REPORT: Fujifilm X-M5 Release in October: 26MP, 4K/120p, Cheap Build Quality and Made in Thailand

The Chinese Weibo account 独立摄影师联合会 unveiled that it could already go hands on with the upcoming Fujifilm X-M5. In his Chinese tweet he says here:

I just saw the real Fujifilm XM5, which is probably made in Thailand. I feel the workmanship is not very good. It will be released next month [sad face]

Update: It is a prototype, no wonder it feels a bit loose [doge] It has an unusual color scheme, which is quite cool ​​​

This is also the camera that hides behind the code FF240002.

In a follow up tweet a few days later the Chinese account shared some specs here:

  • 26MP X-Trans BSI image sensor
  • X-Processor 5 image processor
  • 3-inch vari-angle touchscreen
  • 4K60p video (4K120p in crop mode)
  • Vlog mode
  • 425-point hybrid autofocus system
  • 20 built-in film simulations
  • Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
  • Expected to be released in October 2024

A little curiosity: there was a time, when the cheapest Fujifilm cameras sold insanely well in Thailand, grabbing 50% of the mirrorless camera market share as we reported here.

Let’s see if the Fujifilm X-M5 will be able to have a similar success as the X-A line had in Thailand. Although I doubt that, as times have changed since back in 2018 and smartphone cameras have become even better. And for Vloggers filming content on the go and without huge image quality aspirations, gear like the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 or similar might be the more convenient pick.

But let’s see how the X-M5 turns out to be.

I am personally not interested in it but I hope the Fujifilm X-M5 will have some aspects that surprise me positively. Fujifilm (or should I say Xacti? ;)) was quite ingenious with some ideas implemented in their cheapest cameras and still today I do not understand why Fujifilm has not passed those ideas to higher end models.

RUMOR: Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 MKII is About 30% Smaller and Lighter than Original XF16-55mmF2.8

I have been told (THANKS!!!) that the new Fujinon XF16-55mm f/2.8 MKII will be about 30% smaller and lighter than the original version.

BE AWARE: Our sources said ABOUT 30% and not EXACTLY 30%! So don’t sh*tstorm too hard on me if it ends up being 34% or 26% smaller. ;)

I guess (not rumor) that in terms of size the new XF16-55mmF2.8 will be getting a step closer to the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN, which at this point is probably also its closest competitor.

Now, this is not a rumor (!!!) but a speculated list on which lens will be the better pick:

  • PROS of Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 MKII (vs Sigma 18-50mmF2.8 DC DN)
    – 2mm wider
    – 5mm longer on the telephoto end
    – aperture ring
    – probably better weather sealing (the one of the Sigma has been reviewed as being “rather basic” by reputable review sites like photozone here)
  • PROS Sigma 18-50mmF2.8 DC DN (vs Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 MKII)
    – price
    – probably still a bit more compact

And then there are of course lots of things we still don’t know, so this is just a very approximate and rough list that is far from being any recommendation to go for one lens or the other.

Oh, and the image you see above is just a rendering I quickly made of the XF16-55mmF2.8 MKII.

STAY TUNED: Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 MKII Rumor Dropping Today

Many castes doubts and shadows after we told you that the XF16-55mmF2.8 lens will get a successor in 2024. Read the rumor here.

Why?

Because it has been incredibly silent around that lens so far. Fujifilm has not announced any X Summit. And because if Fujifilm were really to launch a successor, then we should have gotten a huge deal on the MKI version by now, but there is none.

But you shall never ever doubt what our trusted sources say. ;)

So much so, that today we are going to share what I consider an important rumor update regarding the Fujinon XF16-55mm f/2.8 MKII.

Definitely stay tuned. I am curious to read your reaction on this specific rumor.

AstrHori AF 27mm f/2.8 Autofocus lens for Fujifilm X Mount… and Why (Some) Chinese Lenses are Starting to Bore Me

The first image of the upcoming AstrHori AF 27mm f/2.8 autofocus lens for Fujifilm X mount has now leaked at the Chinese social media account Camerabeta and 独立摄影师联合会 here and here.

  • AstrHori AF27mm F2.8
  • autofocus lens
  • minimum focusing distance of 0.3 meters
  • 39mm filter size

It looks very similar to the 7Artisans 27mm f/2.8 that will also be launched soon.

As noted by the Chinese blogger, this is just a re-branded lens. It’s basically one company that makes them and then throws on it the brand name they get paid for printing on it.

That’s why we quite often get the same boring lenses from China: it’s the same stuff, made by one company and sold under a different name.

And while in the past I’d say “the more, the merrier“, I feel like this saying has no value anymore in cases like this one.

Please come up with something more original and unique!

Anyway, I’ll happily stick with my Fujinon XF27mmF2.8 R WR, which has an aperture ring btw ;).

Because in my little world, no aperture ring, no buy!