and keeping the subject in focus. While testing the X-M5, we also encountered a few situations where it would hunt back and forth for focus before eventually settling on the subject. This was more prevalent in low-light situations but would occasionally happen in daylight.
VideoThe X-M5 has a range of video modes, including UHD and DCI 4K at up to 60fps, 1080p at up to 240fps, and a 6240 x 4160 '6K' open-gate mode that lets you shoot full-sensor video at up to 30fps that can be cropped later, allowing a horizontal and vertical crop from the same footage, for instance.
Several video modes on the X-M5 require the camera to crop in, making the frame tighter, and turning on electronic image stabilization adds a further crop on top of those, though the amount will depend on your resolution and framerate. The UI makes it clear whenever you're shooting with a crop.
You don't have to change to video-appropriate settings when you switch modesThe camera also keeps your photo and movie settings largely separate; the white balance, exposure settings, and subject detection mode you pick in photo modes won't carry over to video mode, so you don't have to worry about quickly changing to a video-appropriate shutter speed every time you switch between modes. By default, the Film Simulation dial setting will carry over between photo and video modes, though you can prevent that by turning on Movie Optimized Control, an on-screen interface that lets you control your color mode and other video settings using the touchscreen when in video mode.
Despite being an entry-level camera, the X-M5 has several advanced video features. Open-gate video could be counted among them, since it generally needs to be edited before you can share it, which Fujifilm doesn't let you do within its app. You can also shoot in F-Log if you want flexibility to adjust color and contrast in post, and the camera supports 1/48 and 1/96 shutter speeds, which are perfect matches for shooting at 24fps. You can also use its autofocus illuminator as a front tally light to make clear when you're recording, and it even supports Tascam's XLR adapter for connecting professional-grade microphones, along with support for recording four-channel audio.
Video Performance Image ComparisonThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Click here to open it in a new browser window / tab.The X-M5's 4K video is relatively detailed, even managing to be just about as clean as other cameras' 'HQ' modes, which downsample their 4K video from higher-resolution capture, often at the cost of higher heat output or cropping.
Shooting above 30fps in 4K will result in some loss in quality, though switching to 4K LP mode doesn't seem to impact much, beyond the crop. Using the lower-bitrate modes can introduce some artifacts and loss of detail, but given that it's intended for social media that likely would've happened anyways after your file goes through a site's compression algorithm.
Rolling shutterIf you shoot fast-moving subjects with the X-M5 or move the camera quickly, there's a good chance you'll run into issues with rolling shutter, where the video gets a jello-like skewing effect.
Shooting mode Crop Rolling shutter rate 6K open-gate Full-width (3:2) 24ms 4K/24p Full-width (16:9) 21ms 4K/60p 1.18x 16ms 4K/24p LP 1.18x 16ms 1080p/24p Full-width (16:9) 13msGenerally, we'd consider 24ms of rolling shutter to be somewhat poor and 21ms to be at the very limit of what we'd consider acceptable. Fujifilm says its digital image stabilization helps correct rolling shutter, and our tests showed that it appeared to be applying some compensation, it also uses a smaller portion of the sensor, which helps further reduce rolling shutter a little.
OverheatingThe X-M5's relatively compact form factor makes it seem like it'd overheat easily, and the included LP modes imply that Fujifilm was at least worried enough about it that it wanted to include a workaround for shooting in extreme conditions. However, you may not have to worry about it much in everyday use, especially if you're mainly shooting indoors or in the shade; we tested the camera by shooting its full 4K UHD mode – not the cropped LP mode – and were able to get over an hour over continuous recording in ambient temperatures of around 24°C (76°F).
Vlogging FeaturesThe X-M5 has a Vlog setting on its mode dial, which gives you access to the special vlogging UI. To illustrate how it performs as a vlogging camera, we've produced a short vlog with it.
ConclusionBy Mitchell Clark
Pros ConsIf you're looking for a camera to take pictures and videos for social media, the X-M5 is, at the very least, worth your consideration. The Film Simulation dial makes it exceedingly easy to control Fujifilm's famous color modes, so you can pick the right one for your post, and the camera's design makes it relatively easy to control basic photo settings once you've got the hang of it.
That design is also attractive, which is important if you're going to be carrying it around all day and if people are potentially going to be taking pictures of you while you're holding it. Thankfully, it's not much of a chore to take it with you since it's relatively compact and lightweight, depending on what lens you have attached.
Of course, it doesn't matter how easy it is to tote a camera around if it doesn't actually outperform your phone when it comes to taking pictures. Thankfully, the X-M5's image quality is good enough to justify its place, and its surprisingly capable video modes make it relatively easy to get professional-looking results.
The big downside is its autofocusThe big downside – the one that earns it a Silver award instead of a Gold – is its autofocus. On a camera like this, you want it to be simple, effective and reliable, and it doesn't always nail all those points in the way its competitors can. While its subject detection works well, it can struggle to predict where to focus, an issue you might struggle to work around if you're not familiar with techniques like pre-focusing or zone focusing.
There are other quibbles, too. At this price point, most of its peers have a viewfinder, which some people will miss, and transferring photos to your phone can take a while which is unfortunate given that this camera is so focused on creators and social media.
Despite those complaints, the X-M5 can still be a joy to use after you've learned to work with it, and it has enough capabilities to grow with you as a photographer. While there are other sub-$1,000 cameras worth considering, it's an easy camera to recommend to those looking for what it offers.
ScoringScoring is relative only to the other cameras in the same category. Click here to learn about what these numbers mean.
