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With a 23 mm f/2 it's a small beast and the missing EVF doesn't bother them, but with small hands they find the grip a tad uncomfortable.
“I put on a 23mm f2 on it and its a small beast of a camera.. The lack of EVF doesnt bother me since I rarely use the EVF in my XT30.”
A 66-year-old Nikon user whose first Fujifilm is the X-M5: the stills, film simulations and raw files blew their mind, and the light compact body suits them.
“As soon as I got one the quality of stills, the film simulations and the quality of the raw files blew my mind.”
Uses it for video alongside an X-T5 for stills; the missing EVF doesn't matter for video.
“It's really good for what I use it for. I already have an X-T5 for photo duty, but this little XM-5 has been regulated for video duty.”
Two days in after a Canon Rebel T7 and loving it for hobby use; the missing viewfinder is a downside they're getting used to.
“I got one 2 days ago coming from a Canon Rebel T7, so far I love it and since it’s just a hobby I don’t see myself needing anything more powerful.”
Chose the X-M5 for its more flexible screen and extra mics.
“I choose xm5 as it is as good as xt30 with phots but has more microphones build on and the screen is more flexible”
Their X-M5 barely left the bag: cheaply built, illogical menus, no EVF; selling it.
“The Fuji, at least the X-M5, feels cheaply built. Its menus are frustrating and lack logic.”
Sold their X-M5 because it lacks a built-in flash.
“At the end I sold my XM5 because I need the inbuilt flash.”
Prefers their X-M5's rotating screen for selfies with app remote control.
“personally I prefer XM5’s rotating screen, I can then take pictures of myself with the Fuji app remote control function”
Fell in love with the X-M5 on a trip and has barely put it down.
“I completely fell in love with this little camera.”
Sold an X100V for the X-M5, as small as a Ricoh GR but with interchangeable lenses.
“I sold my x100v for xm5 as it is as small as a Ricoh gr with the option of changing lens.”
Loves their new X-M5; only gripe is just four custom preset slots.
“Love this camera so far, my only gripe is not being able to save more than 4 presets”
Enjoyed the X-M5 but missed the viewfinder and sold it.
“I enjoyed using it, but really missed the view finder”
Quite happy with the X-M5 but would now pick the X-T5 for IBIS and weather sealing.
“In the end I went with the XM5 (with the grip and hotshoe lever from smallrig) and i'm quite happy with it.”
Finds the X-M5 perfect for skate photography since they can't easily use a viewfinder.
“I have a hard time using a viewfinder, so the X-M5 is actually perfect for my situation.”
Swapping the X-M5 for the X-T30 III after missing an EVF at sunset.
“I really regretted not having an EVF.”
Finds the X-M5 compact and capable but wishes it could save recipes to the dial.
“I have the x-m5. It is a really compact and capable camera.”
Their three-week-old X-M5's hot shoe came off attaching a flash.
“I was attaching the Godox V1 to my camera — I’ve had it for exactly three weeks — and the hot shoe came off.”
Loves the X-M5 as an everyday camera; battery life is impressive.
“I love my X-M5. It's been my EDC for the past week.”
Loves the X-M5 for video and vlogging.
“I have an X-M5 (and love it!) but it's primarily for video/vlogging.”
Disappointed by the X-M5's build.
“So After my disappointing time with the xm5 and x100vi”
Finds the X-M5 perfect for stress-free family shots; light and easy, if not as good as the X-T5.
“For everyday stress free fun family shots. It's perfect.”
Sold an X-T30 II for the X-M5 as an everyday companion and finds it great.
“It is small, but again, i think it was intended to be small, and is a big part of what makes it convenient.”
Calls the X-M5 a great little camera with great AF, though hates the film sim dial.
“It’s a great little camera. It’s AF has been great for me.”
Regrets the X-M5 because without a viewfinder it's unusable on sunny days.
“I regret it if being honest (because of absence of viewfinder - on sunny days it’s just not working).”
Found the X-M5's street results with fast primes just as good as their 40MP X-H2.
“Results were just as good as the 40MP.”
Loves the X-M5's pocketability but the lack of EVF bothers them.
“But the no EVF start to bother me”
Finds the X-M5 an amazing everyday camera for its size and price.
“for the size and the price it really is an amazing EDC camera!”
Their X-M5's shutter button assembly came apart.
“Has anyone experienced the shutter button assembly partially coming apart on a Fujifilm X-M5?”
Swapped an X-S20 for the X-M5, missed the EVF and flash, and is now selling the X-M5.
“I realized I can’t live without the EVF and flash.”
Loves the little X-M5 but misses a flash, viewfinder and IBIS.
