Fujifilm recently announced the X-T5 camera, which is the latest camera in the X Mount series. Despite the fact that the X-T5 is not the most feature-filled camera Fujifilm has ever produced, it does send a big message to its audience and customer base. Fujifilm has finally figured out its camera lineup for the X Mount.
Fujifilm has released a lot of different X Mount cameras. For the most part, this is great, because there are lots of options available for the market. Unfortunately, the number of different X Mount cameras on the market has blurred the lines a little. For instance, the Fujifilm X-T series of cameras was the flagship line from the company for quite some time. Fujifilm then released the X-H1, which appeared to be replacing the X-T series as the flagship; however, it just didn't offer enough.
Fortunately, we now have clarity in the X Mount system with how Fujifilm has differentiated between the X-H2 camera and the X-T5 camera.
A Bumpy Ride
Fujifilm released the X-H1 camera back in 2018. At the time, the X-T2 was the flagship APS-C camera from the company. The X-H1 was supposed to replace the X-T2 and demote it to being an enthusiast camera. Unfortunately, the X-H1 didn't offer a great deal over its counterpart except for a huge camera body and slightly improved video features.
At the time, Fujifilm was the company that was discussing the benefits of having a small camera. It then went on to release the X-H1, which was larger and heavier than several key full frame cameras. The product just didn't fit the message.
The idea was that with a larger camera body, Fujifilm could add extra features, such as in-body image stabilization (IBIS) and improved video features. In theory, this would have been great; however, the camera felt like it was rushed out without great thought. What's worse is that in the same year, Fujifilm went on to release the X-T3, which featured a better sensor, improved autofocus, and virtually identical video features.
The only feature that the X-H1 held onto was IBIS, and this wasn't enough to entice customers away from the feature-filled X-T3 camera. Two years later, in 2020, Fujifilm announced the X-T4 camera that included IBIS along with an update to many of the core features, such as autofocus. At this point, there was virtually no reason to buy the X-H1, and many people online started discussing how Fujifilm was planning on completely dropping the X-H series of cameras. Of course, this didn't happen; however, the X-H series of cameras didn't get the best of starts.
The Problem With the X-T4
The Fujifilm X-T4 was probably the best APS-C camera when it was released. It's only the recent releases from Fujifilm that make the X-T4 appear a little dated. Even now, it remains an incredible option for both photographers and videographers, and strangely, this is kind of the problem.
Fujifilm has seemingly been trying to please everyone all of the time. They wanted to produce the best APS-C camera that can compete with full frame cameras while also being relatively small. This camera needed to be great at taking pictures, but also be brilliant for videographers without any real compromises. In all honesty, Fujifilm did a pretty good job. Unfortunately, you can't please everyone all the time, and this is why the X-T4 seemingly annoyed some of the core Fujifilm customers.
One of the main issues was the flip-out touchscreen. For many, a flip-out touchscreen is great because you have more options available in how you can angle the screen. This isn't the case for many photographers that actually prefer a tilting screen because it's quicker and requires less effort in those faster-paced shooting environments.
The flip-out touchscreen was obviously installed in order to benefit people interested in video features. However, this may have alienated long-time photographers that loved the X-T series of cameras. It wasn't the fact that they disliked video features in the camera. Instead, it seemed to many customers that Fujifilm was adding features that undermined what photographers wanted.
This is a common mistake that many organizations seem to make. They chase after a new audience and take core customers for granted. Fortunately, Fujifilm is a company that pays attention and listens to its customers. In just one cycle, Fujifilm seems to have figured things out.
A Much Better Lineup
There was quite a gap in time between the Fujifilm X-H1 and the current X-H2 camera. In that time, Fujifilm seems to have figured out how it wants to approach video and photo customers.
This is important because a large proportion of photographers are not interested in video features. And if you want to attract customers that want good video, then you need to offer a compelling enough camera. Balancing this is difficult because if you add too many compelling video features, then the photo side suffers and vice versa. Fujifilm seems to have figured things out while simultaneously breathing new life into its X-H series of cameras.
The Fujifilm X-H2 sits atop the APS-C flagship, offering high-end video features such as 8K raw (externally), a flip-out touchscreen, and active cooling. However, if you don't need the extra video features and want something more photo-centric, then you can save some money and buy the Fujifilm X-T5.
There are clear defining lines between the cameras now and customers can decide based on their requirements. This is a great move from Fujifilm because it can attract new video customers while keeping current photo customers happy.
Final Thoughts
It's great to see how Fujifilm develops its camera systems. Every year, it produces new tools and better equipment for photographers and videographers. With the Fujifilm X-T5, the camera lineup makes more sense, which is always a good thing for customers.
The only sore thumb that's sticking out is the Fujifilm X-H2S. This camera doesn't seem to offer anything significant over the other two options. It's considerably more expensive and less capable in several key areas. The X-H2S makes no sense sitting next to the other two cameras. It was probably just a stopgap, but now that we have the X-H2 and the X-T5, it might be best if we just ignore it.
Ultimately, it's great to see Fujifilm focusing on producing some of the best APS-C cameras on the market. With its new approach to video and photo features in its cameras, customers are going to find it far easier to find the right camera for them.
A good read, Usman. I was skeptical about the 2 new camera lines too but feel much better about it now and agree with you that it's the right move for Fuji. The XT5 gets back to the heart of the lineup and makes the still shooters happy (other than the lack of a grip), while the XH2 series offers a more modern approach. One thing I disagree on, is that I think the XH2s has a place, and having tried one out about a month ago I was incredibly impressed with it. I will be testing an XH2 soon as well, so I might change my mind about this if the autofocus is on par with the "s" model. If that's the case you are probably right that it's redundant to have both for most shooters.
I agree for the most part.
X-H2s is there for a purpose. It has no rolling shutter, better AF, deep buffer and very high burst speed.
A great camera for serious videographers, sport shooters and wild life photographers.
I'm still in disbelief there is anyone out there who prefers a non fully articulating screen for photography, even if it didn't record video.
The only time I really want the non flippy screen is during street photography. In that case, the tilt screen in my opinion is much preferred. And since so many Fuji shooters are street photographers, it makes sense that they freak out because of articulating screens lol. Other than that, I'm with you!
Totally agreed. I am street photographer and that was the main reason I didn't want to upgrade my xt3.
I do. We have dedicated cameras for video (and videographers) so I focus most of the time and assignments on stills only.
A fully articulated screen (or: flippy screen) has a few disadvantages. On many cameras it blocks ports needed for my tether cable. On studio stands it makes the camera wider, thus limiting the swivel options esp. in portrait mode. It limits the mount possibilities for L-plates. It restricts movements when a camera body is mounted to a technical camera. When doing street photography, you need two hand/wrist actions instead of one to swivel the screen up/downwards (out + up instead of up only) and by extending the screen you become more visible/noticeable to your subjects. Your screen is also off-axis which makes composition less intuitive.
So, I much prefer the tilted screen for stills cameras. Preferable such as in the Lumix S1/S1R or Fujifilm X-T3/T5. Whenever a hybrid camera needs a flippy screen (for vlogging) I prefer a screen like the Lumix S1H/GH6 or Sony A7RV. These represent best-of-both-worlds for me.
PS. also in video mode I've found many flippy screens interfering with rigs and gimbals. So, it's not only stills-dinosaurs ;-) who prefer 3-axis tilt screens.
What I really disliked about the X-T4 was the eye/face AF. Lots of false positives, can't tap on faces to select.