Fujifilm X-M5Category: Entry Level Interchangeable Lens Camera / DSLRBuild qualityErgonomics & handlingFeaturesMetering & focus accuracyImage quality (raw)Image quality (jpeg)Low light / high ISO performanceViewfinder / screen ratingOpticsPerformanceMovie / video modeConnectivityValuePoorExcellentConclusionThe X-M5 nails most of the basics for taking photos and videos, especially for beginners.Good forBeginner photographers and fans of the 'GramNot so good forShooting fast-moving subjects or in bright light84%Overall scoreRegularScoreCompareWidget({"mainElementId":"scoringWidget","mainProduct":"fujifilm_xm5","scoringSchema":{"id":"SLRs","variables":[{"id":"BuildQuality"},{"id":"ErgonomicsAndHandling"},{"id":"Features"},{"id":"MeteringAndFocusAccuracy"},{"id":"QualityRaw"},{"id":"QualityJpeg"},{"id":"LowLightHighISO"},{"id":"ViewfinderScreenRating"},{"id":"Optics"},{"id":"Performance"},{"id":"Movie"},{"id":"Connectivity"},{"id":"Value"}],"categories":[{"id":"EntryLevel","label":"Entry Level Interchangeable Lens Camera / DSLR","shortLabel":"Entry Level"},{"id":"MidRange","label":"Mid Range Interchangeable Lens Camera / DSLR","shortLabel":"Mid Level"},{"id":"EntryLevelFullFrame","label":"Entry Level Full Frame Camera","shortLabel":"Entry Level Full Frame"},{"id":"MidRangeFullFrame","label":"Mid Range Full Frame Camera","shortLabel":"Mid Range Full Frame"},{"id":"SemiProfessional","label":"Semi-professional Interchangeable Lens Camera / DSLR","shortLabel":"Semi-professional"},{"id":"SemiProfessionalFullFrame","label":"Semi-professional Full Frame Camera","shortLabel":"Semi-professional Full Frame"},{"id":"Professional","label":" Professional Interchangeable Lens Camera / DSLR","shortLabel":"Professional"},{"id":"LargeSensorCompactEntry","label":"Entry Level Large Sensor Compact Camera","shortLabel":"Entry Level Large Sensor Compact"},{"id":"LargeSensorCompactEnthusiast","label":"Enthusiast Large Sensor Compact Camera","shortLabel":"Enthusiast Large Sensor Compact"},{"id":"VideoCamera","label":"Video Camera","shortLabel":"Video Camera"}]},"helpText":"Choose one or more cameras from the drop-down menu, then roll your mouse over the names to see how their scores compare to the camera on review."}) Compared to its peersThe Sony ZV-E10 II is a video camera that can also take pictures, whereas the X-M5 is a stills camera that can also do video. Sony's vlogging camera has a large record button front-and-center, a zoom toggle for powered lenses around its shutter button, and comes standard with a windscreen for its capsule microphone. Meanwhile, the X-M5 has a mechanical shutter and twin top-plate control dials. The Sony will have more reliable autofocus tracking, though it can't detect as many subjects as Fujifilm's system – vehicles are a notable absence. Its design is also much more utilitarian and not as pocketable.
Sony's a6100, meanwhile, is decent for photos with its inclusion of a mechanical shutter and an EVF. Its video modes are no match for the X-M5's, though – it can't shoot the easy-to-edit 10-bit video, doesn't have a headphone port and has a substantial crop when shooting anything above 4K 24p. It also has a tilting screen instead of a fully articulating one, making it worse for vlogging.
Fujifilm's X-T30 II is designed around photography fundamentals. It has an EVF, built-in flash and dedicated dials for exposure compensation, shutter speed, and drive mode, though not for Film Simulations. Its video specs aren't as capable, and its battery likely won't last as long, though its biggest weakness compared to the X-M5 is its older processor, which doesn't support the AI-derived subject detection modes. It does still support face and eye detection for humans, but that's it.
The Canon EOS R50 fares very similarly upon comparison; it, too, has an EVF and pop-up flash, but is larger and only has a single control dial. Its video also can't quite live up to the standard of the X-M5's, as it can't shoot 4K 60p at all, and while the APS-C lens selection for RF mount has improved since we originally reviewed the EOS R50, it's still substantially better on Fujifilm's system.
While the Nikon Z50 II hadn't been announced when we initially reviewed the X-M5, it's an obvious competitor – it, too, has a focus on color modes, with Nikon adding a direct control for them to the body. While we haven't fully tested the Z50 II, we expect its autofocus performance to be a cut above Fujifilm's, though there are substantially more APS-C-appropriate lenses available for X-mount compared to Z-mount.
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$999 at Amazon.com Sample Gallery Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Click here to open it in a new browser window / tab. Pre-Production Sample Gallery Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Click here to open it in a new browser window / tab.Leading 3D-printing firm Icon has revealed plans to create an ambitious new 3D-printed community for homeless people in Texas. The project will provide 100 safe and comfortable residences to those who need them most.
Category: Architecture, Lifestyle
Tags: 3D Printing, Building and Construction, House, Home
Kenyon climbing Bolt Gun, 5.11b – we thought we were setting the rope up on a much easier 5.10a.
Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 RF @ 18mm | F2.8 | 1/1000 sec | ISO 100
Photo: Mitchell Clark
As a new member of the DPReview team, I got a lot of chances to push my photography this year. Part of that involved finding a wide array of subjects to take pictures of while testing cameras and lenses; an essential process to make sure we really know the gear inside and out, and that we're not boring our readers – or ourselves – to death with the same old photos over and over.
I was assigned to take a sample gallery with the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 for Canon RF mount shortly before a weekend rock climbing trip I'd planned, so it seemed obvious that I should take the lens with me and try to get some interesting shots.
It wasn't exactly my first attempt at climbing photography: I've taken many pictures of friends climbing cool routes. However, they usually turn out rather uninspiring because I take them from the ground. My goal this time was to get an angle that actually captured the experience. If I could do that without dashing the camera and lens against the rock or falling to my death, all the better.
This was my first time rigging anything, so I went overkill on attaching myself to the wall: I clipped into a bolt with my personal anchor, clove-hitched into a quickdraw, and had my rope tied off to a tree.
Photo: Tom Steeber
While I had a blast getting set up and actually taking the pictures, I don't think Jimmy Chin has to start worrying about his job anytime soon. There are plenty of shots where either my hand or my foot snuck into frame, ruining what would otherwise be a good photo.
It can be difficult to judge your own work objectively. When choosing this picture – and the runners-up included in the gallery below – I often found myself wondering whether I liked a photo because it was actually good or if I just wanted to pick it because I had good memories surrounding it or had simply taken a photo of a cool thing that I like looking at.
Undoubtedly, the photo I've chosen for this article is a mix of all three to some extent – of course, I'm going to have fond memories of a weekend spent doing a hobby that I've replaced a large chunk of my personality with. However, I do think it stands up on its own, and I plan on doing more climbing photography in the future with the hopes of increasing the percentage of keepers.
