Fujifilm X-M5 vs X80: Has the X80 Dream Just Been Shattered?

The Fujifilm X-M5 is incredibly compact.

In fact, it’s so small that it raises the question: does this crush our hopes of ever seeing a Fujifilm X80?

During the launch videos yesterday, I noticed a size comparison between the Fujifilm X-M5, X70, and X-E4 in a FujiFanboys video which you can see here (camerasize.com hasn’t added the X-M5 to their database yet). The comparison shows that the X-M5 is nearly the same size as the X70 and only slightly heavier (340g vs. 355g).

The X-M5 also offers interchangeable lenses, which is both an advantage and a drawback—it still requires a lens, making the overall setup larger.

For the X-M5 to match the portability of the X70, Fujifilm would need to expand its pancake lens lineup. Currently, they only have the XF18mmF2 and XF27mmF2.8, and while the XF18mmF2 is a pancake, it’s almost twice the length of the XF27mmF2.8 (40.6mm vs. 23mm).

Given the current lens options, a Fujifilm X80 with an 18mmF2.8 lens would still be unbeatable in terms of portability, with the added flexibility of the WCL-X70 conversion lens.

However, if Fujifilm could update the XF18mmF2 to a more compact version or release an XF18mmF2.8 pancake lens, it could spell the end for any remaining hope for an X80.

At this point I do not know what Fujifilm’s plans are in this regard. I have no rumors about any XF18mmF2 refresh nor of an X80. But let us know in the comments what you think about it and if you’d prefer Fujifilm to invest now in a XF18mmF2 successor or in an X80.

Fujifilm Teases Two Cameras Coming in 2025, but there Will Be Even More Cameras than That

The X Summit just took place and you can find it here and the full live coverage here.

Everything happened as expected and we got all this gear.

But at the very end of the event Fujifilm had this “one more thing” moment in which they said:

there is one more thing. We are currently developing new cameras. Although the timing is yet to be determined, we hope to bring you exciting news next year

The Fujifilm Japan manager than gives a glance under both towels and seems to be visibly excited about what’s hidden there.

Now, I know some might moan and wish for a proper teaser instead of this.

But guys, you know very well that everything you need to do is to follow FujiRumors if you want to get a glimpse into the future of Fujifilm. ;)

So let’s look at what these cameras could be.

The fact that one towel is white and the other black might suggest that one represents a GFX camera and the other an X series camera, as GFX gear typically comes in white boxes while X series gear comes in black boxes (although, it seems the X-M5 ships in brown boxes as we reported here).

Additionally, the camera under the white towel is noticeably larger than the one under the black towel, further supporting our assumption.

If I should place a bet, I’d say under the white towel hides the fixed lens Fujifilm GFX, which should come in the first half of 2025. But that’s just a guess of mine.

More complicated is to guess what’s under the black towel.

Since it is definitely a very small camera, I’d say it’s either the 1″ sensor half frame camera or the Fujifilm X-E5, which will both come at some point in 2025.

But again: that’s all just blind speculation on my side. There could be any other camera under those towels.

In fact, let us know in the comments what you’d like to hide under those towels.

What I can say for sure: we won’t get only 2 cameras in 2025. In fact, we have already rumored three cameras to come until now and why not, there could be even more coming. We got 4 cameras in 2024, so why not make it at least 4 (or more) also in 2025? ;).

Because there are even more cameras waiting to get the 5th generation treatment, right X-Pro?

IT’S OVER: No More X or GFX Related Announcements This Year

We are done.

It’s over.

Today, on October 14 at 9AM New York time, we will witness the last X/GFX announcements of the year.

Yes, I know that Fujifilm had one of its all-time most important announcements (X-T5) in November. But if our sources are accurate, then we will wrap up the 2024 announcements season on October 14.

Everything  X/GFX related that Fujifilm has still in the pipeline for 2024 should come on today. So we are talking about:

But do not despair. We have LOTS of stuff to talk about soon anyway. The rumors will keep coming also in 2024 ;).

Fujifilm X-M5, XF16-55mmF2.8 II and XF500mmF5.6 Preorders Start Oct.14 at 10:00 AM New York Time

this is a rendered page, not real page. The real product page will be online Oct.14 at 10AM New York time
this is a rendered page, not real page. The real product page will be online Oct.14 at 10AM New York time

Some are contacting me and ask me: when exactly will it be possible to preorder the gear that will be announced on soon?

Well, in the Fujifilm world it usually works like this: there is the X summit and 1 hour after the X summit started pre-orders are open.

This means:

  • X Summit starts at 9AM New York time
  • Pre-orders start at 10AM New York time

Down below you’ll find the links to several stores in which you can pre-order the gear on October 14 at 10AM New York time. But of course there is always also your local store to check out, too.

And no, these are not real product pages of BHphoto, just renderings I did of what you’ll very soon see there. But they serve as a reminder of the prices in USD we expect for each new gear. We also have the price in € and £ here.

this is a rendered page, not real page. The real product page will be online Oct.14 at 10AM New York time
this is a rendered page, not real page. The real product page will be online Oct.14 at 10AM New York time
this is a rendered page, not real page. The real product page will be online Oct.14 at 10AM New York time
this is a rendered page, not real page. The real product page will be online Oct.14 at 10AM New York time

XF16-55mmF2.8 II: Smaller, Lighter, and Yet Overall Better Image Quality than Its Predecessor

We already told you that the new XF16-55mmF2.8 will be about 30% smaller and lighter than its predecessor.

In fact, recent leaks suggest it might be 37% lighter. You can also see a size comparison with the old version here and the first leaked image here.

But unlike many feared, this size and weight reduction will not come at the expense of image quality.

On the contrary: I have been told that the image quality of the upcoming Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 MKII will be overall better to the one of the MK I version.

ATTENTION: what does “overall better” mean? Sharper? Better handling of backlight situations? Less flares? More beautiful sunstars? Less fringing? I don’t have the answer to this. Nor do I know how big (or small) the improvement will be, and which areas they will eventually affect. Just because the new XF16-55 will be overall “better” it does not mean it will be better in every single aspect.

Stay tuned on FujiRumors… we have more stuff to talk about ;). I mean lots more stuff.