Which Fujifilm camera is best?

With the launch of the Fujifilm X-E5, Fujifilm has restored one of its most popular camera lines, but how does this new camera fit into the existing Fujifilm camera range, and which one is the best to get now?

I’m not including Fujifilm’s medium format GFX cameras in this list because I think they are for a different audience, but I am going to include the Fujifilm X100 VI. It doesn’t have interchangeable lenses, but it does follow the design and specifications of Fujifilm’s X-mount cameras closely.

This list is ordered by price, starting with Fujifilm’s most affordable X-mount cameras and working up to its high-end professional models. It’s not just a simple scale of price and features, though, because different models will appeal to different kinds of photographer. The best camera for you might not be the one that costs the most!

So here’s the list, complete with links to B&H (US) and Wex (UK) for the latest pricing, availability information and deals.

Fujifilm X-M5: Powerful and affordable first-time vlogging camera

Sensor: 26MP APS-C
Interchangeable lenses: Yes
Viewfinder: No
In-body image stabilization: No
User type: Vlogging beginner

Technically, this is the cheapest Fujifilm in the line-up, but that’s only if you buy it body only. If you get it with the basic Fujinon XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens, it’s a little more expensive than the new Fujifilm X-half compact camera. The X-M5 is designed as an entry-level hybrid vlogging camera with a slightly older 26MP sensor but some very powerful video features for the price. There’s no EVF and no in-body stabilization, but you wouldn’t really expect this in an APS-C camera at this price. It’s a very effective and affordable little camera.

Price body only: $799 at B&H | £799 at Wex
Price with XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens: $899 at B&H | £899 at Wex

Fujifilm X-half: Quirky but clever retro point and shoot

Sensor: 18MP 1-inch vertical sensor
Interchangeable lenses: No
Viewfinder: Yes
In-body image stabilization: No
User type: Point and shoot retro fan

This little camera is designed for a new generation of retro fans who want the simplicity and quirkiness of old-fashioned analog snapshot cameras, but with all the high-tech advantages of digital imaging. The X-half is unique in offering a vertical shooting format by default and JPEG-only image capture. It also has a fascinating ‘film’ mode where you dial in the number of exposures you want to take and you can’t look at them until you’ve finished the ‘roll’. Many photo experts are appalled by its price and lack of features, but this camera is not designed for them.

Price: $849 at B&H | £699 at Wex

Fujifilm X-T30 II: Good-value classic with external dials

Sensor: 26MP APS-C
Interchangeable lenses: Yes
Viewfinder: Yes
In-body image stabilization: No
User type: Budget-conscious travel photographers and retro fans

This is one of Fujifilm’s older models that has been kept on at a bargain price. The X-T30 II is the predecessor of the new X-T50 and features Fujifilm’s older but well-respected 26MP APS-C sensor. It’s styled like a mini-DSLR slightly smaller than the regular X-T line cameras, and is well suited to beginners and travel photographers. There’s no in-body stabilization but you do get an electronic viewfinder. It also has a physical shutter speed dial on the top which works well alongside Fujinon lenses that have physical aperture rings.

Price body only: $899 at B&H | £799 at Wex
Price with XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens: $999 at B&H | £899 at Wex

Fujifilm X-S20: Excellent mid-range hybrid with surprising power

Sensor: 26MP APS-C
Interchangeable lenses: Yes
Viewfinder: Yes
In-body stabilization: Yes
User type: Mid-level photo/video enthusiast

The Fujifilm X-S line was a bit of a departure for Fujifilm, where it dropped the classic retro exposure controls of the X-T series in favor of a more generic mirrorless camera design with a regular mode dial. Disappointing? Maybe not, because the X-S20 is crammed with features that make it one of the best mirrorless hybrid cameras you can get in this price range. It has a small body but an excellent grip and a beefed up battery for all-day shooting. It has an EVF and in-body stabilization too, so if you don’t mind the older 26MP sensor and a more mainstream design, it’s an excellent all-purpose camera.

Price body only: $1,299 at B&H | £1049 at Wex
Price with XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens: $1,399 at B&H | £1,149 at Wex

Fujifilm X-T50: Pint-sized 40MP powerhouse focusing on Film Simulations

Sensor: 40MP APS-C
Interchangeable lenses: Yes
Viewfinder: Yes
In-body stabilization: Yes
User type: Mid-level travel photography/retro fan

This is the latest camera in Fujifilm’s compact X-T line, superseding the X-T30 II with a higher resolution 40MP sensor, in-body stabilization and a dedicated Film Simulation dial. It’s a pretty major upgrade, but it’s also a much more expensive camera. So far I’ve been recommending the Fujinon XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 kit as a good-value kit lens, but with the X-T50 and its 40MP sensor I think it’s worth paying a little extra to get the newer and superior XF 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 lens. I have found that many of Fujifilm’s older lenses clearly show their limitations with this new sensor.