And besides, if I were picking my favorite photo of the year based purely on what made me the happiest, you'd just be getting a gallery full of pictures of my cats.
I'm not joking.You can see a few more photos that I'm quite proud of from this year in the gallery below. If you want to play a fun game, make sure the details panel is collapsed and try to guess which two were taken with a cell phone instead of a full-fledged camera.
Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Click here to open it in a new browser window / tab.Kenyon climbing Bolt Gun, 5.11b – we thought we were setting the rope up on a much easier 5.10a.
Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 RF @ 18mm | F2.8 | 1/1000 sec | ISO 100
Photo: Mitchell Clark
As a new member of the DPReview team, I got a lot of chances to push my photography this year. Part of that involved finding a wide array of subjects to take pictures of while testing cameras and lenses; an essential process to make sure we really know the gear inside and out, and that we're not boring our readers – or ourselves – to death with the same old photos over and over.
I was assigned to take a sample gallery with the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 for Canon RF mount shortly before a weekend rock climbing trip I'd planned, so it seemed obvious that I should take the lens with me and try to get some interesting shots.
It wasn't exactly my first attempt at climbing photography: I've taken many pictures of friends climbing cool routes. However, they usually turn out rather uninspiring because I take them from the ground. My goal this time was to get an angle that actually captured the experience. If I could do that without dashing the camera and lens against the rock or falling to my death, all the better.
This was my first time rigging anything, so I went overkill on attaching myself to the wall: I clipped into a bolt with my personal anchor, clove-hitched into a quickdraw, and had my rope tied off to a tree.
Photo: Tom Steeber
While I had a blast getting set up and actually taking the pictures, I don't think Jimmy Chin has to start worrying about his job anytime soon. There are plenty of shots where either my hand or my foot snuck into frame, ruining what would otherwise be a good photo.
It can be difficult to judge your own work objectively. When choosing this picture – and the runners-up included in the gallery below – I often found myself wondering whether I liked a photo because it was actually good or if I just wanted to pick it because I had good memories surrounding it or had simply taken a photo of a cool thing that I like looking at.
Undoubtedly, the photo I've chosen for this article is a mix of all three to some extent – of course, I'm going to have fond memories of a weekend spent doing a hobby that I've replaced a large chunk of my personality with. However, I do think it stands up on its own, and I plan on doing more climbing photography in the future with the hopes of increasing the percentage of keepers.
And besides, if I were picking my favorite photo of the year based purely on what made me the happiest, you'd just be getting a gallery full of pictures of my cats.
I'm not joking.You can see a few more photos that I'm quite proud of from this year in the gallery below. If you want to play a fun game, make sure the details panel is collapsed and try to guess which two were taken with a cell phone instead of a full-fledged camera.
We're coming up on the end of the year, but are hard at work on getting a few more reviews done by 2025. In case you missed a thing or two here and there, here's a recap of the reviews and testing we've done this year so far!
December Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm F1.4: Sample GalleryNikon's latest F1.4 lens doesn't focus on clinical levels of sharpness like the F1.8 S models do, but instead has a bit of character. Whether you like that or not will depend a lot on your tastes, but hopefully our sample gallery will give you a good idea of what the images from it look like.
We also put it head-to-head with Nikon's DSLR-era 50mm F1.4G, which was its highest-end 50mm lens for a few years. The results were a bit surprising.
Click to see the sample gallery
Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD for RF: sample galleryThe Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 for APS-C bodies isn't a new lens, but the company recently made it available for Canon's RF mount, making it Tamron's first RF lens. We shot a sample gallery with it to see what Canon owners could expect from it.
Click to see the sample gallery
Fujifilm X-M5: Review Photo: Mitchell ClarkWe put Fujifilm's X-M5 through its paces to see how it performs as a stills and vlogging camera aimed towards beginner content creators.
You can also view the sample gallery we shot with the X-M5.
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$899 w/ 15-45 at Amazon.com$799 at Adorama$799 at B&H Photo November Nikon Z50II: Initial Review Photo: NikonThe Nikon Z50II is an update to 2019's Z50, adding Nikon's 3D Tracking autofocus, 4K 60p recording with a crop and a fully articulating touchscreen. It also adds a heavy focus on Nikon's 'Picture Control' color profiles; there's now a button dedicated to them, and you can add customized ones or pre-made ones from creators via Nikon's Imaging Cloud service.
Panasonic S9: Review Photo: Dale Baskin / Mitchell ClarkThe Panasonic S9 is a camera focused on creators who want the shorted path between shooting photos and videos and posting them to social media. We put it through its paces.
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$1799 w/ 18-40mm at Amazon.com$1498 at Adorama$1798 w/ 18-40mm at B&H Photo Sony a1 II: Initial ReviewPhoto: Mitchell Clark
The Sony a1 II is an update to the company's flagship camera aimed at professional photojournalists who need to capture high-resolution images of fast-moving subjects. The changes are relatively subtle – it uses the same sensor as its predecessor – but it comes with the company's latest industrial design and autofocusing system.
We were also able to use it to shoot part of a football game in New York City; you can see the photos in our sample gallery. It also made for a great initial impressions video, which you can watch below.
Sony 28-70mm F2 GM sample galleryWe got a bit of hands-on time with Sony's latest and brightest zoom lens, the 28-70mm F2 GM. We shot portraits with it on the High Line in New York City and took it to Florida, so there's plenty of variety there.
Click to see the Sample Gallery
October Sony ZV-E10 II: ReviewSony's ZV-E10 II is a stripped-down version of its APS-C flagship, the a6700, with a focus on vlogging. As such, our review mainly takes the form of a video, which you can watch above.
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$998 at Amazon.com$1098 w/ 16-50 at Adorama$1098 w/ 16-50 at B&H Photo Nikon Z6III: Review Photo: Richard ButlerThroughout our tests, the Nikon Z6III proved to be an incredibly capable camera at its price point. Its 24MP 'partially-stacked' sensor provided plenty of detail while also reading data out at a much higher speed, allowing for fast burst rates and video shooting with little risk of rolling shutter. We also appreciated its honed ergonomics and bright, high-resolution viewfinder.
