If you’ve been following my ramblings for a while, you’ll know that I started my journey into mirrorless cameras a few years ago by purchasing a Fuji X-T3. Three years on, and I still use it frequently. I do miss the 48 megapixel image size of my D850 though. I figured now was as good of a time as any for a Fuji upgrade.
When I purchased my X-T3 at the beginning of 2021, the X-T4 had already been released. the X-T4 was considerably more expensive at the time and I wasn’t sure I wanted to invest that much in a mirrorless body. The weight savings and size were the main drivers for me dipping my toe in the mirrorless waters. The main thing that was stopping me was the EVF. I was so used to the optical view finder, I wasn’t sure I could deal with the lag of an EVF.
Three years on, I’m now all in on mirrorless. I’ve added a Nikon Z8 to my kit, effectively a mirrorless version of my D850. My X-T3 however still has it’s place in my kit. The Z8 is an incredible camera, but the size, and weight of it and the Z series lenses isn’t much of a saving over my D850. When I need to travel light, I rech for my Fuji kit.
I’m finding I want to carry a camera with me when I travel for work more and more. I’m travelling to some interesting destinations. I can’t do that with the Z8 or the D850, they’re just too big. As I said previously, I miss the higher resolution when using the X-T3. When the X-T5 was launched, I decided it was time for a Fuji upgrade.
Reasons I Upgraded
I held off on the purchase for a long time. When it was released, the X-T5 was expensive for a backup camera. I waited twelve months in the hope the price would eventually come down. Unfortunately Fuji equipment seems to hold its value rather well. Good and bad for me, it meant my X-T3 would be worth more when I sell it. Bad in that my X-T5 was more expensive.
Along with the higher resolution, 40 megapixels in the X-T5 versus 26 megapixels in the X-T3, there are several other features that persuaded me to upgrade. Another big reason for the upgrade is in body image stabilisation, or IBIS. The X-T3 only has lens stabilisation. The X-T5 has five-axis in body image stabilisation good for up to 7 stops according to CIPA. Although I do take this with a pinch of salt. If I’m shooting at 1/50th of a second, I’m pretty sure I’m not getting a sharp shot, handheld, at 2.5 seconds.
There are a whole list of other reasons to upgrade, some of them were important to me, others not so much. The other big things for me were the faster autofocus and longer battery life. The downside of the longer battery life is that it’s a different battery. My X-T3 spares and charger will need replacing.
Final Thoughts
I’ve had the X-T5 for a while now and have taken it on several work trips. I’m really happy with the results I’m getting and it’s helping me be more creative. I really have noticed a performance increase with the autofocus and the higher resolution images are much closer to what I get with my D850 or Z8. They’re also easier to work with in Lightroom, the reason for that I don’t know. Below are a few images I captured with the X-T5.
I’m very happy I pushed the button on my Fuji upgrade and purchased the X-T5. If you do the same, I’m sure you will be too. I’m not telling you to upgrade, only you can decide if it’s the right move for you.
Thanks for stopping by, have a great day.