Price body only: $1,399 at B&H | £1,149 at Wex
Price with XF 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 kit lens: $1,799 at B&H | £1,549 at Wex

Fujifilm X-T5: Tough, pro-grade camera with classic external controls

Sensor: 40MP APS-C
Interchangeable lenses: Yes
Viewfinder: Yes
In-body stabilization: Yes
User type: Enthusiast/professional looking for Fujifilm’s trademark external exposure controls

This is like the full-size, grown-up version of the X-T50, with the same sensor but more powerful features. It has the same external exposure controls as the X-T50 and adds a physical ISO dial on the top-plate, though it does not have the X-T50’s dedicated Film Simulation dial. The X-T5 is a classic choice for serious/professional photographers who want traditional controls in a tough, compact, weather-sealed body. The 40MP sensor does show up the limitations of some of Fujifilm’s older lenses, though, such as the XF16-80mm f/4 kit lens it’s often bundled with.

Price body only: $1,699 at B&H | £1,449 at Wex
Price with XF 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 kit lens: $2,099 at B&H | £1,799 at Wex

Fujifilm X100VI: Unicorn compact that everyone wants and no-one can get

Sensor: 40MP APS-C
Interchangeable lenses: No
Viewfinder: Yes
In-body stabilization: Yes
User type: Hipster travel photographer/influencer

The social media frenzy surrounding the Fujifilm X100VI has been such that this camera has been out of stock practically everywhere ever since it was launched. A whole bunch of reviewers got samples but, it seems, not many others. In that sense, how good it is or isn’t is practically irrelevant. It’s the latest in Fujifilm’s long line of X100-series compacts. This iteration has Fujifilm’s latest 40MP sensor, in-body image stabilization, improved video features and the same 35mm equivalent f/2 non-interchangeable lens. Will that single focal length be enough for you? Will you ever be able to buy one, even?

Price: $1,599 at B&H | £1,599 at Wex

Fujifilm X-E5: Compact 40MP range-finder style camera for enthusiasts

Sensor: 40MP APS-C
Interchangeable lenses: Yes
Viewfinder: Yes
In-body stabilization: Yes
User type: Mid level street/travel/retro photography fan

The X-E5 is a long-awaited and much anticipated return of the Fujifilm X-E series, which are like rangefinder style versions of Fujifilm’s X-T cameras. What’s exciting about the X-E5 is not just the new 40Mp sensor but the addition of in-body stabilization for the first time in a Fujifilm X-E camera. Many people see this as a much more practical alternative to the hard-to-find X100VI that can take interchangeable lenses, but it is more expensive and a big leap over the price of the old X-E4. There’s also a new XF23mm f/2.8 pancake kit lens which looks well worth getting.

Price body only: $1,699 at B&H | £1,299 at Wex
Price with XF23mm f/2.8 WR kit lens: $1,899 at B&H | £1,549 at Wex

Fujifilm X-H2: High-res 40MP pro camera with 8K video

Sensor: 40MP APS-C
Interchangeable lenses: Yes
Viewfinder: Yes
In-body stabilization: Yes
User type: Professional commercial/landscape/fine art/filmmaking

The Fujifilm X-H2 is like a more professional generic hybrid version of the X-T5. It has the same 40MP sensor but swaps the X-T5’s external exposure controls for a more conventional mode dial layout. It has a thicker grip for better handling with bigger/longer lenses, a higher resolution EVF and a large and very welcome LCD status panel on the top. The X-H2 also has more powerful video features, including 8K video compared to the 6K video on the X-T5. Where the X-T5 is great for high-end retro camera enthusiasts, the X-H2 is the more rounded camera for professional use and not a whole lot more expensive.

Price body only: $1,999 at B&H | £1,599 at Wex
Price with XF16-80mm f/4 kit lens: $2,499 at B&H | £1,999 at Wex

Fujifilm X-H2S: High-speed pro camera which excels and sports and video

Sensor: 26MP stacked APS-C
Interchangeable lenses: Yes
Viewfinder: Yes
In-body stabilization: Yes
User type: Professional action/sports/filmaking

The Fujifilm X-H2S may look like it has Fujifilm’s older 26MP sensor, but this is a high-tech stacked version designed for speed, as the ‘S’ in the name indicates. Headline specs include 40fps burst shooting with the electronic shutter, 15fps with mechanical shutter, 4K video up to 120p, 6.2K at 30p, internal ProRes 422 HQ recording and ProRes and Blackmagic RAW via HDMI to an external recorder. The X-H2S can’t match the X-H2’s 40MP resolution and 8K video, but it easily beats it for speed, both in burst shooting and specifically in high-framerate and high-quality video. You would choose the X-H2 for resolution, but the slightly more expensive X-H2S is a much faster all-rounder.

Price body only: $2,499 at B&H | $1,899 at Wex
Price with XF16-80mm f/4 kit lens: $3,298 at B&H