Be sure to check out our Z6III sample gallery as well.
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$2496 at Amazon.com$2497 at Adorama$2497 at B&H Photo Panasonic 18-40mm F4.5-6.3: Sample gallery Photo: Mitchell ClarkPanasonic's 18-40mm F4.5-6.3 collapsable lens is meant to be an ultra-lightweight and compact companion to the company's S9 camera and is now being sold as a kit with the creator-focused offering.
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$499 at Amazon.com$499 at Adorama$497 at B&H Photo Fujifilm XF16-55mm F2.8 II: Sample gallery Photo: Richard ButlerAnother product Fujifilm launched in October was a second-generation of the company's 16-55mm F2.8 lens. It's essentially an APS-C version of the venerable 24-70, but unlike the first generation, the XF16-55mm F2.8 II is actually around 1/3 lighter than many of its full-frame counterparts. Its smaller size and weight convinced editor Richard Butler to take a preproduction copy with him on vacation to the UK, which gave him the opportunity to capture an incredible sample gallery.
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$1199 at Adorama$1199 at B&H Photo Lowepro Photo Sport 300 photo pack: Review Photo: Dale BaskinDPReview editor Dale Baskin has had the Lowepro Photo Sport 300 AW II for over 10 years and has put thousands of miles on the pack during his adventures across the planet. Given that it's still going strong and that you can still pick one up today, we decided it was time for a review.
September Google Pixel Pro 9 Fold: Sample gallery Photo: Mitchell ClarkGoogle's flagship folding phone uses a different camera setup than the regular Pixel 9 Pro, so we shot a separate gallery to get a feel for what kind of performance you can expect from a phone that costs $1,800. Our sample guide article also discusses the experience of shooting with a phone that has a foldable 8" screen.
Sigma 28-105mm F2.8 DG DN Art: Sample gallery Photo: Mitchell ClarkSigma's 28-105mm F2.8 DG DN Art is a lens for L-mount and Sony E-mount that's surprisingly compact given its focal range and maximum aperture. We got the chance to shoot with it on a holiday weekend at Glacier National Park.
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Buy at Amazon.com$1499 at Adorama$1499 at B&H Photo Hasselblad XCD 20-35mm F3.2-4.5 E: Sample gallery Photo: Dale BaskinAnother lens released in September was the Hasselblad XCD 20-35mm F3.2-4.5 E, an ultra-wide zoom lens for the company's medium-format cameras. Our sample gallery was shot in Washington, DC and Oregon, giving us an idea of how the lens performs when shooting architecture and landscapes.
Canon EOS R5 II: Review Photo: Richard ButlerCanon's EOS R5 II is the company's latest high-end, full-frame mirrorless camera with a Stacked CMOS sensor and many of the autofocus features of the company's new flagship R1 model. It's so feature-rich that, in some ways, it was a struggle to review it; it's a tool for so many different types of photographers that it was nearly impossible for us to put ourselves in all those shoes. However, it's still clear that the EOS R5 II is an extremely capable camera for most use cases.
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$4299 at Amazon.com$4299 at Adorama$4299 at B&H Photo Leica Q3 43: Review Photo: Richard ButlerThe Leica Q3 43 is essentially what it says on the tin: a Q3 with the 28mm fixed lens replaced by a 43mm one, giving the camera a 'normal' focal length that some photographers will find more pleasing. The built-in lens is almost shockingly sharp, and the package as a whole is an impressive and premium photographic tool – as you would hope, given the $6895 price tag.
You can also view our Q3 43 sample gallery.
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Buy at AdoramaBuy at B&H PhotoBuy at Leica August Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 II: Sample gallery Photo: Dale BaskinSigma announced the second generation of its 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN Art lens in May, and we were able to shoot with it on our trip to Japan. However, we wound up publishing our sample gallery in August, as we wanted to ensure that the sample we'd used was representative.
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$1199 at Adorama$1199 at B&H Photo Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL: Sample gallery Photo: Dale BaskinWe shot a sample gallery with Google's latest flagship smartphones, making sure to test out each of the three cameras, as well as the night mode. Spoiler alert: the gallery isn't the last time Glacier National Park will feature in one of our tests.
Fujifilm X-T50: Review Photo: Richard ButlerThe Fujifilm X-T50 is a classically-styled mid-level APS-C mirrorless camera that uses Fujifilm's stabilized 40MP X-Trans sensor. We found that it's an excellent choice for those looking to learn the art of photography, or who want to upgrade from a smartphone – as long as they have some cash to spare.
You can also browse the sample gallery we shot with a production model.
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$1399 at Amazon.com$1399 at Adorama$1399 at B&H Photo Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II: Sample gallery Photo: Dale BaskinThis summer, Sony released the second generation of its FE 85mm F1.4 GM lens, which weighs around 20% less than the first-generation model. We shot a sample gallery with it and were generally impressed with how sharp the results were.
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$1798 at Adorama$1798 at B&H Photo July Leica D-Lux 8: Initial review Photo: Richard ButlerThe Leica D-Lux 8 is an updated 17MP enthusiast zoom compact camera, with a switch dedicated to taking different crops of its Four Thirds-sized sensor. It definitely comes at a premium price, but it's also one of the last enthusiast compacts left on the market.
While writing our initial review, we also shot a sample gallery with it.
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$1595 at Adorama$1595 at B&H Photo Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN for Canon RF: Sample gallery Photo: Mitchell ClarkThe Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN itself isn't new this year, but the version for Canon's RF mount is. It fills a gap in the lineup of fast standard zooms that made sense for Canon APS-C cameras, making them a little easier to recommend.
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$479 at Amazon.com$599 RF at Adorama$599 RF at B&H Photo Canon EOS R1: Initial review Photo: Dale BaskinIn July, Canon announced the EOS R1, a new high-end sports and photojournalism camera and the company's first mirrorless camera to bear the 1-series label. It features a 24MP stacked full-frame sensor and can shoot up to 40fps in E-shutter mode.
While attending Canon's North American launch event for the EOS R1, we took a sample gallery using a preproduction model.