“I sold a brand new X-T30II for a new X-M5 I love the little thing but missing the flash viewfinder and want IBIS”
A month of stills with the X-M5: screen at +3 brightness works in the sun most of the time.
“I've owned the X-M5 for about a month and taken it out 6-7 times now, exclusively for stills”
New X-M5 owner finds it well made with quality dials, though small after the X-H1.
“Camera feels and looks well made in my opinion, not plasticky and the dials are of good quality”
Bought the X-M5 as a smaller everyday camera than their X-T5; perfect with the 27mm.
“So far the weight with the 27mm is perfect, my hands are small so it fits perfectly.”
New X-M5 feels very plasticky, less premium than their old X-M1.
“It’s unfortunately very plastic feeling”
Long-time Sony shooter finds the X-M5 with the 27mm a small solid chunk; better with a grip.
“Paired with the 27mm f2.8 wr pancake and the camera feels like a small solid chunk in hand.”
New to photography and loves the X-M5 as a powerhouse for its price and size.
“Crazy how much of a powerhouse this camera is for the price and size.”
Sold the X-M5 a week after release.
“I got an XM5 at release, sold it after a week.”
Uses the X-M5 mainly for stills; great sensor and AF in a portable body.
“The X Trans IV sensor and autofocus are a great combination”
Replaced a Sony a6000 with the X-M5 and loves it, not missing an EVF.
“I replaced my old a6000 with an X-M5 recently and have loved every bit of it.”
Owns the X100VI and X-M5; finds the X100 less pocketable than hoped.
“Then I recently got my hands on a black XM5.”
Loves the X-M5's size; a powerhouse they take everywhere.
“I love the xm5 for the size Factor. It’s a powerhouse of a camera.”
Returned the X-M5 for the X-E5 because the missing viewfinder drove them nuts.
“I ended up returning mine. I ordered an X-E5 instead. Not having a view finder was kinda driving me nuts.”
Thoroughly enjoys the X-M5 for gigs and daily use; the LCD can be a pain in bright sun.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my X-M5 as a photo only camera.”
Uses the X-M5 as a day-bag camera alongside an X-T5; great even without an EVF.
“The X-M5 is great even without EVF; you just have to bump the brightness of the LCD screen when outdoors”
Loves the X-M5 as a compact option to carry daily.
“I have the X-M5 and I love it as a compact option.”
Finds the X-M5 video-oriented; it suffers shutter shock for stills and needs a grip.
“it tends to suffer from shutter shock in my experience when using it for photography and with the lack of ibis it is noticeable.”
Loving the X-M5 with a pancake as a carry-everywhere camera.
“i bought an X-M5 a couple weeks ago and i’ve been loving it.”
Loves the X-M5 with the XF27; carries it everywhere and it takes great photos.
“It’s so easy to take around and takes great photos.”
Has enjoyed the X-M5 immensely, especially with B&W recipes.
“I’ve enjoyed my X-M5 immensely”
Their X-M5's tracking AF misses running pets.
“I’d be happy if my x-m5 could get even one or two shots out of a burst in focus.”
Upgraded but still misses the X-M5's light, compact body.
“I have to admit I still regret the weight and compactness of the X-M5 though”
100% happy with the X-M5 as a first camera.
“I bought the XM5 as my first camera in May and absolutely loving it.”
Really happy with the X-M5: light and great image quality.
“it’s light enough to carry everywhere but still delivers great image quality.”
Found autofocus solid on their X-M5 with a cheap pancake.
“Autofocus was solid in my X-M5”
Struggled without a viewfinder on the X-M5 and is happier with the X-T30.
“I owned the X-M5 first and really struggled without having a viewfinder.”
Loves the X-M5's small size with interchangeable lenses.
“I ended up getting the x-m5! I love the small size, but also still has an interchangeable lens.”
Absolutely loves the X-M5 over phone photography.
“I finally caved and bought xm5. I absolutely love it.”
Sold the X-M5 because the screen was unreadable in bright sun.
“XM5 is a good cam, but i have problem taking picture on hot sunny days, i cant see anything on the screen despite boosting the brightness”
Sold an X-S10 for the X-M5 and couldn't be happier: small with great image quality.
“I bought the XM5 and I cant be happier. Small, great image quiality, you can carry everywhere!!”
Uses the X-M5 for video but doesn't love it for photography.
“but don't love photography on the xm5.”
Uses the X-M5 for video and as a great second body alongside their X-T5.
“My X-T5 gets daily duty while my X-M5 normally is for video, but if my wife wants to go out shooting with me, it’s a great second body to have.”
Tried the X-M5 to size down but returned it, missing a good EVF.
“I genuniely didnt want to get an xt5 as i did ideally want to size down but that evf is too damn good. I cant see past it. xm5 returned.”
