Fujifilm X-M5 has Better Autofocus than X-S20, but New Firmware is Coming REPORT (+VIDEO)

 

It’s difficult to gauge how well the autofocus of the Fujifilm X-M5 truly performs.

Why?

The real issue is that performance depends on which Beta firmware version reviewers are using.

In the lead-up to launch, Fujifilm frequently updates the firmware for pre-production models, sometimes even multiple times a day.

So, someone testing the camera in mid-September may have significantly different results from someone testing it in mid-October.

And since reviewers aren’t able to re-test everything after every update, any autofocus performance assessment right now should be taken with a grain of salt, as it’s unclear which firmware version was used.

So we can come to a situation in which some might claim that the X-M5’s autofocus is on par with other X series cameras, while others might say it offers the best autofocus performance of any X series camera.

With that disclaimer out of the way…

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Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR II Pre-Orders Now also at Amazon US

You can now pre-order the Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR II also at AmazonUS here.

And look, I know it sucks to have to wait months to get your gear shipped, which has sadly become a standard with Fujifilm.

But since pre-orders just launched, Amazon likely has a short waiting list for now. So, if you’re interested in this lens and place your order on Amazon soon, you could secure a higher spot in the waiting list and potentially receive your lens sooner.

However, the list is bound to fill up quickly.

Also, it’s worth giving your local store a call to ask about their waiting list. Unfortunately, I can’t do that for you—I can’t check every store’s backlog worldwide. Instead, I try to provide the best info by comparing larger online retailers.

But if you work at a local store, feel free to inform our readers in the comments to this post on how the situation is at your store.

Fujifilm X RAW Studio and Tether App Support Added for Fujifilm X-M5

 

Fujifilm X RAW Studio ver.1.25.0 – download here
The software update Ver.1.25.0 incorporates the following issue:

  1. Applicable model for the “FUJIFILM X RAW STUDIO” is added.
    Applicable model : FUJIFILM X-M5

Fujifilm Tether App ver. 1.31.0 – download here
The software update Ver.1.31.0 incorporates the following issue:

  1. Applicable model for the “FUJIFILM TETHER APP” is added.
    Applicable model : FUJIFILM X-M5

Pre-orders

10 New Features of the Fujifilm X-M5 – and Some Coming to X-T5 & Co via Firmware

The Fujifilm X-M5 has just been launched.

And quite surprisingly for being the most affordable MILC camera of Fujifilm, it comes packed with a bunch of new features that even Fujifilm’s highest end cameras don’t have.

Some of those features will come via firmware update to other models for sure, some we can hope for, but others are hardware features available only on the Fujifilm X-M5 so far.

So let’s quickly run thorugh them:

  1. Manual Focus range customization
    You can set the rotation reach from 60 up to 900 degree individually for each lens. This will come via firwmare to other models. – see screeshot here from this video
  2. New Menu Interface in Vlog Mode
    Vlog mode has now a new interface (with more options and new features) that makes it easier to use – see screenshot here. There is also a zoom slider on the LCD – see screenshot here taken from this video
  3. Three micorphones
    the X-M5 is equipped with three microphones, allowing you to choose between capturing sound from all directions or focusing on either the front or rear mic, depending on your needs. Alternatively, you can use both the front and rear mics simultaneously, which is perfect for interviews where you want to record audio from both the person filming behind the camera and the person in front
  4. 4K LG (Long Play)
    4K with 1.18x crop for longer record times
  5. Vertical Recording Mode
    It’s there, it’s new. You can film Full HD with it. The advantage is that you do not need to flip your camera to record vertically, hence it is more comfortable to hold in your hands when filming
  6. Cable Connection with X App
    connect camera via cable to phone for fast transfer of files larger than 4GB to X App
  7. Recording Timer
    Set a timer (30 / 60 seconds) and then record vertical video
  8. Bit Rates Expansion
    New lower bit rates offered such as 25 mbps or even 8 mbps to generate smaller files
  9. Green Frame
    when you record video in slow motion mode, the recording frame turns green (instead of red). This helps to avoid to erroneously record in slow motion – see screenshot here from this video
  10. Steady-State Noise Reduction
    steady-state noise reduction function reduces noise that continues to sound at a certain frequency, such as the noise from an air conditioner.
  11. New portrait enhance mode
    you can set it from strong to weak. Not completely new, as it was available on older Xacti cameras like X-T200 and X-A7

BONUS 1

  • USB-C Powering even with empty battery
    I’m not entirely certain about this, but maybe you can help me out. The X-M5 can be powered via USB-C, as seen on other cameras, but it seems it can continue to operate even when the battery is completely drained. Normally, when the battery is empty, you have to wait for it to charge a bit before the camera can run on USB-C power again. The original concept was that if the power cable was accidentally unplugged, the battery would still have enough charge to keep the camera running and save your files. However, with the X-M5, it seems that’s no longer necessary—if powered via USB-C, the camera will keep running continuously, even with a fully drained battery. But on the other hand, if you are for example in an live talk online and you use the X-M5 as webcam, you prefer to have the camera running even without battery rather than switching off

BONUS 2

  • Good Bye Black Box
    We are used to get our X gear shipped in black boxes. Well, that’s no longer the case with the X-M5, which will come in brown boxes (see here the screenshot taken from this video). I wonder if that’s the new color for all Fujifilm X gear going foward

FIRMWARE BONUS

  • Aperture switch
    That’s a feature of the Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 II and allows for smooth brightness transition when adjusting aperture. It works now already on X-M5 but a firmware update will come to make it work with other cameras – quick example in this video

Anything else that you noticed? Feel free to let us know in the comments.

Pre-Orders

LIVE BLOG: Fujifilm X-M5, XF16-55mmF2.8 II and XF500mmF5.6 Reviews and Pre-Orders Now

Fujifilm X Summit Launch Blog
(refresh for latest updates)

Now Real:

Pre-Orders

Official Fujifilm Info

First Looks

  • BH Explora – FUJIFILM Announces Creator-Friendly X-M5 Camera and X Series Lenses
  • gizguide – X-M5 introduction
  • thephoblographer – Fujfilm launches X-M5 and new lenses

Pre-Orders

↓ Launch Videos ↓

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