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Buy at AdoramaBuy at B&H Photo Canon EOS R5 II: Pre-production sample gallery Photo: Dale BaskinAlongside the EOS R1, Canon also announced the EOS R5 II, an update to its high-end, high-resolution hybrid camera. Like the EOS R1, it features sports-focused Action Priority autofocus modes, which is why the sample gallery we shot with a pre-production model features plenty of basketball pictures.
June Sigma 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN: Sample gallery Photo: Richard ButlerThe Sigma 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN is a wide-to-medium zoom lens for E-mount and L-mount cameras.
We were able to test it out throughout the UK, from downtown London to the serene countryside.
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$1349 at Adorama$1349 at B&H Photo Panasonic Lumix DC-GH7: Initial review Photo: Dale BaskinPanasonic's GH-line of Micro Four Thirds cameras has historically been focused on video shooters. While the GH7 is no exception, it also has a surprisingly complete suite of photography features.
In addition to our initial review, we also released an initial impressions video.
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$2197 at Amazon.com$2198 at Adorama$2198 at B&H Photo Nikon Z6III: First-look video and sample gallery Photo: Richard ButlerIn June Nikon announced the Z6III, a full-frame camera designed for hybrid shooters and featuring a 25MP 'partially-stacked' sensor. It can shoot Raw video internally, and has a higher-resolution sensor than its predecessor.
We shot a video breaking down what's new with the camera and a sample gallery with a preproduction model on a fairly typical spring day in Seattle.
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$2496 at Amazon.com$2497 at Adorama$2497 at B&H Photo Pentax 17: Review Photo: Dale BaskinThe Pentax 17 is perhaps an unusual product for DPReview to cover, given that it's a film camera. However, it was hard to pass up the opportunity to review the first new film camera we've seen from a major manufacturer in decades.
The Pentax 17 takes half-frame photos, letting you squeeze double the shots out of any given roll of film – a sign of the times in an age where film prices have only been going up.
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$499 at Amazon.com$499 at Adorama$499 at B&H Photo May Fujifilm X100VI: Review Photo: Richard ButlerThe Fujifilm X100VI is a photographers' fixed-lens camera that combines a stabilized 40MP APS-C sensor with a 35mm equivalent F2 lens.
We had plenty of good things to say about it when we published our in-depth review in May, but even months later, it's still not easy to buy one. Still, give the full review a read so you know whether you want to jump on the opportunity to get it if one ever shows up – or to just live vicariously through us.
Google Pixel 8a: Sample gallery Image: Mitchell ClarkJapan is one of our favorite places to shoot sample galleries, especially when it's raining. We got the opportunity to do one for Google's budget phone while visiting the country to cover the launch of the Panasonic S9.
Sigma 15mm F1.4 Diagonal Fisheye: Sample Gallery Photo: Jose Francisco SalgadoAfter Sigma's announcement of the astrophotography-focused 15mm F1.4 DG DN Art, we teamed up with photographer José Francisco Salgado to put it through its paces in the Canadian sub-arctic.
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$1959 at Amazon.comBuy at Adorama$1999 at B&H Photo Fujifilm XF16-50mm F2.8-4.8 R LM WR: Sample gallery Photo: Jeff CarlsonThe Fujinon XF16-50mm F2.8-4.8 R LM WR is Fujifilm's second-generation premium kit zoom, and we were able to take preproduction samples in Stockholm, Sweden.
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$699 at Amazon.com$699 at Adorama$699 at B&H Photo Sony a9 III: Review Photo: Richard ButlerThe Sony a9 III is the company's latest high-end sports/action photography camera, with a 24MP global shutter.
In our in-depth review, we found some image quality trade-offs, but in return, you get the ability to shoot at 120fps without fear of banding.
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$5998 at Amazon.com$5998 at Adorama$5998 at B&H Photo Fujifilm X-T50: First look video and preview samples Photo: Richard ButlerIn May, Fujifilm announced the X-T50, an APS-C camera aimed at beginners, featuring a dial dedicated to controlling the company's 'film simulation' color profiles. At launch, we published our initial review, first look video and a sample gallery taken with preproduction hardware.
April Panasonic S5II: Review Photo: Richard ButlerThe Panasonic S5II had the unfortunate luck of landing in our office right about the time we found out that our parent company planned to close DPReview in 2023, so it never went through our regular review process. We've been looking for an opportunity to review it ever since we joined forces with Gear Patrol last summer and finally found the time.
The timing turned out to be good: Panasonic was able to provide us with an early version of the camera's new firmware (v3.0), so we were able to test it with the latest features. Read our review to find out why we think this camera is such a great all-around performer for enthusiasts and pros alike.
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$1697 at Amazon.com$1798 at Adorama$1798 at B&H Photo Sony FE 16-25mm F2.8 G: Sample gallery Photo: Shaminder DulaiThe Sony FE 16-25mm F2.8 G is a relatively compact wide-angle zoom lens aimed at street and travel photographers.
We were able to get our hands on the lens for a day and figured most readers would be curious to see some examples of street and architectural photography, so we hit the streets of downtown Seattle and ducked into the Seattle Public library when the weather turned ugly.
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$1198 at Amazon.com$1198 at Adorama$1198 at B&H Photo Viltrox AF 40mm F2.5 Z: Sample gallery Image: Dale BaskinThe Viltrox AF 40mm F2.5 Z is a full-frame lens for Nikon Z-mount cameras.
We were able to test it out in Seattle and Oregon, testing the normal lens in a variety of lighting situations.
March Sony FE 24-50mm F2.8 G: Sample gallery Photo: Eric LimerSony's FE 24-50mm F2.8 G is a fast, compact walk-around lens for its full-frame E-mount cameras. We took it out in snow and sun in New Jersey to put it through its paces.
In practice, we found that it makes for a light and portable package with convenient and satisfying hands-on controls and quick and quiet focus.
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$1,098 at Amazon $1,098 at B&H Photo $1,098 at Adorama Leica SL3: Initial review Photo: Richard ButlerThe Leica SL3 is a 60MP DSLR-shaped mirrorless camera built around Leica's L-mount. It brings a lot of technology from the Leica M11 models but also features a radically redesigned interface. In March we published our initial review.
