Fujifilm X-M5 Mirrorless Camera Hands-on First-look Review: Is The X-M5 The Digital Version Of The Kodak Brownie?

 

Although the Fujifilm X-M5 mirrorless camera is not solely aimed at novice photographers, it does offer some enticing, easy-to-use features. However, other features aren’t as intuitive or fully functional for beginners or even more advanced users.

Fujifilm X-M5: Pros 

• Inexpensive for a full-featured mirrorless camera
• Packed with potentially valuable features
• Lightweight and very compact
• Includes a smaller sensor, which allows for a more portable system
• Impressive vlogging features, including three built-in microphones
• Very good quality touchscreen display
• Very responsive Vlog mode
• High-speed video mode for slow-motion video 

Fujifilm X-M5: Cons

• No electronic Viewfinder
• No in-camera image stabilization
• Digital IS wasn’t very effective for video
• Video quality could be better
• A boxy shape isn’t easy to hold, particularly with long lenses
• Short battery life

 

Here’s the front view of the Fujifilm X-M5 mirrorless camera with the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR lens (photographed next to a can of soda for scale).

Fujifilm X-M5: Technical Specifications

• Image Sensor: 26.1-megapixel, APS-C-sized, back-illuminated CMOS 
• Image Stabilization: Digital IS for photos and video
• Maximum Video Resolution: Top video resolutions include 6.2K resolution (3/2 aspect ratio) or  4/K (16/9 aspect ratio), with frame rates up to 59.94P; HDMI output supported
• ISO Range (Photos & Video): ISO 160 – 12,800 (Note: The photo ISO range is expandable to ISO 80, 100, 125, and to 25,600, and 51,200; The video ISO range is expandable to ISO 80, 100, 125, and to 25,600, and 51,200)
• Still Photo Formats: JPEG, TIFF, RAW
• Maximum burst modes: 30 frames per second (1.25 crop, electronic shutter only), 20 fps (electronic shutter only), and eight fps (mechanical shutter)
• Display: 3-inch, swiveling touchscreen LCD (approximately one million dots)
• Hot Shoe: Yes (supports TTL flash control); supports sync speeds as fast as 1/180 second)
• Memory Card Slots: 1 SD memory card slot (UHS-I compliant)
• Ports: USB-C, HDMI micro connector, headphones connector (3.5mm mini-stereo jack), microphone connector (3.5mm mini-stereo jack), remote release connector (3.5mm 3-pole mini jack) 
• Wireless/Bluetooth: Yes
• Size / Weight: 4.7 x 2.6 x 1.5 inches; 13 ounces

 

Here’s the top view of the Fujifilm X-M5 mirrorless camera with the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR lens (photographed next to a can of soda for scale).

One of the things I try to figure out when testing a digital camera is to determine its target audience, so to speak. I ask myself: “Who will use this camera?”

I’ve been thinking about this question a lot as I reviewed the Fujifilm X-M5 mirrorless camera.  Cameras, like this one, will automatically have different users, not just for photographers at different skill levels (pros, enthusiasts, novices), but also those who shoot in different genres (travel, portrait, still life, etc.) and those who use different techniques in their photography (macro, night photography, black and white, etc.). Some will use a camera exclusively as a still photo or video camera. But when I review a camera, I’m also looking for those special qualities that have the novice in mind. In other words, I’m looking for a camera that’s simple, easy to use and carry, and inexpensive.

I have a model in mind for this reasonably priced, lightweight, compact, and intuitive camera. It came on the market a little more than 125 years ago: On February 1, 1900, Kodak introduced the Brownie film camera, the most famous easy-to-use camera in history. It cost just $1! (In 2025, that’s the equivalent of $38.07.) Even the slogan was easy to understand: "You press the button, we do the rest."

Today, many would argue smartphones have replaced the Brownie, although the price of an Apple iPhone or Android phone is much, much higher. But I think consumers would love to own a great mirrorless, interchangeable-lens digital camera that embodies the same spirit of the Kodak Brownie’s product design, ease of use, and low price point.

 

The swiveling touchscreen LCD is important because this camera does not have an electronic viewfinder. You’ll use it to compose your photos and videos. Unfortunately, it doesn’t provide as much detail as the displays on other pricier mirrorless cameras.

