After six months and a 12-day Portugal trip, I sold my Fujifilm X-E5. I still loved the photographs, but its small controls and handling did not suit me as well as I had hoped.
Originally published on YouTube Apr 8, 2026.
What I still loved
Fujifilm’s colors, JPEG options, and film simulations remained major strengths for me. I enjoyed the files from the 40-megapixel sensor and the character of higher-ISO images. On the Portugal trip, charging each night was enough for my daily use.
The controls were the problem
The rear dial felt soft to me, and I frequently bumped controls while taking the camera in and out of a bag. I missed a dedicated ISO dial and found the small body less comfortable with the 16-55mm zoom. The screen movement and memory-card access were other small frustrations.
Autofocus and my next step
For quick photographs of my daughter, I wanted faster and more dependable focus. The X-E5 could make beautiful images, but it was not my preferred tool for fast-moving moments. I would personally lean toward the X-T5 for its grip, dials, and screen. This is a follow-up to my earlier X-E5 review, showing how my opinion developed with longer use.
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