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$6995 at Adorama$6995 at B&H Photo Panasonic Lumix S 28-200mm F4-7.1 Macro OIS: Sample gallery Photo: Dale BaskinPanasonic's newest zoom lens, the Lumix S 28-200mm F4-7.1 Macro OIS, is so small that it just begs to be used for travel, so we took it on a trip to Japan to see if it lives up to its promise. It proved to be an outstanding choice, allowing us to cover a wide range of focal lengths without ever feeling like we were dragging around too much gear. We were pretty pleased with the optical performance, too.
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$853 at Amazon.com$898 at Adorama$898 at B&H Photo Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 II: Studio scene Photo: Brendan NystedtAs we enter the final phase of our Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 II review, we've added the test scene images to our image comparison tool.
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$1897 at Amazon.com$1898 at Adorama$1898 at B&H Photo Sony a9 III: Sample gallery updated Photo: Carey RoseWe updated our Sony a9 III sample gallery to include more sports and to get a feel for how effective its global shutter sensor is when combined with subject-detection autofocus in a variety of scenarios. And just to be safe, we also included some low ISO landscape images for those who want to evaluate image quality for other types of photography.
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$5998 at Amazon.com$5998 at Adorama$5998 at B&H Photo The Panasonic S5IIX goes to Japan: Sample gallery Photo: Dale BaskinWe were working on our review of the Panasonic S5II when it came time for our annual trek to Yokohama, Japan, for the camera industry's annual CP+ trade show, so we took along the S5IIX for some additional testing. It was a joy to shoot and it did a great job of capturing the color and texture of Japan, from the streets of Tokyo to snow monkeys near Nagano. It also proved that its weather sealing was up to the task, operating for hours in pouring rain without missing a beat.
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$2197 at Amazon.com$1997 at Adorama$1997 at B&H Photo Panasonic Lumix G9 II: Review Photo: Brendan NystedtThe Panasonic G9 II is the first Panasonic Micro Four Thirds camera to include phase detect autofocus and is based on the same body as the full-frame S5 II. It also comes with a surprisingly long list of video features. Read our full review to find out what we liked and what we didn't.
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$1897 at Amazon.com$1898 at Adorama$1898 at B&H Photo Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN Art: Sample gallery Photo: Jeff CarlsonThe Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN Art is a comparatively lightweight prime lens aimed at travel, portrait and street photographers. Contributing editor Jeff Carlson immediately jumped on the opportunity to shoot a sample gallery with this lens, capturing spring cherry blossoms, portraits and some low-light photos for good measure.
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$1399 at Adorama$1399 at B&H Photo Nikon 28-400m F4-8: Pre-production sample gallery Photo: Dale BaskinWe had an opportunity to try a pre-production version of Nikon's new 28-400mm F4-8 superzoom lens shortly before it was announced. Let's just say this lens really intrigues us, and we can't wait to get our hands on a production copy for more testing.
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$1296 at Amazon.com$1297 at Adorama$1297 at B&H Photo February Hasselblad 907X / CFV 100C: Sample galleryImage: Hasselblad
Hasselblad's CFV 100C medium format digital back brings most of the features of the X2D 100C to smaller form factor that's compatible with a wide range of cameras from the company's history. We paired it with a 907X camera / lens adaptor and XCD 28mm F4.0 and XCD 90mm F2.5 lenses to shoot a sample gallery.
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$8,199 at B&H Photo $8,199 at Adorama Megadap ETZ21 Pro Sony-to-Nikon mirrorless lens adapter: Review Photo: Dan BracagliaAfter getting our hands on it, we can say that, as far as what’s currently available for Sony shooters wishing to dabble in the Nikon realm, there is no better option on the market than the Megadap ETZ21 Sony E-mount to Nikon Z-mount lens adapter.
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$249 at Amazon $249 at B&H Photo $249 at Adorama Nikon Zf: Video reel update Photo: Richard ButlerNikon's Zf is a full-frame mirrorless camera with classic styling, built around a 24MP BSI CMOS sensor. It's designed to mimic the look of the company's FM2 SLR from the early 1980s, meaning it effectively becomes a full-frame counterpart to the company's Z fc APS-C camera. In February, we updated our review with a video reel and impressions.
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$1997 at Amazon $1997 at B&H Photo $1997 kit at Adorama Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 II: Studio scene Photo: Richard ButlerAs we complete our Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 II review, we've run the camera through our recently revitalized studio test scene to see how it performs against the competition.
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$1798 at B&H Photo $1798 at Adorama $1798 at Amazon Fujifilm X100VI: Initial review Photo: Richard ButlerFebruary finally brought us the X100VI, a photographers' fixed-lens camera that combines a stabilized 40MP APS-C sensor with a 35mm equivalent F2 lens. We had it day one, and have published our initial review along with a sample gallery. Unfortunately, those won't help you actually find one to buy.
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$1,599 at B&H Photo $1,599 at Adorama $1,599 at Amazon OM System OM-1 II: Sample gallery Photo: Shaminder DulaiThe OM System OM-1 Mark II is a high-speed Micro Four Thirds camera based around a 20MP Stacked CMOS sensor. As the name implies, it's an updated version of the flagship OM-1, with a series of hardware and firmware improvements. In February we published a sample gallery to update our initial review.
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$2399 at Amazon $2399 at B&H Photo $2399 kit at Adorama January Sony a9 III: Initial review Photo: Richard ButlerThe Sony a9 III is the company's latest high-speed pro sports camera. It features a Stacked CMOS sensor capable of shooting at 120 fps and able to read all its pixels out simultaneously: the long hoped-for 'global' shutter. Our studio scene analysis shows that it comes at a cost.
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$5998 at Amazon $5998 at B&H $5998 at Adorama Lumix S 100mm F2.8 Macro: Sample gallery Photo: Shaminder DulaiPanasonic's Lumix S 100mm F2.8 Macro is a full-frame L-mount lens that's designed to be compact and lightweight, coming in at 82mm (3.2") long and 74mm (2.9") in diameter and tipping the scales at 298g (10.5 oz). Hands-on, we can confirm it is very tidy and light.
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$998 at B&H Photo $998 at Adorama Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II: Sample galleryPhoto: Dan Bracaglia
Sony's 16-35mm F2.8 GM II lens is smaller, lighter and more capable than its predecessor. Optical improvements come in the form of better corner-to-corner sharpness and a new close-focus distance of just 22 cm.
