Fujifilm South Africa has launched the lightest mirrorless camera in its X-Series lineup yet, the Fujifilm X-M5. At only 355g, the X-M5 is small enough to fit in a jacket pocket and can be seen as the perfect hybrid camera - just as capable at recording video as it is at taking beautiful images. 

However, it is the camera’s videography features that should appeal to vloggers, videographers and social media content creators. For example, a new Short Movie mode allows users to easily shoot vertical 9:16 videos popular on various social media, and then smoothly share the captured content to a smartphone for editing or posting.  

There is also Vlog mode which gives vloggers and creators the ability to change shooting conditions intuitively by simply touching the LCD screen at the back. This activates improvements in the number and placement of key icons to make video recording even more intuitive.

For the first time in Fujifilm’s digital camera lineup, three built-in microphones are featured on the camera, and users can choose from four microphone directivity options: surround, front, back, or front & back, depending on the situation. The X-M5 is also the first to feature a steady-state noise reduction function, which reduces noise that continues to ring at a certain frequency, such as air conditioning. 

As far as specs are concerned, the X-M5 can record 6.2K/30P 4:2:2 10-bit video, while also supporting extensive video functions including 4K/60P and 1080/240P. New bit rates of 8Mbps and 25Mbps have been added, which shortens the transfer time to external devices such as smartphones and contributes to shortening the time required to upload captured video to social media.

Also, like the previously announced X-T50, the X-M5 also includes a Film Simulation dial, present on the left shoulder of the camera. Users can easily switch between a total of 20 Film Simulation modes according to the subjects and scenes. This makes it easy to enjoy a variety of colour tones and styles in both movies and stills.

The X-M5 comes equipped with the proven back-illuminated X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor with approximately 26.1 megapixels. Also onboard is the latest high-speed X-Processor 5 image processing engine, as found on the flagship Fujifilm X-T5 camera. Finally, to make focusing a breeze, the camera includes subject detection AF, developed with deep learning technology, in addition to the existing Face/Eye AF.

The Fujifilm X-M5 can be seen as the perfect camera for a wide range of users, from first-time digital camera owners, to vloggers, content creators and photography enthusiasts. It is set to arrive in South Africa at the start of November, with a suggested retail price of R16 000 incl. VAT. As a kit, it sells alongside the XC 15-45mm lens for a suggested R19 000 incl. VAT.

Two key new lenses also coming

There are also two news lenses emerging from the Fujifilm stables, with the first of particular interest to wildlife and bird photographers in South Africa. The Fujinon XF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR is a super-telephoto prime lens offering an impressive 500mm focal length (equivalent to 762mm in 35mm format) and an aperture of F5.6.

This lens represents the pinnacle of optical performance in the XF lens line-up. Despite being a super-telephoto lens, it maintains a lightweight and compact design, weighing approximately 1,3 kg. The XF500mmF5.6 is particularly well-suited for shooting birds, wildlife and aircraft, and offers outstanding mobility that redefines the conventions of super-telephoto lenses. Also included is a powerful 5.5-stop optical image stabilisation system, which ensures sharp and stable images even at extended focal lengths.

Fujifilm has also launched the Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR II lens, the successor to the original version of this iconic lens launched back in 2015. This new large-aperture standard zoom lens represents the flagship model in the XF lens line-up.

At 410g, the new version has gone on a diet to achieve an approximate 37% reduction in weight compared to its predecessor. The XF16-55mmF2.8 II features a dust-resistant, weather-resistant and low-temperature-resistant construction with 12 sealing points throughout the lens body, which makes it ideal for high-intensity shooting conditions.

In addition, Fujifilm has introduced the "Aperture Click Switch" for the first time on the XF Lens lineup. This new feature allows for smooth brightness transitions during aperture adjustments, making video recording more natural and seamless on the XF16-55mmF2.8 II. 

Both the Fujinon XF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR and the XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR II will reach local shores later in November, retailing for a suggested R64 000 and R22 000 incl. VAT respectively.