Loved the X-M5 over several months of use.
“I had x-m5 for several months and loved it! Then I got x100vi for a few weeks and didn’t like it.”
Finds the X-M5 a much nicer, lighter travel camera than the X-E5.
“XM5 i've found to be a much nicer travel camera.”
Likes the X-M5's colours SOOC; only problem is shooting in bright sun without an EVF.
“I like it. The only problem with it is shooting outdoor in bright sunny day.”
Moved from the X-T5 to the X-M5, which is all they need: cheap, compact and light.
“I went from X-T5 to the X-M5 because it is all I need, cheap, compact, lightweight.”
Loves the X-M5 for its small size with a 27mm pancake on trips.
“I have and love the X-M5, mainly for its small size.”
Found the X-M5's autofocus so bad they sold all their Fuji gear.
“Got an XM5 recently and the autofocus was so bad it made my 8 year old XT3 look better.”
Regrets buying the X-M5 because they now want an EVF for birds.
“I am a regretful purchaser of an XM-5”
Got the X-M5 with a 27mm as a travel camera beside their R6s, with no regrets.
“So I got a FUJI XM5 with a 27mm prime. No regrets.”
Loves the X-M5 and chose it for its light weight.
“I love my xm5, weight was the biggest reason I went with it and have no regrets :)”
Bought the X-M5 for travel and finds it much better than expected.
“I only got the Fuji XM5 for travel, it’s much better than expected”
Loves their X-M5 and its interchangeable lenses.
“X-M5 owner here! I love it to bits.”
Bought the X-M5 for travel and memories as a cheaper alternative to the X100VI.
“I bought a xm5 for similar reasons you listed above.”
Has had the X-M5 since launch and calls it the ideal family camera.
“So I got the XM5 when it first came out and I can tell you that if youre just looking for a family camera, this is it.”
Downsized from the X-S10 to the X-M5 with no regrets.
“I downsized my X-S10 to an X-M5 with an SG image 25mm f/1.8 lens and I have absolutely no regrets.”
Uses the X-M5 as a pocket camera when their X-H is too bulky and finds it powerful.
“The XM is extremely powerful - I use one as my pocket camera when the XH is too bulky (urban stuff).”
Reaches for the X-M5 more than their X100V for their toddler and prefers its video.
“Get the XM5. I have it along with an x100v and I reach for it more”
Uses the X-M5 for street and everyday carry and doesn't miss a viewfinder.
“I got the X-M5 for street photography and EDC.”
Just got the X-M5 with a pancake lens for travel and loves APS-C in the palm of their hand.
“Just got the XM5 with pancake for travel. Nothing like apsc in the palm of your hand”
Has had the X-M5 for a year and a half and is still very happy with it.
“I’ve had my XM5 for 1.5 years now and still very happy with it.”
Returned their X-M5 because it gave overheat warnings every day after about 15 minutes, even in normal temperatures.
“I had to return mine because it gave me overheat warnings everyday...”
Loves their X-M5's form factor and image quality but wants an EVF, IBIS and a tilt screen, so plans to move to the X-E5.
“I love my X-M5 for form factor and image quality but I do want:”
Bought the X-M5 first, disliked its build quality, and sold it for an X-E5.
“I didn’t like the build quality and realised I was a photo first guy so I sold it”
Returned the X-M5 after a week: not that small, no IBIS or EVF, a dim screen and poorer AF than their Sony.
“I had one for a week then returned it.”
Loves the X-M5's compact size and specs.
“X-M5 for me. I love it's compact size and the killer specs!”
Sold a Canon 70D for the X-M5 with its 15-45 kit lens; six months on they love the interface, the recipes and how small it is.
“Love the Fuji interface and experimenting with different recipes, and the best part is how small and portable it is.”
Uses the X-M5 as an everyday carry beside their X-T5, and its kit lens has impressed them.
“I usually prefer shooting with a prime lens but the kit lens that came with the X-M5 has been so impressive.”
Uses the X-M5 as their travel camera, swapping the kit lens for a TTArtisan 27mm to make it even more compact.
“I’m currently using the Fujifilm Xm5 as my travel camera.”
Uses the X-M5 as their take-anywhere camera and loves it.
“I too used an xm5 as my take anywhere camera and love it!”
New to photography with the X-M5 and a TTArtisan 27mm, they constantly struggle with focus and face detection.
“I'm constantly struggling with focus not working great of failing to detect face”
Bought the X-M5 with the XC 15-45 as their first real camera and is really enjoying it, though they want more zoom reach.
“Im really enjoying this as its my first real camera”
Rented the X-M5 with the 23mm f/1.4 for a trip and loved it; great colours straight out of camera with no editing.
