Fujifilm X-E5 in 2025: The Perfect Dial is…? – VOTE

If you thought the film simulation dial of the Fujifilm X-T50 was a one-time experiment by Fujifilm, then forget about it.

Hate it or love it, it is here to stay and it will be used also on the upcoming Fujifilm X-M5.

Of course the question now is: will there be also other future Fujifilm cameras that will use that dial?

Well, we can safely assume that higher end cameras won’t use the film simulation dial. I simply can’t believe Fujifilm would put one on the Fujifilm X-Pro5 or Fujifilm X-T6 or Fujifilm X-H3 or Fujifilm X-H3S.

But as we can see on X-T50/X-M5, on mid-low end cameras Fujifilm might as well use that dial.

So now the question comes up: will maybe the Fujifilm X-E5 have a film simulation dial, too?

I do not have the answer to that question.

But what I can do until I find the answer, is to ask you which dial you’d like on the Fujifilm X-E5.

I guess the most realistic options are either a shutter speed dial or a film simulation dial.

I don’t believe that Fujifilm would put the very complicated to manufacture and assemble combined ISO/Shutter dial on the X-E5. I mean, I’d be happy to pay the extra price for that dial, since it is my favorite dial offered by Fujifilm. But it would make the camera more expensive and slower to manufacture, which are dealbreakers for Fujifilm, especially considering how disastrous the shipping of the X-E4 was.

Fujifilm must make sure the errors of the X-E4 are not repeated. The X-E5 must be produced in sufficient numbers. And that dial is just too cumbersome to make.

And yet, out of curiosity, I will give you also that dial option to vote on. Just to see if I am the only one who’s in love with that dial or if there are also others who’d pay a bit more for an X-E5 just to get that dial.

I want a Fujifilm X-E5 with...

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Manufacturing Fujifilm’s Best Retro Dial: Complicated, Irrational, Expensive but Pure Photographic Pleasure

The Brilliant Dial – a Complicated Joy

When yesterday we published the comments of Fujifilm CEO, who said that it is very difficult to mass-produce Fujifilm cameras with retro dials, there were some who said that making a retro dial is just as quick and easy as making a PSAM dial.

Is it true?

Well, the CEO was referring to the production struggles of the Fujifilm X100VI, which uses the combined ISO/Shutter dial first introduced on the Fujifilm X-Pro2.

So let’s look at that dial. Is it really as easy as making a PSAM dial? Here is what Fujifilm writes about it:

Realizing the [dial] mechanism and manufacturing process were not easy.

Firstly, […] there are 22 positions in total, quite a lot of number for an internal dial. […]

Secondly, the dial is electronically linked. The analog dial operation is converted digitally to know exactly what the setting is.

And Lastly, this mechanism has to be weather-resistant.

In order to meet the requirement, the Shutter speed / ISO dial required 38 parts for its composition. This number is the fourth largest after the finder, shutter unit, and mount.

This is not only about number of pieces, some parts required highly tech solution to manufacture the piece.

For example, in order to achieve the accurate 22 positions, the piece needed to be very precise and durable regardless of its complicated form. This piece is realized by a method called Metal Injection Molding (MIM). It is not cost friendly, but the this method realizes the metal part to be durable even in its complicated form.

Why do we spend so much time on this one dial?

Unfortunately there is no economic and rational answer to that question. But it was something that the developing team of X-Pro camera had always dreamed of achieving. And it was also something that the passionate X-Pro users strongly wished for.

So please, don’t go around saying that making a dial like the one on the Fujifilm X100VI is just the same as making one for any PSAM dialed camera.

There is no other digital vintage-looking camera out there that uses that dial. And the reason why is explained above: it’s complicated, it’s expensive, and it makes no sense from a manufacturing efficiency point of view.

But we are lucky that Fujifilm thinks differently.

Fujifilm does not think that niche products with niche ergonomic solutions are just a waste of R&D. Fujifilm has such a massive photographic culture that they understand that cultivating a niche means cultivating the true passion for photography.

That’s why we get cameras with such a unique (and expensive) dial, and why I believe it absolutely possible that there will be ultra-nice products like the Fujifilm TX-3 in 2028.

And that’s why, even if slower refresh times, Fujifilm will give us the Fujifilm X-E5 and Fujifilm X-Pro4.

And speaking of Fujifilm X-E5, personally I hope it will have such a dial too, although I have little hopes since it is so expensive to make, and I guess Fujifilm does not want that camera to become too expensive.

With that said, you can read the full article about the combined ISO/Shutter dial development here.

Fuji’s Vintage Cameras

Fujifilm X-E5 in 2025: The Features You Want (and My Wishes)

So we have shared the rumor about the Fujifilm X-E5 coming in 2025.

I guess X-E line lovers now have mixed feelings, between the joy of the line not being axed and the frustration of still having to wait so long.

Personally, the Fujifilm X-E5 camera is the one camera I will instantly pre-order. I mean, my lovely Fujifilm X-E3 starts to show its age compared to the my Fujifilm X-T5.

And I am not really that interested in the specs, as long as it has the 5th generation processor, the latest autofocus goodness and the new Reala Ace film simulations.

The lack of any of the three features I mentioned above would be a dealbreaker for me.

Nice to have would be the 40MP sensor, IBIS and a simple tilt screen, but no dealbreaker if they are not available on X-E5.

One more thing I hope for and would make the X-E5 perfect for me, would be the combined ISO/Shutter dial we find on the Fujifilm X100VI and X-Pro3. That would be beyond awesome if Fujifilm would put that on the X-E5.

