Fujifilm’s new vlogging camera – the X-M5

Fujifilm’s new entry level camera the X-M5 has many features that will make it a very popular camera not only for photography, but also for video – particularly for content creators.

In the last few years we have seen an increase in demand of “easy to use” cameras for YouTube content creators, who want to have a simplified video creation process. They do not need all the bells and whistles that professional videographers strive for, just a simple, portable easy to use set up that delivers quality videos.

Many camera manufacturers have been catering to this niche with cameras like the Sony ZV-E10, which was incredibly popular, and its successor the ZV-E10 II. Fujifilm also introduced the X-S20, as a video centric camera, with an added vlog mode. The vlog mode enabled some features that vloggers need, available in a simplified touch screen menu.

Tapping on the Vlog icon brings up a menu of six useful settings that can be toggled directly by touch screen.

The setting that you can change are:

• SELF-TIMER: Sets a countdown of 3, 5, or 10 seconds before recording begins.
• FACE/EYE DETECTION SETTING: Offers face, eye, and left- or right-eye priority autofocus.
• PRODUCT PRIORITY MODE: Pulls focus from a subject’s face to any item held closer to the lens.
• IS MODE: Select between OFF, IBIS/OIS, and IBIS/OIS + DIS. Differences are outlined below.
• HIGH SPEED REC: Increases frame rate up to 240fps, for slow-motion playback.
• BACKGROUND DEFOCUS MODE: Creates a cinematic, shallow depth-of-field behind a foreground subject.

One setting that is present in many smart phones and other cameras targeted for vloggers is soft skin or beauty mode.

Smooth skin – a new addition to the vloggers arsenal

On the poster that Fujifilm China teased, one of the promoted features was “Smooth Skin” alluding to the possibility of having a setting to soften the skin. As far as I know, this feature was only present in Fujifilm’s GFX line-up of cameras and is novelty for its X-series.

The addition of this feature makes sense as other cameras in the same category, competing for the same audience already have it – the Sony ZV-E10 / II, Sony ZV1, DJI Pocket 3, as well as the Nikon Z8 / ZF.

While this feature might seem useless to the guys, I have seen many female content creators using this feature and even choosing a camera specifically because it has this feature.

I wonder if they will implement this feature as an additional icon in the vlogging menu, which would make sense, or will it be something that you will have to switch on/off in the menu settings.

The next most popular content creator camera – if the price is right

The addition of the smooth skin feature, along with the compact size, fully articulated touch screen, fast focus, compact size, and film simulation dial, will make this camera a worthy contender in the ever growing market of content creator/vlogging cameras. The addition of this camera to its X-series could be a great financial success story for Fuji.

We will have to see how it actually operates in the real world; if the auto focus is good, if there are recording limitations, overheating issues, image stability, and last but not least the price. If Fuji manages to keep the price of this camera under a 1000$ or even under 800$ and it will performance will be well received, it will sell like hot cakes!

Now we will just have to wait until Monday the 14^th to get the full details – along with the official presentation there will be a ton of videos from testers that are under NDA right now.