For someone who reviews tech for a living, I hate having technology take over my life. I’m a firm believer that technology is there to enhance our lives, and when it starts to cause hindrance or distraction, we’ve gone a step too far.
That thought always applies whenever I want to stay in the moment, which is why I got into photography. Not only do you get much cleaner and crisper photos than you can achieve with your phone, but it’s just you, your subject, and the camera.
I usually like to take pictures of nature, whether I’m at a lake, beach or in the woods, it’s a great way to connect with my surroundings. I’ve been shooting mostly on the Sony a6100 for the last couple of years, but in June, I had the opportunity to head out to Valencia with Fujifilm to test out their then-new camera, the Fujifilm X-E5, which I think is one of the best mirrorless cameras around.
If I’m being honest, I was getting a bit bored with my photography. It all felt the same, and I stopped seeing growth in my work. But this camera literally changed everything. It showed me that the main reason my work wasn’t progressing is that I stopped having as much fun with my camera, and this camera brings all the fun right back.
The film simulation dial
With previous Fujifilm cameras I have used, like the X-Pro 3, you had to go into the camera’s menu and use the toggle to adjust film simulation settings. This is pretty time-consuming and can sometimes mean that you miss the shot you want with the film sim you want. Sure, you can edit in post, but isn’t that the fun of Fujifilm cameras?
The main selling point of the X-E5 camera for me, and so many others, is the film simulation dial. This sits right on top of the camera, just above the viewfinder, so you can easily cycle through the film simulations.
There’s also the option to add three of your own presets, which I have taken full advantage of. I’ve even added a warm-toned one that replicates the style of Kodak Gold 200 film, as you can see above, giving my photos a nostalgic feel perfect for the holiday season.
Effortless photography
Point and shoot; it seriously couldn’t be any easier. When I first used the camera, I was a little apprehensive since I wasn’t too sure what to expect, but I managed to get some of the best images I’ve ever taken.
Sure, a lot of it has to do with the fact that I was in Valencia, which is, quite frankly, beautiful, but the tech inside the camera is doing most of the work. The 40.2MP sensor means I can even crop in and adjust image skew in post without worrying about image quality. This is a major upgrade over the X-E4, which offers only 26MP.
In another step up from its predecessor, the X-E5 comes with in-body image stabilization, which makes it a little heavier, but there’s more assurance that your pictures are going to come out great. The 3-inch, 1.04 million dot LCD screen tilts to 180º, so I’m always able to get the perfect angle in my shots.
There is nothing difficult about this camera. Everything runs smoothly, and there is very little room for error.
Super compact style
When I bought my first camera, the man who sold it to me said that I needed to take pictures of anything and everything. It’s the only way to build experience, find a style, and ultimately, learn. That means that my camera comes everywhere with me, so it’s ideal that the X-E5 is the perfect size to go in my bag (in a case, of course, I’m not an animal).
The hand grip on the right side of the camera also makes it really easy to hold, and it felt super secure whenever I was using it. It’s simply the perfect size, measuring just 4.9 x 2.8 x 1.5 inches.
I use the camera with the pancake lens that comes with this kit, which, as the name would suggest, is flat as a pancake. The XF 23mm F2.8 R WR lens has a minimum focal distance of 20cm, so I’m able to get up close and personal to subjects like flowers and get great, detailed shots. It also offers a decently wide field of view for landscape photography.
I purchased this lens as part of a kit with the body of the camera, but you can also purchase it separately.
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