Now, I know all the major camera companies think about the novice photographer. For instance, when Fujifilm introduced the X-M5 this past fall, the headline in the https://www.fujifilm.com/us/en/news/digital-cameras/fujifilm-introduces-fujifilm-x-m5-mirrorless-digital-camera">press release began “Light in Weight, Rich in Features,” which is a great start and has the beginner very much in mind. The company also noted that the camera was designed “for content creators on the go,” which I think emphasizes its portability. But what caught my attention was the price: The Fujifilm X-M5 is among the cheapest mirrorless cameras on the market, which is ideal for all photographers, not just beginners.

But could it be the digital version of the Kodak Brownie?

Let’s find out.

Note: In this review, I tested the Fujifilm X-M5 with two lenses, mostly with the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR zoom lens, but also with the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 23mm f/1.4 R prime lens. However, neither is the kit lens, which is the Fujifilm Fujinon XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ lens.

 

Here’s the bottom view of the Fujifilm X-M5, with the battery removed from the camera. As you can see, it has just one SD memory-card slot located next to the battery chamber.

Fujifilm X-M5: A Reasonably Priced, Portable Camera That Includes Easy-to-Use, Versatile Features

Fujifilm sells the X-M5 in two configurations: body only (for $799.95) or with a kit lens (for $899.95). By and large, both configurations are cheaper than most models in their class. Perhaps the closest competing new camera is the Sony ZV-E10 II, which is marketed to a similar hybrid, vlogging audience, but costs about $200 more, $1,000 for the body only, and $1,100 for the kit (with a lens). As I mentioned earlier, the X-M5 camera is among the cheapest in its class, although I wish it were a tad cheaper, since most consumers and beginners may still find that too pricey.

However, despite the price, the mirrorless camera has other impressive aspects. I like that the X-M5 uses a 26.1-megapixel resolution, APS-C-sized, back-illuminated CMOS sensor, which is smaller than a full-frame-sized CMOS sensor. That allows Fujifilm to construct lenses that aren’t as heavy or large as those used for a full-frame system. And that’s particularly important for travel photography. I was also impressed that Fujifilm continues to include physical dials, knobs, buttons, and controls, which are generally an asset for the photographer and keeps you from being buried in the camera’s menu pages.
Furthermore, the X-M5 includes a bright, swiveling touchscreen display that swings out from the camera 180 degrees. This can be very helpful when composing hard-to-reach shots (over your head or crouched very low to the ground). The LCD is doubly important since the camera lacks a viewfinder (which I’ll address below). However, the camera has a 1,040,000-dot LCD, which is lower than what’s found on some other mirrorless models. This means the images might not look as sharp or detailed.

 

This top view of the Fujifilm X-M5 shows a nice selection of physical buttons, dials, and controls.

One of my favorite new features, though, is Fujifilm’s Vlog mode, which can be set by turning the camera Mode dial on the top of the camera. When in Vlog mode, the LCD presents a new grouping of icons around the perimeter of the touchscreen LCD, which, the company says, is “designed to make video recording intuitive and enjoyable, even if you are new to content creation.” It worked well, even if you didn’t read any part of the user manual or online help. For instance, an easy-to-operate microphone icon (in the lower left of the LCD) lets you choose from four different directions when you record video. (The camera has three built-in mics.) Like this one, I found the Vlog icons very easy to use. There are some other very intuitive features in this mode, including a Background Defocus mode (which blurs the background by selecting the maximum available aperture), a Product Priority mode (which attempts to change focus when a product is held close to the lens, even when a person is still in the frame), and an option to shoot short video clips in a vertical, 9-16 mode.

 

This is my bright-light test still-life setup for the Fujifilm X-M5 mirrorless camera and the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR lens. I’ve included a still-life painting, a still-life drawing, a study of an Old Master drawing, a color chart, and other elements to see how well the camera captures the many subtle details in the objects. The camera and lens did very well in bright light, producing a sharp image with little noise and excellent detail.

 

This is my low-light test image for the Fujifilm X-M5 mirrorless camera and the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR lens. In this low-light test, the camera, which was set to an Aperture Priority auto mode (like the bright-light test), ramped up the ISO to ISO12,800, producing noise that obscured some finer details in the artworks.