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$2,298 at B&H Photo $2,298 at Adorama iPhone 15 Pro Max: Sample gallery Photo: Jeff L CarlsonWhen we published our iPhone 15 Pro Sample Gallery, we didn’t yet have an iPhone 15 Pro Max model in hand. In addition to boasting a larger 6.7-inch screen, the Max differentiates itself by having a 5x (120mm equivalent) telephoto camera with a clever tetraprism design. The iPhone 15 Pro’s telephoto camera, meanwhile, shares the same 3x (77mm equivalent) field of view as the iPhone 14 Pro. Is the extra reach worth the bigger physical size and higher cost?
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iPhone 15 Pro Max: $1199 at Apple Canon EOS R100: Review Photo: Shaminder DulaiThe Canon EOS R100 is an ultra-compact 24 Megapixel APS-C mirrorless camera with an RF mount. It is the cheapest way to enter Canon's mirrorless ecosystem, offering more flexibility than a smartphone.
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$429 body only at Amazon $499 kit at B&H Photo $499 kit at Adorama Fujifilm XF23mm F2 R WR: Review Photo: Mike TomkinsThe Fujifilm XF 23mm F2 R WR is a very compact, portable, wide-angle prime lens for Fujifilm X-mount cameras. It makes a great walkaround lens and is well-suited for uses like travel and street photography, as well as things such as moderately wide landscapes and environmental portraiture.
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$449 at Amazon $449 at B&H $449 at Adorama Sony ZV-1 Mark II: Review Photo: Shaminder DulaiThe Sony ZV-1 Mark II is a vlogging-focused compact camera built around a 20MP Type 1 (13.2 x 8.8mm) Stacked CMOS sensor and an 18-50mm equivalent F1.8-4.0 lens. Besides the new focal length range, much of this camera remains the same as its predecessor, which was itself a competent pocket-sized video camera.
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$898 at Amazon $898 at B&H $898 at Adorama Tenba Axis V2 18L backpack: Review Photo: Tim BarribeauThe Tenba Axis V2 18L ($200) is a well-made, quietly competent but otherwise uninteresting backpack. Tenba has been in this industry long enough to know the basics of building a functional bag, but this simple black rectangle struggles to stand out against a field packed with more interesting, stylish, or specialized options like Peak Design's exceedingly versatile Everyday Bag or LowePro's hiking bag that happens to hold cameras well too.
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$200 at Tenba $200 at B&H Photo $200 at AmazonIf you're looking to replace your living room TV with something that doesn't dominate your space until it's powered on, Formovie is hoping that its flagship Theater Premium ultra-short-throw projector will fit the bill. We've been sent one to try out.
Category: Home Entertainment, Consumer Tech, Technology
Tags: Reviews, Projectors, Laser TV, 4K UHD
After stealing the show at CES 2024 in January, LG's totally transparent TV is finally available to buy. The 77-inch Signature OLED T can be yours for an eye-watering US$60,000.
Category: Home Entertainment, Consumer Tech, Technology
Tags: TV, OLED, LG, Gadgets, Transparency, World's First
We've seen a few inflatable mattress kits tailored to Rivian's R1S SUV, but Hest has evaded inflation and launched a set of plush foam mattresses to turn the full-size electric SUV into a sleek, simple all-terrain micro-camper. The new mattress and pillow set lets you extend the zero-emissions adventure, turning the folded seats into a proper bed, no inflation (or unexpected deflation) involved.
Tags: Rivian, Camping, RV, Off-road, Outdoors and Camping
We all like to think of ourselves as quick-witted, but a new study from Caltech calculates that our brains process information at the extremely slow speed of around 10 bits per second. This leisurely pace may have long evolutionary roots, despite our sensory systems gathering data about 100 million times faster.
Tags: Brain, Brain-to-Brain, Brain-computer interface, Brain Machine Interface, Caltech, Computer, Data, Information, Neuroscience, Neuralink
Beneficial bacteria occupy specific regions in the gut, contributing to our health via the microbiome. A new study has identified the genes that good bacteria use to colonize these regions, opening the door to creating engineered probiotics.
Category: Wellness & Healthy Living, Body & Mind
Tags: Gut Bacteria, Microbiome, Genetic engineering, Carnegie Institution for Science
In an effort to reduce fuel costs, American Airlines was the first US carrier to introduce checked baggage fees, at US$15 in 2008 (it's now $40). Since then, many airlines have followed suit, as well as hitting travelers with hefty excess baggage fees. But what would happen if the extra cost didn't just apply to heavy luggage but to the passengers themselves?
Category: Transport
Tags: Obesity, University of New Hampshire, Airlines, Climate Solutions: Aviation, Travel, Aviation, Weight, Flight
The Laowa 55mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro on a Canon RF-mount full-frame camera.
Image: Laowa
Laowa has expanded its lens lineup with the introduction of two tilt-shift lenses designed for full-frame camera systems: the 55mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro and the 100mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro. Laowa says the lenses produce an image circle large enough to also be compatible with digital medium format cameras. The company suggests the lenses are suitable for a variety of applications, including product, architectural, landscape, and macro photography.
Optically, the 55mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro consists of 14 elements in 11 groups, while the 100mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro comprises 13 elements in 10 groups. As the names suggest, both lenses offer a maximum magnification ratio of 1:1. The 55mm lens has a close focusing distance of 27cm (10.6"), and the 100mm lens focuses as close as 32cm (12.6").
The Laowa 100mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro mounted on a Fujifilm GFX-mount medium format camera.
Image: Laowa
The lenses provide ±10° of tilt and ±12mm of shift for full-frame cameras. When used with medium format cameras, this range is reduced to ±10mm tilt and ±8mm shift, as the edge of the imaging circle will encroach on the sensor sooner. Both lenses incorporate two rotation mechanisms: one enabling the tilt function to be rotated by 90° and another allowing for shift direction adjustment in 15° increments.
Both lenses are equipped with an Arca-Swiss compatible tripod foot and a 77mm front filter thread.
The 55mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro and 100mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro are available now for E, Z, RF, L, and GFX-mount cameras. Each lens has a suggested retail price of $1249.