Anyway, that’s my quick features wishlists.

Let us know in the comments which features you’d like the Fujifilm X-E5 to offer (and which ones not).

Fujifilm X-E5: The Truth!

Fujifilm X-E5

The Fujifilm X-E line has always lived a life at the brink of extinction.

And it is understandable, due to the rather low sales of X-E1, X-E2 and X-E3.

But not with the Fujifilm X-E4 !

Yes, also the X-E4 failed, but for the reasons we explained here, that failure is sole responsibility of Fujifilm.

The Good News

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

Japanese Fujifilm Managers: X-Pro and X-E line Not Stopped, X-Trans is Here to Stay, PSAM vs RETRO, GFX Sports Photography and More

image courtesy: Phototrend
image courtesy: Phototrend

At the last CP+, the French Website Phototrend had the opportunity to talk to Japanese Fujifilm manager Jun Watanabe about the X series and to Japanese Fujifilm manager Makoto Oishi about the GFX series.

Down below you can find a quick summary. For the full French version check out the articles at Phototrend here (X series) and here (GFX series). Plus a little rant at the end.

X series

  • Fujifilm can not confirm if X-Pro4 will arrive soon or not
  • X-Pro line is not stopped
  • X-T and X100 series do not satisfy all customers who want a “pure photography” experience
  • Fujifilm is studying different possibilities
  • feedback and expectations are high for the next X-Pro
  • X-E line is not stopped
  • sports photography is a difficult market
  • other brands are long established there and for Fujifilm it’s new terrain
  • Fujifilm can not confirm anything about eventual future lenses for sport photographers
  • Fujifilm has received great feedback about the latest autofocus system, but they will continue to improve
  • renewing older lenses is something that Fujifilm has in mind
  • XF16-50mmF2.8-4.8 [admin note: will replace the XF18-55mmF2.4.8]
  • Fujifilm is not considering any option other than X-Trans for their APS-C cameras
  • its unique matrix offers the advantage of combining high definition and suppression of moiré and chromatic aberrations
  • for X100VI, Fujifilm has developed the smallest and thinnest IBIS unit to date
  • the X100VI IBIS wiring has been moved to the side – see here
  • IBIS system uses data from the image in addition to the gyroscope (motion blur is analyzed from the live-view image)
  • the grip of the X100VI is a tenth of a millimeter deeper than X100V for a better grip

GFX series

  • GFX100II market return (sales) is very good, not only among professional photographers, but also filmmakers and directors
  • GFX100II sales exceed Fujifilm’s expectations
  • GFX100S is still very popular because Fujifilm has lowered its price
  • GFX100S still very popular in some markets like China
  • professionals go for GFX100II, enthusiasts for GFX100S
  • Fujifilm never looked at its market share in medium format segment
  • other manufacturers have no announced so many new products, so Fujifilm thinks they are Nr.1
  • some expect a faster 50MP GFX. But Fujifilm thinks high definition is more popular
  • there are lots of FF cameras offering 50/60 megapixel, so offering 50MP now has become almost banal
  • Fujifilm focuses on improving the 100MP sensor performance
  • for professionals ergonomics are very important
  • first GFX cameras had dedicated dials but now they switched to a easier to operate PSAM dial layout
  • Fujinon GF 500 mm f/5.6: it’s time for Fujifilm GFX to approach wildlife and sports photography
  • normally APS-C lenses are compact than FF and MF (hence also smaller AF motors)
  • but regarding telephoto lenses, size primarily depends on diameter and aperture. Regardless of whether it’s for APS-C, FF or MF, the fundamental construction of telephoto lenses, particularly on the front lens side, is the same
  • Fujifilm tries to make the GF500mm as small and light as possible to obtain faster autofocus
  • tilt-shift lenses are the most difficult to design
  • Fujifilm started to develop its GF tilt shift lenses back in 2019
  • why not retro? High end high speed cameras need to be operated quickly, hence PSAM. Also good for hybrid shooters for video

Let me just say that I strongly, vehemently, vigorously and fervidly disagree with Fujifilm in regards to what they said why they stick with PSAM on their GFX lineup.

First: the GFX system is not know to be blazing fast and immensely popular among high end sports photographers. I actually feel the GFX system would be the ideal system to use a retro layout.

Second: maybe Fujifilm should watch my video so they learn how to operate their own cameras.

They will find out that one can operate their retro styled cameras exactly as any PSAM camera out there. It’s a marvellous and ingenious design that gives us photographer the best of both words: retro if I want to have fun shooting or want to actually operate the camera already before turning it on, and PSAM if one needs to make lots of adjustment all the time on the fly.

Retro Fujifilm cameras offer both options. PSAM cameras force you into one way to operate the camera.

And in my opinion not offering retro styled GFX cameras anymore is one of the all time biggest mistakes Fujifilm is doing.

C’mon Fujifilm, look at what is selling best in your X system. You’ll see that retro X cameras outsell PSAM cameras by very far. And Nikon had a colossal success with the Nikon Zf lately. It’s clear that in times where every camera is just so good, what people really look for is to have a different photographic experience thanks to dedicated vintage dials.

The joy of shooting sells better than any specs boost you can show off on paper.

An example?

The X100VI sells like hot cakes. The revolutionary global shutter ultra modern high speed blazing fast Sony A9III is selling way below Sony’s expectations (you could always find it in stock everywhere all the time because demand is not high… ask your local retailer).

Make sure to read/watch below: