One of Fujifilm's most popular mirrorless cameras is the Fujifilm X-M5 – so popular, in fact, that like the viral Fujifilm X100VI, it’s often hard to find in stock.
There’s a good reason for its popularity, with its affordable price and tiny design, but as a Fujifilm photographer it’s not the budget body that I would pick: I would choose the Fujifilm X-S20 instead.
There are two key reasons that the X-M5 is so trendy. First, it’s Fujifilm’s cheapest currently produced mirrorless, retailing for $999 in the US even when bundled with a lens.
But the X-M5 is also incredibly small, so I think part of its success is down to the fact that it makes an excellent alternative to a compact camera. At just 12.5 oz body only, the X-M5 is quite portable for a mirrorless body.
I’m not knocking the X-M5 – I think it’s a solid compact alternative and an entry-level option that still has a healthy dose of features, particularly for hybrid shooters. But, if I had to pick an affordable Fujifilm mirrorless right now, the X-S20 is the one that would win my attention.
The X-S20 has several things in common with the X-M5 – as well as the Fujifilm X-T30 III – including the same 26.1MP sensor, 20fps bursts and 6K video. But there are a couple of key reasons that I gravitate towards the X-S20 as a photographer.
The first reason that I’d save up a bit more for the X-S20 is that, unlike the X-M5, it still has a viewfinder. This does make the camera a bit larger in comparison, but it’s well worth it.
Viewfinders are much easier to see in bright sunlight and support a more ergonomic grip than framing the shot with the LCD screen. (The X-S20 also has a more comfortable grip than the X-M5.)
Image stabilization is the other big reason to consider the X-S20, as the X-M5 lacks stabilization in the body.
I hate hauling tripods around, and stabilization helps me take crisper images in low light without one, as well as being a big help when using longer lenses. Stabilization is one of those features that tends to come at a higher price point, yet it’s exceptionally helpful for beginners.
Stabilization is also the reason why I’d pick the X-S20 over the more affordable X-T30 III – which bridges the gap between the X-M5 and the X-S20 in Fujifilm’s lineup and also has a viewfinder.
But the reason that I’m tempted by the X-S20 right now is that B&H has it bundled with Fujifilm’s new pancake lens at a nice discount in the US.
The X-S20 is usually paired with the Fujifilm XC 15-45mm or the Fujifilm XF 16-50mm kit lenses, but the retailer has a bundle right now that includes the Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2.8 R WR.
This tiny pancake lens truly makes for a portable package, and the equivalent 34.5mm focal length with f/2.8 aperture is both versatile and a dream to shoot with!
Fujifilm has a handful of more budget-friendly options, but the viewfinder and in-body stabilization would make the X-S20 an easy decision for me.
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