Fujifilm X-E5 vs Fujifilm X100VI: Which camera is best?

Looking for a new compact camera but aren’t sure which one to go for? Our guide comparing two Fujifilm options has you covered. 

While the Fujifilm X-E5 earned a 4.5-star rating, and was hailed as a “highly capable mid-ranger”, the Fujifilm X100VI scored five-stars and took the top spot on our best cameras list.

With this in mind, we’ve compared our experiences with both cameras below to help you decide which one you should invest in. 

Otherwise, visit our best mirrorless camera and best DSLR camera guides for more options. 

Price and Availability

The Fujifilm X-E5 is significantly more expensive than its X-E4 predecessor, with an RRP of £1299/$1699, suggesting the camera is less marketed towards beginners. However, it’s worth noting that this is without a lens, so the total investment will vary depending on your lens choice.

Comparatively, the Fujifilm X100VI is a pricier option, with an RRP of £1599/$1599.

Design

• At 521g compared to 535g, the X100VI is lighter
• The X-E5 has a customisable front lever and includes the Film Simulation dial
• We found the X-E5 didn’t handle quite as comfortably

While the X-E4 felt slightly cheap in handy, the Fujifilm X-E5 has a more solid feeling, thanks to its aluminum top plate. Having said that, it still retains the same slim, rangefinder-inspired form factor and, at just 535g, is impressively lightweight too. 

However, its compact body does mean handling isn’t quite as comfortable as we found there’s limited space to wrap your fingers around the body. Not only that, but using large, heavy telephoto lenses will likely make the camera feel imbalanced and harder to use too. 

Although the X100VI also sports a lightweight, aluminum design, the camera is slightly lighter at just 521g which helps the camera feel comfortable and secure in hand. In fact, we found ourselves using the camera with just one hand at times. 

Both are also fitted with an OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF), although we found the X-E5’s to be less immersive and high-detailed than others. 

Alongside shutter speed and exposure compensation dials, the X-E5 borrows a few controls found on the more expensive X100VI, including a new dedicated Film Simulation dial, where the ISO dial would usually be and a customisable front lever that’s borrowed from the X100 series. With the latter, you can assign this to whatever suits your photography, whether that’s switching aspect ratios, using the digital zoom or others.

Finally, the X100VI comes with a fixed f/2.0 lens, which is equivalent to 35mm format. While this is a versatile focal length that’s suited to shooting a wide variety of subjects, it’s worth noting that some can find the prospect limiting.

Winner: Fujifilm X100VI

Features

• Five-axis IBIS appears for the first time in an X-E series
• Both cameras have 40.2MP sensors
• We found the X-E5 tends to overheat while filming video

Both the X-E5 and X100VI are fitted with large 40.2MP sensors and sport the X-Processor 5. The latter is especially noteworthy with the X100VI as this offers multiple improvements over its predecessor, including expanded subject detection and tracking, with everything from animals, cars and even insects able to be detected. 

We also found the autofocus to be impressively fast at detected people, eyes and even cars and birds, which makes the camera ideal for street photography 

Otherwise, the X-E5 is undoubtedly feature-packed as it not only boasts five-axis in-body image stabilisation (IBIS) for the first time in the series, but it also has an enhanced autofocus system too. 

We found that despite being a slight downgrade from the X-E4, its burst shooting is solid as you can get up to 20fps with the electronic shooter. Speaking of, we found the X-E5 supports up to 13fps (electronic) or 8fps (mechanical), while the X100VI supports 20fps (electronic) or 11fps (mechanical). 

One area which lets the X-E5 down is with video. While it boasts impressive specs on paper, with 6.2K at 30fps, 4K at 60fps and full HD at up to 240fps, as there’s no internal cooling on board, the camera has a habit of overheating.

Finally, perhaps unsurprisingly, you can expect up to 450 stills or 45 minutes of video with the X100VI, while the battery of the X-E5 offers around 400 stills or 45 minutes of recording too.

Winner: Fujifilm X100VI

Image Quality

• Both cameras produce detailed and sharp images
• Film Simulation is a great addition, and the accompanying dial makes switching between the modes easy 
• Although the X-E5 tends to overheat and shut down when recording footage, it can take good short clips and b-roll

Both Fujifilm cameras produce stunning photos. With the X-E5 we saw a huge amount of detail, even in compressed JPEGs, superb dynamic range and excellent high ISO performance. The X100VI is no different, with stills appearing bright, sharp and saturated, while the f/2.0 aperture allows for a more shallow depth of field.

We especially appreciate the Film Simulation modes and the accompanying Film Simulation dial, which makes switching between all 20 modes quick and easy. Plus, if none of the defaults suit your style, you can build your own within the camera. 

Although both can and do record videos with a brilliant image quality, they remain still-first cameras and will suit anyone looking for a hybrid model.  

Winner: Fujifilm X100VI

Verdict

It’s difficult to choose between the two, as both the Fujifilm X-E5 and X100VI are brilliant cameras. In fact, considering the X-E5 borrows a lot of features from the more expensive X100VI, including the customisable front lever, X5 processor and Film Simulation, if you’re on a tighter budget and have Fuji lenses already, then it’s a no-brainer to opt for the X-E5. 

However, if you want the best of Fujifilm’s X100 series, then the X100VI remains a solid five-star choice.