Why the Fujifilm X-M5 Became My Favourite Travel Camera (Even Over the X-T5)
- stuartchard
- Jan 1
- 4 min read
Introduction
When I set off on my recent Asia trip, I brought what I believed was the perfect travel camera: the Fujifilm X-T5. Powerful, high-resolution, professional—everything a serious photographer could want, yet still reasonably compact for travel.
But on my first stop in Tokyo, I wandered into BIC Camera near my hotel. I picked up the Fujifilm X-M5, and to my surprise, it instantly felt right. Smaller, lighter, and supposedly “less advanced”, yet it immediately clicked with me. I had promised myself I would travel light (one camera, one lens), so buying another camera felt like cheating—but the price in Japan was excellent, and I just couldn’t walk away.
Over the course of the trip, I found myself reaching for the X-M5 far more than the X-T5. It completely changed some of my preconceived ideas about what makes a great travel photography camera.
This isn’t a technical review. It’s a real-world look at how size, feel, usability, and enjoyment can sometimes matter more than specs—and why the Fujifilm X-M5 may be the perfect travel companion for many photographers.
Why I Originally Chose the Fujifilm X-T5
The Fujifilm X-T5 is a fantastic camera and seemed ideal for travel and street photography. Many photographers describe it as compact—but everything is relative. My previous Fujifilm bodies were the XE2, XE3, and XE4, which I usually carried on a wrist strap. The X-T5 never really suited that style, and on a trip to Turkey I even had a leather neck strap made to make it more comfortable.
Still, on paper the X-T5 offered everything I wanted:
High-resolution APS-C sensor with great cropping flexibility
Excellent dynamic range
Fast, professional autofocus
Strong battery life
For Asia, I paired it with:
Sigma 18–50mm F2.8 as my main lens
Fujifilm 27mm pancake as a compact backup
That, I thought, was my perfect travel setup.
First Impressions of the Fujifilm X-M5
The moment I held the X-M5 in Tokyo, a few things stood out immediately:
Size & Weight – incredibly compact and light
Discreet Design – far less intimidating on busy streets
Ease of Use – intuitive and quick to shoot with
It didn’t just fit into my bag—it made me want to carry it everywhere.
Lesson for travel photographers:On long trips, the camera that gets used most is usually the smallest and lightest one.
The Practical Travel Advantage
Back at my hotel, I fitted the 27mm pancake lens, and suddenly the X-M5 became almost pocketable (with the right jacket!). That evening I headed out to explore Ikebukuro, and although I’d barely configured the camera, it just felt natural to shoot with.
It hung comfortably from my wrist, slipped easily into a pocket, and was never in the way—even in busy restaurants.
Real-world travel photography isn’t about spec sheets. It’s about:
Comfort during long days
Speed and responsiveness
Blending into busy environments
Being ready for unexpected moments
In all these areas, the X-M5 excelled. The X-T5 remains powerful, but wearing it around my neck all day felt heavier and more conspicuous—especially in popular tourist areas.
Battery Life and Everyday Use
Photographers experience battery anxiety just like EV drivers! The fear that your camera will die before your day finishes is real.
I already owned several NP-W126 batteries from previous Fujifilm cameras, and the X-M5 uses the same type. Although I expected weaker performance compared to the larger X-T5 battery, it surprised me.
My plan was to use the X-T5 for daytime shooting and switch to the X-M5 in the evenings. However, during long evenings wandering Tokyo (often while my wife explored the shops!), I shot a lot—and the X-M5 battery held up extremely well. Gradually, I started trusting it more.
Typical travel shooting involves:
Long days walking and photographing
Constant on/off usage
Limited charging opportunities
The X-M5 handled this surprisingly well.
The Missing Viewfinder – Problem or Advantage?
A common criticism of the X-M5 is the lack of a viewfinder. As someone who spends a lot of time in bright, sunny locations, I expected this to be a major problem.
For the first few days, I kept instinctively lifting the camera to my eye. Eventually my brain caught up, and I adapted to shooting from the screen.
Then something unexpected happened.
Shooting without a viewfinder actually changed my perspective and style. The fully articulating screen meant I could shoot from the waist, above my head, or at unusual angles with ease. People seemed less aware of me too—more like someone using a phone than a large camera. I genuinely believe this made street photography easier and less intrusive.
Only once on the entire trip did the lack of a viewfinder truly bother me—shooting into bright light above a crowded area. Even then, I managed.
Choosing the Right Lenses for the X-M5
The Fujifilm X-M5 works best with:
Compact primes
Lightweight zooms
When I mounted the Sigma 18–50mm F2.8, the size advantage of the body reduced significantly. Big lenses quickly defeat the point of such a compact camera.
Tip for Fujifilm buyers:Match the lens to the philosophy of the camera. Portability is the X-M5’s superpower—don’t take it away.
Buttons, Dials & Customisation
The X-M5 has fewer buttons than many Fujifilm bodies, and the PASM dial layout is different from traditional Fuji designs. Personally, this wasn’t a problem—just different.
However, the lack of rear buttons does limit customisation, and I found myself occasionally knocking the front dial and unintentionally changing settings such as ISO. This was frustrating at times.
Back home, I added the SmallRig grip, which made a noticeable difference without adding much bulk.
Final Thoughts – Why I Reached for the X-M5 More Than the X-T5
I began this trip believing the X-T5 was my ultimate camera.I ended it realising the X-M5 is the camera I enjoy using more.
Not because it’s technically superior—it isn’t. But because it is:
Lighter
Less intrusive
More enjoyable to carry
Easier to shoot spontaneously
For real-world travel photography, comfort and usability often matter more than ultimate specs.
Right now, I’m deciding where the X-T5 fits in my future. Its 40MP sensor is still useful for large prints (and I do sell prints online), although modern upscaling tools help close the gap.
With my next trip likely being a week in Seville, I’m already looking at my camera shelf—and I’m strongly leaning toward packing the Fujifilm X-M5.
Lightroom Metadata, Shots XM5 = 4,500 XT5 = 2000
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