Buy now:
55mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift $1249 at B&H 100mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift $1249 at B&HThe Laowa 55mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro on a Canon RF-mount full-frame camera.
Image: Laowa
Laowa has expanded its lens lineup with the introduction of two tilt-shift lenses designed for full-frame camera systems: the 55mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro and the 100mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro. Laowa says the lenses produce an image circle large enough to also be compatible with digital medium format cameras. The company suggests the lenses are suitable for a variety of applications, including product, architectural, landscape, and macro photography.
Optically, the 55mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro consists of 14 elements in 11 groups, while the 100mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro comprises 13 elements in 10 groups. As the names suggest, both lenses offer a maximum magnification ratio of 1:1. The 55mm lens has a close focusing distance of 27cm (10.6"), and the 100mm lens focuses as close as 32cm (12.6").
The Laowa 100mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro mounted on a Fujifilm GFX-mount medium format camera.
Image: Laowa
The lenses provide ±10° of tilt and ±12mm of shift for full-frame cameras. When used with medium format cameras, this range is reduced to ±10mm tilt and ±8mm shift, as the edge of the imaging circle will encroach on the sensor sooner. Both lenses incorporate two rotation mechanisms: one enabling the tilt function to be rotated by 90° and another allowing for shift direction adjustment in 15° increments.
Both lenses are equipped with an Arca-Swiss compatible tripod foot and a 77mm front filter thread.
The 55mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro and 100mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro are available now for E, Z, RF, L, and GFX-mount cameras. Each lens has a suggested retail price of $1249.
Buy now:
55mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift $1249 at B&H 100mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift $1249 at B&HIf you're getting tired of all the titanium multitools hitting Kickstarter lately, you might find the AX02 EDC Carabiner tool to be a breath of fresh air. The brass-bodied device lets users cut, saw, screw-drive, bottle-open, and figure out which way they need to go.
Tags: Multitools, Kickstarter
Image: Viltrox
Viltrox has announced a new APS-C lens, the 35mm (53mm equiv.) F1.7 'Air' lens, which is available for Sony E-mount, Fujifilm X-mount and Nikon Z-mount. The company says it aimed to make the lens "compact" with a "highly competitive price."
The lens' optical formula includes 11 elements in 9 groups, with 1 ED lens, 1 aspherical lens, and 2 high-refractive lenses. It also features nano-coating, and the aperture has nine blades. While Viltrox makes no claims of weather resistance, the front element does have a coating to resist oils and liquids.
An example image provided by Viltrox, shot on a Fujifilm X-T5.
Photo: Viltrox
The lens uses a stepper motor for autofocusing, and has a minimum focusing distance of 33cm (13"). The E-mount version of the lens weighs around 170 grams, and it's 56mm long. The lens is compatible with 52mm filters.
At an MSRP of $180, the lens is definitely a budget option, but it's hard to complain about there being another affordable prime available for these systems, especially in such a classic focal length. While manufacturers like Sony and Fujifilm have similar lenses with extra features like optical stabilization or weather resistance, they also come in at a much higher price.
Buy Now:
E-mount Z-mount X-mount Viltrox AF 35mm F1.7 Air Specifications: Principal specificationsLens typePrime lensMax Format sizeAPS-C / DXFocal length35 mmLens mountFujifilm X, Nikon Z, Sony EApertureMaximum apertureF1.7–16Minimum apertureF1.7–16Aperture ringNoNumber of diaphragm blades9OpticsElements11Groups9Special elements / coatings1 ED, 1 aspherical, 2 high-refractiveFocusMinimum focus0.33 m (12.99″)Maximum magnification0.13×AutofocusYesMotor typeStepper motorFull time manualYesDistance scaleNoDoF scaleNoPhysicalWeight180 g (0.40 lb)Diameter64 mm (2.52″)Length56 mm (2.2″)SealingNoFilter thread52 mmHood suppliedYesTripod collarNoImage: Viltrox
Viltrox has announced a new APS-C lens, the 35mm (53mm equiv.) F1.7 'Air' lens, which is available for Sony E-mount, Fujifilm X-mount and Nikon Z-mount. The company says it aimed to make the lens "compact" with a "highly competitive price."
The lens' optical formula includes 11 elements in 9 groups, with 1 ED lens, 1 aspherical lens, and 2 high-refractive lenses. It also features nano-coating, and the aperture has nine blades. While Viltrox makes no claims of weather resistance, the front element does have a coating to resist oils and liquids.
An example image provided by Viltrox, shot on a Fujifilm X-T5.
Photo: Viltrox
The lens uses a stepper motor for autofocusing, and has a minimum focusing distance of 33cm (13"). The E-mount version of the lens weighs around 170 grams, and it's 56mm long. The lens is compatible with 52mm filters.
At an MSRP of $180, the lens is definitely a budget option, but it's hard to complain about there being another affordable prime available for these systems, especially in such a classic focal length. While manufacturers like Sony and Fujifilm have similar lenses with extra features like optical stabilization or weather resistance, they also come in at a much higher price.
Buy Now:
E-mount Z-mount X-mount Viltrox AF 35mm F1.7 Air Specifications: Principal specificationsLens typePrime lensMax Format sizeAPS-C / DXFocal length35 mmLens mountFujifilm X, Nikon Z, Sony EApertureMaximum apertureF1.7–16Minimum apertureF1.7–16Aperture ringNoNumber of diaphragm blades9OpticsElements11Groups9Special elements / coatings1 ED, 1 aspherical, 2 high-refractiveFocusMinimum focus0.33 m (12.99″)Maximum magnification0.13×AutofocusYesMotor typeStepper motorFull time manualYesDistance scaleNoDoF scaleNoPhysicalWeight180 g (0.40 lb)Diameter64 mm (2.52″)Length56 mm (2.2″)SealingNoFilter thread52 mmHood suppliedYesTripod collarNoSmartwatches can help improve our health and fitness. But a new report says it's important to consider what kind of bands we put on them, as several popular brands were found to contain high levels of a class of chemicals linked to health issues.
Category: Fitness & Exercise, Wellness & Healthy Living, Body & Mind
Tags: Watch, Smartwatch, PFAS, Chemicals, Chemical agents, University of Notre Dame