Fujifilm X-M5: Photo Performance and Quality Were Very Good, But Video Was A Mixed Bag

Overall, I was pretty pleased with the photo capabilities of the X-M5. In examining my test photos of an old-master drawing, a colored pencil still life, an oil painting, a paint color chart, a value scale, some brightly colored children’s markers, and a tiny Roman statue, I thought my bright-light image produced very good results. The low-light JPEG (shot at ISO 12,800) was good, but it also had an evenly distributed, but noticeable amount of mostly non-colored noise throughout the image. It didn’t interfere with most prominent details, but it did help obscure small details, like the small text under each swatch of paint on the paint chart. Also, I was a bit disappointed to notice a touch of purple-colored noise throughout the shot. So, you’ll want to keep from setting the ISO too high.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t as happy with my video footage. My main issue was that many video clips were too jittery, even when I applied digital image stabilization. The camera could have used an in-camera image stabilization (IBIS) system. I also found that some of my video clips didn’t lock focus as quickly as I’d like. However, I found the high-speed video mode for slow-motion video (240fps in 1080 Full HD) worked very well.
Additionally, I found that the video clips produced in Vlog mode looked quite good. As I mentioned earlier, I was particularly impressed when I tested the audio: When you record audio for your video, you can switch between four directions: Omni Directional, Front Priority, Back Priority, and Front & Back Priority. In terms of battery performance, the X-M5 could use a more robust battery. According to the CIPA standard, the X-M5 can fire off 330 per charge or 50 minutes of 4K-resolution video per charge.

 

I used the Fujifilm X-M5 and the XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR to capture this flagpole image in Newport, Rhode Island. I loved the wonderful bokeh and how it rendered the street and car (on the right side of the photo). 

Fujifilm X-M5: Some Shortfalls in Usability & Design

Unfortunately, the Fujifilm X-M5 had some other shortfalls. For example, one significant shortfall was that the camera lacks an electronic viewfinder, which is essential for many photographers and videographers, particularly on sunny days, as it will make it difficult to see the LCD. Also, as I mentioned earlier, it’s a mistake not to include in-camera image stabilization (IBIS) on this camera, particularly since it’s a smaller APS-C-sized sensor, which doesn’t take up as much space inside the camera as a full-frame sensor. And the included digital IS isn’t an adequate substitute for IBIS. It’s an issue for both photos and video, resulting in shaky video and blurred photos, particularly in lower light situations.

I like that it’s small and lightweight, but that’s not always good. For instance, the boxy product design is a shape that isn’t easy to hold, particularly when using longer lenses.

There’s also one more shortfall, and it’s one that other camera companies have: The X-M5 has a dull, text-based menu structure that it's been using for years, and it needs to be reworked. I think doing so will help novices or even enthusiasts overcome the somewhat steep learning curve when you’ve never used a Fujifilm camera before.

Fujifilm X-M5: The Verdict?

Finally, is the X-M5 a digital version of the Kodak Brownie camera? No, I don’t think so, although this camera presents some promising design elements, features, and technologies. For example, the company should model the menu structure using its more accessible and intuitive Vlog mode design.

It’s a very good camera, particularly for its photo functions. However, it lacks IBIS, a big drawback in low-light situations. It also has issues in bright-light situations because it lacks an electronic viewfinder.

Who is this camera designed for? I think if you’re looking for a budget hybrid mirrorless camera, which is crammed with features, or if you need a lightweight, compact travel camera, or if you’re already a Fujifilm photographer or videographer and are familiar with the Fujifilm system, then the Fujifilm X-M5 is a good choice.  

Fujifilm X-M5: Price & Availability

The Fujifilm X-M5 mirrorless camera (body only) costs $799.95, and the kit, which includes the Fujifilm Fujinon XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ lens, costs $899.95. The camera is currently available at many retail outlets, both online and in brick-and-mortar stores, including Amazon, B&H (Silver Version), and others. Note: Some retailers have noted that the black version of the X-M5 is out of stock.

 

In this photo, I captured the exterior of the Breakers mansion in Rhode Island on a rainy day. I used the wide-angle end of the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR zoom lens.

 

I shot the exterior of the Breakers mansion in Newport, Rhode Island, from the same vantage point as in the previous image, but this time, I used the telephoto end of the 16-80mm zoom.

 

This composite self-portrait photo depicts four different settings from Fujifilm X-M5’s Film Simulation mode (clockwise from upper left): Velvia/Vivid, Eterna Bleach Bypass, Monochrome, and Sepia.

 

This photo, taken with the Fujifilm X-M5 mirrorless camera and the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR lens, depicts a bouquet in the Breakers Mansion in Newport, Rhode Island.

 

I captured this floral close-up of pale pink flowers on a tree using the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 23mm f/1.4 R prime lens.

 

Here’s another example of the nice bokeh produced by the Fujifilm X-M5’s shallow depth-of-field.