“So I rented an X-M5 with the 23mm f/1.4 LM WR for a trip and honestly loved it. The colours straight out of camera were great”
Owned the X-M5 for less than a month before selling it, and would rule it out.
“I would completely remove the X-M5 from the list. I owned it for less than a month before selling it.”
Moved from a D3200 they never carried to the X-M5 and used it more than their phone on their first trip.
“to a Fuji X-M5. Went on one trip since and used it more than my phone.”
A week after buying the X-M5 with the 15-45 kit lens, they say they have never loved a purchase more.
“I honestly don’t think I’ve ever loved a purchase more.”
Just bought an X-M5 with the 15-45 kit lens and loves it so far.
“I absolutely love this camera so far and really look forward to using it more in the future.”
Uses an X-M5 as a carry-anywhere second body next to their X-S10.
“I think the XM5 serves as a good second body that you can carry anywhere. It’s what I use it for.”
Rarely uses their X-M5 since moving to the more photo-focused X-T5.
“which is not to suggest that the X-M5 is bad, but I really don’t use mine all that much since having upgraded to the more photo centric X-T5”
Likes their X-M5 a lot as a second body to toss in the car, but wouldn't want it as their only camera.
“I’ve got the xm5 and I like it a lot but it’s a second body for me”
Is replacing their X-M5: a great little camera, but it lacks a viewfinder and still doesn't fit a pocket.
“The problem with the X-M5 is that, even though it's small, it's still big enough not to fit in a pocket, so I have to carry some kind of bag anyway.”
Owns both Canon and Fujifilm gear and adores their X-M5.
“I have an X-M5 that I adore”
Has enjoyed their X-M5 a lot for a year and a half, mostly with a TTArtisan 27mm, but is tempted by the X100VI.
“So I had the Fujifilm x-m5 for 1 1/2 years and I do enjoy the camera a lot (mostly using a TTartisian 27mm 2.8 lens).”
Sold an X100VI for the X-M5 because they feared damaging the expensive X100VI; now carries the smaller, stealthier X-M5 everywhere.
“With the X-M5, I actually literally bring it out with me everywhere and I appreciate the smaller form factor too (I almost exclusively use the Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5 pancake”
Sold the X-M5 because they had to fight its controls with a prime lens; also sold the X100VI as overpriced.
“I sold the XM5 because I was not liking how it controls the camera with a prime lens. I felt I never really had full control of the camera and”
Mainly an X-T5 shooter; hated the X-M5's flip screen, lack of EVF and control scheme, and kept the X100 and X-T5.
“Hated the xm5 because of the flippy screen and no evf (and different control scheme)”
Recommends the X-M5 for travel: it's small, and its fully articulating screen lets them and their wife take selfies together. They rarely miss a viewfinder.
“It also has a fully telescoping/ rotating screen so you can flip the screen and take selfies while traveling. My wife is a big fan of this feature that way”
Bought the X-M5 and returned it twice: they missed a viewfinder in bright light, and it was so small and uncomfortable to hold that they stopped taking it out.
“I bought an x-m5 and ended up returning it. Twice. I thought i would like it and mentally said i won't use the viewfinder but in bright conditions, its a must have. Also, the x-m5”
Set up a new X-M5 like their X100VI and found its autofocus much faster, more responsive and quieter, with both the XC 15-45 kit lens and a Viltrox 28mm.
“I just picked up the XM5 and set it up as closely as possible to the x100vi and noticed that the XM5’s autofocus is very fast and responsive in comparison.”
Has shot an X-T5 since launch and recently added an X-M5. Loves both; the X-M5 shows clearly less detail when pixel peeping, but in normal use there's little difference and it beat their expectations.
“I love them both, but pixel peeping reveals much less detail with the 26MP sensor. It’s fine for my use, but the difference between the 2 (pixel peeping required) surprised me.”
Shoots most street and travel photos on the X-M5's screen and doesn't miss a viewfinder; says it feels like using a phone and draws little attention.
“I’m okay without a viewfinder because I shoot most of my street and travel photos using only the screen on my X-M5 and X-T50.”
Carries the X-M5 with the 23mm pancake every day because it's pocketable and light, with great photo and video quality. The X-T5 only comes out for big trips with heavier lenses.
“I have a XT5 and XM5, xm5 with the 23mm pancake is with me always. I love that its pocketable and lightweight, has a Great quality of Pics and Videos.”
Uses the X-M5 only as a camera for outings with friends and family; it never feels like their serious camera.
“The only way my XM5 justifies itself is by serving as my outing with friends/family camera. It never crosses my mind as my ‘serious’ camera”